Missouri Criminal Records

A Missouri criminal record is a collection of information compiled by law enforcement, judicial entities, and other relevant agencies throughout the state that details an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system. These records include details on arrests, indictments, charges, case outcomes, sentencing details, incarceration information, and more.

Recent crime statistics indicate that Missouri has an overall crime index of approximately 28.28 per 1,000 residents, with a violent crime rate of 4.88 per 1,000 people (one of the highest violent crime rates recorded across the country). The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) serves as the central repository for Missouri criminal records and is responsible for compiling, maintaining, and disseminating information contained in these records to interested parties (through its Criminal Justice Information Services Division). In addition to the MSHP, other criminal justice agencies across the state (such as local police departments and county sheriff's offices, circuit courts, and the Missouri Department of Corrections) also maintain copies of criminal records generated in their respective jurisdictions.

Are Criminal Records Public in Missouri?

Criminal records in Missouri are generally considered public under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri), meaning that they may be readily accessed by any interested party. However, public access to certain types of criminal records (or specific information within them) is restricted. For instance, juvenile records, expunged records, records of ongoing investigations, and information that may identify (and endanger) witnesses, victims, confidential informants, and undercover law enforcement officers are deemed confidential and restricted from public access.

Likewise, public Missouri criminal records are generally grouped into two categories based on their accessibility - Open Records and Closed Records. Open records may be accessed by any member of the public, and they include records that resulted in a conviction, records of pending charges within 30 days of the arrest, and suspended imposition of sentences during probation. On the other hand, closed records may only be accessed by the subject of the record, criminal justice agencies, and certain government entities and employers (usually child and elderly care-related). Examples of these closed records include non-conviction records, records of arrests over 30 days where no charges have been filed or reported by the prosecuting attorney, and suspended impositions of sentences after the probation is completed.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Missouri?

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) provides access to official criminal history record information through its Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). Users may request background checks on this site via one of two options:

• Name-Based Searches: This is a personal identifier search that provides a "possible match" to the name inputted in the search. Note that results from these searches are limited to open records, including records containing convictions, arrest information that is less than 30 days old, charges awaiting final disposition, and records that contain a suspended imposition of sentence during the probation period. Name-based searches cost $15 per request, plus a small convenience fee.
• Fingerprint-Based Searches: This requires the submission of a completed fingerprint card (through a state-authorized third-party vendor) after the request has been placed on the MACHS platform. Results from a fingerprint-based search are considered a "positive match" and provide a complete criminal record that contains closed-record information, including non-conviction records and expunged records. Fingerprint-based searches typically cost $20 per request plus a processing fee that may range from $11.50 - $24.75, depending on the requester.

Requesters also have the option of getting the provided criminal records notarized for an additional $5 fee. Requests are typically processed within 5 - 7 business days.

How To Search Missouri Arrest Records?

Missouri arrest records are generated by law enforcement agencies, primarily city police departments and county sheriff's offices, after they make an arrest. These records document the details of the arrest and typically include information like:

• The full name, age, and gender of the person arrested
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The alleged offense/reason for the arrest
• The name of the officer who made the arrest
• The arresting agency
• Booking details and bail information (where applicable)

Contacting the specific local law enforcement agency that made the arrest is usually the most direct method for accessing an arrest record in Missouri. You may be required to submit a formal request and provide identifying information to help the agency locate the record; copy fees may also apply. In addition, some local law enforcement agencies provide access to their arrest/incident logs online (usually via their official websites).

You may also access statewide arrest records through the Missouri State Highway Patrol's MACHS system. Note that you will have to create a user account to utilize this platform and pay a $15 fee per search. Also, search results may not always contain detailed arrest records for all local incidents, especially if those arrests are over 30 days old and did not lead to formal charges or convictions reported to the state.

How To Search Missouri Warrants?

A warrant in Missouri is a legal order typically issued by a judge (but may be issued by clerks at the direction of the court) that authorizes law enforcement to take specific actions. Common types of warrants issued in Missouri include:

• Arrests Warrants: These are sometimes referred to as "criminal warrants", and they authorize the arrest of an individual suspected of committing a crime based on a finding of probable cause.
• Search Warrants: These authorize law enforcement to search a specified person, place, or thing for evidence related to a criminal investigation and to seize, photograph, or copy items/property found during the search. These warrants are also issued based on probable cause.
• Bench Warrants: These warrants are issued by a judge directly from the "bench" when an individual fails to comply with a court order, like violating a condition of their release, failing to appear for a court hearing, or being found in contempt of court.

