Stoddard County Arrest Records

According to Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.100, an arrest is the restraint of a person or their voluntary submission to an officer's authority in connection with a suspected criminal offense.

Arrests in Stoddard County may occur with a warrant or when an individual is caught committing a crime. The Stoddard County Sheriff’s Department, the primary law enforcement agency in the county, is responsible for executing arrests, maintaining arrest records, and operating the county jail.

Arrest records are created to document the circumstances and details of an arrest. However, because these do not show if a person was later charged with an offense, individuals may review other criminal justice documents, like the Stoddard County court records, for more information about an arrestee’s interaction with the justice system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Stoddard County?

Yes, Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, arrest records in Stoddard County are presumed to be public records. This means members of the public can generally inspect or obtain copies of Stoddard County arrest records. However, not all arrest information is publicly available. Specific components of an arrest record or entire records may be exempt from disclosure, including:

• Information related to active investigations
• Juvenile data
• Records tied to ongoing legal cases
• Mental health and medical information
• Records whose disclosure may compromise public safety
• Personal identifiers like Social Security numbers, medical data, or financial information
• Information that would reveal the identity of a confidential source or victims of sexual crimes
• Arrests when no charges are filed within 30 days

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records open to Stoddard County residents typically contain the following information:

• Arrestee’s full name, age, and gender
• Date and location of the arrest
• Arresting agency
• Arrest charges
• Booking details, such as mugshots and booking ID
• Bond or bail amount
• Warrant number

Stoddard County Arrest Statistics

Arrest statistics in Stoddard County provide valuable insights into local criminal justice trends. Researchers can look up these statistics on the FBI’s Criminal Justice Crime Data Explorer website.

The CDE system organizes arrest data by agency, so users must select a specific law enforcement department in Stoddard County to view its arrest figures. For example, the Stoddard County Sheriff’s Office made 100 arrests in 2023. Simple assault and drug/narcotic offenses resulted in the most arrests, at 35 and 29, respectively.

For up-to-date arrest information, individuals may contact local law enforcement agencies directly.

Find Stoddard County Arrest Records

Individuals looking to inspect or obtain an arrest record may visit the agency that performed the arrest. Typically, the requester will need to provide basic details such as the arrestee’s name, date of arrest, or a case/booking number, if known. If the requester is unsure of the arresting agency or the arrestee is presently in jail, they may contact the Sheriff’s Department.

For arrests resulting in state incarceration, individuals can search the Missouri State Department of Corrections Offender Search portal. Inmates can be searched using their DOC number, first and last name, or aliases. The portal provides information on state inmates, probationers, and parolees. However, it does not give information on discharged offenders and certain inmates whose records may be confidential.

Where an arrestee was transferred to federal custody, individuals can contact the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), which maintains federal inmate records. Alternatively, they can access the BOP’s Inmate Locator tool, which provides access to inmates who have been incarcerated since 1982.

Free Arrest Record Search in Stoddard County

Individuals can search for Stoddard County arrest records using online third-party resources. These platforms often offer a convenient alternative for those who prefer not to request records directly from law enforcement agencies. Users can search by name or case number to locate arrest information on a third-party site. Access to basic information may be free on these platforms. However, many platforms require a subscription or a one-time payment for full access to arrest records.

It is important to keep in mind that third-party platforms are not government sources. As a result, the information they provide may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Records obtained from these sites should be cross-referenced with official sources to validate accuracy.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely, An arrest (even without a conviction) in Stoddard County remains on a person’s record forever unless expunged by a court. Missouri law does not allow for automatic expungement; individuals must take legal action to have an arrest record formally removed.

However, automatic closure of an arrest record is possible under specific circumstances, such as when charges are dismissed, the case is nolle prossed, or the individual is found not guilty. Record closure restricts an arrest record from public access, but does not erase the record like an expungement.

Expunge Stoddard County Arrest Records

The expungement of arrest records in Stoddard County is governed by Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.122 - 610.145. Expungement allows eligible persons to remove certain criminal records, including arrests and convictions, from public view.

Individuals may be eligible to expunge an arrest record in Stoddard County if:

• The offense occurred in Missouri and was prosecuted in a Missouri court
• The arrest did not result in a conviction, or the individual was convicted of an eligible offense
• Charges were dismissed, nolle prossed, or the individual was acquitted
• The required waiting period has passed:
  • 3 years after sentence completion for felonies
  • 1 year after sentence completion for misdemeanors, infractions, or ordinance violations
  • 18 months after an arrest with no charges filed
• The individual had no other convictions (excluding minor traffic infractions) during the waiting period
• The individual has no pending charges at the time of filing
• All court-ordered obligations, such as fines and restitution, have been fully satisfied
• The individual has not exceeded the lifetime expungement limits:
  • Up to 2 felony convictions
  • Up to 3 misdemeanors or ordinance violations with jail time

Convictions for Class A felonies, sexual crimes, driving under the influence (DUI), and other serious crimes are not eligible for expungement.

To begin the expungement process, eligible persons may file a petition in the court that handled the case. The court will examine the application and issue an expungement order if:

• The individual’s conduct and behavior demonstrate that they are not a threat to public safety
• The expungement is deemed to be in the interests of justice and public welfare

Stoddard County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Stoddard County is a written order issued by a judge or associate circuit judge that authorizes law enforcement to take a specific individual into custody. In certain instances, a court clerk may issue a warrant under the court's direction if an indictment is filed.

Arrest warrants are issued after a law enforcement officer or prosecutor lodges a sworn complaint or affidavit with the court. The sitting judge will examine the complaint to determine probable cause and issue an arrest warrant if satisfied that a legitimate ground exists for the arrest. However, the court may issue a summons for less serious offenses. An arrest warrant may be subsequently issued if the accused person fails to appear in response to the court summons.

In essence, arrest warrants are issued when either:

• Probable cause exists based on a formal complaint, or
• A defendant fails to comply with a court order or summons.

A valid arrest warrant in Stoddard County includes the following information:

• The name or physical description of the accused
• A description of the offense charged
• Date and county of issuance
• A command to arrest the accused
• The title and signature of the issuing official

Do Stoddard County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Arrest warrants issued in Stoddard County do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until executed, recalled by a judge, or the defendant becomes deceased. While execution may be delayed, for example, if the subject moves out of state or cannot be located, an arrest warrant remains legally enforceable, regardless of how much time has passed. Individuals who believe a warrant may exist in their name are strongly encouraged to seek legal counsel to resolve the matter before an arrest occurs.