>Woodson County Arrest Records Online

Woodson County, Kansas Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Woodson County, Kansas?

Arrest records are public documents in Woodson County, Kansas, pursuant to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA), K.S.A. § 45-215 et seq. This legislation establishes the presumption that government records shall be open for public inspection to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations. Arrest records maintained by the Woodson County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies fall under this presumption of openness unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Kansas Open Records Act provides that public agencies must:

Make records accessible during regular business hours
Respond to record requests within three business days
Provide reasonable access to records maintained by the agency

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted if disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or if the information falls under one of the statutory exemptions outlined in K.S.A. § 45-221. These exemptions include records containing information of a personal nature where public disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy and criminal investigation records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Woodson County?

Woodson County arrest records are accessible online through several official channels. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes arrest information from Woodson County law enforcement agencies. Members of the public may access this information through the Kansas Criminal History Record Check portal, which provides a fee-based service for conducting name-based searches against the Kansas criminal history database.

Online access to arrest records offers several benefits to the public:

24-hour availability without the need to visit government offices
Immediate access to public safety information
Reduced administrative burden on law enforcement agencies
Enhanced transparency in the criminal justice system

The Woodson County Sheriff's Office periodically updates arrest information that may be accessed through their official website. Additionally, the KBI publishes media releases that may include information about significant arrests in Woodson County, such as those related to officer-involved incidents.

How to Look Up Woodson County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Woodson County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to obtain this information. Each method varies in terms of processing time, associated fees, and comprehensiveness of the information provided.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may submit in-person requests for arrest records at the following location:

Woodson County Sheriff's Office
105 W Rutledge, Suite 100
Yates Center, KS 66783
Phone: (620) 625-8640
Official Website

Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays

When making an in-person request, requestors should:

Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject of the record
Present valid government-issued photo identification
Complete the required record request form
Pay applicable fees (typically $15-25 per record)

Mail Requests

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted by mail to the Woodson County Sheriff's Office at the address listed above. Mail requests must include:

A completed record request form (available on the Sheriff's Office website)
A copy of the requestor's valid government-issued photo identification
The full name and date of birth of the subject of the record
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery
Payment of applicable fees by check or money order

Online Requests

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation provides online access to criminal history information, including arrest records, through their Record Check Portal. To utilize this service:

Visit the Kansas Criminal History Record Check website
Create a user account or log in to an existing account
Select the type of search to be conducted
Enter the required identifying information
Submit payment of the required fee ($20 per record as of 2025)
Receive results electronically, typically within 24-48 hours

Contents of a Woodson County Arrest Record

Woodson County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Kansas state law and local record-keeping protocols. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in an arrest.

Standard information included in Woodson County arrest records:

Subject identification information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification
- State identification number (SID)
Arrest details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Statutory authority for arrest
- Booking number and facility
Criminal charge information:
- Nature of alleged offense(s)
- Kansas Statute citation(s)
- Classification of offense(s) (felony, misdemeanor, etc.)
- Case number assigned by the court
Post-arrest processing:
- Bail or bond amount set
- Detention status
- Initial court appearance date
- Disposition information (if available)

Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-4701 et seq., fingerprints and photographs taken during the booking process become part of the permanent arrest record. The Woodson County Sheriff's Office is authorized to collect fingerprints and is listed as an authorized fingerprinting location by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Woodson County

Under Kansas law, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Woodson County under specific circumstances. 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.

Eligibility Requirements

Pursuant to K.S.A. § 22-2410, individuals may qualify for expungement of arrest records if:

The arrest occurred but no charges were filed, and the statute of limitations has expired
Charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted at trial
The individual was convicted but has satisfied all sentencing requirements and completed any required waiting period
The arrest was the result of mistaken identity or false information

The statutory waiting period varies based on the severity of the offense:

Misdemeanors: 3 years after completion of sentence
Lower-level felonies: 5 years after completion of sentence
Higher-level felonies: 10 years after completion of sentence

Certain offenses, including violent crimes and sex offenses, may have longer waiting periods or may be ineligible for expungement under Kansas law.

Expungement Process

The expungement process in Woodson County requires the following steps:

File a Petition for Expungement with the Woodson County District Court
Pay the required filing fee (approximately $195 as of 2025)
Serve copies of the petition on the prosecuting attorney and any law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest
Attend the scheduled court hearing
If granted, obtain certified copies of the Order of Expungement

Woodson County District Court
105 W Rutledge
Yates Center, KS 66783
Phone: (620) 625-8615
Official Website

Court Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays

Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is sealed from public view but remains accessible to:

Law enforcement agencies for future criminal investigations
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation for certain background checks
Courts for determining criminal history in future cases
Certain licensing boards for specific professional licenses