Conduct a free Missouri warrant search to see if you or someone in your community has an active order issued for their arrest. The Missouri Sunshine Law ensures that everyone has access to records and documents created by government agencies.
All warrant records — whether printed, written, recorded, or filmed — are available for inspection, and copies are supplied when an inquirer requests them. These public warrant records may be available in a searchable online database and are also made available by phone, mail, and in person.
This resource empowers citizens to quickly retrieve details of wanted individuals in Missouri by including all warrant search options in one streamlined article.
Are Warrant Records Available to the Public in Missouri?
A warrant is issued by a judge or magistrate and results from situations such as a suspect fleeing the law, a defendant skipping their court hearing, a parent not paying child support or a traffic infraction not being resolved. Warrants are legal documents that allow law enforcement to arrest someone, search a property or seize items related to a crime.
The most familiar warrants are arrest, bench and search warrants. However, other types of warrants exist according to the locality and state laws and the situation they were authorized for. The public can view and request copies of a person’s warrant unless the warrant is yet to be executed or the information may hinder law enforcement operations.
The federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requires all government records to be openly available to keep democracy in place and guarantee U.S. citizens transparency of information.1 Missouri upholds the FOIA through its state-level Open Records Law Mo. Code §610.023 et seq, commonly known as the “Sunshine Law”.2 The law ensures public access to records generated by government bodies for inspection and copying.
Complete a Missouri Warrant Search: An Overview
When checking for warrants in Missouri, having as much information about the offender as possible is the best way to find the individual. Data for a successful search includes their full first and last names, date of birth, address and location where the warrant was issued, including the court, issue date and ID number.
Citizens conducting a Missouri warrant lookup will realize several levels of government agencies offer this information. Missouri state, counties and municipalities have departments with warrant records and, by law, must provide these records to the public on request.
Federal agencies provide information concerning federal warrants only.
How To Find Out if Someone Has a Missouri Warrant Online
Conducting a warrant search for at the state level is a convenient process; citizens can search using the Litigant Name Search offered by the Missouri Courts.3 The online search allows citizens to look up criminal records, including warrants.
Case.net accesses records in the Show-Me Courts (SMC) statewide case management system that replaced the original Justice Information System (JIS).
Two additional options allow the user to pay online for fees owed or manage their case. Only records from county and municipal courts using the Case.net platform will appear.
The search options include the following categories:
- Litigant’s Name
- Filing Date
- Case Number
- Scheduled Hearing
- Judgment Inquiry
The name search only requires the individual’s last and partial first names. However, the database contains thousands of records and may return hundreds of results. Having a full first name and knowing which court to search narrows the results.
Searching by the filing date requires a start date and returns 7 days of records. Users have to choose a court to complete the search.
The results page contains a table with the date filed, case number and type of case. Clicking on the offender’s case number brings up a page with detailed information. Once the searcher finds the offender’s record, they can use the case number to search directly.
The judgment index requires the court district and the individual’s last name. Completing as many fields as possible – such as the first name, case type, year filed and location – results in a more focused set of results.
Criminal records and warrant information may also be found through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division manages criminal history data for the state and is responsible for providing the information to the public. MACHS allows searchers to perform a name-based search for criminal records.
For records not available on its website, citizens can contact the State Missouri State Police by calling (573)-526-6153 or visiting in person.
Missouri State Police
1510 East Elm St. P.O. Box 568
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Victim Information & Notification Everyday (VINE) provides an additional free warrant search to notify victims when an offender changes their location or is released from prison. VINELink allows users to search for an offender or defendant by name, ID number or case number.
The name search requires only the first two letters of the first or last name, which provides a list of records. A full name is beneficial to narrow the search results.
Once the offender is located, searchers can click on the record details to view case information. Only registered users can see the offender’s date of birth and ID number or receive notifications of their status and whereabouts.
Search offender information for the state by viewing the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Most Wanted List.4
Performing a Warrant Search Via County Courts, Clerks of Courts & Sheriff’s Offices Throughout Missouri
While Missouri offers criminal searches that span the state, most counties and cities have public records requests that include warrants.
Local law enforcement and sheriff’s offices often have inmate and warrant searches and maintain a most-wanted page on their website. Calling or visiting the local sheriff’s office or police station is another way to find warrant information.
The following counties are some of the largest that provide public access to perform a warrant search in Missouri:
St. Louis County: St. Louis County subscribes to the state’s Sunshine Laws and provides a public records request for citizens who want to view or obtain copies of documents and information.5 The Justice Services provides an inmate locator that includes warrant information when available.
St. Louis County Department of Justice Services
100 South Central
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: (314)-615-5245
The 21st Judicial Circuit also offers a “Find My Case” portal to look for cases and find warrant information. Visit the page and follow the instructions to obtain warrant info.
