Benton County DUI Records Lookup
Benton County DUI records are stored at the 24th Judicial Circuit Court in Warsaw, Missouri. Circuit Clerk Shanda R. Schultz manages all DWI case filings, court documents, and arrest records for the county. You can search for Benton County DUI cases through Missouri Case.net or contact the clerk office by phone or in person. Benton County shares its judicial circuit with Morgan and Pettis counties. The county has a population of about 19,400 and sits in central Missouri near the Lake of the Ozarks region. Several municipal courts in Benton County also process DUI ordinance violations at the local level.
Benton County Quick Facts
Benton County DUI Court Filings
The Benton County Circuit Court handles every DUI and DWI case in the county. The courthouse is at 316 Van Buren Street in Warsaw. You can also send mail to P.O. Box 37, Warsaw, MO 65355. Call (660) 438-7712 to reach the clerk office. The fax number is (660) 438-5755. Circuit Clerk Shanda R. Schultz oversees the filing of all DUI records.
This court is part of Missouri's 24th Judicial Circuit, which serves Benton, Morgan, and Pettis counties. Judges rotate between the three courthouses. DUI cases in Benton County are split between Circuit Division for felony charges and Associate Division for misdemeanors. The clerk assigns cases to the right division based on the charges filed by the prosecutor. First and second DWI offenses typically stay in Associate Division. Third and later offenses move up to Circuit Division as felonies.
The clerk keeps records for all case types. Criminal DUI cases, civil disputes, family court matters, probate, and small claims all go through this one office. Benton County was organized on January 3, 1835, and is named for Thomas Hart Benton, a United States Senator. The courthouse in Warsaw has served as the hub for county court business for nearly two centuries.
| Office | Benton County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 316 Van Buren Street Warsaw, MO 65355 |
| Mailing | P.O. Box 37, Warsaw, MO 65355 |
| Phone | (660) 438-7712 |
| Fax | (660) 438-5755 |
| Clerk | Shanda R. Schultz |
Find Benton County DUI Cases Online
Missouri Case.net is your primary tool for searching Benton County DUI records. This free statewide database covers criminal court records, civil filings, family court cases, probate matters, and small claims. Enter a name or case number to pull up DWI cases from the 24th Judicial Circuit. Results show charge details, court dates, and how the case was resolved.
The Case.net system includes records from both Circuit and Associate divisions in Benton County. You can see pending DUI cases with upcoming court dates and closed cases with final disposition details. Sentencing information, probation terms, and fines all appear in the case record. The database updates as the clerk processes new filings. For the most current information on a Benton County DUI case, check Case.net regularly.
In-person searches are available at the courthouse in Warsaw. The clerk staff can look up DUI records by name or case number and print copies. Bring a photo ID. Plain copies have a per-page fee. Certified copies cost more and carry the court seal. Call (660) 438-7712 before visiting to confirm the records you need are accessible.
Benton County DUI Penalties
DUI charges in Benton County follow Missouri state law under Chapter 577. Section 577.010 defines the basic DWI offense. A first conviction is a Class B misdemeanor. The maximum jail time is six months. Fines can reach $500. Most first-time DUI offenders in Benton County receive probation with required substance abuse evaluation, treatment, and possibly community service.
Repeat offenses get progressively worse. Under Section 577.023, a second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail. Third offense becomes a Class E felony. A fourth or later DUI conviction is a Class C felony. These felony cases go to Circuit Division in Benton County. The judge can impose prison time for repeat DWI offenders. Aggravated DWI under Section 577.012 applies when BAC reaches 0.15% or more, adding enhanced penalties regardless of whether it is a first offense.
The Missouri Department of Revenue handles license suspensions after DUI convictions. Section 302.060 governs the suspension process. Refusing a breath test under Section 577.041 leads to an automatic one-year revocation. Points accumulate on your driving record under Section 302.302 with each DWI conviction from Benton County.
Benton County DUI Arrests
The Benton County Sheriff's Office handles DUI enforcement outside of city limits. Call (660) 438-7310 for arrest records, incident reports, and booking information. After a DUI arrest, the suspect is booked at the county jail. The arresting officer prepares a probable cause statement that goes to the prosecutor for review.
Benton County also has municipal courts that handle some DUI-related ordinance violations. The Warsaw Municipal Court at 181 West Harrison can be reached at (660) 438-5522. Cole Camp Municipal Court operates at 401 West Main Street, Cole Camp, and the number is (660) 668-4444. Lincoln Municipal Court is at 122 East Main Street, Lincoln, reachable at (660) 547-2718. These municipal courts deal with local ordinance violations. State-level DWI charges always go through the Benton County Circuit Court.
All DUI arrest records in Benton County are public records under Missouri's Sunshine Law. You can request arrest reports from the sheriff or municipal police departments. Court records are available from the circuit clerk office.
Note: Some Benton County DUI records may qualify for expungement under Section 610.130 after the required waiting period.
Missouri State DUI Resources
State agencies hold DUI records covering Benton County residents. The Department of Revenue driver records show license suspensions from DWI convictions. The Department of Public Safety oversees criminal background checks that include DUI arrests from all 114 Missouri counties, including Benton.
The Missouri Department of Corrections offender search covers people serving prison time for felony DUI convictions. You can search by name to see if someone from Benton County is in state custody on a DWI charge. For complete DUI case records from Benton County, the circuit clerk in Warsaw remains the best source.
Nearby Counties
Benton County is in central Missouri near the Lake of the Ozarks. Morgan and Pettis counties share the 24th Judicial Circuit. These nearby counties have their own court offices for DUI records.