Jackson County, Missouri Arrest Records

Jackson County arrest records are official files that document individuals arrested and incarcerated within the county's jurisdiction. They are created by law enforcement agencies pursuant to § 610.100(2)(1) RSMo, which requires every county law enforcement agency to keep records of all arrests made by them. In Jackson County, arrest records include, but are not limited to, arrest reports, booking information, and arrest photographs. These records provide information about the arrested person and the reason for their arrest, contribute to criminal history records and court records, and can help people determine whether a person has been arrested.

The Missouri Open Records Act (Chapter 610, RSMo.) declares all arrest records “open records.” By this, individuals have the right to review and/or obtain these records from law enforcement agencies. The agencies that may maintain and disclose arrest records in Jackson County include the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and city/municipal police departments, such as the Independence Police Department and the Lee’s Summit Police Department. The Open Records Act governs how these agencies maintain and make arrest records in their custody available to the public. 

The release of criminal history record information, however, by the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), through its Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division, is governed by § 43.500 et seq. RSMo.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Jackson County, Missouri?

Yes, arrest records are public information in Jackson County under the Missouri Open Records Act (Chapter 610, RSMo.), which establishes that all arrest records and incident reports are open records (§ 610.100, RSMo). As such, law enforcement agencies, such as the sheriff’s office, provide public access to these records in keeping with the law.  

The freedom of public access applies to both residents and non-residents of Jackson County.  Also, access is not dependent on record seekers stating the reason or purpose for the records request, providing an ID, or proving citizenship. However, they are subject to processing times and search/copy costs.

What Do Public Jackson County Arrest Records Contain?

The types of information commonly found in Jackson County arrest records are:

• The personal details of the arrestee, such as their full name, sex, and age
• The physical details of the arrestee, such as height, weight, and eye color
• The arrest date, time, and location
• The offense responsible for the arrest (or charges)
• The arrestee’s mug shot
• The arrest agency
• Booking details, such as the date and number
• Bail/bond information
• Release date (if applicable)

While the above is public, certain information is excluded or exempt from public access to protect the privacy and safety of victims, witnesses, and law enforcement personnel, as well as sealed materials and information protected by privacy laws. Also, certain data may be redacted or restricted from disclosure to ensure that ongoing law enforcement investigations are not jeopardized. Exempt information includes:

• Sealed or expunged arrest records
• Juvenile arrest information
• Arrestee’s medical information
• Sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers and bank account details
• Information that would jeopardize a criminal investigation when released
• Information that would disclose the identity of a confidential informant
• Any information protected by privacy laws
• Information whose disclosure would endanger a victim, witness, or undercover law enforcement officer (RSMo § 610.100.3)

Jackson County,  Missouri Arrest Search

Jackson County arrest searches may be conducted with these state and federal agencies/resources:  

• Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS): The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) provides public access to criminal history information through the Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS). Individuals can use this system to conduct name-based criminal history searches. Criminal history record information includes arrest records. Note that search fees may apply.
• Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) Online Arrest Reports: Individuals can search for information on arrests made by the MSHP statewide, including in Jackson County, using the MSHP's online arrest reports. The search criteria include first name, last name, arrest county, city, and arrest date. The portal also lists people most recently involved in an arrest, including their name, age, city/state, arrest date & time, and arrest county.
• Missouri Offender Search: Individuals may also use the "Offender Search" to look up records on file for offenders in the custody or supervision of the Missouri Department of Corrections. The search criterion is DOC ID or name (first & last).
• FBI’s CJIS and BOP Inmate Locator: Arrest records may be obtained from the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through an Identity History Summary Check for $18/person. The check provides arrest records originating from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Similarly, at the federal level, individuals can use the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) inmate locator to locate arrest/inmate records of offenders sentenced to federal incarceration.

Jackson County Inmate Locator

The Jackson County government maintains an “Inmate Search” feature that provides public access to selected arrestee/inmate information of individuals housed in the Jackson County Detention Center. The feature allows searches by name, arrest date, release date, and booking date. It provides the arrestee’s name, date of birth, arrest agency, mug shot, charges, and bond amount.

In addition to the online inmate search feature, persons seeking arrest records, including arrest reports and booking information, can contact the arresting law enforcement agency. For example, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office can be contacted for these records in person, by email, or by phone.

