Pittsburg Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Pittsburg, Kansas?
Arrest records are public documents in Pittsburg, Kansas, accessible to all citizens under the provisions of the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), K.S.A. 45-215 et seq. This legislation establishes the fundamental principle that government records shall be open for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by law. The Act specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest reports, as public information subject to certain exceptions outlined in K.S.A. 45-221.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes:
- Promotes transparency in the criminal justice system
- Enables community awareness of law enforcement activities
- Facilitates accountability of public officials and agencies
- Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
- Allows individuals to conduct background checks for employment or housing purposes
The Crawford County Sheriff's Office and Pittsburg Police Department maintain these records as part of their statutory obligations. While most information in arrest records is publicly available, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile privacy rights pursuant to K.S.A. 38-2310.
How to Look Up Pittsburg Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Pittsburg have several official channels through which they may obtain this information. The Crawford County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of county-wide arrest data, while the Pittsburg Police Department maintains records specific to arrests within city limits.
In-person requests may be submitted during regular business hours at:
Crawford County Sheriff's Office
225 N. Enterprise
Girard, KS 66743
(620) 724-8274
Crawford County Sheriff's Office
Pittsburg Police Department
201 N. Pine Street
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620) 231-1700
Pittsburg Police Department
Additional methods for obtaining arrest records include:
- Submitting a written request via certified mail with required identification
- Utilizing the online portal available through the Crawford County Court Records system
- Requesting records through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for statewide arrest information
- Accessing public terminals at the Crawford County Courthouse located at 111 E. Forest, Girard, KS 66743
Pursuant to K.S.A. 45-218, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of records, including a staff time component for requests requiring more than one hour of processing time.
Contents of a Pittsburg Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by Pittsburg law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and the individual's processing through the initial stages of the criminal justice system. These records typically include the following categories of information as mandated by Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R.) 10-20-1 through 10-20-9:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, identifying marks
- Residential address and contact information
- Social security number (partially redacted in public copies)
Arrest-specific details:
- Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification numbers
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Procedural documentation:
- Miranda rights acknowledgment
- Property inventory from booking process
- Medical screening information (with health privacy protections)
- Initial appearance court date
- Bail or bond determination
- Detention facility assignment
The Kansas Criminal Justice Information System (KCJIS) maintains electronic versions of these records, with varying levels of access depending on the requesting party's authorization level and purpose.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Pittsburg
The State of Kansas provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under K.S.A. § 22-2410, allowing eligible individuals to petition for the removal of arrest information from public access. Expungement does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from routine public disclosure, effectively restoring the individual's status to that which existed before the arrest occurred.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Pittsburg include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
- Arrests where no charges were filed within the statute of limitations
- Diversion agreements successfully completed at least one year prior
- Convictions followed by satisfactory completion of sentence and a waiting period (typically 3-5 years depending on offense classification)
- No pending criminal proceedings at time of petition filing
- Demonstration of rehabilitation and community contribution
The formal expungement process requires:
- Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Crawford County District Court
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $195 as of 2025)
- Submission to background verification by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation
- Attendance at a scheduled hearing before a district judge
- Issuance of an Order of Expungement if petition is granted
Upon successful expungement, government agencies must remove the record from publicly accessible databases, though certain authorized entities retain limited access for specific purposes as outlined in K.S.A. § 22-2410(e). Law enforcement agencies, courts, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation maintain sealed versions of expunged records for internal reference.
The Crawford County District Court provides standardized petition forms and procedural guidance at:
Crawford County District Court
111 E. Forest Street
Girard, KS 66743
(620) 724-6214
Crawford County District Court
Legal assistance for expungement proceedings is available through:
Southeast Kansas Legal Services
408 N. Walnut
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620) 232-1330
Southeast Kansas Legal Services
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