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Kennett Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kennett, Missouri?

Arrest records are public documents in Kennett, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.010 et seq.). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public governmental bodies shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Sunshine Law applies to all arrest records maintained by the Kennett Police Department, Dunklin County Sheriff's Office, and other local law enforcement agencies operating within the jurisdiction.

Members of the public may access these records for purposes including background checks, personal information verification, or general public interest. The Missouri Sunshine Law specifically addresses arrest records in § 610.100, which mandates that incident reports and arrest reports shall be open records once an arrest has been made. However, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with statutory exemptions.

How to Look Up Kennett Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Kennett, Missouri. The Missouri Sunshine Law establishes that custodians of records must provide access to public records during regular business hours. Available methods include:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Kennett Police Department located at 200 Cedar Street, Kennett, MO 63857. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification.
Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests to the Records Division of the Kennett Police Department or the Dunklin County Sheriff's Office at 1175 Floyd Street, Kennett, MO 63857. Requests must specify the information sought with reasonable particularity.
Online Access: The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a searchable database of arrest reports that includes Kennett arrests. Users may search by name, date, or location.
Dunklin County Court Records: The Circuit Court of Dunklin County maintains records of arrests that have resulted in charges. These records may be accessed through the Missouri Courts case information system.

Pursuant to § 610.026, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and research time. Current fee schedules include $0.10 per standard page for copies and $15.00 per hour for staff time exceeding 30 minutes for search and retrieval.

Contents of a Kennett Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Kennett law enforcement agencies contain specific information as mandated by Missouri Revised Statutes § 43.503. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint information
Arresting agency and officer identification
Case or incident number
Custody status and bond information
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction

It should be noted that pursuant to § 610.100.2, if an arrest does not result in charges being filed within 30 days, the arrest record becomes a closed record except to the individual arrested. Additionally, juvenile arrest records (under age 17) are generally closed to public inspection under § 211.321, except under specific circumstances outlined in the statute.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Missouri

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Kennett operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by state statutes. Missouri's Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo) serves as the primary legislation governing public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests.

Under § 610.100.2, arrest reports are defined as "a record of a law enforcement agency of an arrest and of any detention or confinement incident thereto together with the charge therefor." These reports are designated as open records once an arrest has been made, subject to specific exemptions.

The Missouri Criminal Records Repository, maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, serves as the central repository for criminal history information pursuant to § 43.500. Law enforcement agencies in Kennett are required to report arrest information to this repository within specified timeframes.

Citizens should be aware that § 610.122 provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under certain conditions, while § 610.105 addresses the closure of records when no charges are filed or cases are dismissed.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kennett

Missouri law provides a legal pathway for the expungement of certain arrest records in Kennett through a formal judicial process. Pursuant to § 610.122 RSMo, individuals may petition for expungement if:

The arrest was based on false information
No charges were filed or charges were dismissed
There was no probable cause at the time of the arrest
The person was found not guilty in a court proceeding
The arrest meets other statutory criteria for expungement

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the circuit court where the arrest occurred. For Kennett arrests, petitions must be filed with the Dunklin County Circuit Court located at 101 East Main Street, Kennett, MO 63857. The petition must include specific information as outlined in § 610.123, including:

Petitioner's full name, sex, race, date of birth, and Social Security number
Full description of the arrest including date, charge, arresting agency, and case number
Certified copy of the arrest record
Petitioner's fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card
Statement that the petitioner has no prior or subsequent misdemeanor or felony convictions

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will set a hearing date not less than 30 days from filing. Notice must be served to the prosecuting attorney and arresting agency, who may object to the expungement. If the court determines the petitioner meets all statutory requirements, an order of expungement will be issued.

When an expungement is granted, all records of the arrest are sealed but not destroyed. Law enforcement agencies may access expunged records for subsequent investigations, but these records will not appear in public background checks.