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Gardner Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Gardner, Kansas?

Arrest records are public documents in Gardner, Kansas, accessible to all members of the public. This accessibility is governed by the Kansas Open Records Act (K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq.), which establishes the presumption that all government records shall be open for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by law. The Act specifically includes law enforcement records among those considered public, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and information that might compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest. The Gardner Police Department maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities within municipal boundaries.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations, allowing citizens to monitor government activities, and providing necessary information for background checks. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-218, any person may inspect or request copies of public records during regular business hours, subject to reasonable fees for reproduction costs.

How to Look Up Gardner Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Gardner, Kansas. The following methods are available to individuals seeking this information:

  • Gardner Police Department Records Division: Citizens may submit requests in person at the department headquarters. Records specialists process these requests during regular business hours.

    Gardner Police Department
    440 E. Main Street
    Gardner, KS 66030
    Phone: (913) 856-7312
    Gardner Police Department Official Website

  • Johnson County Sheriff's Office: As the county-level law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests made within county jurisdiction, including Gardner.

    Johnson County Sheriff's Office
    27747 W. 159th Street
    New Century, KS 66031
    Phone: (913) 715-5800
    Johnson County Sheriff's Office Official Website

  • Johnson County District Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained by the District Court.

    Johnson County District Court
    150 W. Santa Fe Street
    Olathe, KS 66061
    Phone: (913) 715-3300
    Johnson County District Court Official Website

  • Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI): The state law enforcement agency maintains a central repository of criminal history information, including arrest records from local jurisdictions.

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

Requestors should note that pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-220, agencies may require written requests and identification verification before releasing records. Additionally, reasonable fees may be assessed for search time, staff resources, and reproduction costs as permitted under K.S.A. § 45-219.

Contents of a Gardner Arrest Record

Gardner arrest records contain standardized information as required by Kansas state law and local record-keeping protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:

  • Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and residential address at time of arrest

  • Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; arresting agency and officer identification; statutory authority under which the arrest was made

  • Offense Information: Complete list of charges filed, including citation of applicable Kansas statutes or Gardner municipal codes allegedly violated; classification of offenses as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions

  • Case Processing Data: Booking information, including fingerprints and photographs; assigned case numbers; detention facility information if applicable

  • Judicial Information: Initial appearance date; bail or bond amount set; court of jurisdiction; preliminary hearing scheduling if applicable

  • Disposition Status: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system (pending, adjudicated, dismissed)

The Kansas Criminal Justice Information System (KCJIS), maintained pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4701 et seq., establishes uniform standards for the collection and dissemination of criminal history record information throughout the state. Gardner law enforcement agencies adhere to these standards when creating and maintaining arrest records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Gardner

Kansas law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by Gardner law enforcement agencies. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Gardner are established by K.S.A. § 22-2410 and include:

  • Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
  • Arrests where no charges were filed and the statute of limitations has expired
  • Convictions after completion of sentence and satisfaction of specified waiting periods:
    • Misdemeanors: 3-5 years after completion of sentence
    • Lower-level felonies: 5-10 years after completion of sentence
    • Certain serious felonies: Ineligible for expungement

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

  1. File a Petition for Expungement with the Johnson County District Court
  2. Pay the required filing fee (approximately $195 as of 2025)
  3. Attend a scheduled hearing before a district judge
  4. Demonstrate satisfaction of all statutory requirements

Upon granting of an expungement order, the court directs all relevant agencies, including the Gardner Police Department, to seal the records from public view. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-2410(e), expunged records remain accessible only to the person who was arrested, criminal justice agencies for specific purposes, and certain licensing agencies as authorized by law.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Johnson County District Court provides standardized forms for pro se petitioners at the court clerk's office.

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