Search Buchanan County Criminal History
Buchanan County criminal history records cover all cases filed in the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in St. Joseph. The county sits in the northwest part of Missouri and has a long track record of handling both felony and misdemeanor cases through its circuit court system. You can look up criminal history data through CaseNet, the state court search tool, or contact the Circuit Clerk at the Buchanan County Courthouse. The Sheriff's Office and Prosecuting Attorney also hold key records tied to arrests and charges in Buchanan County.
Buchanan County Quick Facts
Buchanan County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The 5th Judicial Circuit Court handles all criminal cases in Buchanan County. The Circuit Clerk's Office is at 411 Jules St., Room 331, in St. Joseph. You can call them at (816) 271-1462. The office keeps records for civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family court matters. All filings are part of the public record unless sealed by a judge.
Criminal history searches at the county level start with Missouri CaseNet. This free tool lets you search by name, case number, or filing date. Filter your results to Buchanan County to see local cases. CaseNet shows charges, docket entries, and case outcomes. It does not show sealed or expunged records.
For a full criminal history check that goes beyond court records, use the MACHS portal run by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Under Section 43.503 RSMo, all Missouri law enforcement must send arrest and charge data to the Highway Patrol's central database. A name-based search costs $15. Fingerprint checks run about $43 total when you add the FBI portion.
Buchanan County Sheriff and Criminal History
The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office is at 501 Faraon St. in St. Joseph. The phone number is (816) 236-8812. Sheriff Bill Puett leads the office. The department handles patrol, criminal investigations, court security, and civil process. It also runs the county jail and keeps 24/7 dispatch going at all times.
The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office website has more detail on how to request records.
The Sheriff's Office works with the St. Joseph Police Department and Missouri Western State University Police. Criminal records from all these agencies feed into the state database kept by the Highway Patrol. If you need a check that covers more than just Buchanan County, the MACHS system is the way to go.
Under Missouri law, arrest records and charge data must go to the central state repository. That is part of Chapter 43 of the Missouri Revised Statutes. So even a local Buchanan County arrest will show up in a statewide criminal history search through MACHS.
Buchanan County Jail and Booking Records
The Buchanan County Jail is at 501 Faraon Street in St. Joseph. It is run by the Sheriff's Office. The jail holds people waiting for trial and those serving short sentences. Booking records include the date of arrest, charges, bond amount, and court dates.
You can get info on current inmates by calling the Sheriff's Office at (816) 236-8812. Booking data is part of each person's criminal history file in Buchanan County. These records tie into the larger court case and are tracked through the circuit court system.
Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney
The Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney is Michelle Davidson. The office is at 411 Jules St., Room 132, in St. Joseph. Call (816) 271-1480 for questions. This office reviews cases from law enforcement, decides what charges to file, and handles all criminal prosecution in Buchanan County court.
The office includes units for major cases, drug crimes, and victim services. It works with the YWCA Abused Women's Shelter and Voices of Courage to help crime victims. All charges filed by the Prosecuting Attorney become part of the criminal history record and are searchable on CaseNet once filed with the Circuit Clerk.
How to Look Up Criminal History in Buchanan County
Start with CaseNet. Go to courts.mo.gov/casenet and type in a name or case number. This is free and shows Buchanan County criminal cases along with charges, dates, and outcomes. No account is needed.
If CaseNet does not have what you need, try the MACHS system at machs.mo.gov. You will need to set up an account. MACHS pulls from the Highway Patrol's statewide criminal history database, so it covers all 114 Missouri counties. Name-based searches cost $15 each.
You can also visit the courthouse in person. Bring a valid ID and either a name or case number. The Circuit Clerk's Office on the third floor of the courthouse can pull case files for you. Copy fees apply. Expect to pay $2 for the first page and 25 cents for each page after that.
Missouri's Chapter 610 open records law says government offices must respond to records requests within three business days. If they deny your request, they have to tell you why in writing and cite the law. This applies to all Buchanan County offices that hold criminal history data.
Expungement is another factor. Under Section 610.140, some criminal records can be sealed after certain waiting periods. If a record has been expunged, it will not show up on CaseNet or in a standard MACHS search. Only the person whose record was sealed can access it, and they must visit the court in person with photo ID.
Cities in Buchanan County
Buchanan County includes the city of St. Joseph, the largest population center in the county. Criminal cases for St. Joseph residents go through the 5th Judicial Circuit Court.