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Branson Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Branson, Missouri?

Arrest records are public documents in Branson, Missouri, pursuant to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation mandates that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, remain accessible to members of the public. The Missouri Sunshine Law operates under the principle that citizens have the right to information about governmental operations, including law enforcement activities. Under § 610.011, public records shall be presumed open unless otherwise provided by law.

The Branson Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities within municipal boundaries. These records document instances where individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement officers on suspicion of violating local ordinances or state laws. Public access to these records serves multiple civic purposes:

Ensures transparency in law enforcement operations
Provides accountability for police actions
Allows citizens to monitor criminal activity in their community
Enables background checks for employment or housing purposes
Supports journalistic reporting on public safety matters

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain sensitive information protected by privacy laws or if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, as permitted under § 610.021.

How to Look Up Branson Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Branson have several official channels through which such information may be obtained. The following methods are available for accessing arrest documentation:

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit requests for arrest records by visiting the Branson Police Department Records Division:

Branson Police Department
110 W. Maddux Street, Suite 200
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 334-3300
Branson Police Department Official Website

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.

Requestors must complete a police records request form and provide proper identification. Processing times for records typically range from 7-10 business days from the date of the incident.

Court Records Access

Arrest records that have resulted in charges filed with the municipal court may be accessed through:

Branson Municipal Court
110 W. Maddux Street
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 337-8592
Municipal Court Official Website

Court hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.

Online Resources

The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES), which contains arrest information from participating agencies throughout the state, including Branson. Limited information may be available through:

CaseNet - Missouri's online court information system
Taney County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system
Third-party public record aggregation services (fees may apply)

Pursuant to § 610.026, governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and research services. Current fee schedules are posted at the respective agencies.

Contents of a Branson Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Branson Police Department contain specific categories of information as required by Missouri law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:

Demographic Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address (may be partially redacted in public copies)

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including ordinance or statute numbers
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Circumstances leading to the arrest
Whether force was used during apprehension
Property seized during the arrest

Processing Information

Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Fingerprint classification data
Detention facility information
Bail or bond amount established
Court appearance dates
Case disposition if available

The City Prosecutor's Office handles cases involving violations of city ordinances, which are processed through the municipal court system. More serious offenses may be transferred to the Taney County Prosecutor for handling at the state level.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Branson

Missouri law provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be expunged or sealed from public view. Pursuant to § 610.122 and § 610.140 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, individuals meeting specific criteria may petition for expungement of arrest records maintained by Branson law enforcement agencies.

Eligibility Requirements

Expungement may be available under the following circumstances:

The arrest did not result in charges being filed within the statute of limitations
Charges were dismissed or the individual was found not guilty
The arrest resulted from false information or mistaken identity
The individual has completed a court-approved diversion program
The required waiting period has elapsed since completion of sentence (varies by offense type)
The individual has no subsequent arrests or convictions during the waiting period

Certain serious offenses, including violent felonies, sexual offenses, and driving while intoxicated, are generally ineligible for expungement under Missouri law.

Expungement Process

The expungement procedure requires the following steps:

Filing a petition with the court that would have jurisdiction over the offense
Payment of filing fees (approximately $250, though fee waivers may be available)
Notification to all agencies holding records related to the arrest
Attendance at a hearing before a judge
Issuance of an expungement order if the petition is granted

Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute. The legal effect of expungement is that the arrest is deemed never to have occurred, and the individual may legally deny its existence in most circumstances.

Petitioners may file expungement requests with:

Taney County Circuit Court
266 Main Street
Forsyth, MO 65653
(417) 546-7230

For municipal ordinance violations:

Branson Municipal Court
110 W. Maddux Street
Branson, MO 65616
(417) 337-8592
Municipal Division Official Website