>Ray County Arrest Records Online

Ray County, Missouri Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ray County, Missouri?

Arrest records are public documents in Ray County, Missouri, in accordance with the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, are open to public inspection. The Missouri Sunshine Law promotes governmental transparency and accountability by providing citizens with broad access to administrative records, including those pertaining to arrests.

Pursuant to § 610.011 RSMo, public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law. This statutory provision ensures that Ray County residents and other interested parties may access arrest information as part of their right to monitor governmental activities. The Ray County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their official duties in documenting law enforcement actions within the jurisdiction.

Ray County Sheriff's Office
100 W Main Street
Richmond, MO 64085
Phone: (816) 776-2000
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Ray County?

Ray County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Missouri State Highway Patrol provides a centralized database where members of the public may search for arrest information across all Missouri counties, including Ray County. This system allows for searches by name, date, and county of arrest.

Additionally, the Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search provides information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system following arrests in Ray County and other jurisdictions. This resource is particularly useful for tracking cases that have progressed beyond the initial arrest stage.

The online availability of these records is subject to certain limitations established by Missouri law. Pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, some records may be closed if they pertain to ongoing investigations or involve juvenile offenders. Additionally, records that have been ordered expunged by a court are removed from public access platforms in accordance with § 610.122 RSMo.

How to Look Up Ray County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Ray County arrest records in 2025 have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The following methods are authorized under Missouri's public records laws:

Visit the Ray County Sheriff's Office: Members of the public may request arrest records in person at the Sheriff's Office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search and pay applicable fees for document reproduction.
Access the Missouri Automated Criminal History System: This online portal, maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, allows for name-based criminal history searches that include arrest data from Ray County. Users must register with the system and pay the statutory fee of $14.00 per search as established by § 43.530 RSMo.
Contact the Ray County Circuit Court Clerk: Since arrest records often connect to court proceedings, the Circuit Court maintains relevant documentation.

Ray County Circuit Court
100 W Main Street, 2nd Floor
Richmond, MO 64085
Phone: (816) 776-2119
Official Court Website

Submit a Sunshine Law Request: Written requests may be submitted to the custodian of records at the Ray County Sheriff's Office, citing § 610.023 RSMo. Agencies must respond within three business days, though complex requests may require additional time.

Contents of a Ray County Arrest Record

Ray County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Missouri law and established law enforcement protocols. These documents typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations for alleged violations of Missouri law
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected at the time of booking
Case number assigned for administrative tracking
Initial bond amount set, if applicable

The comprehensiveness of arrest records is mandated by § 43.503 RSMo, which requires law enforcement agencies to maintain complete and accurate criminal history information. These records serve multiple purposes within the criminal justice system, including facilitating proper identification, supporting prosecutorial decision-making, and maintaining statistical data on law enforcement activities in Ray County.

Legal Restrictions on Ray County Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public in Ray County, several important legal restrictions govern their accessibility and use. Missouri law establishes specific limitations to balance transparency with privacy and due process considerations:

Pursuant to § 610.100.2 RSMo, records of arrests for which no charges are filed within 30 days may be closed to the general public. This provision recognizes that an arrest alone does not constitute proof of criminal activity. Similarly, if a case is dismissed or results in acquittal, the associated arrest records may be closed upon petition to the court.

The Missouri Criminal Records Repository maintains strict protocols regarding the dissemination of arrest information. Commercial vendors and private individuals are prohibited from using arrest records for purposes of employment screening without specific statutory authorization under § 561.026 RSMo.

Additionally, arrest records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 17 years of age) are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under § 211.321 RSMo. These records are generally not accessible through standard public records requests and require court authorization for release.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ray County

Ray County residents may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances outlined in Missouri law. Pursuant to § 610.122 RSMo, individuals may qualify for expungement if:

The arrest was based on false information
No charges were filed and the statute of limitations has expired
The case resulted in dismissal, acquittal, or finding of not guilty
The petitioner has satisfied all requirements of a suspended imposition of sentence

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Ray County Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over the original case. The petition must include specific information as outlined in § 610.123 RSMo, including the petitioner's full name, date of birth, address, and details of the arrest to be expunged.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement by clear and convincing evidence. If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies holding records of the arrest to destroy such records and remove references to the arrest from publicly accessible databases.

Ray County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
100 W Main Street, Suite 204
Richmond, MO 64085
Phone: (816) 776-2882
Missouri Courts Information

Accessing Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other authorized entities may access Ray County arrest records for background check purposes under specific conditions established by Missouri law. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Information Services Division serves as the central repository for such information and processes requests in accordance with § 43.500-43.543 RSMo.

Requestors seeking arrest records for employment screening must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Missouri's background check laws. These regulations require:

Written consent from the subject of the background check
Notification if adverse action is taken based on arrest record information
Compliance with anti-discrimination laws regarding the use of arrest information

Law enforcement agencies, courts, and certain governmental entities have broader access to arrest records for official purposes. These authorized agencies may access complete criminal history information, including records that may be closed to the general public, through secure law enforcement information networks.

For fingerprint-based background checks, which provide the most comprehensive arrest history, individuals must visit an approved fingerprinting location. The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site provides registration for fingerprinting services throughout the state, including locations serving Ray County residents.

Search Arrest Records in Ray County

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