Another means to obtain warrant info in the county is through the St. Louis County Police Bureau of Central Police Records. The bureau serves as the custodian of various records in the county. To obtain warrant info, it is important to know the offender’s name, birth date, and offense, then call or visit the department at:
St. Louis County Police
Bureau of Central Police Records
Rm B013, 7900 Forsyth Blvd
Clayton, MO 63105
Phone: 314-615-5317
Office Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday (excluding holidays)
Jackson County: The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office provides an online public record request portal that citizens may utilize to obtain warrant information.6 Another option is contacting the Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division, address and contact information is provided below.
Jackson County Warrant Division
4001 Northeast Lakewood Court
Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
Phone: (816)-541-8017
Fax: (816)-795-1969
St. Charles County: St. Charles County utilizes Case.net provided by the state courts for its public records check. Additionally, searchers can use the St. Charles County Police Department to request criminal records.
St. Charles County Police Department
101 Sheriff Dierker Court
O’Fallon, MO 63366
Phone: (636)-949-3000
Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Monday – Friday
Greene County: Greene County participates in the Case.net public records request system. Moreover, the Greene County Sheriff’s office provides warrant records requests, either in person, by mail/fax or by calling (417)-829-6235.
Greene County Sheriff’s Office
Records Division
5100 West Division Street
Springfield, MO 65802
Clay County: The Clay County Sheriff’s Department offers public record requests. The sheriff’s office requests inquiries and calls them at (816)-407-3710.
Clay County Sheriff’s Department
1 Courthouse Square
Liberty, MO 64068
Phone: (816)-407-3570
Email: [email protected]
Search for Warrants Through Municipal Agencies & Courts in Missouri
Cities in Missouri have resources for those searching for warrants through their municipal courts or as a public records request from the municipality or the police department. The following larger cities provide the resources for executing a warrant search.
Kansas City: Both the Kansas City Municipal Court and its Police Department offer printable forms to submit records requests. The records may include warrant records if they exist for the offender searched.
Kansas City Municipal Division
511 East 11th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816)-513-2700
Fax: (816)-513-6782
Email: [email protected]
St. Louis City: St. Louis City provides a Municipal Court Case Search with several ways to examine an offender’s record, including warrants. The Department of Corrections offers an inmate locator and public records request to assist a warrant search by supplying the searcher with ID numbers.7
The St. Louis City Metropolitan Police Department also offers a public records request form.8
St. Louis City Municipal Court
St. Louis City Hall
1200 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103
Phone: (314)-622-4800
City of Springfield: The City of Springfield lists current warrants within the city limits. Information from the arrest listing is helpful when searching for public records from the city.
City of Springfield
840 Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
Phone: (417)-864-1000
City of Colombia: The City of Colombia provides an active warrants list through its Municipal Court system.
This search form aids in searching for an offender’s warrant information using the public record request form.
City of Columbia Municipal Court
701 East Broadway
Columbia, MO 65205
Phone: (573)-874-2489
City of Independence: Independence, Missouri, provides a violation records search for inquirers to obtain information about the offender. Citizens can easily search for offenders by name through the Independence Municipal Court. Warrant information may or may not be included if applicable. The Independence Police Department also provides a record request form.10
Contact the Municipal Court using the following information:
Independence Municipal Court City Hall
1st Floor Municipal Court
111 East Maple Avenue
Independence, MO 64050
Phone: (816)-325-7230
Retrieve Federal Warrant Information for Missouri & All Other States
Federally issued warrants for residents in Missouri and all other states can be found online using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) online search.11 Users must register to search case records and need to know the court where the warrant was filed.
Registered PACER users can pay a small fee to gain access to the PACER Case Locator, and a search returns the offender’s name, the court where the case is filed, warrant information, if applicable, the case number and the date it was filed or closed.
The following links provide the agency’s top wanted criminals, which can assist in finding offenders with a federal warrant. On these sites, citizens can view mugshots, offense records, and last known whereabouts
- The FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives
- The DEA’s Most Wanted Fugitives
- The U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted Fugitives12
Types of Warrants in Missouri & Their Definitions
Missouri courts issue several types of warrants that pertain to various legal situations, including criminal actions. While there are more common warrants, others have specific causes and repercussions, some more serious than others.
The following warrants are issued in Missouri. Each type includes a description of the cause for issuance.
- Arrest Warrant: An arrest warrant authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest and incarcerate an offender if they’re pulled over for a traffic violation or caught in another crime, or if a search warrant is approved and they’re found in the location being searched.
Missouri arrest warrants require a sworn affidavit proving probable cause a crime was committed. Misdemeanors not witnessed by a police officer require an arrest warrant to bring the perpetrator into custody. - Bench Warrant: Issued when an individual fails to appear at a court hearing.
