Missouri Criminal Records

Criminal records in Missouri are comprehensive documentation of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system within the state. These records contain information about a person's arrests, charges, convictions, and other relevant details related to criminal activities.

Missouri criminal records typically include details such as the person's full name, date of birth, physical description, fingerprints, photographs, and a chronological list of their interactions with the criminal justice system.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division is crucial for managing criminal records. They maintain the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES), a centralized database that houses criminal justice information, including criminal records, accessible to authorized personnel.

Understanding the content and implications of a criminal record in Missouri is crucial, as it can significantly impact various aspects of an individual's life, including employment opportunities, housing applications, and professional licensing.

Are Criminal Records Public in Missouri?

Yes. Criminal records in Missouri are usually available to the public per the Missouri Sunshine Law. This law gives people the right to access information about what the government is doing, and it covers criminal records that law enforcement agencies and courts keep. However, not all criminal records are open to the public. Some records are protected by confidentiality or expungement. For example, records of young offenders under 18 are often confidential.

Missouri Crime Records by County

The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division of the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) is responsible for keeping and updating crime records for Missouri. The public can access these records through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS), which offers name-based criminal history searches. The CJIS Division also gathers and examines crime data from law enforcement agencies across the state and releases yearly reports on crime in Missouri, which reveal the state's security situation.

Missouri crime records are sorted by county using the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. This program splits crimes into two main groups: Part I and Part II offenses. Part I offenses are the most serious and consist of crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Part II offenses are less severe and include offenses such as forgery, fraud, embezzlement, vandalism, weapons violations, drug abuse, gambling, and others. The UCR Program also monitors other information, such as the number of arrests, clearance rates (solved cases), and the number of law enforcement personnel for each county. This thorough method enables a detailed comprehension of crime patterns and law enforcement actions in Missouri's counties.

Missouri Criminal Record Check

A Missouri criminal background check is used to obtain information about someone's criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and court records. In Missouri, there are two main ways to conduct a criminal background check: using personal identifiers or fingerprints.

A personal identifier search, or a name-based search, involves looking up an individual's information based on their name, date of birth, and social security number. This type of search can be done online through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) or by mail, with a $15.00 fee per request. The results are considered a "possible match" and include open records like convictions, recent arrests, pending charges, and probation records.

A fingerprint-based search is conducted by using an individual's fingerprints. To do this, you can submit a completed applicant fingerprint card (FD-258) to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division by mail or electronically, with a $20.00 fee per request (with some exceptions). The results are considered a "positive match" and include all records, including closed records like expunged or sealed records.

To request a criminal background check by mail, inquirers must complete the Request for Criminal Record Check Form (SHP-158) and send it along with payment and the fingerprint card (if applicable) to the:

MSHP CJIS Division

*P.O. Box 9500 *

Jefferson City, MO 65102

For an electronic request, individuals must register on the MACHS website, follow the instructions for online payment, and submit fingerprints as directed.

Find Criminal Records Online in Missouri

Inquirers may access criminal records online in Missouri using the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). All that is required is to visit the MACHS website, register for an account, and perform a name-based search by providing the individual's name, date of birth, and social security number. Requesters must follow the online instructions for payment and submission to obtain the needed information efficiently.

Alternatively, those seeking information can visit the Missouri State Courts' official website to look up criminal records. To find specific records, individuals can use various search criteria such as the litigant's name, filing date, case number, scheduled hearing, or judgment index.

Free Criminal Record Search in Missouri

Anyone can look up criminal records in Missouri for free using the Missouri Courts Case portal, a public records website managed by the state court system. This platform lets individuals search for public case records, including details like docket entries, parties involved, judgments, and criminal charges.

Inquirers may also use third-party aggregate websites that manage public records from different sources. While these sites provide more extensive information, individuals should remember that some may charge a fee or request a subscription to access their databases.

What Does it Mean if You Have a Criminal Record in Missouri?

Having a criminal record in Missouri can lead to various consequences, including:

• Challenges in securing employment, housing, education, or professional licenses. Some employers, landlords, schools, or licensing boards may reject applicants with criminal records or ask them to disclose their criminal history.
• Loss of specific civil rights, like voting, serving on a jury, or possessing firearms. This depends on the nature and severity of the offense.
• Ineligibility for certain public benefits, such as food stamps, welfare, or student loans, based on the type and extent of the conviction.
• Increased penalties for subsequent offenses. Prior convictions can enhance the sentencing range or mandatory minimums for certain crimes.
• Deportation or removal for non-citizens. Certain criminal offenses may trigger immigration consequences, like being barred from entering or re-entering the United States or facing removal proceedings.

Does Your Criminal Record Clear After 7 Years in Missouri?

No. A person's criminal record in Missouri doesn't automatically clear after seven years. However, according to Missouri law, individuals may qualify to request expungement for specific offenses. It's important to note that certain crimes, such as class A felonies, sex offenses, domestic assault, and kidnapping, are ineligible for expungement. The complete list of non-expugnable crimes is detailed in Revised Statutes of Missouri §610.140.2

Arrest Record Vs Criminal Record

An arrest record documents the specifics of an arrest, including the date, time, location, charges, and arresting agency. On the other hand, a criminal record details the conviction, encompassing charges, evidence, testimony, and verdict.

In Missouri, arrest and criminal records are generally public unless sealed or expunged through a court order. Despite their public nature, these records carry distinct implications within the legal system.

An arrest record doesn't automatically imply guilt but indicates that a person was suspected of a crime and taken into custody. While it can be presented as evidence in a trial, it alone cannot establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Significantly, errors or inaccuracies in an arrest record can be challenged or corrected.

In contrast, a criminal record signifies that a judge or jury has found a person guilty. This record can have profound consequences, impacting employment, housing, education, licensing, and voting rights. Furthermore, it may influence decisions related to bail, sentencing severity, and future charges.

Missouri Police Records

Missouri police records provide a documented account of law enforcement activities in the state. These records contain various documents, including incident reports, arrest reports, radio tapes, boat accident reports, citations, warnings, and more. These records differ from general criminal records, which are records of convictions and criminal history checks.

Access to Missouri police records is generally available to the public upon request unless they have been sealed or expunged through a court order. However, there might be specific requirements, such as a fee, a written request, or a waiting period, for certain records to be released. Additionally, some records may undergo redaction or be withheld if they contain sensitive or confidential information, such as details about victims, witnesses, or juveniles.