Douglas County Arrest Records

Douglas County arrest records contain information about individuals arrested by law enforcement authorities within the county. Arrests become necessary to maintain law and order. Under Kansas Statutes Annotated (KSA section 22-2401), an arrest becomes necessary when an officer has a warrant, witnesses a crime, or has probable cause to believe an individual is committing or has committed a crime.

An immediate arrest may be justified when the officer has a reason to believe the individual might escape or cause harm if not arrested immediately. An officer may make an arrest when they identify a person who matches the description of a wanted person.

Law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest individuals they see or suspect of engaging in criminal conduct. These activities are classified as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions, each with legal implications. Generally, public records, such as Douglas County Court Records, are largely available upon request.

Are Arrest Records Public in Douglas County?

Yes, in Kansas, arrest records are generally considered public and may be accessed by anybody. According to the Kansas Statutes Annotated Section 45-221, arrest records are open to the public. However, while arrest records are public, it is essential to note that some information may be redacted or restricted due to privacy laws or court orders. The following information is not available for public view:

• information that could compromise an ongoing investigation,
• personal information like home address, phone number, and social security number,
• juvenile arrest records, KSA 38-1664
• records containing medical or mental health information are exempted from public access.

This exempted information may only be accessed by the arrestee, law enforcement agencies, or individuals authorized by the court.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

According to the Kansas Statutes Annotated, Section 22-4701, the following information is contained in the Douglas County arrest records and is releasable to the public:

• The suspect's name and date of birth
• Arrest date
• Arrest time and location
• Booking number and date
• Physical description
• Bond information
• Charge and disposition information

Generally, juvenile arrest records are not publicly available, and other records may be restricted to protect sensitive information or the offender's safety.

Douglas County Crime Rate

Based on the F.B.I.'s Uniform Crime Reporting (U.C.R.) Program, which collects and analyzes crime data from law enforcement agencies across the United States, the number of reported crimes for 2022 is 87. According to the data, the most prevalent crimes in Douglas County, Kansas are Larceny-theft 44 incidents (50.57% of total crimes), Burglary: 8 incidents (9.20% of total crimes), Vehicle Theft 10 incidents (11.50% of total crimes), Aggravated assault 20 incidents (23.0% of total crimes), Rape 2 incidents (2.30% of total crimes)

Douglas County Arrest Statistics

Douglas County reported a total of 596 arrests over the past three years. In 2013, the county's arrest rate stood at 170.05 per 100,000 residents, a significant 79.48% decrease from the national average of 828.55 per 100,000 people. Notably, only 19 of the 2013 arrests were related to violent crimes. Compared to adjacent counties, Johnson and Wyandotte, Douglas County appears to have a higher crime rate, making it a relatively more hazardous place to reside.

Find Douglas County Arrest Records

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search tool. This allows one to look up inmates by name, DOC number, or criminal case number. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office also offers a jail roster listing current inmates, including their names, charges, and booking dates.

Although their server is an active resource for finding arrest records, individuals may contact the Douglas County Record Division to request the arrest record directly. When requesting an arrest record, interested persons should be prepared to provide specific information, such as the arrestee's full name, date of birth (if known), incident date and location, and contact information.

Requesters may also need valid government-issued identification to prove eligibility to access nonpublic arrest records. Additionally, the Records Unit may have specific requirements or restrictions for accessing arrest records, so it's best to check with them directly for their policies and procedures.

Occasionally, a different agency other than the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement bodies may make an arrest. If a local police department makes an arrest, individuals must contact their Records Division separately.

Free Arrest Record Search in Douglas County

Accessing free arrest record searches in Douglas County may be done through various avenues. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office provides a free online inmate search tool on their website, allowing members of the public to search for current inmates by name or booking number. The Kansas Judicial branch offers free access to court records, including arrest and some criminal case information. While these resources provide limited information, they may be a helpful starting point for searching arrest records. Third-party websites also offer free arrest record searches, but users must know that these sites may not always be up-to-date or accurate and may require payment for more detailed information.

Get Douglas County Criminal Records

Criminal records, also called rap sheets or criminal history in some countries, contain information about an individual's criminal activity, including arrests, convictions, and sentences. Law enforcement agencies and courts maintain these records to track an individual's criminal behavior and provide information for background checks, employment screenings, and other purposes. Depending on the law enforcement agency, every agency has its process and requirements for obtaining criminal records.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office—The inmate record section is a subdivision of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in charge of maintaining jail records, departmental investigative reports, criminal history investigations, traffic citations, served warrants, and juvenile files and transmitting appropriate paperwork to the court systems for prosecution.

