Buchanan County, Missouri Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Buchanan County, Missouri?
Yes, arrest records are public in Buchanan County, Missouri. This accessibility is governed by the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes), which establishes that records maintained by public governmental bodies must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. Arrest records maintained by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department and other local law enforcement agencies fall under this provision, ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system.
Pursuant to § 610.011 RSMo, public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law. The statute specifically states that it is "the public policy of this state that meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public unless otherwise provided by law." This legal framework supports the public's right to access arrest information in Buchanan County.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Buchanan County?
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Buchanan County through various authorized platforms. The Buchanan County Sheriff's Department maintains an online inmate inquiry system that allows members of the public to search for current and recent arrest information. Additionally, the Missouri Case.net system provides access to court records associated with arrests.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol also maintains an online database of arrest reports that includes arrests made in Buchanan County. These digital resources have been implemented in accordance with § 610.023 RSMo, which requires public governmental bodies to make records available in a format that is accessible to the public.
How to Look Up Buchanan County Arrest Records in 2025
To obtain Buchanan County arrest records in 2025, members of the public may utilize several methods:
Visit the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department in person to request physical copies of arrest records. Buchanan County Sheriff's Department 501 Faraon Street St. Joseph, MO 64501 (816) 236-8845 Official Website Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Buchanan County Circuit Court for arrest records related to court proceedings. Buchanan County Circuit Court 411 Jules Street St. Joseph, MO 64501 (816) 271-1462 Official Website Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilize the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) for official criminal history information, which includes arrest data. This service requires payment of statutory fees as outlined in § 43.530 RSMo.
Submit a request to the St. Joseph Police Department for arrests made within city limits. St. Joseph Police Department 501 Faraon Street St. Joseph, MO 64501 (816) 271-4777 Official Website Hours of Operation: Records Division is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and research services. Current fee schedules should be verified with each agency prior to submitting requests.
Contents of a Buchanan County Arrest Record
A standard Buchanan County arrest record contains comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. In accordance with Missouri law and standard law enforcement practices, these records typically include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or alternative identities
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed description of the criminal charges filed, including Missouri Revised Statutes citation numbers
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Arresting agency information (e.g., Buchanan County Sheriff's Department, St. Joseph Police Department)
- Booking photograph (mugshot) of the individual
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Booking number and detention facility information
- Bail or bond amount, if applicable
- Case disposition information, when available
It should be noted that pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records if the release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or could endanger the safety of any person. Additionally, juvenile arrest records (individuals under 17 years of age) are generally not available to the public under § 211.321 RSMo.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Buchanan County
In Buchanan County, eligible individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under Missouri's expungement statute, § 610.140 RSMo. The expungement process allows for the legal removal of arrest records from public access, effectively sealing them from general view.
To qualify for expungement in Buchanan County, petitioners must meet the following criteria:
- At least three years must have elapsed since the completion of any sentence or probation for misdemeanors
- At least seven years must have elapsed for felony offenses
- All fines, restitution, and court costs must be paid in full
- The petitioner must not have been found guilty of any other misdemeanor or felony during the waiting period
- The petitioner must not have any pending charges
- The arrest must not have been for certain excluded offenses as enumerated in § 610.140.2 RSMo
The expungement petition must be filed in the circuit court in which the arrest occurred. For Buchanan County residents, this would be:
Buchanan County Circuit Court 411 Jules Street St. Joseph, MO 64501 (816) 271-1462
The petition must include specific information as required by statute, including the petitioner's name, date of birth, driver's license number, addresses from the time of the offense, the offense charged, the date of the arrest, the name of the arresting agency, and the case number. Upon successful expungement, all records relating to the arrest, including fingerprints and photographs, are sealed but not destroyed. Law enforcement agencies and courts retain access to expunged records for limited purposes as specified in § 610.140.8 RSMo.
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