Find Buchanan County DUI Records
DUI records in Buchanan County are managed by the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in St. Joseph. The Circuit Clerk keeps all DWI case files at the courthouse on Jules Street. Buchanan County has a population of about 85,000 and St. Joseph is the county seat. You can search DUI records through Missouri Case.net or go to the courthouse to get copies of court documents. The 5th Judicial Circuit also covers Andrew County, but Buchanan County DUI cases are filed and stored separately. Multiple court divisions handle different types of cases here, and the staff can help you find what you need.
Buchanan County Quick Facts
Buchanan County DUI Court Records
The Buchanan County Circuit Court sits in the 5th Judicial Circuit. Presiding Judge Daniel F. Kellogg oversees court operations. Judge David L. Bolander handles Division 2, which includes felony criminal matters that can involve repeat DWI offenses. The courthouse is at 411 Jules Street in St. Joseph. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
DUI cases in Buchanan County produce several types of records. The initial charge, bond information, court dates, plea entries, and sentencing details are all part of the file. You can get copies for $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $1.00 per document. The clerk can search by name or case number. Call (816) 271-1462 to ask about a specific DUI case before you visit.
The 5th Judicial Circuit website has court schedules and administrative orders. You can also access the eFiling system if you are an attorney working on a DUI case in Buchanan County. Public terminals at the courthouse let you search case files for free.
| Office | Buchanan County Circuit Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 411 Jules Street St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
| Phone | (816) 271-1462 |
| Fax | (816) 271-1538 |
| 5thcircuit@courts.mo.gov | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Search DUI Records in Buchanan County
Missouri Case.net lets you look up DUI records in Buchanan County from any computer. Pick Buchanan County from the court list and enter a name. The results show DUI and DWI cases with charge dates, statutes, and outcomes. This tool is free and covers all circuit courts in the state.
You can also search in person at the courthouse. The public terminals on site give you access to the same case data. Staff at the front desk can help if you are not sure how to use the system. For older records that may not be online, the clerk can check paper files. Expect to pay a research fee of $30.00 per hour if the search takes more than 15 minutes, per County Ordinance 2-1306.
The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office at 501 Faraon Street in St. Joseph also keeps arrest records. The records division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A record search costs $5.00, and copies are $0.10 per page. Processing takes about 3 business days for standard requests. You need a valid photo ID to make a request. Call the sheriff at (816) 236-8845 for details.
Note: Research fees at the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office apply after the first 15 minutes of search time.
Buchanan County DUI Law Overview
DWI charges in Buchanan County follow Missouri Chapter 577. First offense is a Class B misdemeanor. The BAC limit is 0.08% for standard drivers. Penalties go up fast for repeat offenders. A second DWI is a Class A misdemeanor, and a third becomes a felony. Buchanan County courts have seen many DUI cases due to the area's population and traffic patterns around St. Joseph.
License actions tied to DUI arrests are handled by the Missouri Department of Revenue. Under Section 302.060, the DOR can suspend or revoke your license after a DWI conviction. Reinstatement requires completing specific steps and paying fees. The DOR is separate from the court, so a DUI arrest triggers two processes: the criminal case in Buchanan County court and the administrative action on your license.
Public Access to Buchanan County DUI Files
DUI records in Buchanan County are public under Missouri's Sunshine Law. You can request to view any DUI case file without giving a reason. The court cannot deny access to non-confidential records. Some personal details like Social Security numbers get redacted from public copies, but the core case information is available.
Free in-person inspection is available at the courthouse. You can review case files at public terminals, check court dockets and schedules, look at judgment information, and read non-confidential court proceedings. If you want paper copies, the clerk charges the standard per-page fee. The Buchanan County Recorder of Deeds at 411 Jules St., Room 103, keeps other types of records but does not handle DUI files.
For DUI-related felony cases where the person went to state prison, you can also check the Missouri Department of Corrections offender search. This covers people currently or formerly under state supervision for crimes including felony DWI convictions from Buchanan County.
Expungement of DUI Records
Some DUI records in Buchanan County can be expunged. Missouri Section 610.130 sets the rules for who can apply. You must wait the required number of years after finishing your sentence. Not all DUI convictions qualify, and the court reviews each petition on its own merits. File your expungement petition with the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Buchanan County. The prosecuting attorney gets a chance to object, and a judge makes the final decision.
Cities in Buchanan County
St. Joseph is the largest city in Buchanan County and the only qualifying city with its own page. All DUI cases in Buchanan County go through the 5th Judicial Circuit Court at the courthouse in St. Joseph.
Nearby Counties
If you are not sure which county handled a DUI case near St. Joseph, check these neighboring counties as well.