>Polk County Arrest Records Online

Polk County, Missouri Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Polk County, Missouri?

Arrest records are public in Polk County, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within county jurisdiction. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that records maintained by governmental bodies shall be presumed open to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with § 610.011, which states that public records shall be open to the public for inspection and duplication. Citizens seeking information about arrests have the legal right to access these documents, subject to certain limitations designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in § 610.021.

Records may be temporarily restricted if their release would:

Impede an active investigation
Compromise the safety of law enforcement personnel
Violate privacy protections established under federal or state law
Pertain to juvenile offenders (governed by separate statutes)

The custodian of records at the Polk County Sheriff's Office processes requests in compliance with statutory timelines established in § 610.023, which generally requires response within three business days.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Polk County?

Polk County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.029 specifically addresses electronic records, requiring public governmental bodies to provide access to public records maintained in electronic format.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a centralized database that includes arrest information from Polk County. This system allows members of the public to search for arrest records using identifying information such as name, date of birth, or case number. The database is updated regularly to reflect current arrest information.

Additionally, the Polk County Circuit Clerk's Office provides online access to court records related to arrests through Case.net, the Missouri state courts' automated case management system. This resource allows users to track the judicial proceedings that follow an arrest.

Online access to these records is subject to the same statutory exemptions that apply to physical records. Certain information may be redacted or restricted in accordance with § 610.021 and other applicable privacy laws.

Polk County Sheriff's Office
113 E Jefferson Street
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 326-5544
Official Website

How to Look Up Polk County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Polk County arrest records have multiple methods available for accessing this information. The Missouri Sunshine Law § 610.023 establishes the procedures for requesting public records, which must be followed when seeking arrest documentation.

Available methods for obtaining arrest records include:

In-person requests at the Polk County Sheriff's Office Records Division, located at 113 E Jefferson Street, Bolivar, MO 65613. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests submitted via postal mail to the Records Custodian at the Sheriff's Office address. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record location.
Electronic requests through the Missouri Automated Criminal History System, which provides statewide arrest information including Polk County data.
Court case information related to arrests can be accessed through Missouri Case.net, the state's online court records portal.

Pursuant to § 610.026, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and research time. The current fee schedule for Polk County arrest records is as follows:

$5.00 for a records search
$0.10 per page for standard copies
$15.00 for certified copies
Additional fees may apply for extensive searches requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time

Payment must be made by cash, money order, or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted for records requests.

Contents of a Polk County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Polk County Sheriff's Office contain standardized information as required by Missouri Revised Statutes § 43.503, which governs criminal history information. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Subject identification information:
- Full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color
- Residential address at time of arrest
- State identification number and/or FBI number if applicable
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
- Booking information including fingerprints and photographs
Case processing information:
- Booking number and facility
- Bond amount and type if applicable
- Court case number once assigned
- Initial appearance date
- Disposition information when available

The Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases contain electronic versions of these records, which are accessible to authorized law enforcement personnel throughout the state and nation. Public versions of these records may have certain information redacted in accordance with privacy laws and investigative exemptions.

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (under age 17) are governed by separate statutes under Chapter 211 RSMo and are generally not available to the public without a court order.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Polk County

Missouri law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to § 610.122 RSMo, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records if:

The arrest was based on false information
No charges were filed within the statute of limitations
The case was dismissed
The person 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 process requires filing a petition with the Polk County Circuit Court, located at 102 E Broadway Street, Bolivar, MO 65613. The petition must include specific information as outlined in § 610.123, including:

Petitioner's full name, sex, race, date of birth
Full description of the arrest including date, place, law enforcement agency
The offense charged against the petitioner
The date the petition was filed
Petitioner's fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing not sooner than 30 days from filing. Notice must be served to the prosecuting attorney and law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest. If the court determines the petitioner meets all statutory requirements, an order of expungement will be issued.

When an expungement order is granted, all records of the arrest are sealed and treated as if they never occurred. The subject may legally answer "no" to questions about the expunged arrest on applications for employment, licenses, or other civil rights or privileges.

Polk County Circuit Court
102 E Broadway Street
Bolivar, MO 65613
(417) 326-5756
Official Website