Daviess County Criminal Records

Daviess County criminal records are held by the Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk in Gallatin, Missouri. This page covers how to search arrest records, look up court cases through the 4th Judicial Circuit, and find inmate information at the county jail. Most Daviess County criminal records are public under Missouri law, and the state's free online court system makes it possible to search many of them without making a trip to Gallatin.

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Daviess County Sheriff's Office

The Daviess County Sheriff's Office sits at 102 N. Main Street in Gallatin, MO 64640. The main number is (660) 663-2031. The office covers law enforcement for the county and manages the county detention center. Arrest records held here include booking data, charges filed at the time of arrest, bond information, and inmate status.

For records requests, contact the Sheriff's Office directly during business hours. In-person requests are the most common approach. You can also call ahead to ask whether the office accepts mailed or written requests. Bring a photo ID when you visit, as agencies commonly require identification for records requests involving specific individuals.

The Daviess County official website provides general county information and links to government departments. For current jail roster information, the Sheriff's Office is the direct source. Third-party jail roster sites may also pull booking data from the county, but the Sheriff's Office has the most up-to-date information.

Note: Daviess County includes eight cities: Gallatin, Altamont, Coffey, Jameson, Jamesport, Lock Springs, Pattonsburg, and Winston. Arrests made within city limits by local police departments may result in records held at those departments rather than the Sheriff's Office.

Circuit Court Records in Daviess County

Daviess County is part of Missouri's 4th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Clerk's office in Gallatin maintains all court records for criminal cases filed in the county. The Circuit Clerk's phone number is (660) 663-2932. The office handles records for felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses with criminal elements, family court, and other circuit court matters.

The quickest way to search Daviess County court records is through Missouri Case.net, the state's free online court records system. Case.net covers all 114 Missouri counties and does not require an account or registration. You can search by defendant name, case number, filing date, or scheduled hearing date.

Case.net shows case status, charges, docket entries, parties, and judgments. It does not provide document images. If you need copies of the actual court filings, contact the Circuit Clerk in Gallatin directly. Copying fees apply for printed records, and certified copies cost more than standard copies.

Arrest Records and Missouri Sunshine Law

When someone is arrested in Daviess County, the arresting agency creates a record with the person's name, date of birth, charges, and booking details. The Sheriff's Office and city police departments each keep their own arrest records. For arrests made by the Sheriff's Office, go to 102 N. Main Street in Gallatin to request records in person.

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law (Chapter 610), arrest records are public once a case is closed. Section 610.105 says that if an arrest does not lead to charges within 30 days, the arrest record becomes closed. Cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal also close. Records for convictions and active cases are almost always open to the public.

When you submit a public records request to any county agency, they have three business days to respond. They can provide the records, deny with a specific legal reason, or tell you when the records will be available. If you feel a denial was improper, the Missouri Attorney General's office handles complaints about Sunshine Law violations.

Statewide Criminal History Search

The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) provides name-based criminal background checks for $15 per request. Anyone can run a check without the subject's consent. The result is a "possible match" based on open public records including convictions, arrests less than 30 days old, charges awaiting final disposition, and suspended imposition of sentence records during probation.

Fingerprint-based searches through MACHS are more complete and cost $20 for state-only results or about $41.75 with the federal FBI check. These are "positive match" searches that include closed records and some expunged data. Fingerprinting is done through IDEMIA at a scheduled appointment. State checks take 7 to 10 business days to process.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Information Services Division maintains the statewide criminal history repository and processes all MACHS requests. Office address: 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Phone: (573) 526-6153.

DOC Offender Search and Sex Offender Registry

The Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search is a free tool for looking up active probationers, parolees, and current state prison inmates by name. It does not include discharged offenders. For people who served time in a Missouri state facility rather than the county jail, this search is a useful first step.

The Missouri Sex Offender Registry is searchable by name, date of birth, or address. It covers registered sex offenders in Daviess County and across the state. Offense details, photos, and registration addresses are included when available. The toll-free number for the registry is 1-888-767-6747. The registry covers compliant offenders, non-compliant offenders, and those who have left the state.

Expungement of Criminal Records in Daviess County

Missouri allows eligible individuals to petition the court to destroy criminal records under RSMo Section 610.140. The waiting period is three years for misdemeanors and seven years for felonies, measured from the date the case ended. You must have no other convictions beyond minor traffic violations, no pending charges, and all fines and restitution must be paid.

Missouri limits each person to one felony expungement and two misdemeanor expungements in their lifetime. The petition is filed in the circuit court where the original case was heard. For Daviess County cases, that is the Daviess County Circuit Court in Gallatin. If the court approves the petition, all state agencies must destroy their records of the case. If denied, you wait one year before filing again.

Note: expungement removes the record from public access and most background checks, but does not apply to all offense types under Missouri law. Check with an attorney or the MSHP CJIS Division to confirm whether a specific record qualifies.