Yes, arrest records are public in Franklin County, Kansas. This accessibility is mandated by the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq., which requires most records maintained by local and state government entities to be available for public inspection. The Act establishes transparency and accountability in governance by ensuring citizens have access to various governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-217(g)(1), public records include any recorded information regardless of form or characteristics which is made, maintained, or kept by or is in the possession of any public agency.
The Franklin County Open Records policy implements these statutory requirements at the county level. Members of the public may submit requests for arrest records through the county's open records request process, either in person or through the designated online portal.
Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply under K.S.A. § 45-221, particularly for ongoing investigations or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. However, basic arrest information typically remains accessible to the public.
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Franklin County through various governmental and authorized third-party platforms. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within their jurisdiction, portions of which may be accessible through their online portal. Additionally, the Fourth Judicial District Court provides access to case information that may include arrest details for cases that have proceeded to court.
The completeness and timeliness of online arrest record data may vary depending on the source. Some records may be updated in real-time, while others might experience processing delays of 24-72 hours. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4701 et seq., criminal history record information is maintained by law enforcement agencies and may be disseminated according to statutory guidelines.
For comprehensive arrest record searches, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) offers a Criminal History Record Check service that includes Franklin County data. This fee-based service provides official criminal history information maintained at the state level.
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
220 S. Beech St., Suite A
Ottawa, KS 66067
Phone: 785-229-1200
Official Website
To obtain Franklin County arrest records in 2025, individuals have several official channels available:
Online Databases:
In-Person Requests:
Written Requests:
Franklin County District Court
301 S. Main St.
Ottawa, KS 66067
Phone: 785-242-6000
Official Website
A Franklin County arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. Pursuant to standard law enforcement documentation practices, these records generally include:
The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may be limited by provisions of K.S.A. § 45-221, which establishes certain exceptions to disclosure for sensitive information or ongoing investigations.
In Franklin County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under K.S.A. § 22-2410. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Franklin County include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Franklin County District Court where the case was adjudicated. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-2410(e), the petition must include specific information about the arrest and subsequent proceedings. The court reviews each petition individually, considering factors such as:
If granted, an order of expungement directs all relevant agencies to seal the records from public access. Under K.S.A. § 22-2410(f), the person shall be treated as not having been arrested, convicted, or diverted of the crime.