St. Louis County Criminal Records
What Is St. Louis County Criminal Records
Criminal records in St. Louis County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.100, which defines criminal records as "all records and files of law enforcement agencies collected or maintained in connection with the investigation, arrest, or prosecution of individuals."
Criminal records in St. Louis County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement, which may not necessarily result in charges or convictions
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Juvenile Records: Generally sealed and confidential records pertaining to offenders under 18 years of age
- Warrant Information: Records of active warrants for arrest versus historical warrant data
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in St. Louis County, each responsible for different aspects of documentation:
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314-615-5000
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for individuals processed through county facilities.
21st Judicial Circuit Court
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314-615-8029
St. Louis County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court maintains case files including arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information.
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
P.O. Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-526-6153
Missouri State Highway Patrol
The State Highway Patrol maintains the central repository for criminal history information statewide.
St. Louis County criminal records typically include documentation of charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea information, trial records, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. These records form a comprehensive history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system within the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In St. Louis County
Criminal records in St. Louis County are generally considered public information under the Missouri Sunshine Law, specifically Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.011. This statute establishes that "it is the public policy of this state that meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public unless otherwise provided by law."
The Missouri Sunshine Law specifically addresses criminal records in § 610.100, which states: "All arrests, incidents, and investigation reports of law enforcement agencies are public records within the meaning of subdivision (6) of section 610.010 when they are closed." This provision ensures public access to criminal records once an investigation has concluded.
Public criminal records in St. Louis County typically include:
- Adult arrest records (once an investigation is closed)
- Court proceedings and case dispositions
- Conviction records
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Records ordered sealed by a court
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records expunged pursuant to Missouri law
- Certain victim information in sensitive cases
The Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.105 further clarifies that if a person is arrested but not charged within 30 days, records of the arrest become closed to the general public. Similarly, if charges are filed but later dismissed, nolle prossed, or the accused is found not guilty, those records also become closed.
Law enforcement agencies and courts in St. Louis County must comply with these statutory provisions when determining which criminal records to make available for public inspection. Members of the public seeking access to criminal records should be aware of these distinctions between public and restricted information.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In St. Louis County in 2026
Members of the public may access St. Louis County criminal records through several established channels. The following procedures are currently in effect for obtaining criminal record information:
In-Person Requests at the Sheriff's Office
Individuals seeking criminal records may submit requests in person at:
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314-615-5000
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The request process requires:
- Completion of a Records Request Form (available on-site)
- Presentation of valid government-issued photo identification
- Payment of applicable fees ($5.00 per record search, $0.10 per page for copies)
- Specific information about the record being requested (name, date of birth, case number if available)
Court Records Access
Court records may be accessed through the 21st Judicial Circuit Court:
St. Louis County Circuit Court
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314-615-8029
Missouri Courts
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The court provides access to:
- Criminal case files
- Docket information
- Judgment and sentencing records
- Court proceedings and schedules
Mail Requests for Criminal History
For comprehensive criminal history information, requests may be submitted by mail to:
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Criminal Justice Information Services Division
P.O. Box 9500
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-526-6153
Criminal Record Check
Mail requests must include:
- Completed Request for Criminal Record Check form (SHP-158)
- $14.00 processing fee per record (check or money order)
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery
- Subject's full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number (if available)
Fingerprint-Based Background Checks
For more comprehensive criminal history verification, fingerprint-based checks are available through:
Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS)
Missouri Automated Criminal History Fingerprint Portal
This process requires:
- Registration with MACHS
- Scheduling an appointment at an approved fingerprinting location
- Payment of applicable fees ($41.75 for state and FBI checks)
- Submission of fingerprints at the scheduled appointment
Requestors should note that processing times vary by method, with in-person requests typically fulfilled within 1-3 business days, mail requests within 2-4 weeks, and fingerprint-based checks within 2-3 weeks.
How To Find Criminal Records in St. Louis County Online?
St. Louis County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer varying levels of information and search capabilities to the public.
Missouri Case.net
The primary online resource for court records in St. Louis County is Missouri Case.net, the state's centralized court information system:
This portal provides:
- Criminal case records for the 21st Judicial Circuit (St. Louis County)
- Search capabilities by name, case number, or filing date
- Case summaries including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions
- Judge assignments and attorney information
- Judgment and sentencing details
Users should note that Case.net requires no registration for basic searches, though some document access may be restricted. The system updates daily but may not reflect same-day filings or changes.
St. Louis County Jail Roster
For current incarceration information, the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services maintains an online jail roster:
This database provides:
- Current inmate population information
- Booking dates and charges
- Bond information
- Scheduled release dates (when available)
- Searchable by name or booking number
The jail roster is updated multiple times daily and requires no registration to access.
Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS)
For official criminal history record checks, the Missouri State Highway Patrol offers online access through MACHS:
Missouri Automated Criminal History Fingerprint Portal
This system provides:
- Name-based criminal history checks ($14.00 per search)
- Fingerprint-based criminal history checks ($41.75 for state and FBI checks)
- Official certification of results
- Secure electronic delivery of reports
MACHS requires user registration and payment processing. Results from name-based searches are typically available immediately, while fingerprint-based checks require 2-3 weeks for processing.
