Find Criminal Records in DeKalb County

DeKalb County criminal records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and the Sheriff's Office in Maysville, Missouri. If you need to search arrest records, look up a court case, or check on someone held at the county jail, this page outlines the main sources and how to use them. DeKalb County is in the northwest corner of Missouri and is part of the St. Joseph metropolitan area. Most criminal records here are public under Missouri law, and many can be searched at no cost through the state's online court system.

DeKalb County Circuit Court and Court Records

The DeKalb County Circuit Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction. It has authority over civil and criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations with criminal elements. The court also handles family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and adoption. All criminal cases in DeKalb County go through this court, and the Circuit Clerk maintains records for all of them.

The Circuit Clerk's office is located at the courthouse in Maysville. Court records can be searched online through Missouri Case.net, which covers all 114 Missouri counties. Case.net is free and requires no registration. You can search by defendant name, case number, filing date, or hearing date. Results show case status, charges, docket entries, parties, and judgments.

Case.net does not provide document images. For actual copies of motions, orders, or other court filings, you need to contact the Circuit Clerk in Maysville. Copying fees apply for printed records. If you need a certified copy with the court's seal, the fee is higher than for a plain copy. Call ahead to ask about current fees and request procedures.

Note: small claims cases, family law matters, and criminal cases all flow through the same Circuit Clerk's office. Make clear which type of case you're researching when you contact the office.

DeKalb County Sheriff's Office and Arrest Records

The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement and corrections across the county. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, incident reports, jail inmate information, and warrant data for the county. Records from arrests made by the Sheriff's Office are kept at the Sheriff's Office in Maysville.

Contact the DeKalb County government website to find current contact details for the Sheriff's Office and learn the process for submitting a records request. In-person requests during business hours are standard. Some offices accept mailed requests with a written description of what you need and a copy of your ID.

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law (Chapter 610), arrest and incident reports are public once a case is closed. Under Section 610.105, if an arrest does not result in charges within 30 days, that arrest record becomes closed. Dismissed cases and acquittals also result in closed records. Active cases and convictions are generally open to the public.

Statewide Criminal Background Checks Through MACHS

For a criminal background check covering all of Missouri, including DeKalb County, the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) is the main tool. A name-based search costs $15. You do not need the subject's consent. Results are a "possible match" based on public records: convictions, recent arrests, pending charges, and suspended imposition of sentence during probation.

A fingerprint-based MACHS search is more comprehensive. It costs $20 for state-only records or about $41.75 with the federal FBI check. Fingerprint searches return a "positive match" and include closed records and some expunged data. You schedule fingerprinting through IDEMIA. State checks take 7 to 10 business days. Out-of-state fingerprint processing takes 4 to 6 weeks.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol CJIS Division manages MACHS and maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Address: 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Phone: (573) 526-6153. Notarized results are available for an additional $5 fee.

Missouri DOC Offender Search

The Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search lets you search active probationers, parolees, and current state prison inmates by name at no cost. The search does not include discharged offenders. The DOC manages 21 state facilities and handles probation and parole for offenders released from those prisons.

For someone currently held in the DeKalb County Jail rather than a state facility, the DOC search won't show that person. You need to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office directly for county jail information. The two systems are entirely separate and track different populations.

Note: some offenders are excluded from the DOC search for safety or confidentiality reasons. For a more complete record, a MACHS name search is a better option.

Sex Offender Registry and Missouri DPS

The Missouri Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the State Highway Patrol, is searchable by name, date of birth, or address. You can find registered sex offenders in DeKalb County through this tool. Results include offense details, photos, and registration addresses when available. The registry covers compliant and non-compliant offenders, absconders, incarcerated offenders, and those who have moved out of state. The toll-free number is 1-888-767-6747.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety oversees statewide programs including victim services, background check programs, and public safety resources. If you're not sure which agency to contact for a specific type of record, DPS can often point you in the right direction.

Expungement Under RSMo 610.140

Missouri's expungement law, RSMo Section 610.140, allows eligible people to petition the court to destroy their criminal records. For misdemeanors, you must wait three years from the date the case ended. For felonies, the wait is seven years. You must also have no other convictions beyond minor traffic violations, no pending charges, and all fines and restitution must be paid in full.

Missouri allows one felony expungement and two misdemeanor expungements per person over a lifetime. The petition is filed in the circuit court where the original case was heard. For DeKalb County cases, that is the DeKalb County Circuit Court in Maysville. If the court approves the petition, all state agencies must destroy their records. If denied, you wait a year before refiling.

The MSHP CJIS Division can confirm what records currently exist for a specific person and how an approved expungement would affect them. An attorney familiar with Missouri criminal law can help you assess whether your situation qualifies and how to proceed.

DeKalb County Criminal Records Resource

The DeKalb County government website connects residents to county departments including the Sheriff and Circuit Clerk, which are the primary sources for DeKalb County criminal records.

The site provides contact details for county offices and links to state resources, making it a useful starting point for records research in DeKalb County.

Nearby Counties

DeKalb County borders several counties in northwest Missouri, each with their own court and law enforcement records systems.