Crawford County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Crawford County, Missouri, are official paperwork and details created after law enforcement officers make arrests in the county. Under Missouri law, an arrest is defined as an action accomplished by "an actual restraint" of an individual or by the person's "submission to the custody of the officer", whether in accordance with a warrant or for a criminal violation.

Arrest records typically include each arrestee's identifiers, the specific charges, and arrest circumstances. These records are compiled by agencies such as the Crawford County Sheriff's Office and city police departments. However, certain details or documents, like bond/bail information and arrest warrants, are part of the official Crawford County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Crawford County?

Yes. Law enforcement agencies are mandated under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.100.2(1) to create and publish information related to arrests for public access unless there are statutory exemptions.

These exemptions prevent the disclosure of specific details that may derail active investigations, violate court orders, or endanger minors, victims, confidential informants, or witnesses. Further, portions of records that contain sensitive personal information (like bank statements, passport numbers, and medical records) may be redacted to protect individual rights to privacy.

However, authorized parties may access sealed or restricted records in specific situations. For example, parties to a juvenile case can inspect and obtain the related documents, and law enforcement agencies can access most restricted data during investigations and other criminal justice matters.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following are arrest details released to the public in Crawford County:

• Defendant's name, sex, age, physical description, and photograph
• Alleged offense
• Arresting police agency
• Booking date and number
• Arrest date and location
• Holding facility
• Bond amount
• Release date
• Court date

Crawford County Arrest Statistics

Per annual crime statistics released by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Crawford County recorded 384 arrests in 2024. Shoplifting led to the most arrests (148), followed by drug/narcotic violations with 47 incidents. Meanwhile, 36 arrests occurred due to simple assault, and aggravated assault offenses led to 16 arrests.

Find Crawford County Arrest Records

The Sheriff's Office manages an online Inmate Roster for the county detention center. The roster is updated daily with suspects' mugshots, booking dates, charges, and bond information. One can also visit or contact the Sheriff's Office using these details to retrieve information about arrestees:

212 Third Street
Steelville, MO 65565
Phone: (573) 775-2125
Fax: (573) 775-2126

Police departments having jurisdiction within city boundaries can also provide details of arrests for individuals detained in their cities. For example, one can contact the Cuba Police Department using these address and phone details:

Cuba Police Department
602 South Franklin Street
Cuba, Missouri 65453
Phone: (573) 885-7979 (Office), (573) 775-4911 (After Hours)

For offenders currently incarcerated at state facilities or on probation/parole, interested persons can approach the Missouri Department of Corrections. The MODOC provides an Offender Search portal that allows members of the public to look up inmate details, such as active and completed sentences, inmate photographs, and probation officers.

Additionally, the Missouri Highway Patrol publishes arrest information by county. Individuals can select Troop I on the arrest reports webpage to find details about Crawford County arrestees. These details include the suspect's personal information, charges, holding facility, and bail details.

Arrest records created for federal offenders can be obtained from the respective arresting agencies. Additionally, one can locate an offender through the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP). For example, one can use the Online Detainee Locator System provided by the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to find people held for allegedly breaking immigration laws. The BOP's Federal Inmate Locator also allows members of the public to determine prison facilities where inmates are held.

Free Arrest Record Search in Crawford County

Arrest records can sometimes be accessed for free through third-party websites. These platforms generally gather publicly available information from criminal justice agencies and public repositories and make those records searchable online, usually through one database. Consequently, arrest record searches become more convenient for individuals who do not know the right agency to approach. However, it is essential to understand that independent platforms are not official custodians. As a result, it is best to verify the records collected from these sources through official agencies.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

It depends. According to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.105, arrest records are automatically sealed if a person is found not guilty, their charges are dismissed, or prosecutors decline to file charges. However, sealing only applies to the general public's access; law enforcement and other authorized entities can still access these records. At the same time, individuals can expunge their records to have them permanently destroyed.

Notwithstanding, people who were convicted of serious crimes and do not qualify for sealing or expungement will have permanent arrest and criminal records.

Expunge Crawford County Arrest Records

Individuals who meet the requirements of Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.123 have the right to expunge their arrest records in Crawford County. Expungement, as defined under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.124, involves the destruction of those records by court order. As mentioned, Missouri has a process that automatically seals eligible records. However, unlike expunged records, these documents and information will still be retrievable under certain circumstances.

The expungement process is available to those whose arrests were made under particular circumstances and who properly petition the Crawford County Circuit Court.

Missouri law also allows the expungement of certain criminal convictions. Individuals convicted in the past can visit the state judiciary's expungement page to check whether they qualify.

For people who were acquitted, eligibility for expungement hinges on the following criteria:

• The individual's arrest was a result of false information.
• The police do not have probable cause to convince a court that a crime was committed.
• There was no Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS).
• The prosecutor will not pursue charges in the future.
• There are no pending civil actions associated with the arrest.

To begin the process in Crawford County, a petitioner must file a formal request using Form CR 145 and submit it to the local circuit court. The petition must include comprehensive personal details, such as the petitioner's full name, date of birth, race, sex, Social Security number, driver's license number, and residential address at the time of arrest. Additionally, it must contain specific arrest information, including the charges, the arresting agency, the county of arrest, the case number, and the court in which the charges were filed.

The petitioner must also undergo a fingerprinting process to allow the state's law enforcement agency to run a criminal background check. Moreover, they must identify every agency or organization that holds copies of their arrest records.

Applicants must be thorough when completing their applications. Missing or incomplete information, such as failing to list an agency holding the record, may prevent the court from granting the expungement request. Similarly, omitting required personal or arrest details may lead to the dismissal of the petition.

Crawford County Arrest Warrants

Crawford County arrest warrants are written documents issued by judges, magistrates, or clerks that direct police officers to apprehend and detain people accused of breaking the law. Clerks are permitted to issue warrants when prosecutors submit indictments against defendants.

Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 544 states that peace officers can arrest suspects with or without warrants. However, when a warrant is needed, police agents must submit complaints to courts proving that probable cause exists to arrest the named individual. Missouri Supreme Court Rules 22.04 and 37.43 also outline the requirements for issuing warrants in the county.

To find warrant information, individuals can contact the local circuit and municipal courts, depending on which judicial officer issued the warrant. A person can also contact the Sheriff's Office or local police department to ask questions about warrants. The Sheriff has a dedicated Most Wanted page where the names and details of individuals with outstanding warrants for serious crimes are published.

Do Crawford County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Crawford County. They remain active until arrests are made or suspects surrender. However, judges can recall warrants upon finding new evidence that exonerates the defendant.