Warrant records in Scott County, Missouri are classified as public records in accordance with the Missouri Sunshine Law (Chapter 610 of the Missouri Revised Statutes). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records throughout the state, including those maintained by Scott County law enforcement agencies and courts. The Missouri Sunshine Law specifically designates warrant information as accessible to members of the public once the warrant has been executed or returned to the court.
Pursuant to § 610.011 RSMo, public governmental bodies shall make available for inspection and copying all public records to the extent otherwise permitted by law. Scott County adheres to these statutory requirements by maintaining systems that allow for appropriate public access to warrant information while balancing privacy considerations and ongoing investigative needs.
The Scott County Circuit Clerk's Office serves as the primary custodian of court records, including warrant information. These records are maintained in accordance with Missouri Supreme Court Operating Rules and relevant state statutes governing judicial records.
Warrant records maintained by Scott County authorities typically contain the following information:
• The full legal name of the subject and any known aliases • Date of birth and/or age of the subject • Physical description including height, weight, and identifying characteristics • The specific criminal statute(s) allegedly violated • Case number assigned by the court • Date of issuance by the judicial authority • Name of the issuing judge • Bond amount, if applicable • Whether the warrant is active or has been served/recalled • Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search, etc.)
In accordance with § 542.276 RSMo, which governs search warrants, and § 544.020 RSMo, which addresses arrest warrants, these documents must contain sufficient particularity regarding the alleged offense and the individual named. The Scott County Sheriff's Office and Circuit Clerk maintain these records in formats that comply with state recordkeeping requirements.
Members of the public seeking to determine if warrants exist in Scott County may utilize several no-cost methods:
The Scott County Circuit Clerk's Office provides public access terminals at the courthouse where individuals may search basic case information, including warrant status. These terminals are available during regular business hours at:
Scott County Circuit Clerk's Office 131 S. Winchester Street Benton, MO 63736 (573) 545-3516
The Scott County Sheriff's Office maintains a public information desk where warrant inquiries may be submitted in person. Individuals must provide proper identification when requesting information about themselves. The Sheriff's Office is located at:
Scott County Sheriff's Office 131 S. Winchester Street, Suite 2 Benton, MO 63736 (573) 545-3525
Pursuant to § 610.023 RSMo, governmental bodies must respond to requests for public records within three business days. Requestors should note that while basic warrant information is available without charge, fees may apply for printed copies in accordance with the fee schedule established under § 610.026 RSMo.
The Scott County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants issued within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Scott County fall into several categories:
• Arrest warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a criminal offense • Bench warrants: Issued when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court appearance • Search warrants: Authorizing law enforcement to search specified premises for evidence • Civil warrants: Related to non-criminal matters such as judgment enforcement
The Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that processes and executes these legal documents in accordance with Missouri law. Deputies are dispatched to serve warrants based on prioritization protocols that consider factors such as the severity of the alleged offense, public safety considerations, and resource availability.
Under § 544.090 RSMo, warrants must be executed without unnecessary delay. The Scott County Sheriff's Office coordinates with other law enforcement agencies when subjects are believed to be outside county jurisdiction. Interstate warrants are processed through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Individuals seeking to determine their warrant status in Scott County as of 2025 have several official channels available:
The Scott County Circuit Court provides an online case information portal through which basic case status information, including warrant status, may be accessed. This system is updated daily and reflects current court records. Users must provide identifying information to conduct searches.
For in-person inquiries, individuals may visit:
Scott County Justice Center 131 S. Winchester Street Benton, MO 63736 (573) 545-3516 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Individuals may also submit written requests for warrant information to the Scott County Sheriff's Office. Such requests must include the requestor's full legal name, date of birth, and a copy of government-issued identification. Written requests should be directed to:
Scott County Sheriff's Office Records Division 131 S. Winchester Street, Suite 2 Benton, MO 63736
Pursuant to § 610.100 RSMo, which governs access to law enforcement records, responses to such inquiries will be provided within three business days unless extenuating circumstances exist.
Scott County maintains systems for verifying the existence of outstanding warrants through several official channels:
The Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) provides authorized users with access to statewide warrant information. Members of the public may request a personal criminal history check through this system for a statutory fee.
The Scott County Sheriff's Office maintains a dedicated warrants division that can verify warrant status during regular business hours:
Scott County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division 131 S. Winchester Street, Suite 2 Benton, MO 63736 (573) 545-3525 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Attorneys of record may access warrant information for their clients through the Missouri Case.net system or by contacting the Circuit Clerk's Office directly. Proper identification and bar credentials must be presented when requesting such information in person.
Under Missouri Supreme Court Operating Rule 2, certain court records may be restricted from public access when necessary to protect safety, privacy, or other compelling interests. Individuals should be aware that some warrant information may be subject to such restrictions, particularly in cases involving juveniles, certain domestic matters, or ongoing investigations.
• Missouri Case.net • Scott County Sheriff's Office • Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Information Services • Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search