Missouri Warrant Records
Missouri warrant records are public documents held by courts and law enforcement in all 114 counties. You can search for active warrants, bench warrants, and arrest warrants through state and local databases. The most used tool is Missouri Case.net, which lets you look up court cases tied to warrants across all 45 judicial circuits. County sheriff offices also keep warrant files and many post them on their sites. This page covers the main ways to search Missouri warrant records, the laws that control how warrants work, and the resources you can use to find what you need.
Missouri Warrant Records Quick Facts
How to Search Missouri Warrant Records
There are a few ways to search for warrant records in Missouri. The best place to start is Case.net, the state court records system run by the Office of State Courts Administrator. It covers all circuit courts in Missouri and lets you search by name, case number, or filing date. Criminal cases that include warrants show up in the results along with case status and hearing dates. The system is free to use and does not need an account for basic searches. Court clerks add new data each day, so warrant records stay close to real time.
You can reach Case.net at courts.mo.gov/casenet. Once there, pick the county or circuit you want to search. Type in a name and the system pulls up all matching court cases. Look for criminal case types to find warrant records. The results show the charge, case status, and next court date. If a bench warrant was issued for a missed court date, that shows up in the case file too.
County sheriff offices are the other main source for Missouri warrant records. Many sheriffs post active warrant lists on their sites. Some counties have full search tools while others list warrants in a simple table. You can also call or visit a sheriff office in person to ask about warrants. Each of the 114 counties in Missouri runs its own sheriff office, and they all handle warrants for their area.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol MACHS system is another tool. It holds the state criminal history database. Fees range from $14 for a name search to $20 for a fingerprint check. You must fill out a disclaimer form first. Some warrant data shows up in these checks, though the system is more often used for formal records requests.
Types of Warrant Records in Missouri
Missouri courts issue several kinds of warrants. Each type serves a different purpose and creates its own set of records. Knowing the types helps you search the right database and understand what you find.
Arrest warrants are the most common. A judge signs an arrest warrant when law enforcement shows probable cause that a person committed a crime. Under RSMo 542.060, a judge must review the facts before signing. The warrant names the person, states the charge, and tells officers to bring that person to court. These warrant records go into the court file and the sheriff warrant system. RSMo 542.080 sets out what an arrest warrant must contain, including the name of the accused and the nature of the offense.
Bench warrants come from a judge when someone fails to show up for court. Under RSMo 542.140, the court can issue a bench warrant for failure to appear at a scheduled hearing. These are very common in Missouri and make up a large share of active warrants. They show up in Case.net under the original case and in county sheriff databases.
Search warrants let law enforcement search a place or seize items. These are less often part of a public records search since they connect to active investigations. Capias warrants fall under RSMo 543.240 and are used when a grand jury returns an indictment. Alias warrants get issued when a prior warrant was not served.
Where to Find Missouri Warrant Records
Warrant records in Missouri sit in two main places. Courts hold the case files and sheriff offices hold the active warrant lists. Both are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610 RSMo. You do not need to be the person named in the warrant to look it up. You do not need to give a reason for your search.
Circuit court clerks in each county keep the full case file for every warrant issued by a judge in their circuit. The file includes the complaint, the probable cause statement, the warrant itself, and any return of service. Under RSMo 542.110, officers must file a return with the court after serving a warrant, so the records track both the start and end of the process. You can get copies of these files by visiting the clerk office or calling ahead. Some clerks charge a per page fee for copies.
Sheriff offices track warrants that are still active and have not been served. Many post these lists on their websites. In larger counties like Jackson, Greene, and St. Louis, the sheriff sites have search tools that let you look up warrants by name. Smaller counties may only list warrants on a page or require you to call. Either way, the sheriff office is the go to source for checking if a warrant is currently active in a specific Missouri county.
Missouri Warrant Records and State Law
Several chapters of Missouri law govern how warrants are issued, served, and recorded. These rules matter because they shape what information goes into the warrant records you can search.
Under RSMo 542.040, a written complaint must be filed before a court can issue a warrant. The complaint lays out the facts that support probable cause. RSMo 542.050 requires that the judge or magistrate examine the complaint and determine probable cause exists. Only then can the warrant be signed. This means every arrest warrant in Missouri starts with a paper trail that becomes part of the court record.
RSMo 544.070 says any officer in the state can execute a warrant. It does not have to be served by the county that issued it. RSMo 544.080 places limits on when warrants can be served, though most arrest warrants can be executed at any time. Once served, the officer must bring the person before a judge without unnecessary delay under RSMo 544.150.
The Sunshine Law in Chapter 610 controls public access to these records. RSMo 610.010 states that it is the public policy of Missouri to have open government records. RSMo 610.021 lists the narrow exceptions where records can be closed. Active warrant records are generally open. Sealed cases and juvenile records are the main exceptions you may run into when searching Missouri warrant records.
Note: The Missouri Attorney General provides guidance on warrant rules and can help if you believe a records request was wrongly denied.
Additional Missouri Warrant Records Tools
Beyond Case.net and sheriff websites, a few other tools can help you track warrant records and custody status in Missouri. These fill in gaps when someone has been arrested on a warrant or when you need updates on a case.
VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) lets you search for people in custody across Missouri. If someone was picked up on a warrant, they show up in the VINE system once they are booked into a county jail. You can search by name or ID number and sign up for alerts when their custody status changes. The service is free and runs around the clock. VINE also has a toll free line at 1-800-247-9763 for phone based searches.
The Missouri Department of Corrections offender search covers people in state prisons. It shows sentence details, release dates, and parole status. This does not include county jail inmates, but it helps when you need to check on someone who was sent to state prison after a warrant arrest. The Missouri State Public Defender office assists people who cannot afford a lawyer when they face warrant charges. They have offices in all 45 judicial circuits and can help with motions to quash warrants. Their hotline is (573) 636-3633.
Are Warrant Records Public in Missouri
Yes. Missouri warrant records are public in most cases. The Sunshine Law gives everyone the right to inspect and copy government records, and that includes court files and law enforcement warrant data. RSMo 610.023 sets out how to make a formal records request. You can ask any records custodian for copies and they must respond within three business days.
There are some limits. Juvenile warrant records are closed under Missouri law. Sealed cases are not available to the public. RSMo 610.021 lists specific categories of records that can be kept closed, but active adult warrant records are not on that list. Some details like social security numbers may be blacked out from copies you receive, but the core warrant information stays open. If an agency refuses your request, you can file a complaint with the Attorney General or take the matter to court.
Note: Some warrant records may be exempt from public view under RSMo 610.120 if they relate to active investigations, but once a warrant is served the records become fully public.
Resolving Warrant Records in Missouri
If you find an active warrant in your name, you have options. The best step is to contact a lawyer or the Missouri Public Defender if you qualify. Under RSMo 543.210, you can file a motion to quash a warrant if there are grounds to do so. Common reasons include lack of proper service, errors in the complaint, or the passage of time.
For bench warrants tied to missed court dates, many Missouri courts allow you to contact the clerk and set a new hearing. This is sometimes called a walk in docket. The judge may recall the bench warrant once you appear. Each circuit handles this a bit differently, so call the circuit clerk first. Under RSMo 543.200, courts have the power to recall warrants when the situation changes. Getting the warrant cleared also updates your warrant records in Case.net and the sheriff database.
Browse Missouri Warrant Records by County
Each county in Missouri has its own sheriff and circuit court that handle warrant records. Pick a county below to find local contact details and search tools for warrants in that area.
Warrant Records in Major Missouri Cities
Residents of major Missouri cities can search warrant records through their county circuit court and local police department. Pick a city below for local warrant search resources.