St. Charles County Criminal Records
What Is St. Charles County Criminal Records
Criminal records in St. Charles County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.100, which defines criminal records as "all records and files of law enforcement agencies collected or maintained in connection with the investigation, arrest, or prosecution of individuals."
Criminal records in St. Charles County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the St. Charles County Sheriff's Office or municipal police departments
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Court Records: Documentation of criminal proceedings in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records merely indicate that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records document that legal proceedings determined guilt. Under Missouri law, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and arrest without conviction does not constitute proof of criminal activity.
Criminal records also differentiate between:
- Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail
- Infractions: Minor violations usually punishable by fines
Juvenile records (under age 17) in St. Charles County are generally sealed and not accessible to the public, pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes § 211.321, which protects the confidentiality of juvenile proceedings.
The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in St. Charles County include:
St. Charles County Sheriff's Office
301 N. 2nd Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 949-3000
St. Charles County Sheriff's Office
11th Judicial Circuit Court
300 N. 2nd Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 949-3080
St. Charles County Circuit Court
St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
300 N. 2nd Street, Suite 601
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 949-7355
St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney
Are Criminal Records Public In St. Charles County
Criminal records in St. Charles County are generally considered public information under the Missouri Sunshine Law, codified in Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. This law establishes that government records, including criminal records, are presumptively open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
According to Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.011.1, "It is the public policy of this state that meetings, records, votes, actions, and deliberations of public governmental bodies be open to the public unless otherwise provided by law."
Public criminal records in St. Charles County typically include:
- Adult arrest records after charges are filed
- Court proceedings and case files for adult defendants
- Conviction records
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
However, certain criminal records are restricted from public access, including:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Records ordered sealed by a court
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records expunged pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.140
- Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
The St. Charles County government maintains these records in accordance with state law, balancing the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Law enforcement agencies in St. Charles County, including the Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, are required to maintain and provide access to public records in accordance with these statutes.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In St. Charles County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in St. Charles County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county provides multiple avenues for record retrieval, depending on the specific information sought and its intended use.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
St. Charles County Sheriff's Office Records Division
301 N. 2nd Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 949-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sheriff's Office Records
To request criminal records in person:
- Complete the appropriate request form, available at the Records Division
- Provide valid government-issued photo identification
- Specify the records being requested with as much detail as possible
- Pay applicable fees (varies by record type and number of pages)
- Allow processing time as required by law
For written requests by mail:
- Submit a formal written request to the Records Division address above
- Include the full name of the subject, date of birth, and case number (if known)
- Provide requestor contact information
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return documents
For court records, individuals may contact:
11th Judicial Circuit Court Clerk's Office
300 N. 2nd Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 949-3080
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Circuit Court Records
The Circuit Court maintains records of criminal cases, including charges, hearings, trial proceedings, and case dispositions. Requestors should provide the case number, defendant name, and approximate date of the case when requesting these records.
For background check purposes, individuals may also request criminal history information from:
Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Information Services
1510 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: (573) 526-6153
Missouri Criminal Records Repository
How To Find Criminal Records in St. Charles County Online?
St. Charles County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital platforms offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information may vary by system.
The primary online resources include:
Missouri Case.net
This statewide court records portal provides access to the 11th Judicial Circuit Court records in St. Charles County. Users can search by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Filing date range
- Case type
To access Case.net:
- Visit Missouri Case.net
- Select search criteria (name search recommended for criminal records)
- Enter at least the last name and first initial
- Review search results for cases in St. Charles County
- Select individual cases to view docket entries, charges, and case events
Case.net provides information on criminal charges, court dates, judgments, and case status. However, it does not include document images or complete case files, which must be requested from the Circuit Clerk.
St. Charles County Jail Inmate Search
The St. Charles County Department of Corrections maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides:
- Current inmate roster
- Booking information
- Charges
- Bond amounts
- Court dates
To access the inmate search:
- Visit the St. Charles County Sheriff's Office website
- Navigate to the inmate search function
- Enter the individual's name or booking number
- Review results for current incarceration status
St. Charles County Sheriff's Office Records Portal
The Sheriff's Office provides an online portal for requesting certain records:
- Visit the St. Charles County government website
- Navigate to the Sheriff's Office section
- Select "Records Request"
- Complete the electronic form with required information
- Submit payment for applicable fees
- Receive records electronically when available
For municipal violations within St. Charles city limits, the St. Charles Police Department maintains separate records that may be accessed through the city's website or by contacting:
St. Charles Police Department Records Division
1781 Zumbehl Road
St. Charles, MO 63303
Phone: (636) 949-3300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Can You Search St. Charles County Criminal Records for Free?
