Jefferson County Arrest Records

Individuals suspected of breaking the law in Jefferson County can be arrested by the Jefferson Sheriff's Office, local police departments, or the Missouri State Highway Patrol without warrants. Officers and prosecutors can also submit a complaint or indictment to a court to sanction a suspect's arrest via a warrant.

Prior to confining arrested individuals in the Jefferson County jail, the Sheriff's Office will process them by documenting their personal information and charges, personal effects, and booking details (date, time, and number). The information collected at this time is used to complete the arrest record. Arrested individuals are typically arraigned before a court to set their bond.

Members of the public may seek arrest records, especially an inmate's location, charges, and bond information, to support loved ones or find out about the offense(s). Lawyers may also obtain arrest records to defend their clients in court, and people seeking court orders to destroy or seal their records must usually provide details about their arrests, which are contained in the official arrest record.

Arrest records are generally available through the primary arresting institutions. However, they also become part of the Jefferson County court records when charges are filed in court and may be obtained from the court clerks.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson County?

Yes. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.100.2(1) specifically categorizes Jefferson County arrest records as public information. The law instructs law enforcement agencies to create records of arrests and make them available to the public.

However, not all parts of an arrest record can be seen publicly. Some documents are reserved for official purposes or contain sensitive data and cannot be released to just anyone. For example, if an arrest is part of an ongoing investigation, the related records will be restricted from public access. The law also protects juvenile arrest records, sealed arrest records, sensitive personal data (like bank account, credit card, and driver's license numbers), and information about confidential informants and victims from public disclosure.

Generally, sealed arrest records are only open to law enforcement agencies, the individuals for whom those records were created, their legal representatives, courts, and parties with statutory permissions.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Jefferson law enforcement agencies collect and publish the following arrest information:

• Suspect's name, age, sex, photograph, and physical description
• Charges
• Arresting agency
• Arrest date and location
• Bond amount
• Release date
• Holding facility
• Court date

Jefferson County Crime Rate

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) releases annual crime statistics to capture crime rates and trends in all Missouri counties. The agency's NIBRS (National Incident-Based Reporting System) contains data collated from various county law enforcement agencies.

According to the 2023 report, Jefferson County recorded 7,453 total crimes, yielding a crime rate of 3,220.01 per 100,000 population. Aggravated assault constituted 589 of the total crimes, whereas simple assault accounted for 1,542 incidents. There was 1 case of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, 317 records of intimidation, and 25 kidnapping incidents. Further, local law enforcement authorities reported 678 cases of vandalism, 338 breaking and entering/burglary incidents, and 371 motor vehicle thefts.

Jefferson County Arrest Statistics

According to the CJIS's NIBRS report, 1,919 arrests were recorded in Jefferson County in 2023. Of these arrests, 256 were related to aggravated assault, 530 to simple assault, and 33 to motor vehicle theft. Drug-related violations resulted in 385 arrests, and vandalism accounted for 52 arrests.

Find Jefferson County Arrest Records

Jefferson County arrest records are generated by arresting agencies. These include city police departments, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and the Missouri Highway Patrol. Federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, ATF, and ICE can also arrest individuals in Jefferson.

Further, local and federal correctional and detention agencies also maintain records about persons arrested and placed in their custody. These may include pretrial inmates or people serving incarceration sentences.

Here's how to obtain arrest information from these criminal justice agencies:

Local Law Enforcement

Firstly, individuals can visit the city police department that arrested a person. A department's website will usually have their contact information or details on how to request arrest reports. For example, the Festus and Arnold police department websites show the contact details individuals can refer to for inquiries.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office also maintains records of arrests of people apprehended by its officers and those confined in the county jail. People can request to obtain records and incident reports online or in person at the office's Records Division.

Online requests involve registering for an account with the Sheriff's Office and completing the request online. To apply in person, one must download, print, and complete the incident request form and bring it to the Sheriff's Office with their photo ID at 400 First Street, Hillsboro, MO 63050, or any of the zonal offices.

The Sheriff charges a minimum fee of $5 per report and accepts only cash or checks. People who want to pay with credit cards must visit the Sheriff's headquarters.

Further, the Sheriff's Office provides a background check service that furnishes details about a person's arrests within Jefferson County. It costs $5 per check and requires the requester to submit a valid driver's license. Interested parties can visit the Sheriff's Office or call (636) 797-5018.

Missouri Highway Patrol

The Missouri Highway Patrol executes arrests on the state's highways and maintains associated records. Interested parties can contact the Patrol's Troop C using the following contact details to inquire about recently arrested individuals:

Troop C
891 Technology Drive
Weldon Spring, MO 63304
Phone: (636) 300-2800
Fax: (636) 300-2741

People can also use the Patrol's online records request portal to order arrest reports. Requesters are expected to cover the costs of production.

Federal Agencies

Information about individuals arrested in connection with federal offenses can be found by contacting the arresting agency. Members of the public can seek these arrest details under each agency's Freedom of Information Act policy.

Free Arrest Record Search in Jefferson County

The following options are available to people seeking Jefferson County arrest records for free:

• The Jefferson County Inmate Locator: The local Sheriff's Office provides this online application to help interested parties find recently arrested individuals held at the Jefferson County jail. It also includes information about people who were previously arrested but released on bail and are awaiting trial.

Users can search by entering an inmate's last name. The information available includes an inmate's photograph (mugshot), birth year, race, gender, charge number and description, charge degree, case number, and next court date. The database also displays bond type and amount, arrest date and time, and incarceration status.

