Find Buchanan County Recent Arrests
Buchanan County recent arrests are processed through the sheriff's office in St. Joseph, one of the larger cities in northwest Missouri. The county runs an online inmate inquiry system that lets you search for people currently held in the detention facility. Buchanan County is in the 5th Judicial Circuit and its criminal court records are on Case.net. Whether you need a quick jail check or a deep background search, this page explains every tool for looking up recent arrests in Buchanan County.
Buchanan County Quick Facts
Buchanan County Inmate Inquiry
The Buchanan County inmate inquiry system is a real-time search tool for checking who is in the county jail. You can search by name or booking number. Each result shows the person's charges, bond amount, booking date, and mugshot. Release dates are posted when someone leaves custody. The system gets daily updates.
Court dates for scheduled appearances are listed in each record. Bond status tells you the type of bond set. Hold information from other jurisdictions shows up if someone has charges from more than one agency. The Buchanan County detention facility houses both pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates. The county also processes bookings for the St. Joseph Police Department.
The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office is at 501 Faraon St. in St. Joseph. The phone is (816) 236-8845 for the office and jail. Dispatch runs 24/7. Walk-in records requests are handled during business hours. The office also handles warrants, civil process, patrol, investigations, and sex offender monitoring.
Court Records for Buchanan County Arrests
Buchanan County sits in the 5th Judicial Circuit. The circuit court handles felony cases. Misdemeanors go to the associate circuit court. All records are on Case.net, the state's free court portal created under Section 476.055 RSMo.
Search Case.net by name, case number, or filing date without creating an account. It shows docket entries, charges, bond data, hearings, and case status. Documents filed on or after July 1, 2023 are viewable online. Older filings need a request to the Buchanan County Circuit Clerk at (816) 271-1462. Probation records, sentencing orders, and bond hearing outcomes are all in the system.
State Tools for Buchanan County Recent Arrests
The MACHS system from the Missouri Highway Patrol includes Buchanan County records. Pay $15 for a name-based search of open records. Pay $20 for a fingerprint search that covers the full criminal history. MACHS is live 24/7 for name checks.
Missouri VINE tracks inmates in Buchanan County at no cost. Search by name for custody status. Sign up for phone, email, or text alerts when someone is released or transferred. The toll-free line is 877-654-8463. The DOC Offender Search shows state prison and supervised release records. The sex offender registry covers Buchanan County by name, address, or map.
Buchanan County Arrest Record Access
Missouri law opens arrest records to the public. Under Section 610.100 RSMo, arrest reports include the person's name, charge, arresting officer, and evidence. They stay open while charges are pending or after conviction. If no charges come in 30 days, the report closes. Same for dismissals and not guilty findings.
Copies are limited to 10 cents per page under Section 610.026. Agencies get three business days to respond. The Attorney General enforces the Sunshine Law. Violations carry fines up to $5,000. You can request records in person at the sheriff's office or by mail. No reason is required.
Note: Records tied to a Suspended Imposition of Sentence close after the person completes probation.
Cities in Buchanan County
St. Joseph is the county seat and the main city. It has its own police department, but people arrested in St. Joseph are booked into the Buchanan County detention facility. St. Joseph is the only qualifying city in Buchanan County with a page on this site.
Nearby Counties with Recent Arrests
Buchanan County is in northwest Missouri along the Missouri River. Neighboring counties with arrest record pages include the following.