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Jefferson Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson, Missouri?

Yes, arrest records are public in Jefferson, Missouri. This accessibility is governed by the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes), which establishes the state's public records framework. Pursuant to § 610.011, public governmental bodies shall make available for inspection and copying all public records, subject to exceptions provided by law. Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Jefferson City fall within the definition of public records under § 610.010(6), which includes "any record retained by or of any public governmental body."

The Missouri State Highway Patrol serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state as authorized by § 43.500 RSMo. Members of the public may access these records to promote governmental transparency and accountability, consistent with the legislative intent expressed in § 610.011.1, which states that public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law.

How to Look Up Jefferson Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for accessing arrest records in Jefferson, Missouri in 2025. The Missouri Department of Public Safety has established protocols for record retrieval that accommodate various public needs:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Jefferson City Police Department, located at 401 Monroe Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (573) 634-6400.
Criminal history information can be obtained through the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, which maintains the central repository at 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (573) 526-6153.
Public access terminals are available at the Missouri River Regional Library, 214 Adams Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, during regular library hours. These terminals provide access to non-confidential public records pursuant to § 610.023 RSMo.
Online access to arrest reports is provided through the Missouri State Highway Patrol's website, which is updated regularly in accordance with § 43.503 RSMo.

Requestors must provide proper identification when seeking arrest records in person, as required by Missouri Administrative Code 11 CSR 30-12.010. Fees for record searches are assessed pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, with current rates established by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Contents of a Jefferson Arrest Record

Jefferson arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) and the Missouri Criminal Records Repository. Pursuant to § 43.503 RSMo, these records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Identification of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking photographs (mugshots) and fingerprint impressions
Biographic information including date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks), and last known address
Unique identifiers such as State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number when applicable
Disposition information if available, including case numbers and court of jurisdiction
Custody status and bond information

The completeness of records may vary based on the arresting agency's reporting practices and compliance with the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) standards established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and adopted by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Jefferson, certain statutory exceptions limit access. The Missouri legislature has established specific protections under the following circumstances:

Records pertaining to juveniles under age 17 are confidential pursuant to § 211.321 RSMo, unless the juvenile is certified to stand trial as an adult
Arrest records that have been ordered expunged by a court of competent jurisdiction under § 610.122 RSMo
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily closed under § 610.100.2 RSMo until the investigation becomes inactive
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as determined by § 610.021(13) RSMo
Records sealed by court order pursuant to § 610.105 RSMo following acquittal or dismissal of charges

Law enforcement agencies in Jefferson City must comply with these statutory provisions when responding to public requests for arrest records. The Jefferson City Municipal Court maintains policies consistent with these limitations.

Agencies Maintaining Arrest Records in Jefferson

Multiple governmental entities maintain and provide access to arrest records within Jefferson City and the surrounding jurisdiction:

Jefferson City Police Department
401 Monroe Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-6400
Jefferson City Police Department

Cole County Sheriff's Department
350 East High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-9160
Cole County Sheriff's Department

Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
1510 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 526-6153
Missouri State Highway Patrol

Jefferson City Municipal Court
320 East McCarty Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-6316
Jefferson City Municipal Court

These agencies coordinate through the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System to ensure accurate record-keeping and appropriate public access in accordance with § 43.500 RSMo.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Jefferson

The process for expungement of arrest records in Jefferson is governed by § 610.122 RSMo. Individuals may petition for expungement when:

The arrest was based on false information
No charges were filed within the statute of limitations
The case was dismissed
The person was found not guilty
The arrest was for a misdemeanor offense and at least three years have elapsed since disposition, or seven years for felony offenses, provided the petitioner has no subsequent arrests or convictions

The petition must be filed in the circuit court of Cole County or the county where the arrest occurred. Pursuant to § 610.123 RSMo, the petition must include:

Petitioner's full name, sex, race, date of birth, and Social Security number
Petitioner's addresses from the date of arrest to the date of filing
Details of the arrest including date, charge, arresting agency, and case number
A sworn statement that the petitioner meets all requirements for expungement

Upon granting an expungement, the court orders all records pertaining to the arrest to be closed and removed from public access. However, these records remain available to law enforcement agencies and for certain licensing purposes as specified in § 610.124 RSMo.

The Cole County Circuit Court, located at 301 East High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, processes expungement petitions for arrests occurring within its jurisdiction. Court hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (573) 634-9190.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other authorized entities in Jefferson may utilize arrest records for background screening purposes, subject to certain restrictions:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use of arrest records obtained through consumer reporting agencies
Missouri law § 561.026 RSMo prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction
Public and private employers must comply with § 285.575 RSMo regarding the timing of criminal background inquiries in the hiring process
Educational institutions may access arrest records for security purposes pursuant to § 43.518 RSMo
Licensed professionals may be subject to mandatory reporting of arrests to regulatory boards under various provisions of Missouri law

The Missouri Commission on Human Rights provides guidance on the appropriate use of criminal history information in employment and housing decisions. Their office is located at 3315 West Truman Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (573) 751-3325.