Jefferson County Court Records

Court records within Jefferson County are crucial documents that encompass details concerning legal proceedings. They typically consist of a collection of dockets, minutes, memoranda, exhibits, supporting documents, and judgments, offering a comprehensive view of a specific case within the Jefferson court system.

Generally, Missouri court records are under the jurisdiction of the judiciary and are meticulously maintained by the court. These records hold significant value and are preserved for various purposes, such as serving as points of reference, fostering justice, and enhancing transparency. Moreover, court records can serve as valuable resources for research or educational purposes.

These records typically include vital case information, such as the case number, type of case, complaint details, names of involved parties, scheduled hearings, the presiding judge's name, and the ultimate court decision.

Are Court Records Public in Jefferson County?

Yes. Following Missouri Court Operating Rule 2.02, court records are considered public records and can be examined or duplicated by interested members of the public, regardless of their format.

However, this rule does not extend to records that are sealed or deemed confidential by statute or court order. Furthermore, records or segments of records containing sensitive information are not available to the public.

Examples of such records include:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Financial records, state identification numbers, social security numbers, and the identities of individuals (such as witnesses or victims) whose disclosure could jeopardize their safety
• Access to this information is restricted to authorized individuals.

Jefferson County Court Records Search

If a researcher wishes to perform a Jefferson County court record search, there are a few available options to consider:

• Utilize the case management search tool offered by the courthouse to access the organized records online
• Inquire with the Office of the Clerk
• Submit a mail request to the relevant courthouse where the case was managed, or visit in person
• Explore a private aggregate site that offers access to a court record database

Jefferson County Court Records Search by Name

Missouri courts offer public access to an online database via a case search tool on their website for individuals to locate records. This tool offers various search options, including searching by business or participant's name.

To locate a court record in Jefferson County, the individual would need to select 'Jefferson County' under the 'search for cases in' section, along with providing a last name. Additional information can be added to refine the search. Accessing records through the online database is free of charge.

Similarly, residents can request a record by using the name of a party involved in the case. This can be done in person at the courthouse or by mail. Just like with online records, viewing court records in Jefferson County is complimentary. However, there may be a fee for ordering copies.

Jefferson County Courts

In Jefferson County, there are only two court types: the circuit court, of which there is only one, and the municipal courts, of which there are approximately nine. The addresses for these courts are detailed below.

Circuit Court in Jefferson County

Jefferson County Courthouse
300 Main Street
P.O. Box 100 Hillsboro MO 63050
Phone: (636) 797-5443
Fax: (636) 797-5073

Municipal Courts in Jefferson County

Arnold Municipal Court
2101 Jeffco Boulevard
Arnold MO 63010
Phone: (636) 296-0595

Byrnes Mill Municipal Court
141 Osage Executive Circle
Byrnes Mill MO 63051
Phone: (636) 677-7727
Fax: (36) 677-5533

Crystal City Municipal Court City Hall Building
130 Mississippi Avenue
Crystal City, MO 63019
Phone: (636) 937-4604
Fax: (636) 931-4634

De Soto Municipal Court City Hall
17 Boyd Street
DeSoto MO 63020
Phone: (636) 586-3326

Festus Municipal Court
711 West Main Street
Festus MO 63028
Phone: (636) 937-1282
Fax: (636) 937-5999

Herculaneum Municipal Court City Hall
1 Parkwood Court
Herculaneum MO 63048
Phone: (636) 479-4318
Fax: (636) 475-6191

Hillsboro Municipal Court
101 Main Street
P.O. Box 19 Hillsboro MO 63050
Phone: (636) 797-3334
Fax: (636) 789-2112

Jefferson County Municipal Court
400 1st Street
P.O. Box 100 Hillsboro MO 63050
Phone: (636) 797-6265
Fax: (636) 797-6167

Pevely Municipal Court
401 Main Street
Pevely, MO 63070
Phone: (636) 475-3355
Fax: (636) 475-4116

Jefferson County Superior Court Case Search

Jefferson County does not have a Superior Court; rather, it is home to a Circuit Court that functions as the trial court, along with several Municipal Courts. Those looking to access case records from the Circuit Court or any of the Municipal Courts can either utilize the online search tool available for locating records or reach out to the courthouse directly.

Jefferson County District Court Records

Similar to the absence of a Superior Court, Jefferson County does not have a District Court. However, the Municipal Courts in the county handle specific matters that align with those typically handled by a District Court. Some of the cases within the jurisdiction of a Jefferson Municipal Court include petty offenses, misdemeanors, municipal ordinance violations, DWI/DUI, trespassing, speeding tickets, assault, public intoxication, shoplifting, harassment, traffic violations, possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and failure to comply.

