Franklin County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Franklin County
Arrest records in Franklin County, Missouri, are generally accessible to members of the public under state law. Missouri's Sunshine Law, codified at § 610.100 RSMo, governs public access to law enforcement records, including arrest reports, incident reports, and related documentation maintained by local and state agencies. Under current law, arrest records are presumed open unless a specific statutory exemption applies, such as records pertaining to ongoing investigations or juvenile proceedings.
It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. Under § 610.105 RSMo, if an individual is arrested but not charged, or if charges are subsequently dismissed, certain arrest records may be closed to public inspection. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains statewide law enforcement records and provides guidance on applicable access policies.
What's in Franklin County Arrest Records
Franklin County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and maintained by the arresting agency. The scope of information available to the public may vary depending on the nature of the offense and the status of the case.
Arrestee Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Last known residential address
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer
- Arresting agency (e.g., Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Union Police Department)
Charge Information:
- Specific criminal charges filed
- Missouri Revised Statutes citation for each charge
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
Warrant Information (if applicable):
- Warrant number and issuing court
- Date warrant was issued
- Jurisdiction of originating warrant
Booking Information:
- Booking number and date
- Facility where the individual was processed
- Fingerprint and photograph (mugshot) notation
Bond/Bail Information:
- Bond type (cash, surety, or recognizance)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond status (posted, pending, or denied)
Court Information:
- Case number assigned by the circuit court
- Scheduled arraignment or hearing dates
- Presiding judge or division assignment
Custody Status:
- Current custody status (held, released, or transferred)
- Release date and conditions, if applicable
Additional Information May Include:
- Vehicle information if relevant to the arrest
- Co-defendant information
- Narrative summary of the incident as recorded by the arresting officer
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Franklin County
Members of the public may obtain Franklin County arrest records through several official channels. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through designated online portals, depending on the holding agency.
- Franklin County Sheriff's Office: Submit a written public records request pursuant to Missouri's Sunshine Law. Requests may be made in person at the Sheriff's Office or submitted by mail. The office is required to respond within three business days under § 610.023 RSMo.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office 400 E. Locust St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-2560 Franklin County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Franklin County Circuit Court: Court records related to criminal cases, including arrest-based filings, may be accessed through the Circuit Clerk's office.
Franklin County Circuit Court – Circuit Clerk 400 E. Locust St., Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-7346 Franklin County Circuit Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Missouri State Highway Patrol (Troop C – St. Peters): For arrests made by state troopers within Franklin County, records may be requested through the Patrol's Criminal Records and Identification Division.
Missouri State Highway Patrol – Troop C 3012 Highway K, O'Fallon, MO 63368 (636) 300-2800 Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
How To Find Franklin County Arrest Records Online
Several official online resources currently provide access to arrest and criminal history information related to Franklin County.
Members of the public may search the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrest reports database to locate arrest reports filed by state troopers, filterable by county, date, and troop designation. This tool is publicly accessible at no charge and is updated on a regular basis.
Missouri's Case.net system, maintained by the Office of State Courts Administrator, allows users to search active and historical court case records by name or case number. Criminal case filings originating from Franklin County arrests are indexed within this system and are accessible at www.courts.mo.gov.
The MODOC Offender Search portal, operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections, provides information on individuals currently or previously supervised by the Department, including incarceration history and supervision status. This resource is particularly useful for locating records of individuals who received a custodial sentence following a Franklin County arrest.
For individuals seeking a certified criminal history report, the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) provides fingerprint-based background checks authorized by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The current fee for a combined state and FBI fingerprint-based background check is $44.00.
How To Search Franklin County Arrest Records for Free?
Several no-cost methods are currently available for members of the public to access Franklin County arrest information without incurring fees.
- Missouri State Highway Patrol Arrest Reports: The publicly accessible arrest reports search tool allows users to search state trooper arrest records by county at no charge.
- Case.net Online Court Records: Missouri's statewide court records portal provides free access to criminal case filings, including charge information and case dispositions, for cases processed through the Franklin County Circuit Court.
- Franklin County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster: The Sheriff's Office may maintain a current inmate roster on its official website, listing individuals presently held in the Franklin County Detention Center. Members of the public may access this roster without charge.
- Missouri Attorney General's Office – Police and Sheriffs Contacts: The Missouri Attorney General's Office provides a directory of local law enforcement contacts, which members of the public may use to identify the appropriate agency for a records request.
- In-Person Inspection: Under Missouri's Sunshine Law, members of the public are entitled to inspect non-exempt public records in person at the custodial agency without paying a search fee, though copying fees may apply.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Franklin County
Missouri law provides two distinct legal remedies for individuals seeking to limit public access to arrest records: expungement and sealing. Expungement refers to the legal erasure of a record from official files, while sealing restricts public access to a record without physically destroying it. Under current Missouri law, expungement is the primary mechanism available to eligible individuals.
