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Missouri Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Missouri?

Arrest records are public in Missouri pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation mandates that records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, be accessible to the public. The law specifically states in § 610.011 that "it is the public policy of this state that meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public unless otherwise provided by law." This provision ensures transparency and accountability within governmental operations throughout the state.

The Missouri Attorney General's Office, which oversees compliance with the Sunshine Law, maintains that arrest records fall under the category of public records that must be disclosed upon proper request, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or juvenile records as specified in § 610.100.

Missouri Attorney General's Office
Supreme Court Building
207 W. High St.
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-3321
Missouri Sunshine Law Information

How to Look Up Missouri Arrest Records in 2025

The Missouri Department of Public Safety has implemented several methods for accessing arrest records as of 2025. Members of the public may utilize the following official channels to obtain arrest record information:

Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division: This division maintains the central repository for criminal history information in Missouri. Individuals may request criminal history records through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). As of January 1, 2025, the cost for fingerprint-based background checks is $43.50.
Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may visit the records division of the police department or sheriff's office where the arrest occurred. Many agencies now provide online portals for requesting these records.
Missouri Case.net: The Missouri judiciary maintains an online database called Case.net where court records, including those related to arrests, can be searched by name, case number, or filing date.
Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search: For individuals who were convicted and sentenced to state custody, the MODOC Offender Search provides information about current inmates and those on probation or parole.

Missouri Department of Public Safety
301 W. High St.
P.O. Box 749
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-4905
Missouri Department of Public Safety

Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
1510 E. Elm St.
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-526-6153
Criminal Record Check Services

Contents of a Missouri Arrest Record

Missouri arrest records contain standardized information as required by § 43.503 RSMo, which establishes uniform reporting procedures. A comprehensive Missouri arrest record typically includes the following elements:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint data collected at the time of booking
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer information
Specific charges filed, including statute numbers
Case disposition information (if available)
Warrant information (if applicable)

The Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training Program (POST) oversees the standardization of arrest record documentation across all law enforcement agencies in the state. This ensures consistency in record-keeping practices and facilitates information sharing between jurisdictions.

Missouri POST Program
1101 Riverside Drive
P.O. Box 749
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-3409
Peace Officer Standards and Training

Expungement of Arrest Records in Missouri

Missouri law provides a legal pathway for the expungement of certain arrest records under § 610.122 RSMo. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, effectively removing them from accessible public records. The Missouri legislature has established specific criteria that must be met for an individual to qualify for expungement:

The arrest was based on false information
No charges were filed within the statute of limitations
The case was dismissed
The individual was found not guilty
The arrest was for a misdemeanor offense and at least three years have passed since the disposition or completion of sentence
The arrest was for a felony offense and at least seven years have passed since the disposition or completion of sentence

Certain offenses are ineligible for expungement under Missouri law, including:

Class A felonies
Dangerous felonies as defined in § 556.061 RSMo
Any offense that requires registration as a sex offender
Any offense involving death or serious physical injury

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the circuit court where the arrest occurred. Petitioners must provide fingerprints, pay applicable filing fees, and notify all agencies that may possess records related to the arrest. Upon granting an expungement, the court orders all records to be sealed, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes as outlined in § 610.124 RSMo.

St. Louis County Circuit Court
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314-615-8029
St. Louis County Courts

Springfield Municipal Court
625 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802
417-864-1890
Springfield Municipal Court Information

Legal Framework for Accessing Missouri Arrest Records

The legal framework governing access to arrest records in Missouri is primarily established by the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) and supplemented by various statutes and regulations specific to criminal justice information. Key provisions include:

§ 610.100 RSMo defines "arrest reports" and "incident reports" as open records, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations
§ 610.105 RSMo addresses the closure of records in cases where no charges are filed
§ 610.120 RSMo restricts access to closed records to specific entities, including criminal justice agencies and certain employers required by law to conduct background checks
§ 43.507 RSMo establishes the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) for the collection and dissemination of criminal history information

The Missouri Criminal Records Repository, maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, serves as the central database for arrest records and criminal history information. Access to this repository is governed by § 43.500-43.543 RSMo, which establishes procedures for requesting criminal history information and outlines the responsibilities of the repository in maintaining accurate records.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Missouri are required to report arrest information to the central repository within specified timeframes. Municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, and state law enforcement agencies must submit standardized arrest reports that include fingerprint data and other identifying information as prescribed by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
1510 E. Elm St.
Jefferson City, MO 65101
573-526-6153
Missouri State Highway Patrol Arrest Reports