Yes, arrest records are public in Dunklin County, Missouri. Pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes), arrest records are classified as open records accessible to the public. This statute specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest reports, as public documents that must be made available for inspection and copying. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that governmental bodies shall provide access to all public records unless specifically exempted by law.
The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes:
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain information that falls under specific exemptions outlined in § 610.021 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, such as details that might compromise an ongoing investigation or information protected by other privacy laws.
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Dunklin County through various official and third-party platforms. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a searchable database of arrest reports that includes Dunklin County arrests. Additionally, the Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search provides information about individuals currently in custody or under supervision.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the following considerations:
The Missouri Automated Criminal History System also provides a centralized portal for criminal history information, though access to complete records may require payment of statutory fees and proper identification verification.
To obtain Dunklin County arrest records, members of the public may utilize several official channels. Each method provides varying levels of detail and accessibility:
Dunklin County Sheriff's Office
P.O. Box 801
Kennett, MO 63857
Phone: 573-888-2424
Fax: 573-888-2604
Official Website
Dunklin County Circuit Court Clerk
101 Market Street
Kennett, MO 63857
Phone: 573-888-4484
Official Website
Missouri State Highway Patrol - CJIS Division
1510 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: 573-526-6153
Official Website
Requestors seeking arrest records must provide sufficient identifying information about the subject, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and staff time required to fulfill requests.
Dunklin County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Missouri law enforcement protocols. These records typically include the following elements:
The level of detail in arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Records maintained by the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office follow standardized Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) formatting requirements to ensure consistency across jurisdictions.
Pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, certain information within arrest records may be redacted if it pertains to juvenile offenders, contains confidential informant information, or could compromise an ongoing investigation.
The expungement process in Dunklin County allows eligible individuals to petition for the sealing of arrest records from public access. Missouri's expungement statute, § 610.140 RSMo, establishes specific criteria that must be met before records can be expunged. The process requires filing a petition with the circuit court where the arrest occurred or where the charge was filed.
Eligibility requirements for expungement in Dunklin County include:
Certain offenses are ineligible for expungement under Missouri law, including:
The expungement petition must be filed with the Dunklin County Circuit Court. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing to determine if the statutory requirements have been met. If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies to seal the records related to the arrest and any subsequent proceedings.