Individuals seeking court records related to any of the aforementioned cases or any others handled by a Municipal Court in the county can visit the courthouse to utilize a public terminal computer for record searches, make inquiries with the clerk, or submit a request by mail. In any of these scenarios, the requester would need to provide details to facilitate the retrieval of the specific record. Additionally, there is the option of using the Missouri case.net tool.

Jefferson County Criminal Records

There are various reasons why an individual might seek a Jefferson County criminal record, such as for conducting a background check. Searches can be performed at the county level, state level, or federal level. However, obtaining a complete criminal record from the sheriff’s office or the Department of Police may not be feasible, although individuals may find Jefferson County arrest records. It is advisable to check with the state law enforcement agency for a comprehensive criminal record.

The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of Missouri is responsible for compiling, maintaining, and distributing criminal records in the state. Typically, these records include arrest records, criminal incidents, indictments, and any other criminal charges and dispositions. Therefore, a Jefferson County criminal history would encompass Jefferson County arrest records and court judgments.

CJIS offers two types of criminal history searches:

• Personal identifier or name-based search, which utilizes information such as the individual's name, date of birth, and social security number.
• Fingerprint-based search.

A name-based search is commonly used by members of the public to access criminal records. The results generally yield potential matches and are less detailed, as only a portion of the record is retrieved. The cost for this search is $15. Conversely, a fingerprint-based search can only be conducted by the subject of the record or any entity authorized by law. It provides comprehensive details of the record and carries a fee of $20.

Individuals conducting a criminal history search can access criminal records through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). Payment of fees for these searches can only be made by money order or check.

Additionally, residents have the option to obtain their federal criminal history from the FBI for a fee of $18.

Jefferson County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Searching for a Jefferson County criminal case is a straightforward process. By provision of the state's judicial system, members of the public have several options to access case information. One available resource is the online case search tool, which not only provides access to case details but also allows individuals to check for scheduled hearings, track the progress of a case, and participate in court hearings virtually.

Furthermore, those interested can personally conduct a case search at the courthouse. To do so, the individual simply needs to identify the court handling the matter and visit the location to consult the clerk, providing any pertinent information to facilitate the location of the case file.

Get Jefferson County Civil Court Records

Normally, court records are held by the courthouse handling a case, whether they are archived as physical copies or stored digitally in a database. Similarly, the court record of a civil case is typically retained by the court where the case was adjudicated.

Likewise, civil records, like other court records, are accessible for viewing through the case management tool provided by the Missouri courts. Information on pending civil cases from May 2006 onwards and cases filed after that date is open to public viewing on the system. However, cases filed before May 2006 are solely accessible at the Jefferson County Courthouse, Circuit Division, in Hillsboro, Missouri.

Civil cases encompass all non-criminal cases, including traffic violations, certain family-related matters, property disputes, breach of contract, and small claims, among others.

Jefferson County Family Court Records

The majority of family-related cases fall under the category of civil cases. While family court records are generally considered public records in Jefferson County, the accessibility of these records depends on the specific type of case, the requester, and the nature of the information sought, as certain family court records are classified as confidential.

Family court cases are primarily adjudicated in the Circuit courts in Jefferson. Individuals seeking a specific family court record can reach out to the relevant court that oversaw the case or utilize the online case management tool. These family court cases cover a variety of matters, including dissolutions, annulments, name changes, paternity actions, child support, modifications, and domestic violence. Family court records carry significance as the outcomes of these proceedings can be utilized in legal claims, such as in cases involving the payment and receipt of child support.

Jefferson Dissolution of Marriage Records

The court that presided over the divorce proceedings maintains records of the dissolution of the marriage. Members of the public can access these court records either in person, by mail, or online by providing the required information for the record search.

Jefferson County Marriage and Divorce Records

Under Missouri's Freedom of Information law, Jefferson County marriage and divorce records are considered public records, though only certain portions are accessible to the public. While the Bureau of Vital Records has maintained a central registry for marriages and divorces since 1948, other sources are available for obtaining these records.

In Missouri, individuals can obtain a certified marriage statement from the Office of Vital Records or a marriage certificate from the Recorder of Deeds. Additionally, divorce decrees can be acquired from the Circuit Clerk in the county where the divorce was finalized.

