Criminal records in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, can be accessed through several channels. CapeGirardeauCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for this county. Additional access points include the Missouri state court system, the Cape Girardeau County Circuit Clerk's office, the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office, and state-level criminal history repositories. The method you choose depends on whether you need a quick case lookup or a certified record.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cape Girardeau
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Cape Girardeau County. Here is what you need to know about each one.
Online Search Options
- CapeGirardeauCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information by entering a defendant's name or case number.
- Missouri Courts (Case.net) — The Missouri Judiciary's online portal allows public searches of circuit court records statewide, including Cape Girardeau County. You can search by name, case number, or date of birth.
- Missouri State Highway Patrol Arrest Reports — View recent arrest reports, filterable by county including Cape Girardeau.
- Missouri Department of Corrections Offender Search — Look up individuals currently or previously under DOC supervision.
- Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office — The sheriff's website provides community resources and offender information.
In Person
Visit the Cape Girardeau County Circuit Clerk's office at the courthouse in Jackson, MO. Public access terminals may be available for looking up case information. Bring a valid photo ID.
By Mail or Written Request
- Circuit Clerk: Submit a written request to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the subject's full name and date of birth, or the case number if known, along with any applicable fees.
- State Criminal History Check: For a formal criminal background check, submit fingerprint cards and the required fee to the Missouri State Highway Patrol CJIS Division. You can also use the Missouri Automated Criminal History Fingerprint Portal (MACHS) for electronic submissions.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if available)
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
Search Cape Girardeau Criminal Cases by Case Number
Missouri uses a standardized case number format across its circuit courts. Understanding this format helps you locate records quickly.
A typical Missouri case number looks like this: 32CG-CR00123-01
- 32 — The circuit number. Cape Girardeau County is in the 32nd Judicial Circuit.
- CG — The county code for Cape Girardeau County.
- CR — The case type code. "CR" indicates a criminal case. Other codes include "CF" for criminal felony in some divisions, or "TR" for traffic.
- 00123 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk.
- 01 — The two-digit year suffix or count indicator, depending on the system version.
If you have a case number, enter it directly into the Missouri Courts case search portal or provide it to the Circuit Clerk's office. Case number searches return more precise results than name-based searches.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cape Girardeau
Criminal case records in Cape Girardeau County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The specific section of Missouri Revised Statutes the defendant is accused of violating (e.g., § 570.030 for stealing). |
| Severity | Classified as felony (Class A through E), misdemeanor (Class A through D), or infraction. |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations. The original and amended charges both appear on the record. |
Case Status
- Pending: The case is open and awaiting resolution.
- Active: Proceedings are underway with scheduled hearings.
- Disposed: A final judgment has been entered.
- Closed: All matters in the case are resolved, including sentencing and any post-trial motions.
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant hears the formal charges and enters an initial plea.
- Preliminary Hearing: A judge determines whether sufficient probable cause exists to proceed (felony cases).
- Pre-Trial Conference: Attorneys discuss case status, plea offers, and procedural matters.
- Trial: The case is heard by a judge or jury.
- Sentencing: The court imposes a penalty after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review Hearing: Follow-up hearings to check compliance with probation or other court orders.
Court Results
| Outcome | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was found or pleaded guilty. |
| Not Guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial. |
| Dismissed | The court or prosecutor dropped the charges. |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor chose not to pursue the case further. |
| Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) | Guilt is not formally entered if the defendant completes probation. Common in Missouri courts. |
| Suspended Execution of Sentence (SES) | A sentence is imposed but suspended while the defendant serves probation. |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cape Girardeau
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. Here is how to obtain them.
Circuit Clerk's Office (Court Records)
The Cape Girardeau County Circuit Clerk is the custodian of local court records. You can request certified copies of judgments, dispositions, and case documents.
How to submit:
- In person: Visit the clerk's office with a valid photo ID. Specify the case number or defendant name.
- By mail: Send a written request with the subject's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
State Criminal History Repository
For a comprehensive criminal history check beyond local court records, submit a request through the Missouri State Highway Patrol:
- Fingerprint-based checks: Use the MACHS portal for electronic fingerprint submissions, or mail a completed fingerprint card to the MSHP CJIS Division.
- Name-based checks: Available through the MSHP Criminal Record Check page.
You will need a government-issued photo ID and, for fingerprint-based requests, a completed fingerprint card (FD-258 or state equivalent).
Federal Court Records
For federal criminal cases filed in Cape Girardeau County, contact the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The Cape Girardeau division is located at 555 Independence Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703. Federal records are accessible through the PACER system.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cape Girardeau
Fees vary depending on the type of record and the requesting agency. The table below reflects standard fees based on Missouri statutes and state agency fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Source / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (per page) | $0.50 | Per Mo. Rev. Stat. § 488.5026 (standard circuit clerk copy fee) |
| Certified copy fee | $2.50 per document | Certification fee in addition to per-page copy costs |
| MSHP name-based criminal record check | $20.00 | Missouri State Highway Patrol fee schedule |
| MSHP fingerprint-based criminal record check | $24.00–$41.00 | Varies based on state-only vs. state and FBI check |
| MACHS electronic fingerprint submission | Varies by vendor | Fees set by approved channelers; check the MACHS portal |
| Federal court records (PACER) | $0.10 per page | Capped at $3.00 per document; free if charges are under $30/quarter |
Processing Times
- Online case searches: Immediate results through Case.net or CapeGirardeauCourt.us.
- In-person certified copies: Often available same day if the case is located quickly.
- Mail requests to the Circuit Clerk: Typically 5–10 business days.
- MSHP criminal history checks: Name-based requests usually take 3–5 business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take 2–4 weeks depending on volume.
Contact the Circuit Clerk's office directly to confirm current fees and turnaround times, as they may change.