Crawford County Arrest Records

An arrest in Crawford County, Kansas, is the detainment of an individual by law enforcement or private citizens on suspicion of criminal activity (Kansas Statutes §22-2401). Arrests become necessary when law enforcement officers have probable cause to suspect a crime has been committed, an arrest warrant has been issued, or an individual threatens public safety.

Arrestees are typically held at the Crawford County Jail, awaiting court appearances or other legal proceedings. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, alongside other county police departments, is responsible for generating arrest records, which document the circumstances surrounding the apprehension and custody of individuals. These records are critical components of public records, often forming the foundation for case files and proceedings in the county's courts.

Arrest records relate to other public records, such as criminal case filings and court proceedings, and are also accessible in Crawford County court records. These documents serve as vital resources for understanding the broader legal context of an individual’s interactions with the justice system and ensuring transparency in law enforcement practices.

Are Arrest Records Public in Crawford County?

Yes. Crawford County arrest records are publicly accessible under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) (K.S.A. 45-215 et seq.). However, certain records are exempt from disclosure to safeguard privacy and privileged information. These include:

• Employment records of public workers.
• Health and medical treatment details.
• Documents covered by attorney-client confidentiality or evidentiary rules.
• Preliminary drafts or personal notes.
• Records from ongoing criminal investigations.
• Files restricted by Tribal-State Gaming Compacts.
• Information protected under the Kansas Lottery or Parimutuel Racing laws.
• Additional exclusions outlined in K.S.A. 45-221.

Access to these exempted files may require proof of eligibility for specific details. Agencies are obligated to share only existing public records and are not required to create new ones upon request.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The public components of a Crawford County arrest record will typically include:

• The arrestee's name, age, and gender
• Booking photographs or mugshots.
• Date, time, and location of the arrest.
• Charges or suspected offenses.
• Bond amounts, if applicable.
• Court appearance details.

Crawford County Arrest Statistics

According to FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data for the past year, Crawford County recorded 62 arrests. Of this number, 11 (18%) were for simple assault, seven (11%) for larceny, and six (10%) for vandalism and burglary combined. Driving under the influence accounted for two arrests (3%), while aggravated assault accounted for one arrest (2%). The remaining 35 arrests (56%) were categorized under "all other offenses," including misdemeanors and non-specified charges.

Find Crawford County Arrest Records

To find Crawford County arrest records, interested parties can contact the arresting police department. Procedures and fees may vary between departments, but many accept in-person, mail, or online inquiries.

Requests typically require the following information:

• The arrestee's first and last name
• Date of birth (if known)
• Incident date and location
• The requester's contact information
• A valid government-issued ID, especially for nonpublic records.

For arrests made by local law enforcement before a court appearance, inquirers can contact the arresting department or the Crawford County Jail. For instance, inquiries about arrests by the Pittsburg Police Department can be made at (620) 231-1700. Alternatively, the County Jail can be reached at (620) 724-8274.

If the arrestee was transferred to custody after arraignment, individuals can use the Sheriff Department’s online Inmate Roster by following the steps below:

• Visit the Inmate Roster webpage
• Accept the terms
• Input details like the inmate’s name, subject number, or booking number
• Click “Search” to retrieve the records.

Free Arrest Record Search in Crawford County

The Sheriff's Department's online Inmate Roster is a free resource for accessing Crawford County arrest records. To use it, visit the roster’s webpage, accept the terms, input details like the inmate's name, subject number, or booking number, and click "search" to retrieve the records.

The roster also includes archived county arrest records. Users can view arrest records organized by year by clicking the archived roster link. Parties can use the browser's "Find” feature (Ctrl+F for Windows, Command+F for Mac, or the Find function on mobile devices) to search inmate names and filter results.

Alternatively, third-party websites may offer another option for locating arrest records. These platforms often compile data from various sources, but their reliability may vary, and some services may require fees.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Crawford County arrests remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless expunged. For this reason, Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6614 allows individuals to petition for expungement depending on the arrest's nature and outcome. Only a successful expungement removes the record from public access but retains it for law enforcement purposes.

Expunge Crawford County Arrest Records

Expungement in Kansas is governed by Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6614, which outlines eligibility, the application process, and exceptions. An individual may file for expungement after meeting the required waiting periods:

• Three years for lesser offenses (e.g., most misdemeanors).
• Five years for more serious offenses (e.g., felonies).

Certain offenses are not eligible for expungement, including but not limited to:

• Sexual offenses involving minors (e.g., aggravated incest, aggravated sexual battery).
• Serious violent crimes (e.g., murder, capital murder, child abuse).
• Offenses requiring registration under K.S.A. 22-4901 et seq.
• Violations of specific traffic or commercial driving laws.

The expungement process begins with submitting the following to the county court that handled the case:

• A petition detailing personal and case information.
• A $176 docket fee, with an additional $19 charge until 2025.

The prosecutor and arresting law enforcement agency should be notified of the hearing. For the hearing and decision, the court considers the following factors:

• No pending felony cases or convictions in the last two years.
• Public welfare and the petitioner's behavior.
• Whether firearm possession by the petitioner poses a risk.

If records get expunged, individuals may lawfully deny the arrest or conviction except under specific circumstances outlined in Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-6614.

Crawford County Arrest Warrants

A Crawford arrest warrant allows law enforcement to apprehend a suspect when there is probable cause to believe a crime has been perpetrated, but the individual is not in custody. Under K.S.A. 22-2302, arrest warrants require judicial authorization based on a sworn complaint or affidavit by law enforcement outlining the alleged offense and the suspect's role in it.

The arrest warrant is issued after a judge or magistrate evaluates the evidence and determines it establishes probable cause. These warrants are often used when a suspect cannot be immediately located, has fled, or requires formal judicial approval before an arrest.

Per K.S.A. 22-2304, a valid arrest warrant contains the following information:

• The suspect's name or a detailed description if the name is unknown
• The nature of the offense charged
• A directive to law enforcement to execute the arrest.

Do Crawford County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Crawford County arrest warrants do not automatically expire unless explicitly canceled or resolved. Under K.S.A. 22-2305(5), unexecuted warrants must be returned to the issuing magistrate and may be canceled upon the prosecutor's request. However, they can also be reissued or reassigned if the underlying complaint remains active.

Factors affecting expiration include prosecutorial action, dismissal of the case, or cancellation by the magistrate. K.S.A. 22-2305(5) allows flexibility for re-execution, keeping warrants valid until resolved or withdrawn.