>St. Louis City County Arrest Records Online

St. Louis City Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Louis City, Missouri?

Arrest records are public in St. Louis, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public governmental bodies shall be open to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records as public documents in accordance with § 610.011, which declares that public records shall be presumed open. This transparency requirement serves to facilitate public oversight of governmental functions and promote accountability within law enforcement operations.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with § 610.021, which outlines specific exceptions to the open records requirement. The Missouri Sunshine Law requires custodians of records to respond to requests within three business days, though complex requests may require additional processing time.

How to Look Up St. Louis Arrest Records in 2025

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department maintains comprehensive arrest records that are accessible through multiple channels. Individuals seeking arrest information have several methods available to obtain these public records:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Records Division of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department located at 1915 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees must be paid at the time of request.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division at the address above. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment by money order or cashier's check must accompany the request.
Online Access: The St. Louis City inmate locator system provides information on currently incarcerated individuals. For broader arrest record searches, the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site offers access to statewide criminal history information.
Third-Party Services: Commercial record search services aggregate public records, though users should verify these services comply with Missouri laws regarding the dissemination of criminal justice information.

Pursuant to § 610.026, reasonable fees may be charged for document search, duplication, and research time. The current fee schedule includes $0.10 per standard page for copying, with additional charges for certified copies and extensive searches.

Contents of a St. Louis Arrest Record

St. Louis arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by the Missouri Department of Public Safety and local ordinances. These records typically include:

Full legal name and any known aliases of the arrested individual
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency (St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, St. Louis County Police, etc.)
Detailed description of charges filed, including applicable Missouri statute numbers
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected at the time of booking
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and distinguishing physical characteristics
Last known address and contact information
Case disposition information, if available
Bail or bond amount set by the court

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Records Division maintains these records in accordance with departmental policy and state retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to § 610.021, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Louis

The State of Missouri provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under § 610.122 through § 610.140. Expungement effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in St. Louis include:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
At least three years have elapsed since the arrest (for misdemeanors)
At least seven years have elapsed since the arrest (for felonies)
The petitioner has no subsequent arrests or convictions
The arrest was based on false information
No civil action is pending relating to the arrest or the records sought to be expunged

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of St. Louis City (10 N. Tucker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63101) or the Circuit Court of St. Louis County (105 S. Central Ave., Clayton, MO 63105), depending on jurisdiction. The petition must include specific information as outlined in § 610.123, 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, typically within 30 to 60 days. Notice of the hearing will be provided to the prosecuting attorney and the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. If the court determines that the petitioner meets all statutory requirements, an order of expungement will be issued.

Following expungement, all records relating to the arrest will be sealed and the person may legally answer "no" to questions about the arrest on applications for employment, licenses, or other civil rights or privileges. However, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies, courts, and certain licensing bodies as specified in § 610.124.

Agencies Maintaining St. Louis Arrest Records

Multiple governmental agencies maintain and provide access to arrest records in the St. Louis metropolitan area:

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
1915 Olive Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 444-5555
St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

St. Louis County Police Department
105 S. Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 889-2341
St. Louis County Police Department

Missouri State Highway Patrol - Criminal Justice Information Services Division
1510 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 526-6153
Missouri State Highway Patrol

St. Louis City Circuit Court
10 N. Tucker Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63101
(314) 622-4433
St. Louis City Circuit Court

Each agency maintains specific components of arrest records according to their jurisdictional responsibilities. The Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) serves as a centralized database connecting these agencies and facilitating information sharing in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Missouri

The maintenance and accessibility of arrest records in St. Louis are governed by a comprehensive legal framework:

Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610, RSMo): Establishes the presumption that governmental records, including arrest records, are open to the public unless specifically exempted.
Missouri Criminal Code (Chapter 557, RSMo): Defines criminal offenses and establishes record-keeping requirements for law enforcement agencies.
Missouri Criminal Procedure Law (Chapter 545, RSMo): Outlines procedures for arrests, bookings, and the creation of official arrest records.
Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a): Governs the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of personally identifiable information maintained by federal agencies, affecting federally-maintained arrest records.
St. Louis City Ordinance 69429: Establishes local procedures for record maintenance and public access to city records, including arrest information.

Law enforcement agencies must balance the public's right to access information with privacy protections and the integrity of ongoing investigations. The Missouri Department of Public Safety provides oversight and establishes standards for criminal justice information systems throughout the state, ensuring consistency in record-keeping practices.