Knox County Criminal History Search

Knox County criminal history records are held by the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court and the Knox County Sheriff's Office in Edina. The county has a small population of about 3,744 people, but all criminal cases still go through the same state court system used across Missouri. You can search for criminal history records through CaseNet, file requests with the Circuit Clerk, or contact the Sheriff's Office for arrest and incident data. The Missouri State Highway Patrol also keeps Knox County criminal records in its statewide database. This page walks through each way to find criminal history records in Knox County.

Knox County Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Knox County Circuit Clerk keeps all criminal case files for the 2nd Judicial Circuit. The office is at 107 N 4th St in Edina, MO 63537. You can call them at (660) 397-2305. The clerk handles criminal, civil, probate, and traffic filings. Court records are open for public review during normal hours.

If you want to look up a Knox County criminal case from home, use the Missouri CaseNet portal. This free tool covers all 114 Missouri counties. Type in a name or case number and filter to Knox County. CaseNet shows docket entries, charges, parties, and judgments. No sign-up is needed for a basic search.

The CaseNet system was set up under Section 476.055 RSMo. It holds more than 45 million case records going back to the 1980s. For Knox County, most criminal cases from recent years are on the site. If a case does not show up, it may be sealed or expunged under Section 610.140 RSMo.

Copy fees at the clerk's office are $2 for the first page and 25 cents for each page after that. Certified copies cost more. Bring a valid ID and the name or case number when you visit.

Knox County Sheriff's Office

The Knox County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement body for the county. You can reach the office at the Knox County courthouse complex in Edina.

Sheriff Carl K. Knoche runs the office at 107 N 4th St, Suite C, Edina, MO 63537. The phone number is (660) 397-2186. The Knox County Sheriff's Office website has basic contact info and service details. The office handles patrol, criminal investigations, civil process, and jail operations.

Under Section 43.503 RSMo, the Sheriff's Office must send all arrest and charge data to the Highway Patrol's central repository. This means Knox County criminal history records are part of the larger state database. If you need a full criminal history check that goes beyond what the Sheriff's Office can give you, use the MACHS system.

The Sheriff's Office works with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and other nearby county agencies for larger cases. As a small rural office, they lean on mutual aid for big investigations. Records of arrests and incidents can be asked for during business hours.

Statewide Criminal History Checks for Knox County

The Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS) is the state portal for background checks. It pulls data from the Highway Patrol's central criminal history database. Knox County records are part of this system because of the reporting rules in Section 43.503.

A name-based search on MACHS costs $15 per request. Results come back in 5 to 7 business days in most cases, though some are faster. Name-based results show open records, convictions, recent arrests (under 30 days old), and charges still pending. These are "possible match" results, not confirmed matches.

For a confirmed match, you need a fingerprint-based check. This costs about $43 total. You submit prints through IdentoGO, the state's vendor. The fingerprint search pulls a full criminal record tied to that person's prints. If you also want an FBI check, add $13.25 to the cost.

You can also send a request by mail. Fill out form SHP-158 and mail it to the CJIS Division at PO Box 9500, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Mail requests take 4 to 6 weeks to process. Pay by check or money order made out to "State of Missouri - Criminal Record System Fund."

Knox County Jail and Criminal Prosecution

The Knox County Jail is run by the Sheriff's Office. It sits at 107 N 4th St in Edina. The jail holds people waiting for trial and those serving short sentences. Because the facility is small, inmates may sometimes be housed in a nearby county jail when space runs out.

Booking records at the jail include the arrest date, charges, bond amount, and court dates. These records are part of each person's criminal history file. Call (660) 397-2186 for info on current inmates or bond amounts.

The Knox County Prosecuting Attorney's office is at 107 N 4th St, Suite B, in Edina. The phone number is (660) 397-2658. The prosecutor reviews cases from the Sheriff's Office and files charges in court. All criminal case filings end up on record at the Circuit Clerk's office and can be searched through CaseNet.

How to Search Criminal History in Knox County

There are a few ways to look up criminal history in Knox County. The free option is CaseNet. Go to courts.mo.gov/casenet and search by name or case number. Filter results to Knox County.

For a broader search, use the MACHS portal at machs.mo.gov. This covers all Missouri counties, not just Knox. You need to make an account first. The cost is $15 for a name search.

In-person requests go to the Circuit Clerk's office in Edina. Bring an ID and the name or case number. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610) says government offices must respond to records requests within three business days. If they deny your request, they must tell you why in writing and cite the statute.

• 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
• Mail requests: 4 to 6 weeks through CJIS

The Missouri Department of Corrections also runs an offender search tool that is free. This only shows people who have been in state prison. It does not cover county jail time or cases that did not lead to a state prison sentence.

Criminal Record Expungement in Knox County

Missouri law allows some criminal records to be expunged. Under Section 610.140, a person can petition to have certain offenses removed from their record. The petition is filed in the circuit court where the arrest took place. For Knox County, that means filing in the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court in Edina.

Not all crimes qualify. The statute lists specific offenses that can and cannot be expunged. There are also waiting periods that depend on the type of offense. Felonies have a longer wait than misdemeanors. The court charges a filing fee for the petition, and you may need to notify the prosecutor's office. If the court grants the petition, the record is sealed from public view on CaseNet and in the clerk's files.

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