Franklin County Criminal Records

Franklin County criminal records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and the Circuit Court Clerk in Union, Missouri. The Sheriff's Office accepts records requests by email, fax, phone, mail, or in person, making Franklin County one of the more accessible counties for public records in Missouri. This page covers how to find arrest records, search court cases, look up inmates, and use statewide tools to get a full picture of Franklin County criminal history.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is located at #1 Bruns Lane, Union, MO 63084. The non-emergency number is (636) 583-2560. Fax: (636) 584-6877. Email for records requests: fcsorecords@franklinmo.gov. The office is a full-service law enforcement agency with four main divisions: Main Office, Detention/Booking, Concealed Carry, and Civil Process.

Franklin County makes it relatively simple to request records. You can submit a request in five ways: email to fcsorecords@franklinmo.gov, fax to (636) 584-6877, in person at #1 Bruns Lane during business hours, by phone at (636) 583-2560, or by mail addressed to Attn: Records, #1 Bruns Lane, Union, MO 63084. This range of options is more flexible than many smaller counties. For most requests, email or in-person visits get the fastest response.

The Franklin County government website provides additional information on county departments and contacts. The Detention/Booking Division handles the county jail and can confirm whether someone is currently in custody. For booking information, calling (636) 583-2560 and asking for the detention division is the direct approach.

Note: arrests made by city police in Union, Washington, Pacific, or St. Clair result in records held by those local police departments, not the Sheriff's Office. The Union Police Department can be reached at (636) 583-3700, Washington PD at (636) 390-1050, Pacific PD at (636) 257-2424, and St. Clair PD at (636) 629-1313.

Franklin County Court Records and Case.net

The Franklin County Circuit Clerk maintains records for all criminal cases filed in the county. These include felonies, misdemeanors, traffic offenses with criminal elements, and family law matters. For online access, Missouri Case.net is the primary free tool. Case.net covers all 114 Missouri counties and does not require a login.

You can search by defendant name, case number, filing date, or scheduled hearing. Results include case status, charges, docket entries, parties, and judgments. Case.net does not provide document images. For full copies of court filings, contact the Circuit Clerk's office in Union. The Franklin County government center is at 400 E. Locust, Union, MO 63084.

Franklin County is in east-central Missouri and serves a sizable population. The circuit court handles civil, criminal, and probate matters. Copying fees apply for printed records. Call the Circuit Clerk to ask about current fees and whether you can submit requests by mail before making the trip to Union.

Arrest Records in Franklin County

When law enforcement makes an arrest in Franklin County, they create a record with the person's name, date of birth, charges, booking details, and bond information. For arrests by the Sheriff's Office, those records are at #1 Bruns Lane in Union. For arrests by city agencies, check with the relevant police department.

Under Missouri's Sunshine Law (Chapter 610), arrest and incident records are public once a case is closed. Section 610.105 says that if an arrest does not result in charges within 30 days, the arrest record becomes closed to the public. Records for dismissed cases and acquittals also close. Convictions and active cases are generally open. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C can be reached at (636) 300-2800 for troopers who handle arrests on county roads and highways.

Statewide Criminal History Through MACHS

The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) provides statewide criminal background checks to anyone. Name-based searches cost $15 and do not require consent from the subject. Results include open public records: convictions, arrests less than 30 days old, charges awaiting final disposition, and suspended imposition of sentence during probation. The system accepts all major credit cards and results come back in 5 to 7 business days.

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

The Missouri State Highway Patrol CJIS Division runs MACHS and maintains the state criminal history repository. Address: 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Phone: (573) 526-6153.

Missouri DOC Offender Search and Sex Offender Registry

The Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search is a free name-based search for active probationers, parolees, and current state prison inmates. Discharged offenders are not shown. For Franklin County Jail information, contact the Sheriff's Office Detention/Booking Division directly at (636) 583-2560.

The Missouri Sex Offender Registry lets you search for registered offenders in Franklin County by name, date of birth, or address. Results include offense details, photos, and registration addresses. Compliant and non-compliant offenders are both listed, as are absconders and those who have moved out of state. Toll-free: 1-888-767-6747.

Expungement in Franklin County

Missouri's expungement law, RSMo Section 610.140, lets eligible individuals petition to have criminal records destroyed. For misdemeanors, the waiting period is three years from final disposition. 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 limits lifetime expungements to one felony and two misdemeanors per person. The petition is filed at the Franklin County Circuit Court in Union. If approved, all state agencies must destroy their records. A denial means waiting one year before refiling. The MSHP CJIS Division at (573) 526-6153 can tell you what records exist and how expungement would affect them.

The Missouri Department of Public Safety also offers resources for crime victims and people seeking to navigate the criminal justice system, including victim services programs and rights information.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office Online Resource

The Franklin County government site and the Sheriff's Office records email at fcsorecords@franklinmo.gov are the two most direct ways to start a criminal records request in Franklin County.

The Sheriff's website links to state resources and provides detailed contact information for the office's four divisions, making it a useful hub for anyone looking for Franklin County criminal records.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County borders several counties in east-central Missouri, each with their own criminal records and court systems.