To obtain a criminal background check, individuals may need to appear in person at the record division, provide a government-issued photo identification (a social security card is not acceptable), and provide their name, date of birth, sex, race, and Social Security Number.

In each Kansas county, including Douglas County, the trial court of the specific circuit court is the record custodian. Individuals may submit requests for criminal records in person, by mail, online, or as specified by each circuit court. Typically, online requests may be completed via the Record Request Form or by visiting the Judicial branch's website.

Individuals may apply for their criminal records or those of others from the Kansas state database by logging in to the criminal history check application. Individuals must complete the online form and pay a $30.00 fee to request criminal records. Due to access restrictions and under the provision of K.S.A. 22-4701 et seq. (Kansas Criminal History Record Information Act), the request demanding another person's criminal information report must include the individual's full name, the date of birth, address, email address, the name and mailing address of the person or agency making the request and a fee $30.00 per request.

Douglas County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Douglas County, criminal and arrest records are distinct types of records that serve different purposes. Criminal records contain information about an individual's criminal history, including convictions, sentences, and probations. These records are typically maintained by the Douglas County Circuit Court and the Kansas Judicial Department and are considered public records, although the court may sometimes restrict access. Criminal records provide a comprehensive view of an individual's criminal past, including information about court proceedings, trial dates, verdicts, and sentences.

Arrest records, on the other hand, contain information about an individual's arrests, including the date, time, location, and charges. These records are maintained by the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and local police departments and may not necessarily lead to a conviction or criminal charge. Arrest records typically include information about the arresting agency, booking information, and bail details. While arrest records are also considered public records, they may have restrictions on access and are often used in conjunction with criminal records in background checks, employment screenings, and other purposes.

The key distinction between the two types of records is that criminal records focus on convictions and criminal history, while arrest records focus on arrests and bookings. Understanding these records' differences is important, as they may have different implications for individuals and organizations seeking to access this information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records may remain permanently on record unless sealed or expunged by the court. Ideally, these records are kept as part of criminal history and may be accessed upon request. However, under certain circumstances, arrest records may get sealed or expunged. Individuals may be eligible for sealing or expungement when:

• There was a mistaken identity
• They were not found guilty during the proceedings
• The court determined the police lacked a probable cause of Arrest

Expunge Douglas County Arrest Records

According to the Kansas law, Arrest and criminal records may be expunged. However, they must meet the criteria provided in the Kansas Statutes. Here are the necessary steps to get an arrest record expunged. Individuals must:

• Complete a Criminal Cover Sheet.
• Complete the Petition for Expungement of Arrest Record
• Sign the Petition for Expungement of Arrest Record.
• Obtain a case number and follow up with the court hearing.

Not all offenses are eligible for expungement, and the process does not occur automatically. Petitioners must demonstrate to the court that they have followed the law and that expunging their records will be in the public's best interests. The court has the authority to approve or deny these applications.

Douglas County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officials to apprehend a person accused of a crime. A law enforcement agent must file an affidavit stating the alleged offense and proof with the court to obtain an arrest warrant. The judge analyzes the affidavit and decides if there is probable cause to issue an arrest warrant. If issued, the warrant is signed and dated, and a copy is sent to the law enforcement agency. Arrest warrants are often issued when there is proof of a suspect's participation in a crime or when the defendant fails to appear in court or obey court orders.

An arrest warrant contains:

• The suspect's name and description.
• The crime(s) alleged to have been committed.
• The date and time of issuance.
• The signature of the issuing judge or magistrate.

When an arrest warrant is issued, law enforcement officers execute it, arresting the suspect. The suspect is then taken into custody and brought before a judge for arraignment. The court may set bail and conditions of release or hold the suspect without bail. Arrest warrants are public records in Douglas County and may be issued for misdemeanors and felonies. If you suspect an outstanding warrant for your arrest, it's best to contact an attorney or law enforcement agency to resolve the matter.

Douglas County Arrest Warrant Search

To search for an arrest warrant, you may either visit the local police stations or the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. However, third-party databases are also available to check arrest warrants online. These databases provide arrest warrants for Douglas County and other states and counties.

Do Douglas County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Douglas County arrest warrants typically don't expire. They remain active, except they are withdrawn or recalled when charges are dropped or the suspect is no longer wanted or dead. Changes in circumstances, such as new evidence, may cause a warrant to be quashed. The main essence of the warrant is to compel the individual to turn themselves in to answer the charges leveled against them.