Find St. Louis County Arrest Records
St. Louis County arrest records are managed by a large network of law enforcement agencies across Missouri's most populated county. The St. Louis County Police Department, the Department of Justice Services, dozens of municipal police departments, and the county court system all handle different parts of the arrest records process. St. Louis County is separate from the City of St. Louis, which operates as an independent city. This page covers where to search for arrest records in St. Louis County, the specific online tools available, fees, and the Missouri laws that control public access.
St. Louis County Quick Facts
St. Louis County Department of Justice Services
The St. Louis County Department of Justice Services runs the county jail and maintains an online inmate locator. You can search for current inmates at stlcountyinmatelocator.net. This tool shows who is currently in county custody, their charges, bond amount, and booking date. It is free to use and available around the clock.
The inmate locator is one of the best starting points for St. Louis County arrest records. It covers all bookings at the county jail, regardless of which agency made the arrest. The department processes a high volume of bookings given the county's population of nearly one million people.
The locator shows current inmates. If someone has been released, they may not show up. For historical records, the court system or a MACHS background check would be more useful.
The screenshot above shows the St. Louis County inmate locator tool. You can search by name to find current booking information.
St. Louis County Court Arrest Records
The St. Louis County Court maintains criminal records that are accessible through its website. You can search for arrest-related court records at stlouiscountycourt.us/arrest-records. This resource covers cases processed through the county court system and provides details on charges, case status, and outcomes.
St. Louis County is in the 21st Judicial Circuit. Criminal cases also appear on Case.net, the state's free court records tool. Between the county court website and Case.net, you have two free options for checking court-level arrest records. Search by defendant name, case number, or date range.
This screenshot shows the St. Louis County Court arrest records search page. Case.net covers the same cases through the state system.
St. Louis County Police and Municipal Agencies
The St. Louis County Police Department provides law enforcement for unincorporated parts of the county and some municipalities that contract for police services. The county has dozens of municipalities, many with their own police departments. Arrests in any of these jurisdictions generate records at the local level.
For arrests in the City of St. Louis (which is separate from St. Louis County), the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department handles law enforcement. SLMPD arrests go through a different system than St. Louis County arrests. If you are unsure which jurisdiction handled an arrest, checking both the county and city systems may be necessary.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department covers the independent City of St. Louis. For arrests in St. Louis County proper, use the county resources listed on this page.
Under Section 610.100 of Missouri law, arrest records from all these agencies are open for 30 days from the arrest date. If charges get filed, the record stays open through the court system. Without charges, the record closes.
State Background Checks
The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site runs statewide background checks. Name-based searches cost $15. Fingerprint-based checks cost $20 plus a vendor fee. The Missouri State Highway Patrol maintains the central repository under Chapter 43 of Missouri law.
A MACHS search covers all of Missouri, not just St. Louis County. It pulls from the central database where local agencies report their arrest data. This is especially useful in St. Louis County where there are so many different police departments. One MACHS search can cover them all. The Department of Public Safety oversees the system. Results take 3 to 5 business days.
Arrest Records and the Sunshine Law
Chapter 610 of Missouri's Sunshine Law governs public access to arrest records. Records are open for 30 days after the arrest. They close if no charges are filed. Juvenile records are sealed from public view. Expunged records are removed from databases.
Given the size of St. Louis County, records requests can come from many agencies. If any St. Louis County agency denies a request that should be granted, the Missouri Attorney General's office handles complaints. Legal Services of Missouri and the Missouri Bar Association can help connect you with legal resources.
Arrest Processing in St. Louis County
When someone is arrested in St. Louis County, the arresting agency brings them to the county jail for booking. The St. Louis County Department of Justice Services handles the intake process. Staff record personal details, take fingerprints and a photo, and log the charges. Fingerprints get sent to the state repository per Chapter 43.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney reviews the case and decides whether to file formal charges. This office handles a high volume of cases. Filed charges move the case to the 21st Circuit Court. Without charges, the arrest record stays with the jail and closes after 30 days. Bond is set at the initial hearing.
Fees for St. Louis County Records
The inmate locator is free. Case.net is free. The county court arrest records search is free. MACHS name checks cost $15. Fingerprint searches run $20 plus vendor fees. Paper copies from law enforcement and certified court copies from the circuit clerk carry separate fees. Contact the St. Louis County Circuit Clerk in Clayton for current copy fees.
Cities in St. Louis County
Florissant is a qualifying city within St. Louis County that has its own police department. Many other municipalities in St. Louis County have their own law enforcement agencies as well, though most are smaller cities.
The City of St. Louis is an independent city separate from St. Louis County. It has its own court system and police department. Do not confuse the two jurisdictions when searching for arrest records.
Nearby Counties
St. Louis County borders these counties in the St. Louis metro region: