Marion County Arrest Records

Whenever Marion County police agencies apprehend persons suspected of breaking the law, they generate documentation about each incident, known as arrest records or reports. Arrest records are typically sought by persons seeking to establish the circumstances surrounding an arrest or locate an arrested person. These records are also helpful for other purposes, such as background checks, law enforcement investigations, prosecution and defense, and crime research. Former arrestees who want to expunge their criminal histories also need access to their arrest records to collect necessary details for their court petitions.

However, Marion County arrest records do not reveal the outcomes of arrests, such as whether a person was later convicted. For court-related information, inquirers may access Marion County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Marion County?

Yes, Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, codified in Chapter 610 RSMo, arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies is generally public. Also, Rule 2 of the Missouri court operating rules provides public access to court records, including arrest-related entries.

However, specific state/federal regulations and court rules limit the public's right to access arrest records. These restrictions are designed to safeguard sensitive data that may violate an individual’s rights to privacy, disrupt criminal justice processes, or expose crime victims to further victimization. Specific arrest-related information exempt from public disclosure includes:

• Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or medical records
• Records tied to active criminal investigations, the release of which may jeopardize an investigation or expose police crime-fighting tactics
• Juvenile arrest records
• Identities of violent or sexual offense victims or witnesses

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following arrest details are available to members of the public in Marion County:

• Arrestee's name, sex, last known address, weight, height
• Arrest date and time
• Arresting agency
• Arrestee's photograph
• Alleged offense
• Bond details
• Presiding court

Marion County Arrest Statistics

According to the Missouri National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), law enforcement agencies reported 593 arrests in Marion County in 2024. These arrests included 149 for simple assault, 121 for shoplifting, 122 for drug/narcotics violations, 52 for drug equipment violations, and 33 for aggravated assault. Kidnapping/abduction accounted for five arrests, while two arrests were made in response to arson offenses.

Find Marion County Arrest Records

Individuals can begin their arrest records search at the Marion County Sheriff's Office. The agency's administration and jail divisions can furnish the public with details about arrest incidents and persons arrested. One can contact the office using the following details:

Marion County Sheriff's Office
1703 Marion-Star City Road
Palmyra, IN 47161
Phone: (812) 367-2077 (Palmyra), (573) 221-0678 (Hannibal)

Additionally, one can view the department's current inmates page to see individuals currently detained in the county jail. The site shows each inmate's name, photograph, and housing location.

Police departments serving the city where an arrest occurred are the likely custodians of such records of arrests. For example, the Hannibal Police Department provides a records request service that allows the public to order criminal history background checks (for record subjects) and incident reports.

The public can also view records maintained by the Missouri Department of Corrections to locate individuals serving time in state prisons. The DOC's offender search tool allows the public to view inmate locations, addresses, sentence summaries, and release dates, among other details. One can also contact the MDOC directly to request more information about state inmates.

Moreover, people can approach federal law enforcement agencies to inquire about federal arrests. To locate a federal inmate, one can access the Bureau of Prisons’ federal inmate search database.

Free Arrest Record Search in Marion County

Obtaining arrest records for free through law enforcement departments in Marion involves reviewing arrest information or documents without collecting physical copies (which typically require payment).

Another option is third-party websites. Certain private organizations provide free online search databases that allow members of the public to find arrest information from different law enforcement agencies. While individuals can avoid navigating multiple government sites or repositories when using third-party platforms, they are advised to verify each record retrieved, as independent vendors do not represent public agencies.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An individual's arrest will stay on their criminal history record indefinitely if they were convicted of serious crimes. However, these records are automatically restricted from public access if the defendant was never charged, received an acquittal (i.e., was found not guilty), or had their charges dismissed. People who do not qualify for automatic expungement can also submit expungement requests to the Marion County Circuit Court. However, their records will remain visible to the public until the court releases an order of expungement.

Expunge Marion County Arrest Records

Certain individuals can ask the Marion County Circuit Court to expunge their arrest records under RSMo § 610.122. The expungement process primarily destroys arrest records so that they can no longer be retrieved. Qualified applicants include the following:

• Persons whose arrests were the result of false information.
• Defendants whose charges were dismissed.
• Persons who were never prosecuted because the prosecutor refused to file charges (nolle prosequi).
• Defendants who were found not guilty.
• Subjects of arrests who never received a suspended imposition of sentence.

Individuals who meet any of the above criteria must also not have pending lawsuits related to the arrests or records they want to expunge.

Eligible petitioners can complete Form CR 145 and provide the required information, such as their biodata, county of arrest, agencies that possess the record(s) for expungement, arresting agency, arrest date, cause number, description of charges, and courts where charges were filed. Fingerprints on AFIS-accepted standard cards are also required.

It is important to provide all required information on the petition, as missing an entry could result in its dismissal. Applicants should also include every agency with their records because the expungement order will not apply to custodians not listed on the petition.

If a person has been convicted of certain low-level crimes, they can refer to the Missouri Judiciary's website to confirm their eligibility for expungement and review the processes they must follow.

Marion County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal papers signed by judges to compel the arrest of an accused person. They can be issued after law enforcement officers submit probable cause complaints or when a judge determines that a person has failed to comply with a court order. At the same time, clerks can issue warrants after indictments are filed against suspects.

Arrest warrants in Marion County generally contain the names or descriptions of the accused persons, the issuing dates, the alleged offenses, and the signatures of the issuing judicial officers.

Individuals seeking information about issued arrest warrants in Marion can contact the local sheriff's office or the court that issued the document.

Do Marion County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Arrest warrants are valid until defendants are made to appear in court. However, judges can recall these orders if new evidence proves an accused person’s innocence or for any other legitimate reason.