Access Bates County DUI Records
Bates County DUI records are filed at the 27th Judicial Circuit Court in Butler, Missouri. The circuit clerk keeps all DWI case files, arrest records, and court documents at the Bates County Courthouse. You can search for DUI cases online using Missouri Case.net or contact the clerk office by phone. Bates County shares its judicial circuit with Cass and Johnson counties. Judges from the 27th Circuit rotate between all three courthouses. DUI charges here range from first-offense misdemeanors to felony DWI cases, and each one creates a public record that you can access through the proper channels.
Bates County Quick Facts
Bates County Circuit Court DUI Cases
The Bates County Circuit Court handles all DUI and DWI charges in the county. The courthouse address is 1 N. Delaware St. in Butler. You can also mail requests to P.O. Box 186, Butler, MO 64730. Call (660) 679-3611 to reach the circuit clerk. The court belongs to Missouri's 27th Judicial Circuit, which covers Bates, Cass, and Johnson counties.
The clerk maintains court records for all case types. Criminal DUI filings, civil lawsuits, family court matters, and probate cases all go through this office. DWI cases get assigned to either Circuit Division or Associate Division depending on the charge. Felony DUI offenses go to Circuit Division. First and second offense misdemeanor cases stay in Associate Division. The clerk can search records by name or case number for anyone who walks in or calls.
Bates County was organized on January 29, 1841. The courthouse in Butler has been the center of the county's court system since then. Today, the circuit clerk uses electronic filing and Case.net to keep DUI records accessible to the public both online and at the counter.
| Office | Bates County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 N. Delaware St. Butler, MO 64730 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 186, Butler, MO 64730 |
| Phone | (660) 679-3611 |
Search Bates County DUI Records Online
Missouri Case.net provides free access to Bates County DUI records online. Search by name or case number. The system covers criminal court records from both Circuit and Associate divisions. It also includes civil filings, family court cases, and probate matters. DWI cases show up with charge details, court dates, and case dispositions.
Case.net is updated as the Bates County clerk files new documents. You can track a pending DUI case to see when the next court appearance is scheduled. Resolved cases show the final outcome, including any jail time, fines, or probation terms. The system also displays motions filed by either the prosecution or the defense. This is the fastest way to check the status of a DWI case in Bates County without making a trip to Butler.
Walk-in requests are accepted at the Bates County Courthouse during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk can search by name or case number and print copies. Copy fees apply for plain copies. Certified copies cost more.
DUI Laws Affecting Bates County
Every DUI case in Bates County follows Missouri law. Section 577.010 makes it a crime to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08% or above. The first offense is a Class B misdemeanor. That means up to six months in jail and $500 in fines. Bates County courts usually give probation for first-time DUI offenders, with substance abuse classes and other conditions.
Repeat DUI offenses escalate under Section 577.023. A second DWI conviction is a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail. Third offense is a Class E felony in Missouri. Fourth and later convictions are Class C felonies. These serious charges move to Circuit Division in Bates County where prison sentences are possible. The 27th Judicial Circuit judges handle felony DUI cases across all three counties in the circuit.
Aggravated DUI under Section 577.012 kicks in at a BAC of 0.15% or higher. Enhanced penalties apply even for first offenders. License consequences happen separately through the Missouri Department of Revenue. Section 302.060 governs suspensions. Section 302.302 tracks points on your driving record. The DOR DWI page explains the reinstatement process after a license suspension from a Bates County DUI conviction.
Bates County Sheriff DUI Records
The Bates County Sheriff's Office at 204 E. Dakota St. in Butler handles DUI enforcement across the county. Call (660) 679-3232 for arrest records and incident reports. The sheriff makes DUI arrests and processes bookings at the Bates County jail.
After a DUI stop in Bates County, the officer files an arrest report and probable cause statement. These go to the prosecuting attorney who decides whether to file DWI charges. Once charges are filed, the case moves to the circuit court. The arrest report, test results, and field notes all become part of the public court record. You can request the arrest report from the sheriff and the full case file from the circuit clerk. Both are available under Missouri's Sunshine Law.
Note: DUI arrests inside Butler city limits may be made by the Butler Police Department, but state DWI charges still go through the Bates County Circuit Court.
State DUI Resources for Bates County
Missouri state agencies maintain DUI records that include Bates County cases. The Department of Revenue tracks license actions from DUI convictions. The Department of Public Safety oversees criminal background checks through the Highway Patrol that include DWI arrests from all Missouri counties.
The Missouri Department of Corrections offender search covers people in prison for felony DUI convictions. For those looking to clear their record, Section 610.130 of Missouri law covers expungement eligibility. Not all DUI convictions qualify. File a petition with the 27th Judicial Circuit Court in Butler to start the process. The clerk can provide the forms you need.
Nearby Counties
Bates County is in west-central Missouri. Cass and Johnson counties share the same 27th Judicial Circuit. These neighboring counties have their own courthouses for DUI cases.