Arrest records in Cass County, Missouri are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be open to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that government transparency is essential for public oversight and accountability.
Members of the public may access these records through various governmental agencies within Cass County. The Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.011 explicitly states that public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law. This presumption of openness applies to arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies throughout Cass County, including the Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or restricted if disclosure would violate privacy rights protected by state or federal law, compromise an ongoing investigation, or endanger public safety. These exemptions are narrowly construed to maintain maximum transparency while protecting legitimate privacy and security interests.
Cass County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and local government agencies. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a searchable database of arrest reports that includes Cass County arrests. Additionally, the Missouri Courts Case Management System (Case.net) provides public access to court records associated with arrests.
The Cass County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records that can be accessed through their official website. These online resources are provided in accordance with § 610.023 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, which requires public governmental bodies to make records available in a format that is accessible to the public.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the following conditions:
Cass County Sheriff's Office
2501 W. Wall Street
Harrisonville, MO 64701
Phone: (816) 380-5200
Official Website
Members of the public seeking Cass County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available for conducting searches. Each method provides different levels of detail and accessibility:
In-person requests at the Cass County Sheriff's Office Records Division:
Online searches through the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS):
Court record searches through Case.net:
Municipal court records for arrests within city jurisdictions:
Pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, arrest records that are closed by operation of law (such as arrests resulting in no charges or dismissed charges after a specified time period) may not be available through standard search methods.
Arrest records maintained by Cass County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Missouri state law. These records typically include the following elements:
The Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) standardizes the format of arrest records across jurisdictions within the state. This standardization ensures consistency in record-keeping and facilitates information sharing between agencies.
Pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, juvenile records, or victim information in specified cases. Medical information contained within arrest records is protected under both state law and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The Cass County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy provides training to law enforcement personnel regarding proper documentation and maintenance of arrest records in compliance with state regulations.
The expungement process in Cass County allows for the legal removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances defined by Missouri law. Pursuant to § 610.122 RSMo, individuals may petition for expungement if:
The petition process requires:
If granted, an expungement order requires all agencies to remove the arrest record from public access and to respond to inquiries as though the arrest never occurred, with limited exceptions for law enforcement and certain licensing agencies.
The Missouri Supreme Court provides standardized forms for expungement petitions. Legal assistance for expungement may be available through Legal Aid of Western Missouri or private attorneys practicing in Cass County.
Effective January 1, 2022, Missouri expanded expungement eligibility through amendments to § 610.140 RSMo, allowing additional offenses to qualify for expungement after specified waiting periods.