- Search Warrant: A law enforcement officer can only enter a premises to conduct a search if they have a search warrant based on probable cause. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects citizens from law enforcement searches and seizures without a warrant.13
- Alias Warrant: When an individual doesn’t appear for a scheduled hearing before a plea is entered or fails to reply to a citation sent by mail, a warrant is issued for their arrest.
- Capias Warrant: When a person is found guilty and doesn’t pay the fine imposed on them or complete conditions of their release within a specified time, a capias warrant facilitates their return to court once they encounter a police officer for a traffic stop or other infraction.
- Civil Capias Warrant: Used to apprehend a defendant in a civil court case after they don’t follow the judge’s orders. A civil capias warrant doesn’t mean the individual will be arrested, but they will be forced to appear in court.
- Criminal Warrant: Just like an arrest warrant, a criminal warrant allows police to arrest a suspect. It’s approved when there’s probable cause the person committed a crime.
- Fugitive Warrant: Localities outside of Missouri may issue a fugitive warrant for a suspect believed to be located in the state.
- Governor’s Warrant: The state Governor’s Office issues a warrant if a suspect or offender from Missouri is found in another state. The warrant allows them to be arrested and extradited to Missouri.
What Should I Do if I Discover I or Someone Else Has a Warrant in Missouri?
Warrants don’t expire until the case is resolved or any fees and conditions are fulfilled. When a warrant is issued, the offender isn’t notified, taking many people by surprise.
A warrant indicates a grave issue with the court and allows any police officer in any jurisdiction to arrest the warrant holder. The issuance of a warrant and subsequent arrest create a lifetime criminal record and should be resolved as soon as it’s discovered.
The most direct way to handle a warrant is for the individual to turn themselves in. However, they’ll be arrested immediately. Consulting with an attorney may save time and keep the person out of jail.
If the warrant is due to not paying a fine, the person can pay the amount and might avoid jail time. Lawyers know what to do and can even petition the court to quash the warrant, but are usually very expensive.
Other options are applying for a public defender or finding a local program that assists in resolving warrants.
Some localities in the state offer assistance to those who discover they have a warrant after undertaking a Missouri search. For instance, Kansas City’s Tap In Center allows people to safely meet with support personnel to take care of their warrants.14
The center offers warrant searches, lawyers ready to consult with them and representatives from local services. Participants can apply for a public defender and obtain help navigating the court system. The program reaches all residents of Jackson County.
The Tap In Center is a partnership between the St. Louis County Library, the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, the Kansas City Public Defender’s Office and the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
If a citizen conducts an offense search in Missouri and finds a warrant for someone they know, the inquirer must decide if the person is dangerous. When the warrant is issued because of a felony, serious assault, drug manufacturing or possible murder charge, the safest course is to go to the local law enforcement agency and let them know where the person was sighted. If the suspect is nearby and in sight, citizens should call 911.
This article provides this resource to help citizens who have a warrant or know someone who does learn how to remedy the situation. Conducting a Missouri warrant search may uncover surprising information, and being knowledgeable about warrants and how to find and resolve them could save a person from jail time and costly legal fees.
References
1Freedom of Information Act Government. (2016). Freedom of Information Act Statute. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://www.foia.gov/foia-statute.html>
2Missouri Revisor of Statutes. (2004, August 28). Revised Statutes of Missouri, RSMo Section 610.023. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=610.023>
3Missouri Courts. (2024). Name Search. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://www.courts.mo.gov/cnet/nameSearch.do>
4Missouri State Highway Patrol. (n.d.). Most Wanted. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/MostWanted/timothyThomasCoombs.html>
5St. Louis County. (n.d.). Make request – NextRequest. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://recordsrequest.stlouiscountymo.gov/requests/new>
6Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Public Records Center. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://jacksoncountymo.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(wui2dt5kmvab532nzxq3knuq))/SupportHome.aspx>
7St. Louis City Department of Corrections. (2024). Search Inmate Locator. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/public-safety/corrections/stl-city-find-an-inmate.cfm#locator>
8St. Louis City Metropolitan Police Department. (n.d.). Public Records Menu. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://pd-stlouismo.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/(S(jk1qxan0yfs2fhgi0hebgciw))/SupportHome.aspx>
9City of Columbia Municipal Court. (2023). Active Warrants. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://www.como.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WARRANTS-Active.pdf>
10Independence Police Department. (2023, August). Request for Criminal History. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://www.independencemo.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/Request_For_Criminal_History.pdf>
11Public Access to Court Electronic Records. (n.d.). PACER: Federal Court Records. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://pacer.uscourts.gov>
12United State Marshals Service District Office. (n.d.). 15 Most Wanted Fugitives. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/15-most-wanted-fugitive>
13Constitution Annotated, Library of Congress. (n.d.). U.S. Constitution – Fourth Amendment. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/>
14Kansas City Public Library. (n.d.). Legal. Retrieved March 27, 2024, from <https://kclibrary.org/legal>