Search Cedar County Criminal History
Cedar County criminal history records are kept by the 28th Judicial Circuit Court and the Cedar County Sheriff's Office in Stockton. The county is relatively small, but the same state tools and public records laws that apply across Missouri work here too. This guide covers all the ways to search criminal history records in Cedar County, from free online searches to in-person requests at the courthouse.
Cedar County Quick Facts
Cedar County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The 28th Judicial Circuit Court handles all criminal cases in Cedar County. The Circuit Clerk is Sarah Turner. Her office is at 113 South St. in Stockton. Phone: (417) 276-6700, ext. 230 or 234. Hours for filing are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The clerk processes criminal, civil, traffic, probate, and family court filings.
Criminal case records from Cedar County are searchable on Missouri CaseNet. This tool is free. Pick Cedar County and type in a name or case number. Results show charges, docket entries, and case outcomes. Sealed records will not appear on CaseNet.
For paper copies, visit the clerk in person. Copy fees are $2 for the first page and 25 cents for each additional page. The 28th Circuit also covers Dade and Barton counties. If you need records from a case in Cedar County specifically, make sure to note that when you contact the clerk.
Cedar County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff James McCrary leads the Cedar County Sheriff's Office at 202 S. High St. in Stockton. Phone: (417) 276-5133. The department covers patrol, investigations, court security, and civil process. The office runs the county jail and keeps 24/7 dispatch services going.
The Cedar County government website provides contact info and resources for county services.
Incident reports and arrest records can be requested through the Sheriff's Office. Under Section 43.503 RSMo, Cedar County law enforcement must report arrest and charge data to the Highway Patrol's central database. For a statewide criminal history check, use the MACHS portal.
Cedar County Jail Records
The Cedar County Jail is at the Law Enforcement Facility at 202 S. High Street in Stockton. Call (417) 276-5133 for inmate info. The Sheriff's Office runs the jail. It holds pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.
Booking records include arrest dates, charges, bond amounts, and court dates. Each booking creates a record that becomes part of the person's criminal history. The jail staff coordinates with the 28th Circuit Court on scheduling and case management for all inmates.
Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney
Ty Gaither is the Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney. The office is at 113 South St. in Stockton. Phone: (417) 276-6700, ext. 235 or 236. The prosecutor reviews cases from law enforcement and decides what charges to file. A Victim Advocate on staff provides case management and advocacy for crime victims in Cedar County.
All criminal filings from this office are on record with the Circuit Clerk and on CaseNet. If you need to know the status of a criminal case in Cedar County, you can check CaseNet or contact the Prosecuting Attorney's Office directly during business hours.
How to Search Cedar County Criminal History
CaseNet is the fastest free way. Visit courts.mo.gov/casenet, choose Cedar County, and enter a name or case number. Results are instant. No account needed.
MACHS gives you a broader check. At machs.mo.gov, a name search costs $15. Fingerprint checks are about $43 total. Create an account to get started. MACHS pulls from the Highway Patrol's statewide database.
In-person requests go to the Circuit Clerk's office or the Sheriff's Office in Stockton. Bring your ID. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610) requires government offices to respond to records requests within three business days. If they deny your request, they must give a written reason.
- CaseNet: free, no sign-up
- MACHS name search: $15
- MACHS fingerprint check: about $43
- Court copies: $2 first page, $0.25 each after
Expungement is available for some Cedar County records. Under Section 610.140 RSMo, certain offenses can be sealed after the required waiting period. Petitions go to the circuit court where the original case was filed.
Public Access to Cedar County Records
Cedar County records are subject to the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo). Government records are open unless a specific statute says otherwise. This covers the Circuit Clerk, the Sheriff's Office, and all other Cedar County offices.
Under Section 610.023, county offices must respond within three business days. They can hand over the records, ask for more time, or deny the request. Denials must be in writing and must name the law that supports the closure. You never have to explain why you want a record.
Law enforcement records have their own rules under Section 610.100. Arrest information is public. Names, charges, and arrest dates are always available. Investigative reports can be held back during an open case. After charges are filed or the case closes, most of the file becomes public. The Cedar County Sheriff's Office processes these requests at 202 S. High St. in Stockton.
Expungement in Cedar County
Section 610.140 RSMo governs expungement in Cedar County. Not all crimes can be erased. Violent felonies and sex crimes are not eligible. But many misdemeanors and some felonies qualify under the statute.
The wait is three years for misdemeanors. Seven years for felonies. You must complete your full sentence first, including probation and fines. No new charges can come up during the waiting period.
File a petition with the 28th Judicial Circuit Court in Stockton. There is a filing fee. The court notifies the Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney and any registered victims. A judge reviews the petition and may set a hearing. If granted, the record is sealed from public view. CaseNet removes the case. MACHS updates its database. The Sheriff's Office must also update its records to reflect the court order.