Pursuant to § 610.140 RSMo, individuals may petition the circuit court for expungement of certain arrest records and convictions. Eligibility criteria include:
- A specified waiting period following the completion of sentence (three years for misdemeanors and certain felonies; seven years for most felonies)
- No subsequent felony convictions during the waiting period
- The offense must not be among those statutorily excluded from expungement, such as dangerous felonies, sex offenses, or offenses involving a victim under 18 years of age
- The petitioner must not have previously received an expungement under this section
The process for seeking expungement in Franklin County involves the following steps:
- Obtain a copy of the arrest record or criminal history from the Missouri State Highway Patrol or the Circuit Clerk.
- Complete the petition for expungement form available through the Missouri Courts system.
- File the petition with the Franklin County Circuit Court and pay the applicable filing fee.
- Serve copies of the petition on all relevant agencies, including the arresting agency and the prosecuting attorney's office.
- Attend the scheduled hearing, at which the court will determine whether the statutory criteria are satisfied.
- If granted, the court issues an order directing all named agencies to expunge the record from their files.
Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office 400 E. Locust St., Suite 390, Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-7305 Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
What Happens After Arrest in Franklin County?
The criminal justice process in Franklin County follows a structured sequence of proceedings from the point of arrest through final case disposition.
- Arrest and Booking: Upon arrest, the individual is transported to the Franklin County Detention Center, where booking procedures are completed, including fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information.
- Initial Appearance: Within 24 hours of arrest, the individual is brought before a judge for an initial appearance, at which the charges are read and bond conditions are set.
- Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury: For felony charges, a preliminary hearing is held to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed. Alternatively, the prosecuting attorney may present the case to a grand jury.
- Arraignment: The defendant enters a formal plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest before the circuit court.
- Pre-Trial Proceedings: Both parties engage in discovery, and pre-trial motions may be filed. Plea negotiations may occur at this stage.
- Trial or Plea Disposition: If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to a bench or jury trial. A verdict of not guilty results in immediate release; a guilty verdict proceeds to sentencing.
- Sentencing: The court imposes a sentence in accordance with Missouri sentencing guidelines, which may include incarceration, probation, fines, or a combination thereof.
- Post-Conviction: The defendant may pursue appeals or, where eligible, petition for expungement of the record at the appropriate time.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Franklin County?
Arrest records in Franklin County are subject to retention schedules established under Missouri law and applicable local agency policies. The Missouri Secretary of State's Local Records Program sets minimum retention periods for law enforcement records maintained by county agencies.
Under current Missouri records retention guidelines, arrest records and related law enforcement documentation are generally retained for a minimum of five years following the date of arrest for misdemeanor offenses. Felony arrest records are typically retained for longer periods, often indefinitely, particularly where the case resulted in a conviction. Records associated with violent crimes or offenses involving minors may be subject to extended or permanent retention requirements.
Different agencies within Franklin County maintain separate record sets and apply their own retention schedules in accordance with state guidance:
- The Franklin County Sheriff's Office retains booking records, jail logs, and incident reports pursuant to the Missouri Local Records Retention Schedule for law enforcement agencies.
- The Franklin County Circuit Court retains criminal case files in accordance with the Missouri Court Records Retention Schedule, with felony case files generally retained permanently.
- The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains centralized criminal history records and retains fingerprint-based records in accordance with state and federal standards.
Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. Expungement orders, when granted by the court, supersede standard retention schedules and require the timely destruction or sealing of designated records.
How to Find Mugshots in Franklin County
What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized photographic image taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. Mugshots are part of the official arrest record and serve as an identifying document within the criminal justice system.
Where Mugshots Are Maintained Mugshots taken in Franklin County are maintained by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking record. The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Records and Identification Division also retains photographs associated with state-level arrests processed within the county.
Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request copies of mugshots by submitting a public records request to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the individual by full name and approximate date of arrest. The office processes requests in accordance with Missouri's Sunshine Law.
Can They Be Found Online Mugshots associated with Franklin County arrests may appear on the Sheriff's Office official website if a current inmate roster with photographs is published. Third-party websites may also aggregate and republish booking photographs; however, such sites are not official government sources and may not reflect current custody status or case disposition.
Obtaining Mugshots Officially To obtain an official copy of a mugshot, members of the public should submit a written Sunshine Law request to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. A nominal copying fee may apply. The Missouri Attorney General's police and sheriffs contacts directory may assist in identifying the correct contact for records requests.
Restrictions on Mugshot Access Mugshots associated with arrests that were subsequently expunged are no longer subject to public disclosure. Additionally, booking photographs of juveniles are exempt from public access under Missouri law. Where an arrest did not result in charges, or where charges were dismissed, the associated mugshot may be closed to public inspection pursuant to § 610.105 RSMo.