Douglas County, Kansas Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Douglas County, Kansas?
Yes, arrest records are public in Douglas County, Kansas. This accessibility is governed by the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this legislation, records maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement entities, are presumed open for inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Lawrence Police Department maintain arrest records that are accessible to members of the public in accordance with state transparency laws.
Pursuant to K.S.A. 45-218, any person may make a request to inspect or obtain copies of public records during regular business hours. The custodian of records may require written requests but must act upon these requests within three business days. While certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations as permitted under K.S.A. 45-221, the fundamental information regarding arrests remains available to the public.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Douglas County?
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Douglas County through several official channels. The Douglas County District Court provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Additionally, the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal allows registered users to search for case information electronically.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search function that provides information about individuals currently in custody, including their arrest details. This service is available 24 hours a day and is updated regularly to reflect current inmate status. Users should note that online records may not include all historical arrest data, and some information may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the same statutory provisions and exemptions as physical records under KORA. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions to comply with privacy laws and investigative integrity requirements.
How to Look Up Douglas County Arrest Records in 2025
To obtain Douglas County arrest records, members of the public may utilize several methods established by local authorities:
Online Resources: The Kansas District Court Public Access Portal provides searchable access to court cases, including those stemming from arrests. Users must register for an account and may search by name or case number.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office: Douglas County Sheriff's Office
111 E. 11th Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: (785) 841-0007
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMThe Records Division maintains arrest records and booking information. Requestors must complete a records request form and may be required to pay applicable fees pursuant to K.S.A. 45-219.
Lawrence Police Department:
Lawrence Police Department
4820 Bob Billings Parkway
Lawrence, KS 66049
Phone: (785) 832-7501
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMThe department maintains records of arrests within city limits. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through their online portal.
Douglas County District Court Clerk:
Douglas County District Court Clerk
111 E. 11th Street, 2nd Floor
Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: (785) 832-5256
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PMThe Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings. Requestors should provide specific case information when possible.
Pursuant to K.S.A. 45-219, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of records. These fees are established to cover the actual costs of providing the requested records, including staff time for record retrieval and reproduction expenses.
Contents of a Douglas County Arrest Record
Douglas County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Kansas law and local procedures. These records typically include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
- Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed, including Kansas Statute citations
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
- Custody status and bond information
- Case numbers and court appearance dates
In accordance with K.S.A. 22-4701 et seq., arrest records also include criminal history information that may reference prior arrests or convictions. Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information related to victims of certain crimes as specified in K.S.A. 45-221(a).
Law enforcement agencies in Douglas County maintain these records in compliance with the Kansas Criminal Justice Information System (KCJIS) standards and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) requirements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Douglas County
Under Kansas law, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by K.S.A. 22-2410, which provides the legal framework for removing arrest information from public access. When an arrest record is expunged, it is sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Douglas County include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
- Arrests where no charges were filed within the statute of limitations
- Diversion agreements that have been successfully completed
- Convictions after the completion of the sentence and a waiting period (varies by offense type)
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Douglas County District Court. Petitioners must use the standardized forms provided by the Kansas Judicial Council and pay the required filing fee. The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that they meet the statutory requirements for expungement.
If granted, an Order of Expungement directs all relevant agencies to seal the records. Pursuant to K.S.A. 22-2410(e), expunged records shall not be disclosed except in limited circumstances, such as subsequent criminal proceedings or certain employment applications for positions in law enforcement or the judiciary.
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