Missouri Sex Offender Registry
The Missouri Highway Patrol maintains the state sex offender registry, which includes offenders residing in St. Louis County:
Missouri Sex Offender Registry
This database provides:
- Names and photographs of registered sex offenders
- Residential addresses (subject to restrictions)
- Conviction information and offense details
- Registration status and compliance information
- Mapping capabilities to search by location
The sex offender registry is updated regularly and requires no registration to access.
Users should be aware that while these online resources provide substantial information, certain records may only be available through in-person requests, particularly older cases or those containing sensitive information.
Can You Search St. Louis County Criminal Records for Free?
St. Louis County provides several options for free access to criminal records, though certain limitations apply to these no-cost services. Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.026 establishes that "public governmental bodies shall provide access to and, upon request, furnish copies of public records," though reasonable fees may be charged for document reproduction.
Free In-Person Inspection
Members of the public may inspect criminal records at no cost at the following locations:
St. Louis County Circuit Court
105 South Central Avenue
Clayton, MO 63105
314-615-8029
Missouri Courts
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The court provides public access terminals where visitors may:
- Search case records
- View docket entries
- Review judgment information
- Examine charging documents
While inspection is free, printing documents from these terminals incurs a fee of $0.10 per page.
St. Louis County Law Library
105 South Central Avenue, North Wing
Clayton, MO 63105
314-615-8585
St. Louis County Law Library
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The law library provides:
- Free access to public court records
- Research assistance from library staff
- Reference materials related to criminal proceedings
- Public computer terminals for online searches
Free Online Resources
Several online platforms offer free access to criminal record information:
-
Missouri Case.net - Missouri Courts
- Provides free access to court case information
- Searchable by name, case number, or filing date
- Includes criminal cases filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court
- No registration required for basic searches
-
St. Louis County Jail Roster - St. Louis County Department of Justice Services
- Free access to current inmate information
- Updated multiple times daily
- Searchable by name or booking number
- Provides booking date, charges, and bond information
-
Missouri Sex Offender Registry - Missouri Highway Patrol
- Free access to registered sex offender information
- Includes offenders residing in St. Louis County
- Searchable by name, location, or non-compliant status
- Provides photographs and offense information
It should be noted that while these free resources provide substantial information, they may not include comprehensive criminal history reports. Complete criminal history information typically requires payment of statutory fees to the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division.
What's Included in a St. Louis County Criminal Record?
St. Louis County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with Missouri Revised Statutes § 43.503, which establishes requirements for criminal history information reporting.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
- Arrest circumstances summary
Court Case Information
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Circuit or Municipal)
- Judge assignment
- Formal charges filed by prosecuting attorney
- Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney representation details
- Hearing dates and proceedings
- Motion filings and rulings
Disposition Information
- Final verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines and court costs assessed
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and violations
- Completion or discharge information
Additional Record Components
- Active warrant information
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI offense details
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history references
Criminal records in St. Louis County are maintained in both electronic and physical formats, with electronic records increasingly becoming the primary method of storage and retrieval. The completeness of any individual record depends on reporting compliance by all agencies involved in the criminal justice process, from arrest through final disposition.
Access to these records is governed by Missouri's Sunshine Law and specific statutory provisions regarding criminal history information. Certain elements may be redacted or restricted based on privacy protections, ongoing investigations, or court-ordered sealing of information.
How Long Does St. Louis County Keep Criminal Records?
St. Louis County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Missouri Secretary of State's Office under authority granted by Missouri Revised Statutes § 109.255. These schedules dictate the minimum period records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or archived.
The Local Government Records Retention Schedule establishes the following retention periods for criminal records in St. Louis County:
Law Enforcement Records
- Arrest reports: Minimum 5 years after case closure
- Investigation reports (misdemeanors): 5 years after case closure
- Investigation reports (felonies): 75 years after case closure
- Homicide investigation records: Permanent retention
- Booking information: 5 years after release from custody
- Fingerprint cards: 75 years after collection
- Mugshot photographs: 5 years after collection
- Incident reports: 5 years after creation
Court Records
- Misdemeanor case files: 12 years after case disposition
- Felony case files: 75 years after case disposition
- Capital offense case files: Permanent retention
- Court dockets: Permanent retention
- Judgment records: Permanent retention
- Probation records: 5 years after probation completion
Corrections Records
- Inmate files (misdemeanors): 5 years after release
- Inmate files (felonies): 10 years after release
- Jail registers and logs: Permanent retention
It should be noted that these retention periods represent minimum requirements. In practice, many criminal records in St. Louis County are maintained for longer periods, particularly as electronic storage has become more prevalent. Additionally, records of significant historical or legal importance may be designated for permanent retention regardless of the standard schedule.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division maintains the central repository for criminal history information and generally retains these records for the lifetime of the subject, unless expungement is ordered pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.140.
Records that have met their retention requirements may be destroyed through secure methods that protect confidential information. However, destruction of records must be documented and approved through established procedures to ensure compliance with state law.
Lookup Criminal Records in St. Louis County
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office
Criminal Record Check Services