Clinton County Arrest Records

In Clinton County, Missouri, the Clinton County Sheriff's Office handles arrests and, as such, documents the details of apprehension in arrest records. Arrests are made when an officer witnesses a crime, has a reasonable belief that a crime has been or is about to be committed, or when there is an active arrest warrant. Inmates are usually held at the Clinton County Jail. An arrest record is not evidence of guilt. It simply shows that an individual was apprehended and taken into police custody. If and when a judge gives a guilty verdict for an offense, it automatically becomes part of the Clinton County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Clinton County?

Under the Missouri Sunshine Law codified in Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, anyone can access and request copies of records in the custody of any public governmental body (RSMo § 610.011). The law applies to all documents in the custody of the Clinton County Sheriff's Office, which requires the officer on duty to promptly make the particulars of an arrest available for inspection and copying to anyone who can correctly identify the relevant record.

However, RSMo § 610.021 confers authority on government agencies to restrict public access to records relating to any of the following matters:

• Litigation involving a public body
• Confidential communications between a public body or its representatives and its attorney
• Medical, psychological, mental health, or addiction diagnosis
• Records subject to non-disclosure laws
• Records that may endanger the health and safety of individuals if disclosed

Clinton County Sheriff's Office
207 N Main Street #6
Plattsburg, Missouri 64477
Phone: (816) 539-2156

Clinton County Arrest Statistics

According to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data, in 2019, Clinton County, Missouri, reported 16 violent crime incidents, including zero murders, four rapes, one robbery, and 11 aggravated assaults. That same year, the county reported 53 property crime incidents, consisting of 12 burglaries, 36 larceny-thefts, five motor vehicle thefts, and zero arsons, totaling 69 reported offenses.

In April 2025, a major drug enforcement operation in Clinton County led to the arrest of 21 individuals and resulted in 52 indictments. Later that month, between April 28 and May 1, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 11 arrests in North Missouri, including one in Clinton County related to a misdemeanor warrant.

Find Clinton County Arrest Records

Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) Offender Search:

The Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) Offender Search online tool allows individuals to search for offenders by name, DOC number, or other identifiers to find individuals incarcerated in Missouri state correctional facilities. To use the search tool, individuals must navigate to the Missouri DOC website, input the verification number seen on the screen, and then click on "Proceed to Offender Web Search". Then, individuals can input the Doc ID or the inmate's first and last name.

Clinton County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster:

The Clinton County Sheriff's Office website lists incarcerated individuals at the Clinton County Detention Center. To view the inmate list, visit the website and click on the "Current Inmates" link or similar designation.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator:

Individuals can use the BOP website to search for inmates in federal prisons by name or by BOP registration number. Access the Federal Bureau of Prisons website and choose to search by the inmate's BOP, DCDC, FBI, or INS registration number. Alternatively, individuals could search by the inmate's first, middle, and last name.

Clinton County Sheriff's Office:

This is the most direct source for arrest information. Residents may request records by visiting the office in person at:

Clinton County Sheriff's Office
207 N Main Street #6
Plattsburg, Missouri 64477
Phone: (816) 539-2156

Clinton County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Missouri, including Clinton County, arrest records refer to documentation created during the arrest, such as booking information and the alleged offense. These are public records under Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.100, accessible even if charges were never filed or the individual was later found not guilty. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records in Clinton County.

In contrast, criminal records are more extensive, including arrests, charges, court outcomes (e.g., convictions, dismissals), and sentencing. These documents are maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol's CJIS and are accessible through the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS). A name-based check provides limited results (mainly open and recent cases), while a fingerprint-based check reveals the whole history, including dismissed or expunged cases. Thus, criminal records offer a more comprehensive view of an individual's interactions with the justice system.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests may stay on a person's record indefinitely unless expunged. An arrest record can only be removed from a person's public record following a petition to seal or expunge the record. Arrest records generally have a three-year wait period before they can be erased. However, this may vary depending on the offense committed.

An individual may apply for an order of expungement in case of a felony after three years and one year for misdemeanors. However, this rule would not apply where the arrest is in respect of offenses that require individuals to register as sex offenders, felony offenses where death was part of the offense, felony assault offenses, and more.

Moreover, in the case of expungement, the arrest record becomes exempt from public disclosure. However, the courts can access sealed records. The process of expungement is not automatic. The person must satisfy the eligibility requirements stated under the law: sufficient time elapsed, acquittance, or no charges.

Clinton County Arrest Warrants

Clinton County arrest warrants are court-issued documents that authorize law enforcement to take someone into custody. They are typically issued after a judge reviews an affidavit from a police officer or prosecutor establishing probable cause that a crime has occurred. Once issued, they are enforceable by any Missouri peace officer statewide.

Each arrest warrant must include key information such as the defendant's identity, the alleged offense, the date and location of issuance, the issuing court, and the judge's signature. Arrest warrants are essential in ensuring arrests are legally justified and constitutionally sound when police didn't directly witness a crime.

Do Clinton County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Clinton County, arrest warrants generally do not expire. They remain active until the court recalls the warrant. Circumstances that may prompt the court to recall a warrant include:

• The charges against the person have been dropped, dismissed, or resolved.
• The suspect's arrest or voluntary surrender to authorities.
• Procedural or legal errors in the warrant issuance or execution.
• The defendant's attorney filed a successful motion to recall the warrant.

When a warrant is recalled, it loses its lawful force, and the person named in it can no longer be arrested.

Expunge Clinton County Arrest Records

Individuals can seek expungement of arrest records in Clinton County if they meet specific eligibility criteria under Missouri law. To qualify, the arrest must not have led to a conviction, and the individual must not have prior or subsequent criminal convictions or probation related to the offense. However, since January 1, 2025, arrest records are eligible for expungement after 18 months, while misdemeanors require a one-year wait and felonies require three years after completing a sentence or probation.

The expungement process begins with filing a verified petition in the Clinton County Circuit Court, along with a fingerprint card and a $250 fee. The judge may waive the surcharge if the petitioner is indigent and unable to pay the cost.

Relevant law enforcement and state agencies are notified and have 30 days to object. If no objections arise or after a hearing, a judge may grant the expungement if it's in the public interest. Once approved, all related records are sealed, including those held by local police, the Missouri Highway Patrol, and even federal agencies like the FBI. After expungement, the individual can legally deny the arrest in most circumstances.