Arrest records are public documents in Camdenton, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public governmental bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that governmental records should be transparent to promote accountability and public oversight of governmental operations.
Under § 610.011 RSMo, public records include "any record, whether written or electronically stored, retained by or of any public governmental body." The Camden County Sheriff's Office and Camdenton Police Department maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, making these records subject to public disclosure requirements. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with § 610.021 RSMo.
The State of Missouri provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in Camdenton. Individuals seeking arrest information have several official methods available:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Camden County Sheriff's Office located at 1 Court Circle, Suite 13, Camdenton, MO 65020. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (573) 346-2243.
Electronic access is available through the Missouri State Highway Patrol's online portal, which maintains a centralized database of arrest records from jurisdictions throughout the state.
Written requests may be submitted via certified mail to the Records Division of the Camden County Sheriff's Office. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the specific information being sought.
The Camden County Circuit Court maintains records of arrests that have resulted in formal charges. These records can be accessed at 1 Court Circle, Suite 8, Camdenton, MO 65020. Telephone: (573) 346-4440, ext. 3130.
Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and research services. Current fee schedules are posted at each agency's office and on their respective websites.
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Camdenton, Missouri typically contain standardized information as required by Missouri statute § 43.503 RSMo. These official documents generally include:
The Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) standardizes the format of these records across jurisdictions to ensure consistency in reporting. Certain sensitive information, such as the identities of juvenile offenders, sexual assault victims, or details that might compromise ongoing investigations, may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with § 610.100 RSMo.
The State of Missouri provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records under § 610.122 RSMo. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed from public access, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.
To qualify for expungement in Camdenton, petitioners must meet the following statutory criteria:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of Camden County located at 1 Court Circle, Suite 8, Camdenton, MO 65020. Pursuant to § 610.123 RSMo, the petition must name as defendants all law enforcement agencies, courts, prosecuting attorneys, and other entities that possess records subject to expungement.
Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing, during which the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility under the statutory requirements. If the court grants the expungement, all records relating to the arrest will be sealed and the petitioner may legally answer questions about the arrest as though it never occurred, except in specific circumstances outlined in § 610.126 RSMo.
The Missouri Supreme Court has established standardized forms for expungement petitions, which are available through the Missouri Courts website or at the Camden County Circuit Clerk's Office.
While arrest records in Camdenton are generally public, Missouri law establishes certain restrictions on their accessibility. Under § 610.100 RSMo, records of arrests that did not result in charges within 30 days may be closed to the public. Additionally, records pertaining to arrests where the charges were subsequently nolle prosequi (dropped), dismissed, or resulted in acquittal may also be closed.
The following categories of information are subject to restricted access:
Law enforcement agencies in Camden County are required to maintain separate logs of incident reports that remain open to public inspection, even when the full arrest records may be restricted. These logs typically include basic information about the nature, time, and location of reported incidents.
Government agencies may deny access to restricted records but must cite the specific statutory provision authorizing the denial. Individuals who believe they have been improperly denied access to public records may file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Office or pursue judicial remedies under § 610.027 RSMo.