Missouri Arrest Records Search
How to Look Up Arrest Records in Missouri
MO’s state law enforcement is the government agency that handles criminal records requests including arrest records. They use IDEMIA for their fingerprint vendor. They also offer a name-based search for $14 per file. They have an online system that the general public can use to request records. Users can request files with a name search or using fingerprints. A state-level fingerprint search costs $20. An FBI-level fingerprint search will cost another $13.25.
Are Arrest Records Public Records in Missouri?
Yes. The state allows public access to Missouri arrest records and criminal records. They have an online system, they offer records by mail, or people can visit the highway patrol office in person to get copies. Searches are available via fingerprints only. There is also a $20 fee per state records and an additional $13.25 for federal records.
Victims & Offenders by Gender and Race
Offenders by Race
| Black or African American | 64% | |
| White | 26% | |
| Unknown | 10% | |
| Native Hawaiian | 0% | |
| Offenders w/ reported race | 3,562 | |
Victims by Race
| Black or African American | 52% | |
| White | 46% | |
| Unknown | 1% | |
| Asian | 1% | |
| Native Hawaiian | 0% | |
| Victims w/ reported race | 3,765 | |
What Information You Can Find in a state Criminal Report?
A Missouri arrest report will be full of useful information like name, address, phone, email, gender, race, height, weight, physical description, tattoos, scars, Missouri mugshots, and sometimes even fingerprints. Along with that, other details are included like arrest details, charges, convictions, dispositions, jail time, fines, fees, bond, and bail paid, pleas, the dates of arrest, location and time. Typically an arrest report will also contain vehicles that were involved and the arresting officer’s name and agency.
Missouri State Police Reports and Mugshots
Are Police Reports Public Record in Missouri?
Police reports in Missouri are public records, and The Missouri State Highway Patrol is the repository for storing and issuing them to the general public. The various types of reports you can obtain are:
- Public Records.
- Incident / Investigative / Arrest reports.
- Radio tapes and logs (The Missouri State Highway Patrol does not maintain 911 call centers for 911 recordings).
- Acceptance of Subpoena Duces Tecum.
- All other record types with the exception of accident reports and accident photos.
- Patrol Records.
- Traffic crash reports.
- Traffic crash reconstruction reports.
- Traffic crash report photographs.
- Background Checks.
- Criminal history record reviews.
- Employer or licensing background checks.
- Clearance letters (local/national) including adoptions.
- Water Patrol Reports.
- Boat Accident Reports.
- Citations/Warnings.
- Arrest/Incident Drowning Reports.
To obtain any of these, you can visit one of the State Police locations listed on their website or order them online using The Records Center, the Missouri State Police records portal.
Missouri Mugshots
Missouri mugshots live in the free domain of public scrutiny and may easily be found online. Some county inmate lookups for the state show them with details of the arrested person. News and media websites also have them, and some private companies who compile public records also use them online. A typical Missouri mugshot is taken of the person in plain clothes against a gray brick wall.
Mugshots did not become a part of the normal booking process until the late 1800s when French policeman Alphonse Bertillon started using them. The invention of photography helped to catapult law enforcement’s ability to identify criminals and put the word out to the public through wanted posters and other means. Mugshots consist of a front picture and a side shot. They are used by witnesses and victims of crimes to identify the culprit.
Missouri Arrest Booking Process
The booking process in Missouri depends on the local county jail, but most will follow a similar routine. Each detainee is put through the following process after arrest:
- They are fingerprinted using the LiveScan system.
- Mugshots are taken using a digital photography system linking the images to their criminal profile.
- They will have access to phones to make as many phone calls as they would like.
- They can arrange bond or contact family for bail money.
- They will be held in a general holding cell until their hearing or release.
- They may receive visitors while in detention.
- While being held, they will receive a complete medical and mental health screening.
The booking process takes hours in most cases. Arrested persons will stay in jail until they see the judge.
Violent Crime Rates for the last 10 years
The crime rate has increased over the past decade in Missouri, going from 24,977 crimes in 2006 to 26,141 by 9% higher than it was back in 2006. The largest percentage of violent crimes falls into the Aggravated Assault category, with Revised Rape being the least popular crime in the state.
