Cape Girardeau Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Cape Girardeau, Missouri?
Arrest records are public documents in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public governmental bodies shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that citizens have a fundamental right to access information concerning governmental operations.
Arrest records fall within the category of public records subject to disclosure under § 610.011, which states that public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law. However, certain exceptions apply to this general rule of accessibility:
- Records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 17 years of age) are typically sealed and not available for public inspection pursuant to § 211.321
- Information that might compromise ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 610.100
- Records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court are not accessible to the public
- Certain identifying information may be redacted to protect victims of specific crimes
The Cape Girardeau Police Department and Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state law requirements for retention and accessibility.
How to Look Up Cape Girardeau Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Cape Girardeau arrest records have multiple official channels through which to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:
Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Information Services Division: The MSHP maintains the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES), which provides access to arrest records statewide, including Cape Girardeau.
Cape Girardeau Police Department Records Division
2530 Maria Louise Lane
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
573-339-6621
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMCape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office
216 North Missouri Street
Jackson, MO 63755
573-243-3551
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMCape Girardeau County Clerk's Office
1 Barton Square, Suite 301
Jackson, MO 63755
573-243-3547
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors must complete a records request form in accordance with § 610.023 and may be required to pay reasonable fees for document reproduction as permitted under § 610.026. Fees typically range from $0.10 per page for standard copies to $15-25 for certified records. Response times generally range from 3 to 10 business days, depending on the complexity of the request and record availability.
Contents of a Cape Girardeau Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by Cape Girardeau law enforcement agencies contain specific information as mandated by Missouri state law. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest (Cape Girardeau Police Department, Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office, or Missouri State Highway Patrol)
- Booking information including processing date and detention facility
- Specific charges filed, including Missouri Revised Statutes citation numbers
- Case or incident report number for reference
- Mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
- Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions
- Court appearance dates and locations
- Disposition of the case if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
Pursuant to § 610.100, arrest records become closed records if the arrested individual is not charged within 30 days, the charges are dismissed, or the individual is found not guilty. However, these records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies, courts, and certain other governmental entities as specified by statute.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Cape Girardeau
The State of Missouri provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under § 610.122 and § 610.140 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, effectively removing them from general access.
Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Cape Girardeau under the following circumstances:
- The arrest was based on false information
- No charges were filed and the statute of limitations has expired
- The case was dismissed
- The individual was found not guilty
- The individual has completed a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS)
- The conviction is eligible under § 610.140 and the required waiting period has elapsed
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Cape Girardeau County Circuit Court. The petition must include:
- The petitioner's full name, sex, race, date of birth, and driver's license number
- All addresses of the petitioner from the date of the offense to the date of filing
- A list of all civil and criminal cases that the petitioner has been a party to
- The offense that the petitioner is seeking to expunge
- The name of the agency that arrested the petitioner
- The case number and name of the court where the petitioner was charged or found guilty
Upon filing, the court will set a hearing date not sooner than 30 days from filing. Notice must be served to the prosecuting attorney and any entities that may possess records subject to the expungement order. The Cape County Prosecuting Attorney may object to the petition within 30 days of receipt.
If granted, an order of expungement directs all agencies to seal any records relating to the arrest or conviction. The individual may thereafter legally answer any questions about the arrest or conviction as though it never occurred, with certain exceptions for specific professions and licensing bodies.
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