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St. Charles Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Charles, Missouri?

Arrest records are public documents in St. Charles, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that records maintained by governmental bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public with certain exceptions. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that governmental records are presumed to be open to better serve the public interest in governmental accountability and transparency. Citizens seeking information about arrests have the legal right to access these records through established channels.

The St. Charles Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with § 610.100 RSMo, which specifically addresses public access to arrest reports, incident reports, and investigative reports. While most arrest records are available to the public, certain exceptions exist for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and cases where disclosure might interfere with law enforcement proceedings or compromise personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in § 610.100.3 RSMo.

How to Look Up St. Charles Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in St. Charles have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The St. Charles Police Department provides several options for accessing these public documents:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Division of the St. Charles Police Department located at 1781 Zumbehl Road, St. Charles, MO 63303. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Proper identification is required when requesting records in person.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records via mail to the St. Charles Police Department Records Division. Written requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the record being sought (including names, dates, and case numbers if available), and a notarized signature if the request involves sensitive information.
Online Access: The St. Charles Police Department offers limited online access to certain arrest information through their official website. This service allows for basic searches of recent arrest data, though comprehensive records typically require formal requests.
Case Tracking System: The St. Charles Municipal Court provides an electronic notification service for tracking cases, available through the Municipal Court website. This service sends email and text notifications regarding case updates, though it does not provide complete arrest record details.

Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, fees may apply for record searches and copies. The current fee structure includes a $5.00 base fee for record searches plus $0.25 per page for photocopies. Additional fees may apply for certified copies or extensive research requests.

Contents of a St. Charles Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the St. Charles Police Department contain comprehensive information about both the arrested individual and the circumstances of the arrest. These records typically include the following elements as required by Missouri state law and departmental policies:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, current address, and other identifying information of the arrested individual
Physical Description: Height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Biometric Data: Fingerprints collected during booking and processing
Photographic Evidence: Mugshot photographs taken at the time of booking
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Offense Information: Description of the alleged criminal offense(s), including applicable Missouri statute numbers and municipal code violations
Arresting Agency: Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s) and the law enforcement agency involved
Case Identifiers: Booking number, case number, and other administrative identifiers
Custody Status: Information regarding bail, bond amounts, and detention status
Court Information: Initial appearance dates and assigned court (Municipal Court or Circuit Court)

Pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including details that might compromise ongoing investigations, information about confidential informants, or data protected by other privacy statutes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Charles

Missouri law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process in St. Charles follows the provisions outlined in § 610.122 RSMo and related statutes. When an arrest record is expunged, it is removed from public access, though it may remain available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in St. Charles include:

The arrest was based on false information
No charges were filed within the statute of limitations
The case was dismissed
The individual was found not guilty
The arrest occurred due to mistaken identity
The individual has completed a diversion program or treatment court program
The statutory waiting period has elapsed (typically 3 years for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies, with variations based on offense type)

Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri, which serves St. Charles County. The petition process requires:

Completion of the appropriate petition forms available from the Circuit Clerk's Office at 300 N. 2nd Street, St. Charles, MO 63301
Payment of filing fees (currently $250.00, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners)
Notification to all agencies holding records related to the arrest
Attendance at a scheduled hearing before a circuit judge

The St. Charles County Circuit Court reviews each petition based on statutory criteria and determines whether expungement serves the public interest. If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records. Pursuant to § 610.140 RSMo, expunged records are not destroyed but are sealed from public view and the individual may legally answer "no" when asked about the expunged arrest on most applications.

Search Arrest Records in St. Charles

St. Charles Police Department
1781 Zumbehl Road
St. Charles, MO 63303
Phone: (636) 949-3300
Official Website

St. Charles Municipal Court
1781 Zumbehl Road
St. Charles, MO 63303
Phone: (636) 949-3282
Official Website

St. Charles County Circuit Court
300 N. 2nd Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 949-3080
Official Website