Arrest Laws
Any peace officer in the state of MO can arrest someone with a valid arrest warrant. They can also arrest someone when they witness them committing a felony or misdemeanor. If a police officer has probable cause that someone committed a crime, they have the right to arrest them within their own jurisdiction. Private citizens can assist with an arrest when asked to do so by a law officer. When doing so, they may use physical force to detain the subject before turning them offer to law enforcement.
Who has a Power of Arrest in MO?
Any local police officer has the power to arrest in Missouri. Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, highway state patrol officers, and any other office in a jurisdiction with more than two thousand people can arrest someone in the state of MO. Private citizens can also make a “citizens arrest” in the state of MO and use deadly force if necessary when witnessing a class A felony or a misdemeanor if the perpetrator threatens their safety. Peace officers have the right to arrest someone in their own municipality.
How Long Will an Arrest Report Stay on your Missouri State Records?
As of 2016, MO now allows expungement of records. However, not all crimes are eligible to be expunged. Offenders must wait seven years before applying to have a felony expunged and three years for a misdemeanor. They also have to pay a $250 fee when applying. Unless they petition the court their arrest records will remain on their criminal record forever.
Can you Expunge your Records?
Yes, but only certain crimes are eligible. Applicants must wait either three or seven years before applying to have their records expunged. Generally, the state has 30 days to review the request and 60 days to schedule a hearing to discuss it. Offenders also have to pay a $250 fee when applying. They must file with the court where the conviction was tried. There are 90 crimes, which cannot be expunged, and any serious sex offenses or violent crimes are on there.
The Arrest Rate in Missouri
For the year 2017, MO recorded 243,387 arrests. Of that total, 21564 were for possession of marijuana, 7293 were for aggravated assault, 26277 were for larceny/theft, and a massive number of them (80563) were for other non-traffic offenses.
State Offender and Victim Age Group Statistics
Most of the violent crime offenders in Missouri were Unknown and the largest percentage of violent crime victims were 20-29.
Offender Age
| Unknown | 28.1% | |
| 0-9 | 0.2% | |
| 10-19 | 15.1% | |
| 20-29 | 27.2% | |
| 30-39 | 14.9% | |
| 40-49 | 7.4% | |
| 50-59 | 4.9% | |
| 60-69 | 1.0% | |
| 70-79 | 0.2% | |
| 80-89 | 0.1% | |
| 90-99 | 0.8% | |
| Offenders w/ reported age | 10,543 | |
Victim Age
| 0-9 | 5.8% | |
| 10-19 | 15.9% | |
| 20-29 | 27.9% | |
| 30-39 | 20.8% | |
| 40-49 | 13.2% | |
| 50-59 | 10.7% | |
| 60-69 | 4.1% | |
| 70-79 | 1.2% | |
| 80-89 | 0.3% | |
| 90-99 | 0.1% | |
| Victims w/ reported age | 10,044 | |
Crime Victim Demographics
Residence Home is the place where the majority of crimes in Missouri were committed, in most of the crime cases the offender was a relationship unknown.
Location Type
| Residence Home | 4,932 | |
| Highway/Alley/Street/Sidewalk | 3,068 | |
| Parking Garage/Lot | 539 | |
| Convenience Store | 301 | |
| Restaurant | 262 | |
| Department/Discount Store | 194 | |
| Unknown | 177 | |
| Specialty Store | 166 | |
| Gas Station | 150 | |
| Park/Playground | 116 |
Victim’s Relationship to the Offender
| Relationship Unknown | 9,376 | |
| Stranger | 1,611 | |
| Acquaintance | 1,117 | |
| Boyfriend/Girlfriend | 949 | |
| Otherwise Known | 576 | |
| Other Family Member | 223 | |
| Child | 212 | |
| Spouse | 187 | |
| Friend | 186 | |
| Offender | 180 |
Missouri Arrest Records by Type of Crime
The popular arrests for 2017 in Missouri was for All Other Offenses (except traffic) - 79,733, the same popularity of the arrest type was seen in Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona. The least popularity had Gambling arrests - with only 97 crimes a year.
| Arrest Type | Under 18 | All ages | Total arrests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 906 | 9,371 | 10,277 |
| Property Crime | 3,790 | 31,387 | 35,177 |
| Murder & Non-negligent Manslaughter | 25 | 342 | 367 |
| Rape | 125 | 551 | 676 |
| Robbery | 265 | 1,553 | 1,818 |