Kansas Arrest Records

Is Kansas an Open Arrest Records State?

Yes, Kansas is considered an open arrest records state. The state upholds the principle that public access to arrest records serves the public interest by promoting transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system. Arrest records in Kansas are public unless explicitly closed by law. This openness is intended to empower citizens, enhance safety, and promote justice by allowing the public to stay informed about criminal activities and law enforcement actions.

The accessibility of arrest records is governed by the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq., which mandates that most records held by state, county, and local government entities be available to the public. Exceptions are made for records that could jeopardize an individual's privacy rights or interfere with ongoing investigations as outlined in K.S.A. § 45-221. However, the default status of arrest records is to be open, reflecting the state's commitment to transparency.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4705, the KBI maintains and disseminates criminal history record information, including arrest records, to authorized recipients.

Kansas Bureau of Investigation
1620 SW Tyler Street
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-8200
Kansas Bureau of Investigation

How to Look Up Kansas Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Kansas arrest records in 2025, individuals have several options available through state and local agencies. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation provides centralized access to criminal history information, while local law enforcement agencies maintain records of arrests within their jurisdictions. Here are the primary methods for accessing arrest records in Kansas:

Online databases: The Kansas Criminal History Record Check portal allows members of the public to request criminal history information, including arrest records, for a fee of $20 per record search. Users must provide the subject's full name and date of birth to conduct a search.
Local law enforcement agencies: County sheriff's offices and municipal police departments maintain records of arrests made within their jurisdictions. These records can typically be requested in person during regular business hours.
Court clerks: The Kansas Judicial Branch maintains records of criminal cases, including information about arrests. The Kansas District Court Records Search provides online access to court records in participating counties.
Kansas Department of Corrections: The KASPER system (Kansas Adult Supervised Population Electronic Repository) provides information about individuals under supervision of the Kansas Department of Corrections, including those on parole or post-release supervision.

For comprehensive criminal history information, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation recommends submitting a formal request through their Criminal History Record Check service. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4707, certain criminal justice agencies and authorized non-criminal justice agencies may have access to more detailed criminal history information than is available to the general public.

Contents of a Kansas Arrest Record

A Kansas arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about an individual's encounter with law enforcement. These records serve as official documentation of an arrest event and include several key components as mandated by K.S.A. § 22-4701:

Personal Information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying marks such as scars or tattoos.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the arresting agency; the name and badge number of the arresting officer; and the circumstances leading to the arrest.
Charges: Specific statutory violations the individual is alleged to have committed, including citation of the relevant Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) sections.
Bail/Bond Information: Amount of bail set, if applicable; whether the individual was released on their own recognizance; and any conditions of release imposed by the court.
Case Status: Current status of the case, including whether charges were filed by the prosecutor, case disposition if completed, and any court decisions or sentences imposed.
Fingerprints and Photographs: Most arrest records include fingerprint data and booking photographs ("mugshots") taken at the time of processing.
Criminal History: Some arrest records may reference prior arrests or convictions if relevant to the current case.

It is important to note that pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4709, arrest records that do not result in prosecution or conviction may be subject to different disclosure rules than those resulting in conviction.

Understanding the Kansas Open Records Act

The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), codified at K.S.A. § 45-215 through § 45-223, establishes the framework for public access to government records in Kansas, including arrest records. Enacted to ensure transparency in government operations, KORA operates under the presumption that all government records are open to the public unless specifically exempted by law.

Key provisions of KORA relevant to arrest records include:

Public Agency Obligations: Under K.S.A. § 45-218, public agencies must provide access to records upon request during regular business hours. Agencies may establish reasonable fees for providing copies of records.
Exemptions: K.S.A. § 45-221 outlines specific categories of records that may be closed to public inspection, including certain investigative records if disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings or reveal confidential sources.
Criminal History Record Information: While arrest records are generally public, K.S.A. § 22-4707 establishes special rules for criminal history record information maintained by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Timeframes: Public agencies must act upon record requests within three business days, as specified in K.S.A. § 45-218(d).
Enforcement: If a request is denied, the requester may file a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General's Office or pursue legal action in district court under K.S.A. § 45-222.

The Kansas Attorney General's Office provides guidance on KORA compliance and can assist both requesters and agencies in understanding their rights and obligations under the law.

Kansas Attorney General's Office
120 SW 10th Ave., 2nd Floor
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-2215
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kansas

In Kansas, the expungement of arrest records is governed by K.S.A. § 21-6614, which provides a legal mechanism for individuals to have certain arrest records and convictions removed from public access. Expungement does not completely destroy records but restricts their accessibility to the general public.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of arrest records include:

Arrests without charges: If an individual was arrested but no charges were filed, they may petition for expungement after one year from the date of arrest.
Dismissed charges: If charges were filed but later dismissed, or if the individual was acquitted at trial, they may petition for expungement after one year from the date of dismissal or acquittal.
Diversion completion: If the individual successfully completed a diversion agreement, they may petition for expungement after one year from the date of diversion completion.
Conviction expungement: Waiting periods for conviction expungement vary based on the severity of the offense, ranging from three years for most misdemeanors to five years for certain felonies. Some serious offenses are not eligible for expungement.

The expungement process requires filing a petition in the court where the case was handled. The petition must include specific information as outlined in K.S.A. § 21-6614(c). A filing fee is typically required, though fee waivers may be available for those who demonstrate financial hardship.

Upon receiving a petition, the court will schedule a hearing. If the court grants the expungement, it will order all relevant agencies, including the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, to seal the records. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 21-6614(k), expunged records remain accessible to certain entities, including law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes.

The Wichita Municipal Court and other local courts provide forms and guidance for individuals seeking expungement of records within their jurisdictions.

How to Find Local Arrests in Kansas?

Local arrest information in Kansas is maintained by county and municipal law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Members of the public seeking information about recent arrests in their communities have several resources available:

County Sheriff's Offices: Each of Kansas's 105 counties maintains a sheriff's office that processes and records arrests within county jurisdiction. Many sheriff's offices provide online inmate lookup services or publish recent booking information on their websites.
Municipal Police Departments: City police departments maintain records of arrests made within city limits. Larger departments often provide online access to recent arrest information or daily booking logs.
County and District Courts: Court records related to arrests are typically available through the clerk of the court in the county where the arrest occurred. The Kansas Judicial Branch provides online access to court records in many counties.
Local Newspapers and Media: Many local news outlets publish police blotters or reports of significant arrests based on information provided by law enforcement agencies.

For in-person requests, individuals should be prepared to provide specific information about the arrest they are researching, such as the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-218, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of arrest records.

Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office
141 W. Elm
Wichita, KS 67203
(316) 660-3900
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Johnson County Sheriff's Office
125 N. Cherry
Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 715-5800
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM