Search Benton County Criminal History Records
Benton County criminal history records are managed by the 26th Judicial Circuit Court and the Sheriff's Office in Warsaw. The county sits in central Missouri near the Lake of the Ozarks region. Criminal cases, arrest data, and court filings are all available through county offices and online search tools. This page explains where criminal history records are kept in Benton County, how to search them, and the fees for copies.
Benton County Quick Facts
Benton County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The 26th Judicial Circuit Court handles all criminal cases in Benton County. Circuit Clerk Shanda Schultz runs the office at the Benton County Courthouse in Warsaw. The mailing address is P.O. Box 37, Warsaw, MO 65355. Call (660) 438-7712 to reach the office. The court processes civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family court cases.
Criminal case filings include felonies and misdemeanors. The clerk manages all filings, court schedules, and jury services. You can look up Benton County criminal cases for free on Missouri CaseNet. Search by name, case number, or date. CaseNet results show charges, docket entries, case parties, and outcomes. Sealed or expunged records will not appear in the results.
Copy fees are $2 for the first page. Each extra page is 25 cents. Visit the clerk's office in person or call to request copies. Certified copies may cost more. The office keeps records of all court proceedings held in Benton County.
Benton County Sheriff's Office
The Benton County Sheriff's Office is at 1620 E. Main Street in Warsaw. Call (660) 438-6135 to reach the office. The department provides patrol, criminal investigations, court security, and emergency dispatch around the clock. The office also handles civil process and concealed carry permits.
The Benton County government website has contact details for the Sheriff's Office and other departments.
Records from the Sheriff's Office include arrest reports, incident reports, and jail booking data. The department coordinates with municipal police departments in the Lake of the Ozarks area and with other law enforcement agencies. Under Section 43.503 RSMo, all Benton County law enforcement must report arrest and charge data to the Highway Patrol's central repository.
That reporting requirement means Benton County criminal records are part of the statewide database. You can search that database through the MACHS portal run by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and provides law enforcement to unincorporated areas of the county.
Benton County Jail and Criminal Records
The Benton County Jail is at 1620 E. Main Street in Warsaw. It is run by the Sheriff's Office. Call (660) 438-6135 for inmate information. The facility holds both people awaiting trial and those serving sentences.
Booking records at the jail include arrest dates, charges, bond amounts, and court dates. Each booking adds to a person's criminal history file. The jail provides meals, medical care, and visitation. If you need to check on a current inmate, call the Sheriff's Office directly or use VineLink to search for inmates in Missouri county jails.
Benton County Criminal Prosecution
The Benton County Prosecuting Attorney is Rod Richardson. The mailing address is P.O. Box 937, Warsaw, MO 65355. Call (660) 438-5022. This office prosecutes all criminal offenses in Benton County. The Prosecuting Attorney reviews cases from law enforcement, files charges, and represents the state in court.
All criminal charges filed by this office end up in the Circuit Clerk's records. They also appear on CaseNet once entered into the court system. The office works to ensure justice for victims while protecting the rights of the accused. If you want to track a specific criminal case in Benton County, CaseNet is the best tool to monitor progress from filing to final outcome.
How to Search Criminal History in Benton County
The fastest free option for looking up Benton County criminal records is CaseNet. Search by name or case number. Filter to Benton County. No account is needed. CaseNet shows charges, docket entries, and case outcomes for most criminal filings.
For a statewide criminal history search, use the MACHS portal. This tool pulls from the Highway Patrol's central criminal history database. It covers all 114 Missouri counties including Benton County. A name-based search costs $15. Fingerprint-based searches run about $43 total with the FBI fee included. You need an account to use MACHS.
You can also visit the courthouse in Warsaw or the Sheriff's Office to make in-person requests. Bring a photo ID and the name or case number. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law, government offices must respond to public records requests within three business days. If a request is denied, the office must state the reason in writing.
- CaseNet: free, no account needed
- MACHS name search: $15
- MACHS fingerprint: about $43
- Court copies: $2 first page, $0.25 each after
Expungement in Benton County falls under Section 610.140 RSMo. File the petition in the circuit court where the arrest took place. Once a record is expunged, it will not show on CaseNet or most other searches. Only certain offenses qualify. Check the statute for the full list of eligible crimes and waiting periods.
Criminal History Expungement in Benton County
Section 610.140 RSMo allows people to petition for expungement of certain criminal records in Benton County. The waiting period is three years for most misdemeanors and seven years for eligible felonies. Not all crimes qualify. Violent offenses, sex crimes, and DWI charges are not eligible.
You file the petition in the circuit court where the arrest or charge took place. The court will set a hearing date. If no one objects and the person meets all the conditions, the judge can order the record sealed. Once sealed, the record does not show up on CaseNet or in standard background checks.
Some marijuana-related offenses were auto-expunged after Missouri passed Amendment 3 in 2022. The state handled those cases without a petition. For all other eligible offenses, you must file on your own or hire a lawyer. The circuit clerk in Benton County can tell you the filing fee. Legal aid groups in the area may help with the paperwork at no cost.