Jackson County Sheriff

4001 Northeast Lakewood Court

Lee's Summit, MO 64064

Phone: (816) 541-8017

Fax: (816) 795-1969

Email: sheriff@jacksongov.org

Active Warrant Search in Jackson County

An arrest warrant is a court order that authorizes the arrest and detention of a person. In Missouri, arrest warrants are issued by municipal and associate circuit judges for felony offenses, state misdemeanor offenses, and municipal ordinance violations. Per RSMo § 544.020 and Missouri Supreme Court Rules 21.03 and 22.04, judges issue warrants upon receiving a complaint and finding that sufficient facts have been stated therein that show probable cause that a crime or violation has been committed.

According to Rule 22.05, the warrant must be in writing and issued in the name of the State of Missouri and directed to the sheriff of the county, city marshal, chief of police, or any other peace officer in the municipality. Also, the warrant must:

• Contain the name of the person to be arrested or, if not known, any alias or description by which they can be identified
• Describe the offense the person is charged with in the complaint
• State the date and county of issuance
• Command that the named person be arrested and brought before the designated court in the warrant
• Be signed by a judge or by a clerk of the court (acting on the judge’s direction) 
• Specify release conditions (if any)

The Warrants Division of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for handling warrants issued by the 16th Judicial Circuit Court and Jackson County Municipal Court. Warrants in Jackson County are available for public access as public information pursuant to the Missouri Open Records Act (Chapter 610, RSMo). They may be available by phone, mail, or in-person inquiry to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office or the issuing court.

Agency / Resource	Purpose	Search Methods	Notes
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (Warrants Division)	Process warrants	In person, phone, email	No official lookup availability
16th Judicial Circuit Court (Jackson County)	Issues and maintains warrant records	In person, phone	Includes lookup via Case.net
Jackson County Municipal Court	Issues and maintains warrant records	In person, phone, email	Includes lookup via Case.net
Missouri Case.net	Search court cases and docket entries	Online	Warrant information may appear in docket entries

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Jackson County

Interested persons should use the county’s “inmate online search” to find Jackson County arrest records for free. The county government created the search feature to provide community and family access to information about people in custody at the Jackson County Detention Center. It also provides information about people who were previously detained at the facility. It can be searched by name, arrest date, release date, and booking date. 

Furthermore, one may use state resources, such as the MSHP’s online arrest reports search and the MDOC offender search, to conduct free arrest record searches in Jackson County. Also, the arresting agency, such as the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, may allow free inspection of arrest records, including arrest reports. 

Alternatively, interested persons can use third-party sites to search arrest records. However, while these sites may be free, they may not provide older or more detailed records.

Jackson County Arrest Report

An arrest report (also called an incident report) is a law enforcement record created by the arresting officer after an arrest, describing the immediate facts and circumstances surrounding the arrest. It includes the date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name of the arrested individual; and any relevant information (§ 610.100 RSMo). The report is specific to an individual arrest.

While an arrest report is different from an arrest record in Jackson County, it is part of the Jackson County arrest records, which also include booking information and arrest photographs. Arrest records document individuals who are detained or were detained following apprehension for criminal offenses.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Jackson County

Expungement in Missouri is a process that seals or removes criminal records, including arrests, from public view. According to §610.140 RSMo, individuals may apply for expungement of arrest, plea, trial, or conviction records for one or more offenses, violations, or infractions, provided that such offenses are not excluded. The offenses, violations, and infractions that are not eligible for expungement, as outlined in §610.140(2)  RSMo, include, but are not limited to: 

• Class A felony offenses
• Any dangerous felony as defined in section 556.061 RSMo 
• Any offense that requires registration as a sex offender
• Any felony offense where death is an element of the offense, 
• Any felony offense of assault; misdemeanor or felony offense of domestic assault; or felony offense of kidnapping

To begin the process for offenses, violations, and infractions not excluded from expungement, the record subject should apply to the court where they were charged or found guilty for an order expunging the arrest, plea, trial, or conviction records. 

Per the law, the criteria the court will use to decide on the petition for expungement of records include:

• The petitioner does not have any pending charges
• The petitioner has satisfied all obligations relating to the offense, including payment of fines or restitution
• The petitioner, by their conduct and habits, has demonstrated that they are not a threat to public safety
• The petitioner has completed a waiting period of 3 years if the offense is a felony or 1 year if the offense is a misdemeanor, violation, or infraction

For a petition to expunge arrest records, the law stipulates a minimum waiting period of 18 months from the date of arrest. The petitioner should not be charged or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony during that time.

How Do You Remove Jackson County Arrest Records From the Internet?

The first step to remove Jackson County arrest records from the internet is to obtain an expungement. The second step is to contact the agency or third party that has the record on the internet and provide the expungement order to demand removal. Once there is an expungement order, record custodians are required to remove the record from public view in reasonable time.