Dent County DUI Records
Dent County DUI records are kept at the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court in Salem. The county seat holds all DWI case files at the courthouse on East 5th Street. You can search Dent County DUI cases online through Missouri Case.net or visit the Circuit Clerk in person. The 42nd Circuit covers five counties total, including Crawford, Iron, Reynolds, and Wayne. Dent County also has a newer 85-bed jail completed in 2020, where booking records for DUI arrests are stored. Between the court system, the sheriff's office, and online jail roster tools, you have several options for finding DUI records in this part of rural Missouri.
Dent County Quick Facts
Dent County Circuit Court DUI Cases
The Dent County Circuit Court sits at 112 East 5th Street in Salem. This court is part of Missouri's 42nd Judicial Circuit, which also includes Crawford, Iron, Reynolds, and Wayne counties. The Circuit Clerk at (573) 729-3931 handles all DUI filings, record requests, and case inquiries. Court records are available online through Case.net and in person at the courthouse.
Every DUI case in Dent County starts with the filing of criminal charges. The clerk opens a case file and assigns a number. From that point, all documents go into the record. Charging papers list the specific DWI offense. Bond conditions set the rules for release. Motions from both sides get filed. If there is a plea deal, the agreement goes in the file. The final judgment shows the sentence, whether it is jail, probation, fines, or treatment. All of these documents make up the Dent County DUI record for that case.
| Office | Dent County Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 112 E. 5th St., Salem, MO 65560 |
| Phone | (573) 729-3931 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Circuit | 42nd Judicial Circuit (Crawford, Dent, Iron, Reynolds, Wayne) |
Search Dent County DUI Records Online
Missouri Case.net is the primary online tool for searching Dent County DUI records. The system is free and open to the public. Search by name or case number and select Dent County from the list. Results show charges, docket entries, case status, and court dates for DWI cases in the 42nd Circuit.
Court records on Case.net are public under the Missouri Sunshine Law. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and cases with sensitive information are restricted. Everything else is open. New DUI filings appear on Case.net within a few days of being entered by the Dent County clerk. The system works on any computer or phone and does not require an account for basic lookups.
The Missouri Jail Roster is another tool that covers Dent County. It provides jail booking information including arrest photos and basic demographics. This can help you find recent DUI arrests before the court case shows up on Case.net.
Dent County Sheriff DUI Enforcement
Sheriff Bob Wells runs the Dent County Sheriff's Office at 112 E 5th St, Suite 7, in Salem. Call (573) 729-3241 to reach the office. The jail is at the same address and has 85 beds after a 2020 expansion. Jail Administrator Chris McElvy manages the facility. Administrative hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM. The fax number is (573) 729-3058. You can email the sheriff at bwells@dentcountysheriff.org.
DUI arrests made by the Dent County Sheriff create booking records at the jail. These records are public. The sheriff also handles DUI enforcement on county roads and rural highways. Arrest records show the date, location, charges, and basic information about the person. Once the prosecutor files charges, the case moves to the 42nd Judicial Circuit Court and a separate court record is created.
Note: The Missouri State Highway Patrol also patrols roads in Dent County and may make DUI arrests that end up in the local court system.
DUI Laws and Dent County Cases
Missouri's DWI statutes under Chapter 577 govern all DUI cases in Dent County. A BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal for regular drivers. The law also covers impairment from drugs. First offenses are class B misdemeanors. The maximum penalty is six months in jail and a $500 fine. Most first-time offenders in Dent County receive probation with conditions like substance abuse treatment and community service.
Second DWI offenses are class A misdemeanors with a minimum five days in jail. Third offenses become class D felonies with up to four years in prison. Dent County DUI records track every prior used to enhance the charge. The Department of Revenue handles license actions separately. Under RSMo 302.060, DWI convictions add 8 points to a Missouri license. Refusal to take a breath test results in a one-year license revocation.
Expunging Dent County DUI Records
Some DUI records in Dent County may qualify for expungement under RSMo 610.130. First-time offenders with no other alcohol-related convictions on their record can petition the court after meeting the required waiting period. You file the petition with the Dent County Circuit Court in Salem.
The judge reviews the petition and may hold a hearing. If approved, the DUI record is sealed from public view. It will not show up on Case.net or most background checks. The Dent County clerk processes the order and removes the case from public access. Felony DWI convictions have longer wait times and stricter requirements for expungement eligibility.
Nearby Counties
Dent County is in south-central Missouri. These counties share the 42nd Judicial Circuit or border Dent County.