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Missouri Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Missouri, Texas?

Arrest records are public documents in both Missouri and Texas, pursuant to each state's respective open records laws. In Missouri, the Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes) governs public access to governmental records, while in Texas, the Public Information Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 552) establishes similar provisions. These statutes affirm the public's right to access governmental records, including arrest information, to ensure transparency in law enforcement operations and accountability of public officials.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety and the Texas Department of Public Safety maintain centralized repositories of criminal history information, including arrest records, which are accessible to the public with certain limitations. These limitations typically pertain to records that have been sealed, expunged, or involve juvenile offenders. Additionally, pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo and § 552.108 of the Texas Government Code, certain investigative records may be temporarily withheld if their release would interfere with ongoing law enforcement proceedings.

How to Look Up Missouri Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Missouri arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state. Requestors may access these records through the following methods:

Missouri State Highway Patrol Records Division
1510 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-526-6153
Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS)
Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Individuals may request arrest records directly from the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest. The Missouri City Police Department Records Division processes such requests at their headquarters.
Missouri City Police Department
3849 Cartwright Road
Missouri City, TX 77459
281-403-8700
Official Records Request Portal
County Sheriff's Offices: County-level arrest records may be obtained through the respective sheriff's office where the arrest occurred. For Fort Bend County:
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office
1410 Ransom Road
Richmond, TX 77469
281-341-4665
Jail Information Inquiry System
Missouri Courts CaseNet: The state's online court records system provides information about charges filed following arrests.
Missouri Office of State Courts Administrator
2112 Industrial Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65110
573-751-4377
Missouri CaseNet

Pursuant to § 610.120 RSMo, requestors must provide proper identification when seeking arrest records, and fees may apply in accordance with § 610.026 RSMo. Standard processing times range from 2-4 weeks for mail requests, while in-person and online requests may be processed more expeditiously.

Contents of a Missouri Arrest Record

Missouri arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the Missouri Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. These records typically include the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, sex, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges and citation numbers
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking information, including booking number and facility
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Photographic identification (mugshot)
Disposition information, if available
Case numbers and court information for subsequent proceedings

In accordance with § 43.506 RSMo, all law enforcement agencies in Missouri are required to report complete arrest information to the central repository within 30 days of the arrest. The Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) facilitates this information sharing between agencies.

For arrests occurring in Missouri City, Texas, records are maintained by both the Missouri City Municipal Court and the Fort Bend County criminal justice system, depending on the severity of the offense and jurisdictional considerations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Missouri

The state of Missouri provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under § 610.122 to § 610.140 RSMo. Expungement effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes. To qualify for expungement in Missouri, petitioners must meet the following criteria:

The arrest was based on false information
No charges were filed within the statute of limitations
The case was dismissed or resulted in acquittal
The petitioner has satisfied all requirements of the sentence, including probation or parole
A specified waiting period has elapsed (typically 3 years for misdemeanors and 7 years for felonies)
The petitioner has no subsequent arrests or convictions for other offenses

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the circuit court of the county where the arrest occurred. Pursuant to § 610.140 RSMo, the petition must include specific information about the arrest and the petitioner's subsequent conduct. The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that the expungement serves the public interest.

The Missouri City Municipal Court processes expungement petitions for arrests within its jurisdiction at:

Missouri City Municipal Court
3845 Cartwright Road
Missouri City, TX 77459
281-403-8669
Court Operations Information

Petitioners should be aware that certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including most violent felonies, sexual offenses, and driving while intoxicated. Additionally, expunged records may still be disclosed in certain circumstances, such as in subsequent criminal proceedings or for employment in sensitive positions.

Legal Rights Regarding Arrest Records in Missouri

Individuals who are the subject of arrest records in Missouri possess specific rights under state and federal law. The Missouri Criminal Records Repository operates under the oversight of the Missouri Department of Public Safety and must adhere to the following provisions:

Right to Access: Pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, individuals have the right to review their own criminal history information maintained by state agencies.
Right to Challenge: Under § 43.532 RSMo, individuals may challenge the accuracy or completeness of information contained in their criminal history record by submitting a written request to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Right to Privacy: While arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to victims of certain offenses.
Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under § 211.321 RSMo, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.

For individuals arrested in Missouri City, Texas, the Municipal Court provides information regarding defendants' rights in criminal proceedings, including the right to counsel, the right to trial, and the right to appeal adverse decisions.

Juvenile Arrest Records in Missouri

Juvenile arrest records in Missouri are subject to specialized handling under § 211.321 RSMo, which establishes a presumption of confidentiality for records pertaining to minors. The juvenile justice system in Missouri operates with the primary goal of rehabilitation rather than punishment, and this philosophy extends to the management of arrest records.

Key provisions regarding juvenile arrest records include:

Records of juveniles under 17 years of age are generally confidential and not accessible to the public
Law enforcement agencies maintain separate records for juvenile offenders
Juvenile court proceedings are typically closed to the public
Upon reaching the age of 17, juveniles may petition for the sealing of their records if they have not been subsequently adjudicated for a felony or misdemeanor offense
Certain serious offenses committed by juveniles 12 and older may be certified for adult prosecution, resulting in public records

The Missouri City Municipal Court Juvenile Division handles cases involving minors and provides guidance on the confidentiality provisions applicable to juvenile records. Parents or guardians of juveniles with questions regarding arrest records may contact:

Missouri City Municipal Court Juvenile Division
3845 Cartwright Road
Missouri City, TX 77459
281-403-8669
Juvenile Justice Information