Missouri Warrant Search

A Missouri warrant search provides information about any active or pending warrants in the Show Me state. Such information may be crucial for proactively addressing legal matters and avoiding unexpected encounters with law enforcement. Search results may contain details such as 

• Details of the subject's age
• Date of birth
• Physical description
• Nature of the offense and penalty
• Warrant number
• Issuing court
• Primary charge
• Warrant degree
• Bail amount
• Whether a court appearance is necessary.

Depending on where the warrant was issued, warrant information may be obtained directly from local law enforcement agencies, such as the St Louis County Sheriff's Department or the office of the Jackson County Sheriff. Searchers may also contact local police departments like the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) or visit the local court. 

A warrant is a legal document that authorizes the Missouri police and other members of state law enforcement to make an arrest, conduct a property search, or take other actions related to the administration of justice. 

Are Warrants Public Records in Missouri?

Missouri warrants are generally considered public per the State Sunshine Laws and the Freedom of Information Act. Warrants "retained by or prepared for a public body" fall under this category. Most warrants are freely accessible through designated custodians and any of the state's public records websites. 

However, some records may be restricted from access if they contain information that could endanger an informant, victim, witness, undercover agent, or any other individual, as provided by Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 610.021.. In that case, record custodians may block access to those warrants from the general public. Additionally, although warrants are usually considered court records, they could also be kept on file as a part of a person's criminal history in Missouri.

Types of Warrants in Missouri

Missouri has several different kinds of warrants for various circumstances and situations. Some of the standard options include arrest, search, and bench warrants. However, other options exist, such as aliases, civil capsias, governors, and fugitive warrants. 

• Alias Warrant: Failing to appear for a court date before a plea has been filed results in the issuance of an Alias Warrant. It's also employed if someone neglects to reply to a citation via mail or in person.
• Civil Capias Warrant: This type of apprehension order is issued when a defendant constantly disobeys the judge's orders in civil court. 
• A Governor's Warrant: A governor's arrest warrant may be issued for an individual who commits a felony in another state. Local law enforcement may arrest the individual at a traffic stop, at their residence, or at work. The individual will be detained in the community jail until they can be extradited to the location where the warrant was obtained.
• Fugitive Warrant: When a defendant or criminal on the run is considered within a given jurisdiction, the state may issue a fugitive warrant. This is similar to a governor's warrant, with the primary distinction being that a fugitive warrant is issued in the state where the subject flees, not where the offense is committed.

What is a Search Warrant in Missouri?

Missouri’s Revised Statutes (RSMo Section 542.266) defines a search arrest warrant as a formal court order directing a search of a person, place, or thing and the seizure, taking a picture of, or making a copy of, any property found there.

Section 542.276 of the Revised Statutes outlines the requirements that a search warrant must fulfill to be deemed legitimate. An important part is that the search warrant must include a specific description of the area to be searched or the item to be seized. 

Obtaining a Missouri Search Warrant 

To obtain a Missouri search warrant, requesters must submit a written application that includes some or all of the following information:

• The subject of the search. Applications must contain enough depth and particularity to allow the officer carrying out the warrant to determine who or what they should look for.
• The name of the item, person, material, or property that is to be sought after and seized with enough specificity and description for the officer carrying out the warrant to identify it easily.
• Facts that establish probable cause to issue a search warrant.  
• Applicant's oath or affirmation

Additionally, search warrants must be submitted to the appropriate court and have the county's prosecutor's signature.

A legal search warrant must also be issued and executed in Missouri in a way that does not breach MO Const art I § 15 of the state's Revised Statutes, which protects its citizens from unreasonable searches. A search warrant granted in Missouri may be executed immediately upon issuance; if it is not executed, it expires 10 days from the date of the application, and the warrant must then be returned to the judge.

If the warrant is executed, it is returned and signed by the search officer and given to the court that issued it. When the warrant document is returned, it must state the date and mode of execution, the content taken, and, if known, the names of the possessor and the owner. A copy of an itemized receipt that details the items seized during the search must also be returned with the document. The individual whose property was seized is then given a copy of the receipt. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Search Warrant?

Obtaining a search warrant in Missouri might take several hours to a few days. The accuracy of the information presented before a judge during a request for a warrant is the primary determinant of how long it takes. Another consideration is the judge's availability and how quickly law enforcement officers may persuade the magistrate that a warrant is required.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Missouri?

A warrant for the arrest and detention of a person is known as an arrest warrant. According to Missouri Supreme Court rules 22.05, a Missouri arrest warrant must be issued by a judge or magistrate and be accompanied by a signed affidavit demonstrating probable cause that a particular crime has been committed and that the person(s) mentioned in the warrant committed the offense. A Missouri warrant must also:

• Include the suspect's name, or if it is unknown, any name or description that allows for a reasonable and specific identification of the defendant;
• Describe the offense that is the subject of the indictment or complaint.
• Indicate the county and the date of issuance.
• Order the defendant listed or described therein to be taken into custody and brought immediately before the court specified in the warrant, either in person or via interactive video technology;
• If applicable, list the condition or set of conditions for release, which is mandated by Rule 33.01(b) and permitted by Rule 33.01(c).
•  A specific warrant must be signed by the court or the clerk acting on the court's instructions.

