Ford County, Kansas Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Ford County, Kansas?
Yes, arrest records are public in Ford County, Kansas. This accessibility is mandated by the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq.), which establishes the public's right to access records maintained by government agencies. Pursuant to this legislation, arrest records are classified as public documents that provide essential transparency regarding law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. The Ford County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document all arrests made within county boundaries.
Members of the public may inspect these records during regular business hours, subject to certain limitations established by state law. These limitations primarily concern ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights as outlined in K.S.A. § 45-221. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) also maintains a centralized database of arrest records that includes information from Ford County law enforcement agencies.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Ford County?
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Ford County through several official and third-party platforms. The Kansas Department of Corrections maintains the KASPER system (Kansas Adult Supervised Population Electronic Repository), which provides public access to information about individuals under supervision. Additionally, the Ford County Sheriff's Office provides limited arrest information through their official website.
Pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-219, government agencies may establish reasonable fees for providing access to public records, including those available through online platforms. Users accessing Ford County arrest records online may be required to pay nominal fees for certain detailed reports or certified copies. The electronic availability of these records serves the public interest by:
- Enhancing transparency in the criminal justice system
- Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
- Providing researchers and journalists with data for analysis
- Allowing victims of crimes to track case progression
The 16th Judicial District Court, which serves Ford County, also maintains an electronic case management system that includes information about arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
How to Look Up Ford County Arrest Records in 2025
To obtain Ford County arrest records in 2025, individuals have multiple options available through both in-person and digital channels. The following methods are authorized under Kansas public records laws:
Visit the Ford County Sheriff's Office in person: Ford County Sheriff's Office 11311 E. Comanche, Suite 200 Dodge City, KS 67801 Phone: (620) 227-4501 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Ford County Court Records through the 16th Judicial District Court: Ford County District Court 100 Gunsmoke Street Dodge City, KS 67801 Phone: (620) 227-4610 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Submit a request to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for statewide criminal history information that includes Ford County arrests: Kansas Bureau of Investigation 1620 SW Tyler Street Topeka, KS 66612 Phone: (785) 296-8200 Official Website
Utilize the Kansas Public Offender Registry for information about registered offenders residing in Ford County.
When requesting records in person, requestors must complete a standard form providing their identification and specifying the records sought. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-220, agencies must respond to requests within three business days, though complex requests may require additional time.
Contents of a Ford County Arrest Record
A Ford County arrest record contains comprehensive information about an individual's interaction with law enforcement at the time of apprehension. In accordance with Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R. 10-22-2), these records typically include the following standardized elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Arresting agency identification (Ford County Sheriff's Office, Dodge City Police Department, etc.)
- Booking information including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
- Case or incident number assigned for administrative tracking
- Custody status information including bond amount, if applicable
- Preliminary hearing date, if scheduled at the time of booking
These records are maintained in accordance with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation standards for uniform crime reporting. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4701, arrest fingerprints and photographs must be submitted to the central repository maintained by the KBI within 14 days of arrest.
The Ford County Sheriff's Office retains complete arrest records for a minimum of five years as required by the Kansas State Records Retention Schedule. Records involving serious felonies are maintained for extended periods or permanently, particularly in cases involving homicide investigations or other major crimes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Ford County
In Ford County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific conditions established by Kansas law. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-2410, expungement may be granted when:
- The arrest occurred due to mistaken identity
- No charges were filed and the statute of limitations has expired
- The individual was acquitted in court proceedings
- The case was dismissed with prejudice
- The individual has completed all terms of diversion agreements
- The requisite waiting period has elapsed following completion of sentence
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Ford County District Court. The petition must include specific information about the arrest, any subsequent proceedings, and certification that the petitioner meets statutory eligibility requirements. A filing fee of $195 is required, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners.
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility for expungement. The Ford County Attorney's Office and any law enforcement agencies involved in the original arrest receive notification and may contest the petition if grounds exist. If granted, the expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal the records from public view, though limited access remains available to law enforcement agencies under specific circumstances outlined in K.S.A. § 22-2410(e).
Expunged records are not physically destroyed but are removed from public access. Individuals with expunged records may legally state on employment applications and other documents that the arrest did not occur, with certain exceptions for specific types of employment as outlined in K.S.A. § 22-2410(f).
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