Warrants in Missouri typically remain active until the individual is apprehended or the court recalls the warrant. However, per state law, search warrants must be executed and returned to the issuing court within 10 days.

You may get information on outstanding warrants by contacting the local law enforcement agency in the city/county where the subject of the warrant resides. Be aware that you will typically be required to disclose the whereabouts of this person and provide any other information that you may have on them when you contact the law enforcement agency. Alternatively, you may also get warrant information online using the Missouri Courts' case.net platform. However, note that information on some active warrants may not be publicly accessible to avoid jeopardizing law enforcement efforts.

Can I Obtain a Missouri Criminal History Record of Another Person?

Yes. In Missouri, you may obtain another person's criminal history record by performing a name-based search through the MSHP's Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). You will typically need to register an account on the platform to perform the search; there is also a $15 fee per search (additional convenience fees may apply). Be aware that this search will only provide details on "open records", such as conviction information, arrests less than 30 days old, pending court dispositions, and records that contain a suspended imposition of sentence (SIS) during the probation period.

How To Expunge or Seal Missouri Criminal Records

Expungement in Missouri is a court process that allows certain criminal records to be sealed, making the records no longer accessible to the public. Note that expunged records are typically not deleted and may still be accessed by criminal justice agencies and certain employers/licensing agencies.

The requirements and procedures for expungement are outlined in Chapter 610 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. Per this law, while expungement is generally available for most criminal records (including non-conviction records and juvenile records), certain records are not eligible for this process. These include, but are not limited to:

• Class A felonies
• Offenses that require registration as a sex offender
• Offenses that result in the death of a person
• Domestic assault
• Felony kidnapping

To get your record expunged, you typically need to meet certain criteria, such as completing a mandatory waiting period and having no pending charges. You must file a petition with the circuit court in the county where the arrest and/or conviction occurred using an appropriate expungement form. Relevant agencies will typically be notified and allowed to file objections to the petition. The court will then review the petition (and any filed objections) and may hold a hearing, during which all involved parties may be given the chance to present arguments before a final decision is reached. If the court grants the expungement, it will issue an order directing the relevant agencies to remove the record from public access.

What Are the Limitations to Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Missouri?

Several state and federal regulations set restrictions on how Missouri criminal records can be used in employment, licensing, and housing decisions, with the overall aim of ensuring fairness while still maintaining public safety. Some of these regulations include:

• Missouri Revised Statutes Section 610.140: This law allows eligible individuals to have certain criminal records expunged, meaning employers, landlords, and licensing bodies cannot consider these records unless specifically exempted.
• The Fair Chance Act: This law prohibits federal agencies and contractors from inquiring about criminal history until after a conditional job offer.
• The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): This mandates employers, landlords, and licensing agencies to obtain written consent before conducting third-party background checks and also stipulates that applicants must be notified if an adverse decision is made based on their criminal record.
• Federal EEOC and HUD Guidance: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) discourage blanket exclusions based solely on criminal history and advise landlords and employers to assess convictions on a case-by-case basis rather than imposing broad restrictions.
• The Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA): While this act does not explicitly restrict employers or housing providers from using criminal records, it prevents them from taking actions that may be deemed discriminatory.
• Ban the Box Initiative: Some cities in Missouri, including Kansas City and St. Louis, have "Ban the Box" laws that prohibit employers from inquiring about criminal history on job applications. Per these laws, employers must wait until after an interview or conditional job offer before considering criminal records.

Can I Access Missouri Criminal Records for Free Online?

Several private websites offer online access to Missouri criminal records, often for free or a nominal fee; however, the completeness and accuracy of the information provided by these sources may be questionable. It is generally recommended to rely on state-provided resources like MACHS and case.net or reputable third-party platforms like MissouriPublicRecords.us that aggregate data from official databases to get accurate and up-to-date criminal records in Missouri.