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St. Francois County, Missouri Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Francois County, Missouri?

Arrest records are public documents in St. Francois County, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public to promote transparency and governmental accountability. The law specifically designates arrest reports as open records under § 610.100 RSMo, which states that "all arrest reports and incident reports shall be open records." This provision ensures citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities, including arrests made in St. Francois County.

The St. Francois County Sheriff's Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Records may be requested during regular business hours at:

St. Francois County Sheriff's Department
1550 Doubet Road
Farmington, MO 63640
(573) 756-3252
St. Francois County Sheriff's Department

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist, particularly for ongoing investigations or cases involving juveniles, as outlined in § 610.100.3 RSMo. In such instances, portions of records may be redacted or withheld to protect sensitive information while still maintaining the public's right to access governmental records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in St. Francois County?

St. Francois County arrest records are available through several online platforms, reflecting the county's compliance with digital accessibility standards. The Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) serves as the primary state-level resource for accessing criminal history information, including arrest data from St. Francois County. This system allows authorized users to conduct name-based criminal history searches and access arrest information dating back several decades.

Additionally, the Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains an online database of arrest reports that includes St. Francois County arrests. This resource is particularly useful for accessing recent arrest information and can be accessed through the Highway Patrol's official website.

For comprehensive searches, the following online resources are available:

Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, obtaining complete arrest records with all associated documentation may require contacting the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department directly or submitting a formal records request through appropriate channels.

How to Look Up St. Francois County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking St. Francois County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several established methods to obtain this information. The county has implemented multiple access points to accommodate various research needs while maintaining compliance with Missouri's public records laws.

In-person requests remain a reliable method for obtaining comprehensive arrest records. Individuals may visit:

St. Francois County Sheriff's Department Records Division
1550 Doubet Road
Farmington, MO 63640
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(573) 756-3252

When requesting records in person, requestors should be prepared to provide:

  • The full name of the subject
  • Date of birth or approximate age
  • Date of arrest (if known)
  • Valid photo identification
  • Payment of applicable fees (typically $5-15 per record)

For online access, the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) provides the most comprehensive database of arrest records. Users must register for an account and may be subject to identity verification procedures. Fees for online searches typically range from $12-20 per record, payable by credit card.

The St. Francois County Circuit Clerk's Office also maintains records for arrests that have resulted in court proceedings:

St. Francois County Circuit Clerk
1 West Liberty Street, Suite 239
Farmington, MO 63640
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(573) 756-5402

Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, reasonable fees may be charged for document searches, duplication, and staff time required to fulfill requests.

Contents of a St. Francois County Arrest Record

St. Francois County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Missouri state law and local record-keeping protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include comprehensive details about the arrest event and the individual involved.

Standard components of a St. Francois County arrest record include:

  • Biographical information of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, physical description, address)
  • Unique identifiers including booking number and any assigned inmate identification numbers
  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
  • Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations
  • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
  • Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
  • Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
  • Fingerprint records and other biometric data collected during processing
  • Custody status information, including bond amounts and conditions if applicable
  • Preliminary hearing dates and initial court appearance information

In accordance with Missouri law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Medical information
  • Information related to juvenile accomplices
  • Details that might compromise ongoing investigations

The St. Francois County Sheriff's Department maintains these records in compliance with Missouri's record retention schedules, which typically require arrest records to be preserved for a minimum of 5-7 years, with records of serious felonies maintained for substantially longer periods.

Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Francois County

The expungement process in St. Francois County allows eligible individuals to petition for the sealing of arrest records from public view. Pursuant to § 610.122 RSMo, expungement may be granted when the court determines the arrest was based on false information, there was no probable cause for the arrest, or no charges were pursued due to lack of evidence, mistaken identity, or similar circumstances.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in St. Francois County include:

  • The petitioner must not have been charged with the offense within one year of the arrest (for misdemeanors) or three years (for felonies)
  • The petitioner must have no prior or subsequent misdemeanor or felony convictions
  • The arrest must not have been for a driving offense involving alcohol or drugs
  • The petitioner must not have received a suspended imposition of sentence for the offense sought to be expunged

The formal expungement process requires filing a petition with:

St. Francois County Circuit Court
1 West Liberty Street
Farmington, MO 63640
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(573) 756-5402
Missouri Courts

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 sought to be expunged. A filing fee of approximately $250 applies, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing, typically within 30-60 days. The prosecuting attorney and arresting agency will receive notice and may contest the expungement. If granted, the expungement order directs all agencies to seal related records, effectively removing them from public access while maintaining them for law enforcement purposes only.

Successful expungement allows individuals to legally state they were not arrested for the expunged offense in most circumstances, with exceptions for certain professional licensing applications and law enforcement inquiries.

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