St. Louis County Criminal History Records
St. Louis County criminal history records are managed by the 21st Judicial Circuit Court and the Sheriff's Office in Clayton. As Missouri's most populous county, St. Louis County processes a very high volume of criminal cases each year. The county has over 90 municipalities with their own police departments, and all criminal history data flows into the state system. You can search criminal history records through CaseNet, MACHS, or by visiting the courthouse. This page covers every option.
St. Louis County Quick Facts
St. Louis County Circuit Court Criminal History
The St. Louis County Circuit Court Clerk manages all court records for the 21st Judicial Circuit. The main office is at 105 S. Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105. Call 314-615-8029 for questions. The office handles criminal, civil, family, probate, and traffic cases.
Criminal history records at the court include all charges filed, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing, and dispositions. The clerk's office accepts filings during regular business hours. Copy fees are $2 for the first page and 25 cents per page after that. The office also processes passport applications and handles jury duty.
St. Louis County criminal history cases are searchable on Missouri CaseNet. This free state tool lets you search by name, case number, or filing date. Filter to St. Louis County for local results. CaseNet shows charges, docket entries, parties, and case outcomes.
Sealed or expunged records do not appear on CaseNet. Only a party to the case can request access to sealed files. They need to visit the courthouse with a photo ID. Under the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 RSMo), all public offices must respond to records requests within three business days.
Extra hours for adult abuse order filings are on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, excluding holidays. This is separate from criminal history services but handled by the same office.
St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Police
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office is at 105 S. Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105. Call 314-615-8029. The office handles patrol, investigations, civil process, and court security. The Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests, incident reports, and warrants.
St. Louis County has over 90 municipalities, many with their own police departments. The Sheriff's Office coordinates with these agencies and the St. Louis County Police Department for law enforcement across the county. Records requests go through the Sunshine Law. The office also provides Concealed Carry Weapon permits and manages sex offender registration.
Under Section 43.503 RSMo, all law enforcement in Missouri must send arrest data to the Highway Patrol's central repository. Criminal history records from every police department in St. Louis County feed into this statewide database.
St. Louis County Justice Center and Criminal History
The St. Louis County Justice Center holds inmates waiting for trial and those serving sentences. Inmate info can be found through the Sheriff's Office or Circuit Court Clerk. Call 314-615-8029.
Booking records include arrest dates, charges, bond amounts, and court dates. These records are part of a person's criminal history file. The Justice Center coordinates with the 21st Circuit Court on all court appearances. For past booking records, file a formal request through the Sheriff's Office.
Statewide Criminal History Checks
For a criminal history check that goes beyond St. Louis County, use the MACHS portal. This pulls from the Highway Patrol's central database. A name search costs $15. Fingerprint checks are about $43 total. Create an account at machs.mo.gov to start.
MACHS covers all Missouri counties. If someone has criminal history in St. Louis County and other places, the MACHS report shows it all. For mail requests, write to the CJIS Division of the Highway Patrol. Include the full name, date of birth, and payment. Processing takes 4 to 6 weeks by mail.
St. Louis County Criminal Prosecution
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is at the St. Louis County Courthouse in Clayton, MO 63105. Call 314-615-2600. The office has specialized units for major crimes, domestic violence, and juvenile prosecution. This is the largest prosecuting attorney's office in Missouri by caseload.
All criminal filings are on record at the Circuit Clerk's office and show up on CaseNet. Expungement petitions in St. Louis County go through the circuit court. Under Missouri law, certain criminal history records can be cleared after a waiting period. The rules vary based on the charge type. Contact the circuit clerk or a lawyer to learn more about expungement in St. Louis County.
How to Search Criminal History in St. Louis County
CaseNet is the fastest free option. Visit courts.mo.gov/casenet. For a full statewide check, use MACHS at machs.mo.gov. In-person requests go to the courthouse in Clayton.
- CaseNet: free, no account needed
- MACHS name search: $15
- MACHS fingerprint check: about $43
- Court copies: $2 first page, $0.25 each after
- CJIS mail requests: 4 to 6 weeks
Bring a photo ID for in-person visits. You need a name or case number. The clerk's office can search records and print copies during business hours.
Public Access to St. Louis County Criminal Records
Missouri's Sunshine Law gives the public a right to view government records, and that includes criminal history files in St. Louis County. Chapter 610 RSMo sets the rules. Section 610.023 says any public body must respond to a records request within three business days. If they say no, they have to put the reason in writing and cite the specific law that blocks release.
Section 610.100 covers law enforcement records. Arrest logs, incident reports, and booking data are open to the public in most cases. Some records can be closed if release would hurt an active case. But once a case is done, the records are generally open. Juvenile records are an exception. Those stay sealed.
Fees for copies fall under Section 610.026. St. Louis County offices can charge for the actual cost of making copies. They cannot charge search fees or labor fees on top of that. If you think a request was wrongly denied, you can take the matter to court. The law allows the court to award legal fees if the denial was not in good faith.
Cities in St. Louis County
St. Louis County has over 90 municipalities. Criminal cases for residents are handled by the 21st Judicial Circuit Court. Here are the qualifying cities with dedicated pages.