>Crawford County Arrest Records Online

Crawford County, Missouri Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Crawford County, Missouri?

Arrest records are public in Crawford County, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This comprehensive open records law establishes that arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies are considered public records accessible to citizens. The Missouri Sunshine Law specifically designates arrest reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement records as open records under § 610.100 RSMo, with limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or cases involving juveniles. Members of the public may inspect these records during normal business hours at the appropriate government agency.

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in compliance with state statutes and makes them available through established protocols. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including promoting transparency in law enforcement operations, enabling community awareness of public safety matters, and ensuring accountability of public officials. The Missouri legislature has determined that the public interest in disclosure generally outweighs privacy concerns in matters of arrest records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Crawford County?

Crawford County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a searchable arrest reports database that includes Crawford County arrests. This system allows users to search by name, date range, and county to locate arrest information processed through the state system.

The Crawford County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to recent booking information through their official website. Pursuant to § 610.103 RSMo, government bodies may satisfy public records requests by providing access through online portals, which reduces administrative burden while fulfilling statutory obligations. Users should note that online records may not contain complete arrest history information, as certain records may be subject to retention schedules or restricted access provisions under § 610.120 RSMo.

Electronic access to these records is subject to the same legal restrictions as physical records. Information related to ongoing investigations, sealed cases, or juvenile matters is not available through public online portals in accordance with § 610.100.3 RSMo and § 610.105 RSMo. The online systems are updated regularly but may experience delays between an arrest and when the information appears in searchable databases.

How to Look Up Crawford County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining Crawford County arrest records in 2025, each with specific procedures established by the custodial agencies. Members of the public seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:

Submit a records request in person at the Crawford County Sheriff's Office located at 200 W. Main Street, Steelville, MO 65565. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Requestors must complete a standard records request form and may be required to present identification.
Access the Missouri State Highway Patrol's online search system which contains arrest data from Crawford County and other jurisdictions throughout the state.
Visit the Crawford County Courthouse at 302 Main Street, Steelville, MO 65565, to review public court records related to arrests. The Clerk's Office operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Utilize the Missouri Courts Case.net system to search for court cases that may have resulted from arrests in Crawford County.
Submit a written request via mail to the Records Custodian, Crawford County Sheriff's Office, P.O. Box 507, Steelville, MO 65565. Include the full name of the subject, date of birth if known, approximate date of arrest, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and staff time required to fulfill records requests. Current fee schedules are posted at the Sheriff's Office and on the county website. Standard processing time for records requests is 3-5 business days, though complex requests may require additional time as permitted under § 610.023.3 RSMo.

Contents of a Crawford County Arrest Record

Crawford County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Missouri statute and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Subject identification information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest details: Date, time, and specific location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency case number; and statutory authority for the arrest.
Criminal charges: Specific violations of Missouri statutes or local ordinances, including citation to relevant code sections and charge classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction).
Booking information: Booking number, fingerprint classification data, and booking photographs (commonly known as mugshots).
Custody status: Information regarding bond amount, if applicable; whether the subject was released on recognizance; or if the subject was held without bond pursuant to § 544.676 RSMo.
Preliminary court information: Initial appearance date, assigned court, and case number if formally charged.

The content of arrest records is governed by Missouri law enforcement standards and the Missouri Criminal Records Repository requirements. Pursuant to § 43.503 RSMo, all law enforcement agencies must report specific arrest data to the central repository maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. These standardized reporting requirements ensure consistency in record content across jurisdictions within the state.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Crawford County

Expungement provisions in Missouri law provide a mechanism for the removal of arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. In Crawford County, individuals may petition for expungement pursuant to § 610.122 RSMo if they meet statutory eligibility requirements. The expungement process requires the following:

Filing a petition in the Circuit Court of Crawford County where the arrest occurred.
Demonstrating that the arrest was based on false information, there is no probable cause to believe the petitioner committed the offense, no charges were pursued, charges were dismissed, or the petitioner was found not guilty.
Verifying that the petitioner has no prior or subsequent misdemeanor or felony convictions.
Establishing that the arrest was not for a violent offense, driving while intoxicated, or certain other excluded offenses as enumerated in § 610.140 RSMo.

The Crawford County Circuit Court, located at 302 Main Street, Steelville, MO 65565, processes expungement petitions during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Filing fees apply and are subject to change based on court schedules.

When an expungement is granted, all records of the arrest are removed from public access and sealed pursuant to court order. Law enforcement agencies, including the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, must comply with expungement orders by restricting access to the specified records. However, expunged records may still be available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as permitted under § 610.124 RSMo.

Effective January 1, 2023, Missouri expanded expungement eligibility through amendments to § 610.140 RSMo, allowing additional offenses to qualify for expungement after specified waiting periods. Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding current eligibility requirements and procedural rules.

Search Arrest Records in Crawford County.

Crawford County Sheriff's Office
200 W. Main Street
Steelville, MO 65565
Phone: (573) 775-2125
Official Website