Search Franklin County Criminal History
Franklin County criminal history records are kept by the 20th Judicial Circuit Court in Union. The county sits west of St. Louis and has a population of around 104,000. Criminal cases filed here go through the Circuit Clerk's office at 401 E Main St. You can look up case info on CaseNet for free or visit the clerk in person to get copies of court files. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office and the Prosecuting Attorney also hold records tied to arrests and charges across the county. This page walks through every way to find criminal history records in Franklin County.
Franklin County Quick Facts
Franklin County Circuit Court Criminal Records
The 20th Judicial Circuit Court handles all criminal cases in Franklin County. The Circuit Clerk's office is at 401 E Main St, Rm 100A, in Union. The phone number is 636-583-7378. Staff there can help you find case files by name or case number. The office deals with civil, criminal, traffic, and probate matters.
Criminal history searches through the Franklin County court system start with Missouri CaseNet. This free tool lets you search by name, case number, or date. You can filter results to show only Franklin County cases. CaseNet shows charges, docket entries, parties, and case outcomes. For certified copies of court documents, you need to go to the clerk's office in person or send a written request. Copy fees run $2 for the first page and 25 cents for each page after that.
The Franklin County Circuit Clerk's office is in the Judicial Center in Union. It is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. If you need records from a sealed case, only a party to that case can view them. You must show up with a photo ID to access sealed files.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is at 1 Bruns Dr in Union, MO 63084. The phone number is 636-583-2560. The office handles patrol, criminal investigations, civil process, and jail operations across the county.
You can request records from the Sheriff's Office by email at fcsorecords@franklinmo.gov, by fax at 636-584-6877, by phone, or in person. The office works with local police departments in Washington, Sullivan, Pacific, and other towns in the county. All arrest and charge data from these agencies flows into the state criminal history database.
Under Section 43.503 RSMo, every law enforcement agency in Missouri must send arrest and charge data to the Highway Patrol's central repository. That means Franklin County records are part of the statewide criminal history database. For a full background check that covers all of Missouri, use the MACHS portal. A name-based search costs $15. Fingerprint checks run about $43 total when you add the FBI portion.
Franklin County Jail and Booking Records
The Franklin County Jail is run by the Sheriff's Office. Call 636-583-2560 for booking info, bond amounts, or release terms. The jail holds people waiting for trial and those serving short sentences.
Booking records at the jail include the date of arrest, charges, bond amount, and court dates. These records are part of the criminal history file for each person who goes through the facility. If you need a booking sheet or want to check on an inmate's status, call the jail directly or stop by the Sheriff's Office during business hours.
Franklin County Criminal Cases and Prosecution
The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is at 15 S Church St, Rm 204, in Union. The phone number is 636-583-6370. This office reviews cases from law enforcement, decides what charges to file, and handles all criminal prosecution in Franklin County court.
The prosecutor's office also provides victim services for people affected by crime in the county. All criminal case filings made by this office end up on record at the Circuit Clerk's office and can be searched through CaseNet. Under Chapter 610 RSMo, the Missouri Sunshine Law requires government offices to respond to records requests within three business days. If a request is denied, the office must give a written reason and cite the statute.
How to Search Criminal History in Franklin County
There are a few ways to look up criminal history records in Franklin County. The fastest free option is CaseNet. Go to courts.mo.gov/casenet and search by name, case number, or date. Filter results to Franklin County. CaseNet shows docket entries, charges, and case outcomes.
For a search that goes beyond court records, use the state MACHS portal. This pulls from the Highway Patrol's central criminal history database. It covers all 114 Missouri counties, not just Franklin. Visit machs.mo.gov to start a search. You need to set up an account first.
In-person requests go to the Circuit Clerk at 401 E Main St in Union. Bring a valid ID and the name or case number of the person you want to look up. The office processes requests during regular business hours.
- CaseNet search: free, no account needed
- MACHS name search: $15 per request
- MACHS fingerprint search: about $43 total
- Court copy fees: $2 first page, $0.25 each after
Expungement of criminal records in Franklin County follows Section 610.140 RSMo. If you qualify, you can file a petition to have certain offenses removed from your record. The petition is filed with the Circuit Court in the county where the arrest or charge took place. There is a filing fee and a waiting period that varies by offense type.
The Missouri Department of Corrections also runs an offender search tool. This shows people who are or were in state prison. It can supplement a Franklin County criminal history search if you think someone may have served time in a state facility.
Cities in Franklin County
Franklin County includes the cities of Union, Washington, Sullivan, and Pacific, among others. Criminal cases for all residents are handled by the 20th Judicial Circuit Court. None of the cities in Franklin County meet the population threshold for a separate city page.