St. Louis County Criminal Records
What Is St. Louis County Criminal Records
Criminal records in St. Louis County, Missouri, are official government documents that capture an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system from initial contact through final disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies and encompass a broad range of documentation, including arrest records, charging documents, court proceedings, sentencing orders, and supervision records.
Members of the public should understand the distinctions among the various categories of criminal records:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody, whereas a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses punishable by more than one year of incarceration; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties, typically under one year.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public under Missouri law. Juvenile records are presumptively sealed pursuant to § 211.321 RSMo, which restricts disclosure to protect the privacy of minors.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest currently in effect, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in St. Louis County include the St. Louis County Police Department (arrests and incident reports), the St. Louis County Department of Justice Services (jail and booking records), the St. Louis County Circuit Court (case filings, dispositions, and sentencing), and the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Criminal Justice Information Services Division (statewide criminal history).
Records maintained across these agencies include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, pleas entered, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, probation and parole conditions, and any subsequent modifications to those orders.
St. Louis County Circuit Court 7900 Carondelet Ave, Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 615-8029 St. Louis County Circuit Court
St. Louis County Police Department 7900 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, MO 63105 (636) 529-8210 St. Louis County Police Department
St. Louis County Department of Justice Services 100 S. Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 615-4726 Department of Justice Services
Are Criminal Records Public In St. Louis County
Under Missouri's Sunshine Law, § 610.010–610.200 RSMo, criminal records maintained by public governmental bodies are generally open to inspection by any member of the public. The Sunshine Law establishes a presumption of openness, providing that "each public governmental body of this state, unless otherwise provided by law, shall make its records available for inspection and copying by any member of the public."
The following categories of criminal records are currently accessible to the public in St. Louis County:
- Adult conviction records, including charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing
- Court case filings and docket entries in the Circuit Court
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by the Sheriff and police agencies
- Sex offender registration information pursuant to state law
- Active warrant information through authorized law enforcement channels
The following categories are restricted from public disclosure under current law:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed by operation of § 211.321 RSMo
- Records of ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would jeopardize the investigation
- Expunged records, which are treated as if they never occurred following a court order under § 610.140 RSMo
- Mental health and medical information contained within criminal files
- Confidential informant identities and certain law enforcement intelligence records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In St. Louis County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain criminal records in St. Louis County through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
To obtain court case records:
- Visit the St. Louis County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 7900 Carondelet Ave, Clayton, MO 63105. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Submit a written request identifying the subject by full legal name and date of birth, or by case number if known.
- Pay applicable copying fees, currently set at $0.10 per page for standard documents.
- Alternatively, use the Missouri Case.net online portal to search court records without visiting in person.
To obtain arrest and booking records:
- Contact the St. Louis County Police Department Records Unit at 7900 Forsyth Blvd, Clayton, MO 63105, by phone at (636) 529-8210, or submit a Sunshine Law request in writing.
- Provide the full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest of the subject.
- Allow up to three business days for routine requests; complex requests may require additional processing time.
To obtain a Missouri statewide criminal history record:
- Submit a request to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Information Services Division, either online or by mail.
- Provide a completed applicant form along with the required fee (currently $14.00 for a name-based search).
- Fingerprint-based searches are available for employers and authorized agencies and provide a more comprehensive record.
Missouri State Highway Patrol – Criminal Justice Information Services Division 1510 E Elm St, Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573) 526-6153 Missouri State Highway Patrol CJIS
How To Find Criminal Records in St. Louis County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to St. Louis County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
Missouri Case.net is the primary online portal for court case records statewide. Members of the public may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system contains civil, criminal, traffic, and municipal case information filed in Missouri circuit courts, including St. Louis County. No registration is required for basic public searches. Case.net is accessible through the Missouri Courts online case search system.
St. Louis County Jail Roster provides current information on individuals held in county detention facilities. The roster is updated regularly and includes the detainee's name, booking date, charges, and bond status. This resource is maintained by the Department of Justice Services.
Missouri Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and is searchable by name, city, county, or ZIP code. The registry contains registration information for individuals required to register under Missouri's sex offender laws.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Records Online Request allows members of the public to submit name-based criminal history requests electronically and receive results by mail.
The following records are available online:
- Court case filings and dispositions (Case.net)
- Current jail roster and booking information
- Sex offender registration data
- Traffic and municipal violations
The following records require in-person requests or written Sunshine Law submissions:
- Detailed arrest reports and incident narratives
- Fingerprint-based criminal history records
- Sealed or expunged record status determinations
Can You Search St. Louis County Criminal Records for Free?
Missouri's Sunshine Law mandates that public records be made available for inspection at no charge, though agencies may assess reasonable fees for copies. Pursuant to § 610.026 RSMo, public governmental bodies shall not charge fees for inspection of records, only for duplication.
The following resources are currently available at no cost to members of the public:
- Missouri Case.net: Free online access to court case records, including criminal case filings, docket entries, and dispositions for St. Louis County Circuit Court
- St. Louis County Jail Roster: Free online access to current booking and detention information
- Missouri Sex Offender Registry: Free public search available through the Missouri State Highway Patrol website
- In-person record inspection: Members of the public may inspect original records at the Circuit Court Clerk's Office or police records units without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested
Name-based criminal history searches conducted through the Missouri State Highway Patrol carry a processing fee of $14.00 per request. Fingerprint-based searches, which are required for employment background checks and licensing purposes, carry higher fees and are not available to the general public without authorization.
What's Included in a St. Louis County Criminal Record?
A comprehensive criminal record maintained in St. Louis County may contain the following categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and place of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and FBI Number
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount and conditions
- Jail facility and housing assignment
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges as filed, including applicable Missouri Revised Statutes citations
- Felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Defense attorney and prosecuting attorney information
Disposition:
- Verdict or finding of the court
- Conviction date
- Sentence imposed (incarceration length, probation term, fines, restitution, community service)
- Conditions of supervision
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole status and supervising officer
Additional Records:
- Outstanding warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Traffic violations and infractions
- Pending charges and pre-trial conditions
How Long Does St. Louis County Keep Criminal Records?
St. Louis County and the State of Missouri maintain criminal records according to established retention schedules governed by state law and local policy. Under Missouri's records retention requirements, criminal justice agencies must preserve records for specified minimum periods before destruction is authorized.
Current retention periods for principal record types include:
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently; these records are not subject to routine destruction
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of 10 years following final disposition
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum of 3 years; subject to expungement petition under § 610.140 RSMo
- Juvenile records: Retained until the subject reaches age 18, at which point records are sealed; destruction timelines vary by offense classification
- Court case files (felony): Retained permanently by the Circuit Court Clerk
- Court case files (misdemeanor/traffic): Retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Jail booking records: Retained for a minimum of 5 years
- Incident and arrest reports: Retained for a minimum of 5 years by law enforcement agencies
The Missouri Secretary of State's Office publishes the official Missouri Local Records Retention Schedule governing the minimum periods for which county agencies must preserve public records. Agencies may retain records beyond the minimum period at their discretion, and many criminal justice records are kept indefinitely given their evidentiary and historical significance.
Missouri Secretary of State – Records Management and Archives 600 W. Main St, Jefferson City, MO 65101 (573) 751-3132 Missouri Secretary of State