Missouri Criminal Records

This guide explains how to find Missouri criminal records, arrest records, court records, inmate information, and the public sex offender registry, and how Missouri's background-check and record-clearing laws work. It was last reviewed in June 2026 using official Missouri sources, and it points you to the state and county agencies that hold each type of record. You can also start a name search using the tool on this page.

How do I look up a criminal record in Missouri?

Missouri makes statewide criminal history available to the public through the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. There are two realistic ways to search:

• Name-based search through MACHS. The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) allows any member of the public to run a name-based criminal history search online for a fee of $15 per request (plus a small processing fee). Results return only "open records," which include convictions, arrests less than 30 days old, charges awaiting disposition, and records with a suspended imposition of sentence during probation.
• Fingerprint-based search. A fingerprint check through IDEMIA (the state's vendor) is the only way to get a complete record, including dismissed and expunged entries. Fingerprint checks are typically reserved for authorized entities, and processing takes roughly seven to ten business days.

You can also look up individual case information for free through Missouri's statewide court portal, Case.net (see the court records question below), or use an online people-search tool like the one on this page. People-search tools are for personal knowledge only and are not a substitute for an official MACHS check or an FCRA-compliant background check.

Are criminal records public in Missouri?

Most adult criminal conviction records in Missouri are public. Under Missouri's Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo), government records are presumptively open, and the CJIS Division makes conviction records, recent arrest records, and pending-charge records available through MACHS. However, not every record is open: records that have been expunged are treated as if they never existed; arrest records where no charge is filed within 30 days become "closed records" under RSMo 610.100 and are generally not releasable to the public without a court order; and juvenile records are confidential. An arrest that did not result in a conviction does not prove guilt.

Where can I look up arrest records in Missouri?

Arrest records in Missouri are held by the arresting agency - a city police department, county sheriff, or the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Under RSMo 610.100, arrest reports are open records. A critical exception: if no charge is filed within 30 days of an arrest, that arrest report becomes a closed record and is generally not accessible to the public or to employers without a court order or the subject's consent. Many county sheriffs post current jail rosters online. Remember that an arrest is not a conviction: it shows a person was taken into custody, not that they were found guilty of anything.

How do I find court records in Missouri?

Missouri has a statewide online court records portal called Case.net, operated by the Missouri courts system. Case.net provides free public access to case information - including docket entries, parties, charges, and judgments - from circuit courts across the state. You can search by litigant name, case number, or filing date. Court documents filed on or after July 1, 2023, are viewable as PDFs directly through Case.net; older documents are available in person at the courthouse clerk's office. If a case does not appear on Case.net, it may be sealed.

How do I look up warrants in Missouri?

Warrants are issued by courts, and the best places to check for an active warrant are the circuit court clerk in the county where charges would be filed, or the county sheriff. Some Missouri counties post open-warrant information online; others require a phone call or in-person visit to the clerk. Case.net may also show pending warrants within a case file if the case has been filed. Active warrants can surface in third-party background reports, but the issuing court or law enforcement agency is the authoritative source.

Do arrests show up on background checks in Missouri?

For employment, housing, and credit screening conducted through a consumer reporting agency, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs what can be reported. Under the FCRA, non-conviction arrest records generally cannot be reported once they are more than seven years old. Missouri adds a separate protection: arrest records that did not result in a charge filed within 30 days are "closed records" under RSMo 610.100 and may not be released to private employers without a court order or the subject's consent, regardless of age. Conviction records in Missouri can be reported indefinitely by background-check companies - Missouri does not impose a state-level time limit on reporting convictions beyond the federal FCRA rules.

How far back does a background check go in Missouri?

Missouri does not have a state law that caps how far back a background-check company can report convictions. Under the federal FCRA, criminal convictions can generally be reported indefinitely, with no salary-based cap. The main restriction is on non-conviction arrest records: the FCRA limits reporting of arrests that did not lead to a conviction to seven years, and Missouri's closed-records rule (RSMo 610.100) may restrict those records further. Key points:

• Convictions can be reported indefinitely by consumer reporting agencies in Missouri.
• Arrests that did not lead to a conviction are generally limited to a seven-year reporting window under federal law.
• An arrest record that did not result in a filed charge within 30 days is a closed record under Missouri law, limiting employer access.
• Once a record is expunged under RSMo 610.140, it is treated as though it never occurred and cannot lawfully be reported or asked about.

