Arrest records in St. Charles County, Missouri are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be made available for public inspection and copying. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that government information belongs to the people, and access to such information is essential for maintaining transparency in governmental operations.
The St. Charles County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with § 610.023 RSMo, which requires custodians of records to provide access to public records with reasonable speed. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit requests to the appropriate law enforcement agency or access certain records through designated online portals. It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with § 610.021 RSMo.
St. Charles County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by local and state government agencies. The Missouri Case.net portal serves as the primary online resource for accessing court records, including information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system is maintained by the Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator and provides public access to the records of the Missouri Circuit, Associate, and Municipal courts.
Additionally, the Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains an electronic database of criminal history information, including arrest data from St. Charles County. Pursuant to § 43.506 RSMo, the Highway Patrol is authorized to compile and disseminate criminal history record information to eligible requestors. Online access to these records typically requires payment of statutory fees as outlined in § 43.530 RSMo.
The St. Charles County Sheriff's Office also provides limited arrest information through their official website, including recent booking information and an inmate lookup service. These online resources are updated regularly to ensure accuracy of the information provided to the public.
St. Charles County Sheriff's Office 301 N. 2nd Street St. Charles, MO 63301 (636) 949-3000 Official Website
Multiple methods exist for obtaining St. Charles County arrest records in 2025, each with varying levels of detail and accessibility. The following procedures are established for public use:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the St. Charles County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to submit formal requests for arrest records. Requestors must complete a record request form and provide proper identification. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with § 610.026 RSMo.
Online Database Searches: The Missouri Automated Criminal History System maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol provides arrest information for incidents occurring throughout the state, including St. Charles County. This system requires registration and payment of statutory fees for complete record access.
Court Record Access: The Missouri Courts Case Management System contains information about arrests that resulted in formal charges. Users may search by name to locate case information, including arrest details, charges filed, and case disposition.
St. Charles Municipal Court Records: For arrests occurring within St. Charles city limits, records may be accessed through the Municipal Court clerk's office or through limited online services provided by the city.
St. Charles Municipal Court 1781 Zumbehl Road St. Charles, MO 63303 (636) 949-3282 Official Website
St. Charles County arrest records contain standardized information as required by § 43.503 RSMo and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting agency; name and badge number of the arresting officer; and the statutory authority under which the arrest was made.
Criminal Charges: All charges filed at the time of arrest, including the Missouri Revised Statutes citation numbers and charge descriptions.
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint identification number, and photographs taken during the booking process.
Custody Status: Information regarding bond amount, if applicable, and whether the individual was released or remains in custody.
Prior Criminal History: In some comprehensive records, information about previous arrests and convictions may be included if relevant to the current case.
Case Disposition: The outcome of the case, if available, including whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction.
It should be noted that pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations where disclosure could compromise public safety.
The expungement process in St. Charles County follows the procedures established by Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.122 through § 610.140. Expungement refers to the legal process by which arrest records and related court documents are sealed from public view. When records are expunged, they remain accessible only to law enforcement agencies and certain authorized entities under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in St. Charles County include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of St. Charles County. Pursuant to § 610.140 RSMo, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. A filing fee is required, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement.
St. Charles County Circuit Court 300 N. 2nd Street St. Charles, MO 63301 (636) 949-3080 Official Website
If expungement is granted, all records pertaining to the arrest will be sealed from public view. However, these records remain available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes as outlined in § 610.140.5 RSMo.