• The Missouri Highway Patrol Online Arrest Report System: The MSHP maintains information about its most recent arrests on a publicly accessible website for five days.

Users can select C (to indicate Troop C) on the site to find arrests executed within Jefferson County. They can also enter a person's name, choose the appropriate jurisdiction (e.g., Jefferson County), and indicate the arrest date for more precise results.

Each report shows the arrested person's name, age, gender, and charge. It also indicates the arrest date, holding location, and release information.

• The Offender Web Search: The Missouri Department of Corrections provides this tool to allow interested parties to find people who might have been arrested in Jefferson County but were incarcerated in a state penitentiary. The system shows each inmate's photograph, assigned location, completed and active offenses, and address. The database will also display an inmate's assigned officer if the inmate is on probation.
• The ICE Online Detainee Locator System: The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can execute arrests in Missouri for immigration offenses. Details about individuals taken into ICE custody are available for free through the agency's online locator system. Users are expected to provide a detainee's full name and country of birth. A person's A-number (Alien registration number) can also be used to start a search.

Get Jefferson County Criminal Records

Criminal records are created when a person is arrested for/charged with a criminal offense. These records include arrest information (including warrant data), indictments, charges, convictions, and sentences.

People who want to obtain comprehensive criminal history record information can query the MSHP's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, the statewide criminal history repository. The division offers fingerprint- and name-based background checks.

Fingerprint searches provide exact matches since they use a subject's biometrics for identity verification. In contrast, name searches offer "possible matches" and require the use of social security numbers, dates of birth, and names of search subjects.

Accessing court case information is another way to view Jefferson County criminal records. Interested individuals have the following options:

• View Court Records Online: The Missouri judiciary allows access to its case management system through the Case Management portal. This system provides various search options, such as name, filing date, and case number. Users can access the system to view how a criminal case ended, who was involved, and the case events.
• Order Copies of Court Documents: Individuals can contact the Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk for inquiries about ordering and certifying copies of criminal case documents.

Jefferson County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records are often treated similarly, but they are different documents. Arrest records do not contain trial or sentencing details. They only show the details surrounding an arrest, such as the arresting agency and officer, arrest date and location, charges, and booking information. However, criminal records contain every criminal justice detail from arrest to conviction and sentencing. The documents detail each offense a person has been tried for and include the outcomes of each case.

Criminal records and arrest records are also treated differently as public records. Arrest records for people who were never charged or prosecuted can easily be destroyed and treated as though they never existed. However, most criminal records can only be sealed, after which they become accessible only to certain eligible entities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Where an individual was arrested but not charged after thirty days, had their charges dismissed, had the charges nolle prossed (not prosecuted), or were charged and found innocent in Jefferson, their court and police records are automatically sealed and deemed unavailable to the general public (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.105). Only criminal justice agencies and certain statutorily authorized individuals can access such records.

However, people who were found guilty or entered plea agreements will maintain their criminal records, including records of arrests, until they petition a court to seal or expunge their records.

Expunge Jefferson County Arrest Records

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.123 permits eligible individuals to expunge their arrest records. In this case, expungement means destroying a petitioner's arrest records pursuant to Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.124.

A petitioner is said to be eligible for an expungement in Jefferson County if they meet the following conditions:

• They were arrested based on false information.
• No probable cause exists to suggest the person committed the crime.
• The prosecutor does not intend to file charges.
• The individual did not receive a SIS (suspended imposition of sentence).
• There are no pending civil actions related to the arrest.

The petitioner must fill out the petition (Form CR 145) and submit it to the circuit court in the county where the incident (the arrest) occurred. The petition must contain the following:

• Petitioner's details: Their full name, date of birth, sex, race, social security number, driver's license number, and address (as at the time of arrest).
• Arrest details: Charges, arresting agency, county where arrested, and the case number and court where charged.
• Fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card. This will be used to run a statewide criminal records check through the AFIS database to find a positive identification.

The petitioner must also indicate the agencies and bodies possessing their arrest records.

Petitioners must note that providing the above information is critical, as any omission could derail the case. For example, leaving out any agency possessing the arrest record means the court cannot order it to expunge the petitioner's record. Also, not providing the required personal details and arrest information constitutes grounds for dismissal.

Since criminal records also contain arrest records, individuals may want to expunge records of certain criminal convictions alongside the accompanying arrest records. However, not all criminal convictions can be expunged. Interested parties can find the required expungement forms and instructions for such processes on the judiciary's Expungement website. People who were victims of identity theft can also follow instructions on the website to have their records expunged.

Jefferson County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are judicial processes used to apprehend and confine individuals accused of breaking the law. Courts in Jefferson County can issue these warrants to arrest individuals in Jefferson County.

Generally, judges approve arrest warrants following these incidents:

• After law enforcement agencies submit complaints stating that an individual likely committed a crime
• After an indictment against a person is filed
• If an individual fails to honor a summons
• When defendants violate court orders

Arrest warrants include the suspect's full name, a description of the alleged offense, the county where the document was issued, the date of issuance, and the judge's signature.

Jefferson County Arrest Warrant Search

Local criminal courts issue arrest warrants in Jefferson County. As such, interested parties can submit requests for court records to a court to find out if an arrest warrant was issued for an open case. They can also approach the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office through its records division or contact the police department within the city boundaries of an issuing municipal court.

Do Jefferson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. A Jefferson County arrest warrant is only resolved when a police officer arrests the warrant's subject or a judge recalls the warrant.