How do I find someone in jail or prison in Missouri?

It depends on where the person is held:

• State prison or under DOC supervision. Use the Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Web Search to look up people currently incarcerated or on supervision (probation or parole) with the state DOC. You can search by first and last name; the tool is free and public, though it does not include discharged offenders.
• County jail. People awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences are usually held in a county jail. Check the relevant county sheriff's online jail roster or inmate lookup.
• Federal custody. For federal cases, use the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator rather than the Missouri DOC tool.

How do I find out if someone is on probation or parole in Missouri?

State parole and probation supervision is administered by the Missouri Department of Corrections Board of Probation and Parole. You can check whether someone is currently under DOC supervision using the free Missouri DOC Offender Web Search. For probation imposed directly by a court, the sentencing court's case records (available through Case.net) are the best source. Parole allows a person to serve the remainder of a prison sentence in the community under conditions set by the Parole Board; probation allows a person to serve a sentence in the community rather than in prison, under court-set conditions.

What crimes are felonies in Missouri?

A felony in Missouri is any crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Missouri classifies felonies into five levels under RSMo 558.011, from most to least serious:

• Class A felony: 10 to 30 years, or life imprisonment. Examples: first-degree murder, first-degree robbery.
• Class B felony: 5 to 15 years. Examples: second-degree murder, first-degree assault.
• Class C felony: 3 to 10 years. Examples: first-degree burglary, certain drug trafficking offenses.
• Class D felony: up to 7 years. Examples: second-degree assault, certain theft and drug possession offenses above threshold amounts.
• Class E felony: up to 4 years. Examples: first-offense felony DWI (driving while intoxicated), certain lower-level property crimes.

These ranges are from RSMo 558.011 and are general guidelines; the actual sentence depends on the specific offense, the defendant's prior criminal history, and any applicable enhancements.

What crimes are misdemeanors in Missouri?

Missouri misdemeanors are crimes punishable by jail time in a county facility rather than state prison. Under RSMo 558.011, there are three classes:

• Class A misdemeanor: up to one year in jail and/or a fine. Examples: first-offense DWI, assault in the third degree, and certain drug possession offenses.
• Class B misdemeanor: up to six months in jail and/or a fine. Examples: harassment, peace disturbance, and certain trespassing offenses.
• Class C misdemeanor: up to 15 days in jail and/or a fine. Examples: minor in possession of alcohol (first offense), certain traffic violations that carry criminal penalties.

Missouri does not have a Class D misdemeanor category. How a specific offense is classified can depend on the facts and the defendant's prior record, so treat these examples as general illustrations.

Are traffic violations crimes in Missouri?

Most routine traffic citations in Missouri are infractions or Class C misdemeanors, punishable by fines and driving-record points rather than significant jail time. Minor speeding tickets are typically infractions and generally do not affect an employment background check. More serious driving offenses are full criminal charges: driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a Class A misdemeanor on a first offense and escalates to a felony after prior offenses. A felony DWI conviction is typically a Class E felony.

Is the sex offender registry public in Missouri?

Yes. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains the Missouri Sex Offender Registry and makes it searchable for free at mshp.dps.mo.gov/CJ38/search.jsp. You can search by name or by geographic area. The registry lists an offender's photo, address, offenses, and tier level. MSHP also offers a free community-notification email subscription that alerts you when a registered offender moves into a specific area. Under RSMo 589.400, registration periods are 15 years for Tier I offenders, 25 years for Tier II offenders, and lifetime for Tier III offenders.

Can a sex offender be removed from the Missouri registry?

Missouri is a petition-based removal state - registration requirements do not automatically expire once the minimum period is reached. Under RSMo 589.401, a registrant may file a petition in the circuit court of the county where the original offense was committed. The court must find, among other things, that the person has no pending or subsequent charges, has successfully completed supervised release and any required sex offender treatment, and does not pose a public safety threat. Tier III (lifetime) offenders are generally not eligible to petition for removal, except in cases that arose from a juvenile adjudication. Because eligibility is highly fact-specific, consult an attorney before filing.

How do I clear or expunge my criminal record in Missouri?