Under Mo. R. Crim. P. 22.06 of Missouri court rules, any law enforcement official may execute a Missouri arrest warrant anywhere in the state. Although the warrant need not be present at the moment of the arrest, the officer must provide it to the defendant when they ask to see it.

The officer must notify the defendant of the crime they are being charged with and the existence of a warrant if they do not have it when they make the arrest.

Arrest Warrant Lookup in Missouri

There are several options for performing an arrest warrant lookup in Missouri. The easiest way is to call or visit any County Sheriff's office or City Police Department to request a search. Through their criminal data-sharing network, law enforcement agencies in Missouri have information on all active arrest warrants in the state. 

Although arrest warrant lookups are usually free, the department might charge individuals to make paper copies of warrant information. Other methods for looking up active arrest warrants in Missouri are as follows:

• Information about warrant rulings in the state may be found by visiting the Missouri State Courts' automated case management system. Searches may be performed using a name, filing date, or case number.
• Online portals maintained by County Sheriff's Offices and City Police Departments: Missouri arrest warrants may be located by looking through the online arrest warrant database of the applicable sheriff or police department. While some of these resources are published as lists, others are searchable databases that may be accessed by name. Some examples include the Boone County Active Warrants database and the Springfield Municipal County Warrants Database.

How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant in Missouri

Missouri law enforcement occasionally decides to notify individuals about active warrants; this is not mandatory. It is the individual's responsibility to get this kind of information. Inquiring about a person's warrant may start by calling law enforcement agencies in the state. An excellent place to start is the local County Sheriff's office where the person is located. City Police Departments may also be contacted to inquire about any arrest or bench warrant. However, information on search warrants that have not been executed is unavailable through these offices.

An alternative to finding out about warrants in Missouri is to call the county clerk of courts in the county where they were issued. The court clerk's office may provide valuable information regarding active warrants, including how to resolve them.

Record seekers may also search for warrant information by checking the websites or online resources provided by various Missouri county sheriffs, such as the St Charles County Sheriff's Office. These offices usually provide listings of arrest orders, especially for fugitives. Inquirers may also use the court dockets database on the judicial administration office website. The database offers additional information on Missouri arrest warrants and bench warrants, especially relevant to an ongoing or concluded judicial proceeding.

Free Warrant Search in Missouri

Anyone interested in conducting a warrant search in Missouri may employ third-party websites offering free and paid services. However, users are advised to verify information from these sources by contacting the sheriff's office or other official channels. It's important to note that third-party websites and other authorities also maintain records of warrants issued in different jurisdictions. 

While these websites make accessing warrant records easier, unlike government-owned resources, the information they provide may vary. When using a third-party website for a warrant search, inquirers may need to provide private details of the suspected individual, information about the issuing officer, and the address where the warrant was obtained.

How Long Can Police Hold My Phone Without a Warrant in Missouri?

Generally, no specific Missouri statute sets a precise time limit for warrantless retention. However, the retention period must be reasonable or limited by post-seizure procedural compliance, such as until a defendant is arraigned or the emergency is resolved.

Additionally, police officers in Missouri cannot search or seize an individual's personal property, including their cell phone, without authority. The Fourth Amendment protects people's property against unreasonable searches and seizures. Valid authority is usually given as a warrant supported by probable cause and endorsed by a judge.

However, other circumstances may justify a warrantless search or seizure of property.  These include:

• Where the owner voluntarily consents to the search
• An exigent situation that could threaten people's safety.
• Phone seizures incident to arrests.

Unwarranted searches and seizures can be challenged as a violation of Fourth Amendment rights. Individuals can also file a motion to suppress the collected information. 

How to Find Out If Someone Has A Warrant Online in Missouri

To determine if a person has a warrant online in Missouri, inquirers may contact their local County Sheriff's Office's record departments. Most local law enforcement agencies maintain files of active warrants arranged alphabetically by last name. Several counties, including Boone, Douglas, Greene, and Cass, also publish warrant and wanted lists that include information about the offenses and the age of the suspects. However, as most warrant information is exempt from public disclosure before execution, eligible persons are advised to obtain the most recent warrant information by contacting the agencies directly, since internet databases may not have the most recent information.

How Long Do Warrants Last in Missouri?

In Missouri, most warrants have no expiration date. These orders are in effect until the subjects of the warrants are apprehended by law enforcement, the criminals die, or the judges recall the warrants for other reasons. However, there are a few exceptions to this. For instance, Missouri search warrants typically have a 10-day validity term, after which they need to be renewed or expire.