Search Lafayette County Criminal History
Lafayette County criminal history records are kept by the 15th Judicial Circuit Court and the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office in Lexington, Missouri. The county sits east of the Kansas City metro area and handles criminal cases for communities including Lexington, Concordia, Higginsville, and Odessa. Circuit Clerk Kim Mason manages all court filings at Lafayette Hall. You can search these records online through CaseNet, visit the clerk in person, or use the state MACHS portal for a full criminal history check. This page explains every option for finding criminal history records in Lafayette County.
Lafayette County Quick Facts
Lafayette County Circuit Court Criminal Records
Circuit Clerk Kim Mason keeps all criminal case files for the 15th Judicial Circuit. The office is at 116 S 10th St in Lexington, MO 64067. The mailing address is PO Box 10, Lexington, MO 64067. Call (660) 259-6101 for questions about court records.
Lafayette County criminal cases are searchable on Missouri CaseNet. This free online tool covers all 114 Missouri counties. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Filter your results to Lafayette County to see only local cases. CaseNet shows charges, docket entries, parties, and judgments. You do not need to sign up for a basic search.
The Circuit Clerk also handles civil, probate, traffic, and juvenile filings. Copy fees at the office are $2 for the first page and 25 cents per page after that. Certified copies cost a bit more. Bring a photo ID and the name or case number for the person you want to look up.
Under Section 610.140 RSMo, some criminal records may be expunged. If a record has been expunged or sealed, it will not appear on CaseNet or in the clerk's public files.
Lafayette County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff Kerrick Alumbaugh leads the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office at 107 S 11th St, Lexington, MO 64067. The phone is (660) 259-7724. The office handles patrol, criminal investigations, civil process, and the detention center.
The Sheriff's Office coordinates with police departments in Lexington, Concordia, and other towns. All of these agencies must report arrest data to the Highway Patrol under Section 43.503 RSMo. That means Lafayette County criminal records feed into the statewide database.
You can request incident reports and arrest data from the Sheriff's Office during business hours. The Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610) requires a response within three business days. If they deny your request, they must explain why in writing.
The Lafayette County Jail at the same address holds both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. Call the Sheriff's Office for inmate info and visitation schedules. Booking records include arrest dates, charges, bond amounts, and court dates. These become part of the criminal history file.
Statewide Criminal History Searches
The MACHS portal run by the Highway Patrol is the best way to get a full criminal history check. It covers all Missouri counties, including Lafayette. A name-based search costs $15 and usually comes back in 5 to 7 business days.
Name-based results are "possible match" results. They show convictions, recent arrests under 30 days old, and pending charges. For a confirmed match, you need a fingerprint-based check. That costs about $43 total through IdentoGO. FBI checks add $13.25.
Mail requests use form SHP-158 sent to the CJIS Division at PO Box 9500, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks by mail. Pay by check or money order made to "State of Missouri - Criminal Record System Fund."
Lafayette County Criminal Prosecution
Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Ellis Hilbrenner files criminal charges in Lafayette County. The office is at 116 S 10th St, PO Box 70, Lexington, MO 64067. Phone: (660) 259-6181. The prosecutor reviews all cases from law enforcement before deciding what charges to bring.
Every criminal charge the prosecutor files becomes part of the public court record. You can track these cases on CaseNet. The Missouri Department of Corrections offender search is also free and shows people who served time in state prison.
How to Look Up Criminal History in Lafayette County
The quickest free option is CaseNet. Search at courts.mo.gov/casenet with a name or case number. No sign-up needed.
For a broader check, use MACHS at machs.mo.gov. You need an account. The fee is $15 for a name search. Results stay in your account for 30 days before they get archived.
- CaseNet: free, instant access
- MACHS name search: $15
- MACHS fingerprint: about $43
- Court copies: $2 first page, $0.25 after
- Mail requests: 4 to 6 weeks
Visit the Circuit Clerk in person at Lafayette Hall in Lexington for direct access to court files. The office is open Monday through Friday during business hours.
Criminal History Expungement in Lafayette County
Section 610.140 RSMo allows people to petition for expungement of certain criminal records in Lafayette 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 Lafayette County can tell you the filing fee. Legal aid groups in the area may help with the paperwork at no cost.