Arrest records are public documents in Blue Springs, Missouri, accessible to members of the general public under specific guidelines. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes) establishes the framework for public access to governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests. Pursuant to § 610.011, public governmental bodies must maintain and provide access to public records unless specifically exempted by law or sealed by court order. The Blue Springs Police Department, as a public governmental body, is required to comply with these statutory provisions regarding the maintenance and disclosure of arrest records.
Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under § 610.021, which may limit access to records containing:
Requestors seeking arrest records should be aware that while the records themselves are public, the process for obtaining them follows established procedures and may involve administrative fees as permitted under § 610.026.
Multiple methods exist for members of the public to access arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Blue Springs. The following official channels provide lawful means to obtain such documentation:
In-Person Requests Individuals may submit requests in person at the Blue Springs Police Department Records Division. Requestors must complete a standardized public records request form and provide proper identification. Processing times vary based on the complexity and volume of the request.
Blue Springs Police Department
1100 SW Smith Street
Blue Springs, MO 64015
(816) 228-0151
Blue Springs Police Department
Written Requests Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division. All written requests must include:
Online Access The Blue Springs Police Department maintains limited online access to certain public safety information. The Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) provides statewide criminal history information for a statutory fee, though local arrest records may require direct agency contact.
Missouri State Highway Patrol - Criminal Justice Information Services Division
1510 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 526-6153
Missouri Automated Criminal History System
Third-Party Record Services Commercial vendors offer arrest record search services, though the accuracy and comprehensiveness of these services cannot be guaranteed by governmental entities. Official verification of any information obtained through third-party sources should be sought through the appropriate governmental agency.
Arrest records maintained by the Blue Springs Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Missouri law and departmental policies. Standard arrest documentation includes the following categories of information:
Biographical Information
Arrest Details
Criminal Charges
Case Processing Information
Related Documentation
Pursuant to § 610.100, arrest records become closed records if the arrest does not result in the filing of charges within 30 days, though law enforcement agencies may still disclose the information at their discretion. Records of arrests for which charges have been filed remain open to public inspection throughout the judicial process.
The State of Missouri provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement procedures are governed by § 610.122 through § 610.140 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, which establish eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Eligibility Criteria Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Blue Springs if:
Expanded Expungement Eligibility Missouri's revised expungement statute (effective 2018, with subsequent amendments) permits expungement of certain convictions after specified waiting periods:
Certain offenses remain ineligible for expungement, including:
Procedural Requirements The expungement process requires filing a petition in the circuit court where the arrest occurred or where the charge was filed. Petitioners must:
Jackson County Circuit Court
308 W. Kansas Avenue
Independence, MO 64050
(816) 881-4400
Jackson County Circuit Court
Upon granting of an expungement order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest must seal those records within 30 days. Expunged records are not destroyed but are removed from public access and may only be disclosed in limited circumstances as specified in § 610.140.