St. Charles County provides several options for accessing criminal records without charge, in accordance with the Missouri Sunshine Law. Under Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.026, public governmental bodies may charge reasonable fees for document search, duplication, and staff time, but inspection of public records is generally available without cost.
Free resources for criminal record searches include:
In-Person Inspection
Members of the public may inspect public criminal records at no cost at the following locations:
St. Charles County Circuit Clerk's Office
300 N. 2nd Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: (636) 949-3080
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Individuals may review non-confidential court files by:
- Providing the case number or defendant name
- Presenting valid identification
- Reviewing materials in the designated public area
- Requesting copies (fees apply for reproduction)
Online Resources
Several free online databases provide access to criminal record information:
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Missouri Case.net: This statewide court records system offers free access to basic case information for the 11th Judicial Circuit Court, including criminal cases in St. Charles County. No registration or fees are required to search this database.
-
St. Charles County Jail Inmate Search: The current jail roster is available online at no cost through the Sheriff's Office website.
-
Missouri Sex Offender Registry: Information about registered sex offenders residing in St. Charles County is available free of charge through the Missouri Highway Patrol's online registry.
While inspection and basic online searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Certified copies of court documents
- Background checks through the Missouri State Highway Patrol
- Extensive record searches requiring significant staff time
- Document reproduction (copying fees)
- Records requiring redaction or special processing
The St. Charles City Clerk's Office also maintains municipal court records for violations within city limits, which may be inspected without charge during regular business hours.
What's Included in a St. Charles County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in St. Charles County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content varies based on the record type and maintaining agency, but generally includes the following categories of information:
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot/booking photograph when available
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (St. Charles County Sheriff's Office, municipal police department)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information
- Case number assigned by the 11th Judicial Circuit Court
- Court jurisdiction and division
- Filing date and case type
- Formal charges filed by the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Classification of offenses (felony class A-E or misdemeanor class A-C)
- Plea information
- Attorney representation details
- Hearing dates and proceedings
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, nolle prosequi)
- Conviction date if applicable
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, court costs, and restitution ordered
- Special conditions (community service, treatment programs)
- Appeal information if applicable
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information
- Active warrants
- Protective orders or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Criminal records maintained by the St. Charles County Sheriff's Office may contain different information than those maintained by the Circuit Court or municipal police departments. Law enforcement records typically focus on arrest and investigation details, while court records emphasize case proceedings and outcomes.
How Long Does St. Charles County Keep Criminal Records?
St. Charles County maintains criminal records in accordance with the Missouri Secretary of State's Records Retention Schedule and applicable state laws. Retention periods vary based on record type, case disposition, and severity of the offense.
The primary retention guidelines for criminal records in St. Charles County include:
Arrest Records
- Felony arrests resulting in conviction: Permanent retention
- Felony arrests without conviction: Retained for 7 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests resulting in conviction: Retained for 10 years after sentence completion
- Misdemeanor arrests without conviction: Retained for 3 years from date of arrest
- Arrest records for deceased individuals: Retained for 3 years after confirmation of death
These retention periods are established pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.120, which governs the maintenance of criminal history record information.
Court Records
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: Retained for 10 years after case closure
- Traffic case files: Retained for 3 years after case closure
- Probation records: Retained for 10 years after probation completion
- Court dockets and indices: Permanent retention
The 11th Judicial Circuit Court follows the Missouri Supreme Court Operating Rules for records retention, which establish minimum retention periods for judicial records.
Incarceration Records
- Inmate files for felony offenders: Retained for 10 years after release
- Inmate files for misdemeanor offenders: Retained for 5 years after release
- Jail booking logs: Permanent retention
- Inmate medical records: Retained for 7 years after release
Expunged Records Records ordered expunged by a court pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes § 610.140 are removed from public access and sealed or destroyed according to the court order. Law enforcement agencies, courts, and the Missouri central repository must comply with expungement orders within the timeframe specified by statute.
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic indices or summary information may be maintained for longer periods, particularly for serious offenses. Additionally, records that have historical significance may be preserved permanently regardless of standard retention schedules.