Washington County Criminal Court Records
Washington County criminal court records are kept at the Circuit Court on North Missouri Street in Potosi. You can search criminal court records in Washington County online through Case.net for free. The clerk's office takes walk-in requests during weekday hours. Court records available include case number and type, party names, judge and attorney details, filing and hearing dates, motions, pleadings, warrant details, case summaries, and dispositions. Records are generally open to the public unless closed by Missouri's Sunshine Law or a Court Operating Rule. Whether you need to look up a case or get copies, Washington County has ways to help.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Circuit Clerk
The Washington County Circuit Court is at 102 North Missouri Street in Potosi. The clerk's office has two main phone lines. The civil line is (573) 438-4171 and the general line is (573) 438-6111. The fax is (573) 438-7900. Staff can look up cases by name or case number.
Records available at the clerk's office include case number and type, party names, court and judge details, attorney information, filing dates, hearing dates, disposition dates, motions and pleadings, warrant details, case summaries, and judgments. Certified copies cost $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after that.
| Office | Washington County Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address |
102 North Missouri Street Potosi, MO 63664 |
| Civil Phone | (573) 438-4171 |
| General Phone | (573) 438-6111 |
| Fax | (573) 438-7900 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Washington County Criminal Records Online
Case.net is the best way to search criminal court records in Washington County. This free state portal covers all Missouri Circuit Courts. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show charges, docket entries, hearings, and case results.
Case.net also provides access to court information. Case.net lets you track cases with email or text alerts when new filings come in.
Records are generally open unless deemed closed by Missouri's Sunshine Law or a Court Operating Rule. Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records do not appear on Case.net. Call the clerk at (573) 438-6111 for help with records not found online.
Types of Criminal Cases in Washington County
Criminal court records in Washington County cover felony and misdemeanor cases. Felony cases involve offenses with more than a year in state prison. Missouri groups felonies from Class A through E. Misdemeanors go to the Associate Circuit division and carry up to a year in county jail. Common case types include drug offenses, theft, assault, DWI, and property crimes.
Court records available at the clerk's office include case number and type, party names, court and judge details, attorney info, filing dates, hearing dates, disposition dates, motions and pleadings, warrant details, case summaries, and dispositions or judgments. This is one of the more detailed sets of record types listed by any Missouri county. Most are viewable through Case.net for recent cases.
- Charging documents and complaints
- Docket entries and motions
- Plea agreements and trial records
- Judgments and sentencing orders
- Warrant details and bond information
Background Checks in Washington County
The MACHS portal is the state background check tool. A name search costs $14. A fingerprint search costs $20. Both work online.
The Missouri Department of Corrections runs a free offender search. Look up anyone in state prison or on parole. For county jail records, contact the Washington County Sheriff. The Missouri Sex Offender Registry is free to search.
Getting Copies of Washington County Criminal Court Records
You can get copies of criminal court records in Washington County two ways. The first is through Case.net for basic case information. The second is in person at the courthouse on North Missouri Street in Potosi. Walk-in visits let you see the full case file and get certified copies right away.
Certified copies cost $4.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each page after. Under the Sunshine Law, regular copies are capped at 10 cents per page. Requests must get a response within three business days. Bring a name or case number to the clerk's office to speed things up. You can also mail a request or call ahead to check if the records you need are available.
Washington County Records and State Law
Missouri's Sunshine Law controls access to criminal court records in Washington County. Under Chapter 610, most records are open. The Attorney General's office publishes guidance and handles complaints about denied access.
Under RSMo 610.100, arrest records become public once charges are filed. Expungement is under RSMo 610.140. Some criminal records can be sealed if you meet the conditions. Washington County's public access policy follows these state rules closely.
Expungement in Washington County
Some people with old criminal records in Washington County can get them erased. Missouri calls this expungement. The law at RSMo 610.140 sets the rules. You file a petition with the Circuit Court in Potosi. The prosecutor gets notice and can object. A judge decides whether to grant it.
Not all crimes qualify for expungement. Violent felonies and sex offenses are excluded. Most Class D and E felonies and all misdemeanors can be expunged after a waiting period. Misdemeanors require a three-year wait after the case closes. Felonies require seven years. If the judge approves, the Washington County Circuit Clerk seals the case file. It no longer shows up on Case.net or MACHS. Law enforcement records tied to that case also get sealed. After expungement, the person can legally deny that the arrest or charge happened in most situations. The filing fee for the petition varies. Check with the clerk at (573) 438-6111 for the current amount before you file.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Washington County. Criminal cases are filed where the offense happened.