Putnam County Arrest Records
Putnam County arrest records are maintained by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in Unionville, Missouri. This is one of Missouri's smallest counties by population, sitting in the north-central part of the state near the Iowa border. The sheriff handles all law enforcement duties and keeps booking records at the county jail. Despite its small size, Putnam County follows the same state laws on arrest record access as every other county in Missouri. This page explains how to find arrest records here, what it costs, and what rights you have under state law.
Putnam County Quick Facts
Putnam County Sheriff and Arrest Data
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is in Unionville, MO 63565. The sheriff is the sole law enforcement agency in the county. There are no city police departments of notable size. Every arrest in Putnam County goes through the sheriff's office and the county jail.
Booking at the jail creates the arrest record. It includes the person's name, date of birth, charges, arresting deputy, and the arrest date and time. You can call the sheriff's office to ask about specific arrests or check on current inmates. The small size of the county often means the staff can answer questions quickly.
Section 610.100 of Missouri law keeps arrest records open for 30 days after the arrest. If charges get filed, the record stays open. If not, it closes. You have the right to request the record during that 30-day window.
Court Records in Putnam County
Putnam County belongs to the 3rd Judicial Circuit. Criminal cases filed in the circuit court show up in Case.net, Missouri's free online court records tool. Search by name or case number to see charges, hearing dates, and outcomes.
Case.net only covers cases with filed charges. Arrests that did not lead to charges are not in the system. For those, the sheriff's office or a state background check is the right path. The Putnam County Circuit Clerk handles certified court records from the courthouse in Unionville.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site runs background checks statewide. A name search costs $15. A fingerprint search costs $20 plus a vendor fee. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains the central repository per Chapter 43.
For a small county like Putnam, the online MACHS search can save you a trip to Unionville. It covers any arrest reported by the sheriff's office to the state. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days. The Department of Public Safety oversees the program.
Sunshine Law and Records Access
Chapter 610 of Missouri law contains the Sunshine Law. Arrest records are open for 30 days. They close if no charges follow. Juvenile records are sealed. Expunged records are removed from public databases.
The Attorney General's office handles complaints about wrongly denied records requests. Legal Services of Missouri can provide free legal help if you need guidance on records access rights.
Arrest Processing in Putnam County
An arrest in Putnam County goes through the standard Missouri process. The deputy brings the person to the county jail. Booking staff log details, take fingerprints and a photo, and record the charges. Fingerprints go to the state repository. The Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney reviews the case to decide on charges.
Filed charges move the case to the 3rd Circuit Court. The case then shows up on Case.net as a public record. Without charges, the arrest record stays with the sheriff and closes after 30 days. Bond terms are set at the first court hearing.
Online Search Tools
Use the MACHS portal for a paid statewide search covering Putnam County arrest data.
The MACHS system pulls from the central repository where Putnam County reports its arrest data. For free searches, start with Case.net. The Missouri DOC offender search covers state prison inmates if a Putnam County arrest led to a state sentence.
Putnam County Record Fees
Case.net is free. MACHS name searches cost $15. Fingerprint checks run $20 plus vendor fees. The sheriff may charge for paper copies. The circuit clerk has fees for certified documents. Call the courthouse in Unionville for current rates.
Putnam County Arrest Record Details
An arrest record in Putnam County contains specific information about the booking event. The record lists the full legal name of the person arrested along with any known aliases. It includes the date of birth, physical description, and home address when available. The charges are listed with their statute numbers. The arresting agency is named, along with the officer who made the arrest.
Booking records also include the date and time the person was brought to the jail. A booking number is assigned to each arrest. This number helps track the record through the system. If the person was arrested on a warrant, the warrant number is also part of the record. Bond information gets added once the judge sets the amount.
Photographs taken during booking are part of the arrest record. Fingerprints taken at the jail are sent to the state criminal history repository as required by Chapter 43. These fingerprints link the arrest to the person's state criminal history file. Any prior arrests in Missouri would be connected through this fingerprint record.
Requesting Copies of Arrest Records
You can request copies of Putnam County arrest records in several ways. In person at the sheriff's office is the most direct. Bring a valid ID and be ready to pay any copy fees. Phone requests work for basic information like confirming whether someone was arrested or is currently in custody. Written requests can be mailed to the sheriff's office or the circuit clerk.
For court records, the circuit clerk at the Putnam County courthouse handles certified copies. These are official documents that can be used for legal purposes. Regular copies cost less than certified ones. The clerk can tell you the exact fees when you contact them. Response times vary. A simple request might be handled the same day. More complex searches or high-volume offices could take longer.
Online requests through MACHS are handled entirely through the website. You fill out the form, pay the fee, and get results by mail or email depending on the search type. This is the most convenient method if you do not live near Putnam County.
Nearby Counties
Putnam County is in north-central Missouri near the Iowa border. Neighboring counties include: