Dent County Criminal Records

Dent County criminal records are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk and the Sheriff's Office, both located at 112 E. 5th Street in Salem, Missouri. This page covers how to search arrest records, look up court cases, find warrant information, and access other public criminal records in Dent County. Missouri law makes most criminal records public, and both online and in-person options are available for residents and researchers.

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Dent County Circuit Court

The Dent County Circuit Court is located at 112 E. 5th St., Salem, MO 65560. The main phone number is (573) 729-3931. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Circuit Clerk Becky (Goforth) Swiney can be reached by email at becky.swiney@courts.mo.gov.

The circuit court handles a wide range of cases including criminal charges, drug offenses, divorce, adoptions, juvenile matters, domestic relations, orders of protection, and child support. For criminal records specifically, the Circuit Clerk maintains files for every case filed in the county, from misdemeanors to felonies. Copy fees are $1.00 per page, with an additional $2.00 for certification.

The fastest way to search Dent County court records online is through Missouri Case.net. Case.net is free and open to the public without registration. You can search by defendant name, case number, filing date, or scheduled hearing date. Results show charges, case status, docket entries, parties, and judgments. Document images are not available through Case.net, so contact the Circuit Clerk for full copies.

Note: you can also call (573) 729-3931 directly for information on court dates and criminal case status without submitting a formal records request.

Dent County Sheriff's Office

The Dent County Sheriff's Office is also located at 112 E. 5th Street, Salem, MO 65560. The general inquiries number is (573) 729-3241. The Investigation Division can be reached at (573) 729-3406. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across Dent County and manages the county jail. Arrest records, incident reports, jail inmate information, and warrant data are all held by this office.

For warrant information specifically, the Associate Circuit Court handles that at (573) 729-3134. This is a separate line from the main Sheriff's number and can give you information on outstanding warrants in Dent County. Victim and witness services are handled through the Prosecuting Attorney's office, also reachable at (573) 729-3406.

The Salem Police Department handles arrests within city limits and maintains its own set of incident and arrest records. Their number is (573) 729-6550. They provide accident reports, incident reports, and arrest reports for matters that occurred within the city of Salem.

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law (Chapter 610), arrest records are public once a case is closed. Records for arrests that did not result in charges within 30 days, or for cases dismissed or ending in acquittal, are closed under Section 610.105.

How to Access Dent County Criminal Records

There are three main ways to get criminal records in Dent County. First, you can search online through Case.net for free. That gives you case-level information for court records across the county. Second, you can visit the Circuit Clerk or Sheriff's Office in person at 112 E. 5th Street in Salem during business hours. Third, you can call the relevant office to ask about specific records and whether mail-in requests are accepted.

When making an in-person or mail-in request, the more detail you can provide, the faster the agency can locate the record. Include the full name, date of birth, approximate dates of arrest or court filing, and the type of record you need. Copy fees are $1.00 per page and $2.00 for certification. Payment requirements may vary, so call ahead.

For statewide background checks that go beyond just Dent County, the MACHS system provides name-based checks for $15 and fingerprint-based checks for $20 to $41.75 depending on whether you add the federal check.

Note: court records and arrest records are separate. Court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk, while arrest records and jail information are kept by the Sheriff's Office. For a full picture of a person's criminal history in Dent County, you may need to contact both offices.

Statewide Criminal History Through MACHS

The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) is the official state system for name-based and fingerprint-based criminal background checks. A name-based search costs $15 per request and does not require the subject's consent. Results include convictions, arrests less than 30 days old, charges awaiting final disposition, and suspended imposition of sentence records during probation.

For a more complete result, a fingerprint-based search costs $20 for state records only or about $41.75 with the FBI check included. These checks take 7 to 10 business days for state results. Fingerprinting is done through IDEMIA at a scheduled appointment. An additional $5 fee covers notarization of results if you need that for legal purposes.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol CJIS Division processes all MACHS requests. Address: 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Phone: (573) 526-6153.

DOC Offender Search and Sex Offender Registry

The Missouri DOC Offender Search is free and searchable by name. It covers active probationers, parolees, and current state prison inmates. It does not include discharged offenders. For people housed in the Dent County Jail rather than a state facility, contact the Sheriff's Office directly at (573) 729-3241.

The Missouri Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered sex offenders in Dent County by name, date of birth, or address. The registry covers compliant and non-compliant offenders, absconders, and those who have moved out of state. Offense details, photos, and registration addresses are included when available. Toll-free: 1-888-767-6747.

Expungement in Dent County

Missouri's expungement law, RSMo Section 610.140, allows eligible individuals to petition to have criminal records destroyed. For misdemeanors, the waiting period is three years. For felonies, it is seven years. You must have no other convictions beyond traffic violations, no pending charges, and all fines and restitution paid.

Missouri allows one felony expungement and two misdemeanor expungements in a person's lifetime. For Dent County cases, the petition is filed at the Dent County Circuit Court, 112 E. 5th Street, Salem, MO 65560. If approved, all state agencies must destroy their records. If denied, you wait one year before refiling.