Search Howard County Criminal Court Records
Howard County criminal court records are held by the Circuit Clerk of the 14th Judicial Circuit at the courthouse in Fayette. This mid-Missouri county processes felony and misdemeanor cases through its circuit court. You can look up Howard County criminal court records online for free using Case.net, or stop by the clerk's office for in-person searches and copies. The clerk stores all charging documents, docket entries, motions, judgments, and sentencing records for cases filed here. Fayette sits along the Missouri River between Columbia and Marshall.
Howard County Quick Facts
Howard County Circuit Clerk
The Howard County Circuit Clerk maintains all criminal court records for the 14th Judicial Circuit in this county. The office is at 1 Courthouse Square in Fayette. Walk-in requests are welcome during regular hours. Staff can search by name or case number and make copies for you.
Certified copies cost $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for extra pages. Regular copies are about $1.00 per page. Howard County shares the 14th Circuit with Boone County. The same judges rotate between courthouses, but each county clerk keeps its own files separate.
| Office | Howard County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Courthouse Square Fayette, MO 65248 |
| Phone | (660) 248-2194 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Howard County Criminal Records Online
Case.net gives you free access to Howard County criminal court records online. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. You do not need an account for basic searches. The system covers all Missouri Circuit Courts.
Case.net is available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Central Time. Weekend access is sometimes available. You can sign up to track a Howard County case and receive alerts by email or text when something new happens. This is helpful when you want to follow a case without driving to Fayette each time.
Criminal Background Checks in Howard County
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's MACHS portal runs criminal background checks for all of Missouri. Name-based checks are $14. Fingerprint checks are $20. Both include Howard County criminal records. Results from online name searches come back quickly. The CJIS Division is at (573) 526-6312.
The Missouri DOC offender search shows people in state prison or on probation and parole. It is free. County jail records are not on this tool. For Howard County jail records, contact the sheriff's office in Fayette.
Note: Name-based MACHS searches match on name and date of birth. A fingerprint search gives a more complete and reliable result.
Howard County Records Under Missouri Law
Criminal court records in Howard County are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law. RSMo 610.100 makes arrest records open once charges are filed. Responses to records requests must come within three business days. Copy fees are capped at 10 cents per page for standard documents.
Chapter 558 of the Revised Statutes classifies criminal offenses. Felonies are Class A through E. Misdemeanors go from Class A through D. Both create criminal court records in Howard County. The classification controls sentencing ranges.
Under RSMo 610.140, certain criminal records can be expunged. Wait times depend on the charge. Once expunged, Howard County records come off Case.net and MACHS. The Attorney General's office gives guidance on Sunshine Law rights and handles complaints about denied requests.
Howard County Court Resources
The Missouri Courts website has court forms and filing instructions. The eFiling system lets attorneys submit documents electronically. Call 1-800-747-0773 for eFiling help. The OSCA Help Desk at 888-541-4894 answers Case.net questions.
The Missouri Sex Offender Registry is a free database searchable by name or location. The Missouri State Archives holds historical court records. Older Howard County records no longer at the courthouse may be found there. The Archives phone is (573) 751-4936.
For specific criminal case questions in Howard County, call the Circuit Clerk at (660) 248-2194. The Office of State Courts Administrator is at (573) 751-4377.
Types of Criminal Cases in Howard County
The 14th Judicial Circuit processes both felony and misdemeanor cases in Howard County. Felony cases are heard in Circuit Court. These are serious offenses that can result in more than a year in state prison. Misdemeanor cases go to the Associate Circuit division with penalties up to one year in county jail. Both types create criminal court records held at the Fayette courthouse.
Howard County criminal court records include:
- Charging documents and complaints
- Docket entries tracking case actions
- Motions filed by the prosecution or defense
- Plea agreements and court orders
- Sentencing records and probation terms
Municipal courts in Howard County handle city ordinance violations. Some charges cross over into state criminal law. DWI cases, for instance, produce criminal court records regardless of where they are filed. The Circuit Clerk is the sole keeper of official court documents. Law enforcement agencies hold arrest reports separately. If you need the court file, go to the clerk. If you need the police report, contact the sheriff or local police department.
Certified copies of Howard County criminal court records are needed for many legal purposes. Job applications, professional licensing, and court proceedings in other jurisdictions may require certified documents from the Circuit Clerk. Plain copies are fine for personal use. The clerk can tell you which type you need. Call (660) 248-2194 with questions about your specific situation.
Nearby Counties
Howard County borders these Missouri counties. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the crime occurred.