Yes, arrest records are public in Stone County, Missouri. This accessibility is governed by the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes), which mandates that records maintained by government agencies are available to the public. Pursuant to § 610.011, public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law. Arrest records, as part of these provisions, are considered open records unless otherwise restricted by specific legal statutes or court orders.
The Missouri Sunshine Law establishes that public governmental bodies must make their records available to the public for inspection and copying. Under § 610.023, each public governmental body shall make available for inspection and copying all public records. Stone County law enforcement agencies maintain these records as part of their official duties and must comply with these transparency requirements.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Stone County may access them through various channels, including in-person requests at the Stone County Sheriff's Office or through online portals maintained by state and county agencies.
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Stone County. These records are typically accessible through various public and governmental platforms that compile and provide access to such information in compliance with state transparency laws. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains a searchable database of arrest reports that includes Stone County arrests.
The Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) provides another avenue for obtaining criminal history information, including arrest records. Through the MACHS portal, individuals may conduct name-based criminal history searches for a nominal fee as prescribed by § 43.530 RSMo.
Additionally, the Stone County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. These records may be accessed through the Missouri Courts Case.net system, which provides public access to the Missouri state courts automated case management system.
It should be noted that while many records are available online, certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and court orders. Records related to juvenile offenders, sealed cases, or expunged arrests will not be accessible through public online portals.
To obtain Stone County arrest records, individuals have several options available, especially if seeking information online. Here are the primary methods:
Stone County Sheriff's Office
110 S. Maple Street
Galena, MO 65656
(417) 357-6116
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Submit a formal written request to the Stone County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Pursuant to § 610.023 RSMo, the custodian of records shall respond to requests for access to public records as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the third business day following the date the request is received.
Access the Missouri State Highway Patrol's online arrest reports database, which includes Stone County arrests. This resource allows users to search by name, county, and date range.
Utilize the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) for comprehensive criminal history information. Fees for this service are established by § 43.530 RSMo.
Check the Missouri Courts Case.net system for court records related to arrests in Stone County. This system provides information on charges filed, court dates, and case dispositions.
Contact the Stone County Circuit Clerk's Office for court records related to arrests:
Stone County Circuit Clerk's Office
108 E. 4th Street
Galena, MO 65656
(417) 357-6114
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
When requesting records in person or by mail, requestors should provide as much identifying information as possible, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate the search process.
A Stone County arrest record typically includes the following information as mandated by § 43.503 RSMo regarding criminal history information:
It is important to note that pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or the privacy of victims in specific cases such as sexual assaults or crimes involving minors.
Law enforcement agencies in Stone County maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office. The completeness and accuracy of arrest records are subject to regular audits to ensure compliance with state record-keeping standards.
In Stone County, individuals may have the opportunity to expunge, or remove, their arrest records under certain conditions as provided by § 610.122 RSMo. Expungement is typically available to those who were arrested but not convicted, or who meet specific criteria set forth under Missouri law.
The Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.140 outlines the comprehensive expungement process that became effective in 2018, expanding the list of offenses eligible for expungement. Under this statute, individuals may petition for expungement if:
The expungement process involves filing a petition with the Circuit Court of Stone County. The petition must include:
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will set a hearing date and notify all relevant law enforcement agencies. If the court determines that the petitioner meets all statutory requirements, it will issue an order of expungement. Once expunged, the arrest record is sealed from public view and, pursuant to § 610.140.8 RSMo, the person shall be restored to the status they occupied prior to the arrest, plea, or conviction, as if the event had never occurred.
Individuals seeking expungement in Stone County are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements and may benefit from legal assistance to ensure compliance with all procedural mandates.