Missouri's expungement law is found at RSMo 610.140. A successful expungement treats the record as if it never existed - the person may lawfully state they were not convicted and no background check may report it. Key rules as of the 2024 amendments (effective January 1, 2025):

• Waiting periods: 3 years from completion of the entire sentence (including probation and parole) for misdemeanors and infractions; 7 years for felonies.
• Lifetime limits: A person may expunge up to one felony and up to two misdemeanor convictions that carried imprisonment terms (unlimited infractions). Related offenses from the same incident count as one petition.
• Ineligible offenses: Class A felonies, dangerous felonies, offenses involving death or serious physical injury, sex offenses requiring registration, and most intoxication-related traffic offenses cannot be expunged.
• Process: File a petition in the circuit court where the offense was prosecuted. The prosecuting attorney and arresting agency are notified and may object. The court holds a hearing and must find the expungement serves the public welfare and interests of justice.

Once granted, the court orders all records of the offense destroyed by law enforcement, courts, and agencies. An expunged record cannot be used against the person in most future proceedings.

Do I need a lawyer to expunge my record in Missouri?

You are not legally required to hire a lawyer to file a petition under RSMo 610.140. The Missouri Courts website and legal-aid organizations publish self-help materials and the required petition forms. That said, the eligibility rules are detailed and were updated by the 2024 amendments, a mistake in the petition can cost you the chance to clear the record, and the prosecuting attorney may appear at the hearing to object. Many people find it worthwhile to consult an attorney or a free legal-aid clinic - especially for felony expungements or cases with unusual facts.

How long does a felony stay on your record in Missouri?

A Missouri felony conviction stays on your record permanently unless you obtain expungement under RSMo 610.140. There is no automatic deletion of a conviction after a set number of years. The federal FCRA's seven-year rule limits what a background-check company may report for non-conviction arrest records, but it does not erase a conviction from the underlying record. After a successful expungement, the record is treated as if the offense never occurred and cannot lawfully be reported or asked about.

Are juvenile criminal records private in Missouri?

Juvenile court records in Missouri are confidential by statute under RSMo 211.321. They are generally not available to the public, to ordinary background checks, or to most employers. Law enforcement, courts, and certain agencies may still access them. Unlike some states, Missouri does not automatically seal or expunge all juvenile records upon adulthood - sealing requires a separate court application filed after the person turns 18. The court may order records sealed if it finds doing so is in the best interest of the individual. More serious juvenile offenses, including those where the youth was certified to stand trial as an adult, may remain in the adult court system and be treated as adult records.

Jackson County criminal records

Jackson County - home to Kansas City - is Missouri's most populous county and is served by the 16th Judicial Circuit Court. The court maintains criminal and traffic case files from two locations: the Albert Riederer Community Justice Complex in Kansas City and the Independence Courthouse. Case information is publicly searchable for free through Missouri's statewide Case.net portal, which covers Jackson County criminal and civil cases. If a case does not appear on Case.net, it may be sealed and accessible only in person with valid photo ID. For certified copies of case files, contact the 16th Circuit clerk directly; copy fees apply. Background checks and criminal history requests must go through the Missouri State Highway Patrol MACHS system, not the circuit court.

Official Missouri criminal record sources

• Missouri State Highway Patrol - Criminal Record Check (MACHS) - statewide name-based and fingerprint criminal history searches; $15 per name search.
• Missouri Courts Case.net - free statewide portal for public court case records, dockets, charges, and judgments.
• Missouri DOC Offender Web Search - free public search for people currently in state prison or under DOC supervision.
• Missouri Sex Offender Registry - free public MSHP registry search by name or geographic area.
• RSMo 610.140 - Expungement statute - the Missouri expungement law with eligibility criteria, waiting periods, and ineligible offenses.
• RSMo 558.011 - Authorized dispositions (felony and misdemeanor penalty ranges) - official classification and sentencing ranges for Missouri crimes.
• RSMo 589.400 - Sex offender registration requirements and tier durations - registration periods for Tier I (15 years), Tier II (25 years), and Tier III (lifetime) offenders.
• 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County - Criminal Records - information on accessing criminal case files for Missouri's most populous county.

Disclosure: criminal.com may earn a commission when you use the people-search tool on this page, which is powered by a third-party background-check service. Results from such tools are for your personal knowledge only and may not be used to make decisions about employment, housing, credit, tenant screening, or any other purpose covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). A mugshot or arrest record is not proof of guilt. This page is general information about Missouri public records, not legal advice; for advice about your situation, consult an attorney. Information was last reviewed in June 2026 and laws may change.