Arrest records are public documents in Valley Park, Missouri, in accordance with the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that governmental transparency serves the public interest by allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities and ensuring accountability of public officials. Pursuant to § 610.011, RSMo, public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law. Valley Park law enforcement agencies maintain these records as part of their official documentation of police interactions with individuals suspected of criminal activity.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Valley Park have multiple methods available to access this information. The Valley Park Police Department processes requests for arrest records in compliance with state regulations governing public information disclosure. Individuals may utilize the following procedures to obtain arrest documentation:
Valley Park Police Department
320 Benton Street
Valley Park, MO 63088
(636) 225-2288
Valley Park Police Department
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division. All mail requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, specific information being sought, and a copy of valid government-issued identification. Payment for applicable fees must be included in the form of check or money order.
Online Systems: The St. Louis County Courts maintain an electronic database that includes Valley Park arrest information. This system allows for searches by name, case number, or date range.
St. Louis County Circuit Court
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 615-8029
St. Louis County Circuit Court
Standard processing fees apply to all record requests in accordance with the fee schedule established by the Valley Park Board of Aldermen. Current fees include $5.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page of documentation.
Valley Park arrest records contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. These records are maintained in accordance with Missouri Department of Public Safety guidelines and typically include the following components:
The Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) maintains electronic records of all arrests, which are shared with the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as required by § 43.503, RSMo.
Missouri law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records, which removes them from public access while maintaining limited availability to law enforcement agencies. The Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.122 to § 610.140 establish the legal framework for expungement eligibility and procedures applicable to Valley Park arrests.
Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Valley Park if they meet the following statutory criteria:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court of St. Louis County, which has jurisdiction over Valley Park. Petitioners must submit the following:
St. Louis County Circuit Court - Civil Division
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 615-8029
St. Louis County Circuit Court
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing not less than 30 days from the filing date. Notice of the hearing will be provided to the prosecuting attorney and any law enforcement agency named in the petition. If the court determines that the statutory requirements have been satisfied, it will issue an order of expungement. Following expungement, the individual may legally answer questions about the arrest as though it never occurred, except in specific circumstances outlined in § 610.140, RSMo.