To procure Jefferson County marriage records, individuals have the option to request records online, through mail, or in person. Online access can be obtained through a government-approved private agency. Those opting to obtain records via mail should send their requests to the following address:

Bureau of Vital Records
Jefferson City Vital Record Lobby
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: (573) 751-6387

When mailing their request, individuals must include all necessary documents (such as a completed request form and a government-issued identity card), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the search fee.

Visits to the office must be scheduled by appointment. Individuals wishing to visit the office can contact (573) 751-6387.

Residents who want to get a Jefferson County marriage certificate would need to contact the Office of the Recorder directly.

The information contained within these records includes the names of the individuals involved, the dates of the event, and the county of record. Certified statements can be particularly useful if the specific county of record or similar details are uncertain. Each copy is available for a fee of $15.

Jefferson Birth and Death Records

The Department of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records maintains a central registry for birth and death records dating back to 1910. Access to Jefferson County's vital records is restricted from the general public, and copies are only provided to specific individuals or entities. State law dictates that Jefferson County birth or death certificates are exclusively issued to individuals with a direct and tangible interest in the record, aiming to safeguard identities, prevent fraud, and maintain the integrity of vital records.

As outlined in 19 CSR 10-10.090, the following persons are eligible to obtain a birth or death certificate:

• The individual named on the record, aged 18 or older
• Close family members (including parents, guardians, siblings, children, cousins, and direct in-laws) for birth certificates. For death certificates, all family members, including extended relatives such as cousins, are eligible
• Legal representatives (such as physicians, attorneys, or anyone with a signed and notarized document from the subject of the record)

To obtain a Jefferson birth or death record, the inquirer can order a certificate online, as in the case of ordering a marriage or divorce record.

For mail or in-person requests, residents must:

• Download and complete the application form
• Mail the request form or schedule an appointment for an in-person visit

When sending requests by mail, the package should include a valid photo identification card, the required fee, a signed and notarized document (if the requester is representing the subject of the record), and a self-addressed envelope. The cost of a Jefferson County birth certificate is $15, while a death certificate is $14 for the first copy and $11 for any additional copies.

Jefferson County Probate Court Records

The Jefferson Circuit Court is responsible for handling probate cases, which include matters concerning minors and guardianship, as well as cases involving deceased individuals, wills, and estates.

Due to the sensitive nature of probate records, certain records or portions of them are deemed confidential and may only be accessible to individuals directly connected to the case. However, records or portions of records that are available to the public can be obtained by interested parties. Similar to civil records, only records filed after May 2006 can be accessed online through the case management system. Alternatively, individuals can submit a request by mail to the circuit court, providing the name of a participant involved in the case or a case number to obtain an accessible record, or they can visit the courthouse to conduct a search.

Jefferson County Property Records

Property records form part of the public records in Jefferson County. These records are documented and upheld by the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, with the county clerk serving as the official custodian of the records.

Individuals interested in accessing property records can typically do so through online platforms, via mail, or in person. The Assessor offers a property search tool, while individuals can explore the land records database online through the Recorder's portal. By utilizing the search tool provided by the Assessor, individuals can conduct parcel or personal property searches.

Alternatively, researchers may choose to send correspondence via mail to the Assessor's office at the following address:

Office of the Assessor
P.O. Box 100
Hillsboro, MO 63050

The communication should include all pertinent details to facilitate the retrieval of the record by the assisting staff member.

For those opting to visit the Office of the Recorder of Deeds or the Assessor's Office in person, the addresses are as follows:

Recorder's Office
729 Maple Street
Hillsboro, MO 63050
Phone: (636) 797-5466
Fax: (636) 797-5470

County Assessor
Administration Center, LL17 (lower level)
729 Maple Street
Hillsboro, Missouri 63050

A property record typically contains a range of documents such as affidavits, deeds, deeds of trust, easements, plats, surveys, and property descriptions.

Jefferson County Court Records Online

One method to acquire a Jefferson County court record online is by utilizing a private aggregate site. Several websites offer online court records databases that are accessible to interested members of the public. To state an example, Missouricourtrecords.us maintains an online database of court records that interested persons can access.

These platforms are relatively user-friendly and easy to navigate. Users would only need to input the name of a party involved in the case or a case number. This approach is advantageous as it provides the requester with a broad array of search results, extending beyond the county level.

However, while certain third-party sites offer limited free search options, any comprehensive search typically incurs a fee. Additionally, requesters will need to verify the authenticity of the results, as these sites often pull data from diverse sources.