>Cape Girardeau County Arrest Records Online

Cape Girardeau County, Missouri Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri?

Arrest records are public documents in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that records maintained by 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 government records should be open to public inspection to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various governmental agencies in Cape Girardeau County. These records are maintained as part of the county's commitment to public safety and transparency. Under § 610.011 RSMo, public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law. Certain sensitive information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with § 610.021 RSMo, which outlines specific exemptions to protect personal privacy and ongoing investigations.

The Cape Girardeau County Clerk's Office serves as the custodian of many county records and can provide guidance on accessing arrest information.

Cape Girardeau County Clerk's Office
100 Court Street, Suite 301
Jackson, MO 63755
Phone: (573) 243-3547
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cape Girardeau County?

Cape Girardeau County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by local and state law enforcement agencies. The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows public access to recent arrest information. This online accessibility is part of the county's effort to modernize record-keeping systems and improve public access to information.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol also maintains an online database of arrest reports that includes incidents in Cape Girardeau County. This system allows users to search for arrest information by date, location, and other parameters. Additionally, the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) provides a portal for authorized users to access criminal history information, including arrest records.

Online access to these records is governed by § 610.023 RSMo, which requires custodians of records to provide access in the format requested if the format is available. Users should be aware that some online systems may require registration or payment of nominal fees for access to comprehensive records.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office
216 N. Missouri St.
Jackson, MO 63755
Phone: (573) 243-3551
Official Website

How to Look Up Cape Girardeau County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Cape Girardeau County as of 2025. Each method offers different advantages depending on the requester's needs and circumstances:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Requesters should complete a records request form and provide proper identification. In-person requests typically allow for immediate assistance from records personnel.
Online searches can be conducted through the Missouri Court Automated Case Management System, which provides access to court cases associated with arrests. The Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search also provides information about individuals currently in custody or under supervision.
Written requests may be submitted to the Cape Girardeau County Circuit Clerk's Office. Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document retrieval and copying. Current fee schedules are available on the Circuit Clerk's website.
Public access terminals are available at the Cape Girardeau County Justice Center, where members of the public may search court records related to arrests without charge during regular business hours.

Requests for arrest records must comply with § 610.023 RSMo, which requires that requests be responded to within three business days. Complex requests may require additional time as permitted by statute.

Cape Girardeau County Circuit Clerk
100 Court Street, Suite 304
Jackson, MO 63755
Phone: (573) 243-8446
Official Website

Contents of a Cape Girardeau County Arrest Record

Cape Girardeau County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Missouri law and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address.
Arrest details including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency and officer's name, and the circumstances leading to the arrest.
Criminal charges filed against the individual, including the Missouri Revised Statutes citation for each alleged offense and the classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction).
Booking information such as the booking number, fingerprint identification number, and photographs taken during the booking process.
Custody status indicating whether the individual was released on bond, the bond amount, or if the person remains in custody pending court proceedings.
Court information including scheduled court appearances, case numbers, and the assigned court division.

Pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, certain information in arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or the privacy of victims, especially in cases involving minors or sexual offenses. The completeness of publicly available arrest records may vary based on the status of the case and applicable exemptions under Missouri law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cape Girardeau County

The expungement process in Cape Girardeau County allows eligible individuals to petition for the sealing of arrest records from public view. Missouri's expungement statute, § 610.140 RSMo, establishes the legal framework for this process. Expungement does not physically destroy records but restricts their accessibility to the general public.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Cape Girardeau County include:

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.
The petitioner must not have been found guilty of any other misdemeanor or felony during the waiting period.
The offense must not be listed among the statutorily ineligible offenses enumerated in § 610.140.5 RSMo.
All restitution ordered by the court must be paid in full.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court where the arrest or prosecution occurred. The petition must include specific information as outlined in § 610.140.3 RSMo, including a list of all agencies believed to possess records subject to expungement.

Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing not less than thirty days after filing. Notice of the hearing will be served to the prosecuting attorney and any entities having records subject to expungement. If the court determines that the petitioner meets all statutory requirements, it will issue an order of expungement.

Pursuant to § 610.140.8 RSMo, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, and certain employers required by law to consider such records, despite being sealed from public view.

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