Butler County Arrest Records

Arrest records are official documents that provide details of individuals detained by law enforcement. These records, managed by various agencies, play a vital role in maintaining public safety, enforcing legal compliance, and ensuring accountability in Butler County, Missouri. Arrest records are integral to Butler County Court Records, which includes broader legal documents such as case files, warrants, and court judgments.

Arrests are necessary when a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime, as outlined in the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and § 544.180 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo). Arrests may also occur pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by a judge under § 544.040 RSMo based on a sworn affidavit demonstrating probable cause.

After an arrest, individuals are typically held in the Butler County Jail, located in Poplar Bluff, pending trial or arraignment. The Butler County Sheriff's Office oversees this facility and is responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records in compliance with Missouri law.

The booking process comes after an arrest. Individuals are processed by the law enforcement officer who made the arrest. The booking process involves taking the details of the arrestee as well as other vital records, which are listed below:

• The Full name of the arrestee.
• The arrestee's physical description
• The arrest time, location, and arresting officer
• The arrestee's mugshot and fingerprints
• Charges filed against the arrestee.
• Bail/bond details
• The law enforcement agency in charge of the arrest.

Arrest records often intersect with Butler County Court Records, which provide additional legal context, such as trial proceedings or plea agreements, ensuring a comprehensive system for managing criminal justice information. For example, arrest information may also be accessible in Missouri criminal history records maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol under § 43.500 RSMo and § 610.120 RSMo.

Are Arrest Records Public in Butler County?

In Missouri, arrest records are classified as public records under the Missouri Sunshine Law (§ 610.010 et seq., RSMo). This law guarantees transparency by granting public access to government records, including those related to arrests. However, certain expectations exist:

1. Exempt information: Arrest records may be withheld if:

• They pertain to ongoing investigations (§ 610.100.3, RSMo)
• The records involve juveniles (§ 211.321, RSMo)
• A court has ordered the records sealed (§ 610.105, RSMo)

1. Eligibility Requirements: Individuals seeking access must submit a formal request to the Butler County Sheriff's Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, or other relevant agencies. Requests must comply with the procedural guidelines in § 610.023 RSMo

Publicly accessible arrest records often include details such as the date of arrest, charges, and booking information but exclude sensitive personal data or victim information.

Butler County Arrest Statistics

The Butler County jail is a medium-security prison that accommodates 150 bookings per month. The Butler County State Highway Patrol states that the Missouri incarceration rate is 713 per 100,000 people, with 3,448 total arrests made in the county. These arrest records are often cross-referenced with Butler County Court Records to monitor outcomes of criminal proceedings and law enforcement efficiency.

Find Butler County Arrest Records

To find arrest records in Butler County, individuals may access resources provided by state and federal agencies:

1. Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS): Maintained under § 43.500-43.503 RSMo, this platform offers comprehensive access to arrest records, subject to user authentication and fees.
2. Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC): Provides information on individuals incarcerated in state correctional facilities. This resource is governed by §§ 217.075 and 217.360 RSMo.
3. Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Offers a national inmate locator tool for individuals detained for federal offenses, pursuant to federal regulations under 18 U.S.C. § 3624.

Requests for records may require providing identifying details such as the full name, date of birth, or case number.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Missouri, arrest remains on a person's criminal record indefinitely unless expunged, sealed, or removed under § 610.140 RSMo. This law specifies the eligibility criteria for expungement:

1. Misdemeanors: Arrests for certain misdemeanors may be expunged five to seven years after sentencing, provided no additional offenses are committed.
2. Felonies: Felony arrests may be eligible for expungement after ten years if they meet specific requirements, such as the absence of violent crime or sexual offenses.

Eligibility also requires the petitioner to demonstrate that expungement is in the public’s interest, as outlined in § 610.140.5(1)-(5), RSMo.

Butler County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal documents issued by judges or magistrates in Butler County authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest an individual suspected of a crime. These are governed by § 544.020-544.090 RSMo and require a sworn affidavit or complaint establishing probable cause.

Key Information in an Arrest Warrant:

• Name and description of the suspect (§ 544.030, RSMo).
• Nature of the offense and statute violated (§ 544.050, RSMo).
• Judge’s signature and date of issuance (§ 544.040, RSMo).

Warrants are typically issued for individuals who fail to appear in court, violate probation, or are involved in criminal investigations.

Do Butler County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Under Missouri law, arrest warrants generally do not expire. They remain active until executed or recalled by the issuing court, as outlined in § 544.170 RSMo. Factors that may lead to a warrant being quashed include:

• Statutory time limits on certain charges (§ 556.036, RSMo).
• Resolution of the underlying offense.

Warrants are periodically reviewed by local authorities to ensure accuracy and compliance with legal standards.