Raytown Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Raytown, Missouri?
Arrest records are public documents in Raytown, Missouri, accessible to all citizens under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This law establishes that records maintained by public governmental bodies shall be open to the public for inspection and copying. The Raytown Police Department and municipal court maintain these records as part of their official duties. Public access to arrest records serves multiple purposes, including promoting transparency in law enforcement operations, enabling background checks for employment or housing, and allowing citizens to monitor the activities of local government agencies.
The Missouri Sunshine Law specifically states that public records shall be made available for inspection and copying by any person. However, certain exceptions exist to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances. Citizens seeking arrest records should be aware that while the records are public, some information within them may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and statutory exemptions under § 610.021 RSMo.
How to Look Up Raytown Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Raytown, Missouri. Citizens may utilize any of the following official channels to access this information:
Visit the Raytown Police Department in person to submit a records request
- 10000 E 59th Street, Raytown, MO 64133
- Phone: (816) 737-6020
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contact the Raytown Municipal Court for case information
- 10000 E 59th Street, Raytown, MO 64133
- Phone: (816) 737-6014
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a request to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for county-level records
- 4001 NE Lakewood Court, Lee's Summit, MO 64064
- Phone: (816) 541-8017
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) for statewide criminal history information
- Operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol
- Available online 24/7 for registered users
Requestors must complete a records request form and may be required to present valid identification. Fees apply for record searches and copies in accordance with § 610.026 RSMo, which permits governmental bodies to charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and research time. The current fee schedule includes $0.10 per standard page for copying, actual cost for non-standard documents, and hourly rates for staff time exceeding a basic search.
Records requests are typically processed within three business days as required by law, though complex requests may require additional time. The custodian of records will notify requestors if extended processing time is necessary.
Contents of a Raytown Arrest Record
Raytown arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies. Standard arrest records include the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color
- Home address (may be partially redacted in public copies)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Arrest details
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Specific charges filed, including Missouri statute references
- Incident report number and booking number
- Weapon information, if applicable
Case processing information
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint classification
- Detention facility information
- Bond or bail amount and status
- Court appearance dates
- Case disposition if available
Prior criminal history summary
- Previous arrests within Raytown jurisdiction
- Outstanding warrants at time of arrest
Pursuant to Missouri law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations. Juvenile arrest records (under age 17) are generally not available to the public unless the juvenile was certified to stand trial as an adult under § 211.071 RSMo.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Raytown
Missouri law provides a legal mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records in Raytown. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes. The Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.140 governs the expungement process.
Eligibility requirements for expungement in Raytown include:
- At least three years must have passed since the completion of any sentence or probation for misdemeanors
- At least seven years must have passed since the completion of any sentence or probation for felonies
- All fines, restitution, and court costs must be paid in full
- The petitioner must not have been found guilty of any other misdemeanor or felony during the waiting period
- The petitioner must not have any pending charges
- The offense must not be listed among the ineligible offenses enumerated in § 610.140.2 RSMo
The expungement process requires the following steps:
Filing a Petition for Expungement with the circuit court in Jackson County where the arrest occurred
- Jackson County Circuit Court
- 415 E 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
- Phone: (816) 881-3724
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Payment of filing fees (approximately $250, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners)
Notification of all entities that may possess records subject to expungement
Attendance at a hearing where a judge will determine if expungement is in the interest of justice
Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is sealed from public view, and the individual may legally answer "no" to questions about the arrest on applications for housing, employment, or licenses, with certain exceptions for specific professions and government positions as outlined in § 610.140.9 RSMo.
The Missouri Supreme Court provides standardized forms for expungement petitions, which are available at the Jackson County Circuit Court or online through the Missouri Courts website. Legal assistance is recommended but not required for the expungement process.
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