Yes, arrest records are public in Missouri, Missouri. This accessibility is ensured by the Missouri Sunshine Law, which mandates that records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, be open to the public. This law aims to promote transparency and accountability within governmental operations.
To get Missouri arrest records, several methods are available, particularly with the advancements in digital access by 2024. While specific online platforms can be utilized to access these records, here are all the options to consider:
A Missouri arrest record typically includes the following information:
In Missouri, certain individuals may have the opportunity to expunge, or delete, their arrest records. This process is typically available to those who were arrested but not convicted, or who have completed the terms of their sentence and maintained a clean record for a specified period thereafter. The expungement process involves filing a petition with the court that originally handled the case, and it requires a judge's approval. This legal action effectively seals the arrest record, making it inaccessible through public records searches.