Search Missouri Criminal Court Records
Missouri criminal court records are kept by Circuit Court Clerks in all 114 counties and the independent City of St. Louis. These records cover felony and misdemeanor cases filed in the state's 46 judicial circuits. You can search most criminal court records online through the Missouri Case.net system at no cost, or visit your local courthouse to get copies in person. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also holds statewide criminal history data through its MACHS portal. Whether you need to look up a case, check a court date, or pull case files, Missouri gives the public several ways to find criminal court records.
Missouri Criminal Court Records Quick Facts
Where to Find Missouri Criminal Court Records
Missouri has a unified court system. All criminal cases go through Circuit Courts. Each county has a Circuit Clerk who keeps the official case files. These files hold charges, docket entries, motions, plea agreements, and judgments. The clerk stores them at the courthouse and can give you copies when you ask. Some records go back decades in paper form, while cases from the mid-1990s forward are on the state's electronic system.
The main way to search criminal court records in Missouri is through Case.net, the statewide online portal run by the Office of State Courts Administrator. Case.net covers all Circuit Courts and lets you look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. It is free for basic searches. You can see docket entries, scheduled hearings, charges, and case outcomes. The system runs Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Central Time, with some weekend access. Results show up fast, and you can track a case to get email or text alerts when something new is filed.
Circuit Clerks also serve walk-in requests. You can go to any courthouse during business hours and ask to see criminal court records. Staff will help you find what you need. Bring a name or case number to speed things up. Certified copies cost $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that. Regular copies run about $1.00 per page, though fees vary a bit by county.
Note: Only cases deemed public under Missouri Revised Statutes show up on Case.net. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records are not visible.
Missouri Criminal Court Records Background Checks
The Missouri State Highway Patrol runs the state's central criminal history repository through its Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. The MACHS portal is the main tool for criminal background checks in Missouri. It offers both name-based and fingerprint-based searches.
A name-based search costs $14 and pulls up open criminal records tied to that person in Missouri. This search uses the name and date of birth to match records. You can run it online through the MACHS website. Results come back fast. A fingerprint-based search costs $20 and gives a more complete picture since it uses positive identification. For foster care applicants and concealed carry permits, the fingerprint search drops to $14. You can add a notarized letter of results for $2 more. Payments go through credit card, debit card, or electronic check on the MACHS site. Walk-in service is also available at the MSHP Annex Building at 1510 East Elm Street in Jefferson City, where name-based checks take about 30 minutes.
The CJIS Division can be reached at (573) 526-6312. Mail requests go to Missouri State Highway Patrol, CJIS Division, P.O. Box 9500, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Include a check or money order payable to "State of Missouri, Criminal Record System Fund."
Types of Criminal Court Records in Missouri
Criminal court records in Missouri cover a range of documents that get created as a case moves through the system. The main types include:
- Charging documents (complaints, indictments, informations)
- Docket entries showing all case activity
- Motions and court orders
- Plea agreements
- Trial records and jury instructions
- Judgments, sentences, and dispositions
- Probation and parole status records
Felony cases are heard in Circuit Court divisions. These are serious offenses that can carry more than a year in state prison. Missouri classifies felonies into Classes A through E, with Class A being the most severe. Misdemeanor cases go to Associate Circuit Court divisions. These are lesser offenses with penalties up to a year in county jail. Missouri has Classes A through D for misdemeanors. Both types of criminal court records are stored by the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed.
Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations. Some of these overlap with state criminal law. Municipal court records are kept by the city but many are also viewable on Case.net. Traffic violations that carry criminal penalties, like DWI charges, generate criminal court records as well.
Missouri Criminal Court Records and State Law
Missouri's criminal code is in Title XXXVIII of the Revised Statutes. The code defines offenses, sets penalty ranges, and lays out court procedures that shape what ends up in criminal court records. Chapter 558 covers sentencing and the classification of offenses.
Under RSMo 610.100, arrest records become open to the public once an investigation goes inactive or charges are filed. Incident reports from law enforcement agencies are also accessible. This statute is part of the Missouri Sunshine Law, which is the main public records law in the state. It was first enacted in 1973 and covers all government records, including criminal court records kept by the courts.
Expungement is covered under RSMo 610.140. Certain criminal court records can be sealed from public view if you meet the requirements. Not all offenses qualify. The waiting period depends on the type of charge. Once a record is expunged, it no longer shows up on Case.net or through MACHS searches.
The Missouri Attorney General's office provides guidance on how the Sunshine Law works. If a public body denies your records request, they must cite the specific statute. You have the right to appeal. The AG's office handles complaints about records access and publishes opinions that help clarify what is and is not available to the public. Requests must be responded to within three business days, and copying fees are capped at 10 cents per page for standard documents.
Missouri Corrections and Offender Records
The Missouri Department of Corrections runs an offender search tool at web.mo.gov/doc/offSearchWeb. You can look up anyone currently in a Missouri state prison or on probation or parole. The search is free. Results show the person's name, DOC ID, date of birth, physical description, mugshot, facility location, sentence details, and projected release date.
This database does not include people who have been discharged from the system. It also does not cover county jail inmates. For county jail records, contact the sheriff's office in the county where the person was booked. The Department of Corrections operates 21 state prison facilities across Missouri and can be reached at (573) 751-2389.
The Missouri Sex Offender Registry is a separate database maintained by the Highway Patrol. It lets you search by name, address, or map location. The registry includes all tiers of registered sex offenders and shows their photo, address, offense details, and compliance status. Access is free. The toll-free line is 1-888-SOR-MSHP (767-6747).
Criminal Court Records from Missouri Appellate Courts
When a criminal case is appealed, new records are created at the appellate level. Missouri has three Courts of Appeals. The Eastern District sits in St. Louis. The Western District is in Kansas City. The Southern District is based in Springfield. These courts review trial court decisions and publish opinions that become part of the public record.
The Supreme Court of Missouri handles the most serious appeals. It has exclusive jurisdiction over death penalty cases and challenges to the state constitution. Supreme Court opinions go back to 1821. The Missouri State Archives has a historical database of Supreme Court cases from 1821 to 1874, with some digital images of original documents. The Supreme Court is at 207 W. High St., Jefferson City, MO 65101, and can be reached at (573) 751-4144.
Appellate court records, briefs, and published opinions can be found through Case.net and on each court's website. Criminal court records at the appellate level include the trial court record, briefs filed by both sides, and the court's written opinion.
Legal Help with Criminal Court Records in Missouri
If you need legal help related to criminal court records in Missouri, several organizations offer assistance. The Missouri Attorney General's office can answer questions about your right to access records under the Sunshine Law. They also have information on crime victim rights and can be reached at (800) 695-6111 for victim services.
The Missouri Courts website has court forms, filing instructions, and links to each circuit court. The eFiling system lets attorneys and self-represented parties file documents electronically. For help with the eFiling system, call 1-800-747-0773. The OSCA Help Desk at 888-541-4894 can assist with Case.net questions and other court technology issues.
For questions about a specific criminal case or court date, contact the Circuit Clerk in the county where the case was filed. The Office of State Courts Administrator is at 2112 Industrial Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65110, and can be reached at (573) 751-4377.
Browse Missouri Criminal Court Records by County
Each county in Missouri has a Circuit Clerk who maintains criminal court records. Pick a county below to find local court information and resources for criminal court records in that area.
View All 114 Missouri Counties
Criminal Court Records in Major Missouri Cities
Residents of Missouri cities file criminal cases at their county Circuit Court. Some cities also have municipal courts that handle ordinance violations. Pick a city below to learn about criminal court records in that area.