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Springfield Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Springfield, Missouri?

Arrest records are public in Springfield, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that government records are presumed to be open unless specifically exempted by statute, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in governmental operations.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various governmental agencies in Springfield, including the Springfield Police Department and the Greene County Sheriff's Office. These records serve multiple public interests, including informing citizens about law enforcement activities, supporting journalistic reporting on crime, and enabling background checks for employment or housing purposes.

How to Look Up Springfield Arrest Records in 2025

Springfield residents seeking arrest records have multiple methods available for accessing this information. The Springfield Police Department and Greene County Sheriff's Office maintain systems for public record retrieval through the following channels:

Online Database Access: The Springfield Police Department provides digital access to arrest records through their online portal. Users may search by name, date of arrest, or case number. The system typically updates within 24-48 hours of processing.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Records Division at:

Springfield Police Department
321 E. Chestnut Expressway
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 864-1810
Official Website

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests for arrest records by mail to the Springfield Police Department Records Division. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Greene County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county law enforcement, records may be requested from:

Greene County Sheriff's Office
5100 West Division Street
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 868-4040
Greene County Sheriff's Office

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, fees may apply for record retrieval. Standard fees include $0.10 per page for paper copies and $3.00 for certification of records. Additional research fees may apply for extensive searches.

Contents of a Springfield Arrest Record

Springfield arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Missouri state law and local ordinances. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including citation of applicable statutes or ordinances
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing information
Fingerprint classification and identification
Photographic documentation (mugshot)
Detention status and bail information
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable

The Springfield Police Department maintains these records in accordance with departmental policies and state retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to § 610.021 RSMo, including juvenile records, ongoing investigation details, and certain personal identifiers.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Springfield

The expungement process in Springfield allows eligible individuals to petition for the sealing of arrest records under specific conditions established by Missouri law. Pursuant to § 610.122 RSMo, individuals may qualify for expungement if:

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 elapsed since disposition
The arrest was for a felony offense and at least seven years have elapsed since disposition

The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of Greene County located at:

Greene County Circuit Court
1010 N. Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 868-4074
Greene County Circuit Court

The petition must include specific information as outlined in § 610.123 RSMo, including the petitioner's full name, date of birth, address, details of the arrest, and a statement that the petitioner meets all statutory requirements for expungement. A filing fee of approximately $250 applies, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners.

Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify all agencies possessing records related to the arrest. If the court grants the expungement, all records of the arrest will be sealed but not destroyed, remaining accessible only to law enforcement agencies under limited circumstances as specified in § 610.124 RSMo.

Legal Implications of Public Arrest Records

Public arrest records in Springfield carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. The Missouri Human Rights Act (§ 213.010 et seq. RSMo) provides certain protections against discrimination based on criminal history, but these protections are limited in scope.

Employers in Springfield may legally consider arrest records when making hiring decisions, though the Springfield Municipal Code prohibits blanket policies that automatically disqualify applicants with criminal histories without individualized assessment. Housing providers similarly retain broad discretion to consider arrest records in tenant selection.

The Springfield Municipal Court processes cases resulting from arrests within city limits for violations of municipal ordinances. For individuals with pending cases, the court provides a case tracking system that allows monitoring of case status and upcoming court dates.

Professional licensing boards operating under Missouri state authority may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for licenses or certifications. Disclosure requirements vary by profession, with healthcare, education, and financial services typically imposing the most stringent reporting obligations.

Accessing Juvenile Arrest Records in Springfield

Juvenile arrest records in Springfield are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Missouri law. Pursuant to § 211.321 RSMo, records concerning juvenile offenders are not publicly accessible except under specific circumstances.

The Juvenile Division of the Greene County Circuit Court maintains juvenile records at:

Greene County Juvenile Office
1111 N. Robberson Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 868-4008
Greene County Juvenile Office

Access to juvenile records is restricted to:

The juvenile and their legal counsel
Parents or legal guardians
Court personnel with legitimate professional interest
Law enforcement agencies for official purposes
Schools when necessary for educational placement
Agencies providing treatment or supervision of the juvenile

Juvenile records may be sealed automatically when the individual reaches age 17 for minor offenses, or by petition to the court for more serious matters after a waiting period. Complete expungement may be available after the individual reaches age 18, provided they have no subsequent adult criminal record.