Carroll County Arrest Records

A person is said to be under arrest in Carroll County, Iowa, when law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe such a person is guilty of a crime. For instance, during traffic stops, investigations, or responses to disturbances. Arrests can also be made if an outstanding arrest warrant has been issued and acquired from the court.

Arrests become necessary when the suspect poses a threat to public safety or in order to gather necessary evidence for an ongoing investigation. Inmates are held at the Carroll County Jail, located within the Sheriff’s Office facility. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office is primarily responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records, documenting details surrounding the arrest.

Arrest records form a key part of the broader public records system. For example, arrest details may be accessed in Carroll County Court Records, which are criminal history files managed by the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation.

Are Arrest Records Public in Carroll County?

According to Iowa’s Open Records Law (Iowa Code Chapter 22), arrest records are generally public in Carroll County, Iowa. This provision considers all records open unless exempted, allowing the public to inspect and obtain copies of arrest records. Carroll County considers the following records to be non-public records:

• Peace officers’ investigative reports
• Sealed or expunged records
• Juvenile records
• Medical records within an arrest file

Any applicant above 18 years old can request non-exempt records via a written application to:

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
114 E. 6th St.,
Carroll, IA 51401
Phone: (712) 792-4393

The Iowa Judicial Branch also facilitates online searches through Iowa Courts Online, where docket entries often include arrest references.

Carroll County Arrest Statistics

Carroll County arrest statistics for 2024, sourced from the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, show 89 total arrests county-wide. This equates to about 320 arrests per 100,000 residents, below Iowa’s statewide average of 450. Breakdowns reveal 17 violent crime arrests, including four assaults; 35 property-related, like 12 thefts; and 22 drug offenses, mainly possession.

Find Carroll County Arrest Records

• Iowa’s primary resource is the Iowa Department of Corrections Offender Search, a free portal listing inmates by name, DOC number, or county. It details location, charges, and release dates for state facilities, including transfers from county jails.

• The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office maintains a public log that navigates requesters to current detainees. However, the Sheriff's website does not have an online inmate search section that would enable the roster to be accessed remotely. Consequently, individuals would have to contact or visit the Sheriff’s office directly:

  Carroll County Sheriff’s Office
  114 E. 6th St.,
  Carroll, IA 51401
  Phone: (712) 792-4393

• Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator
  The Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator tool offers convenience to individuals who wish to find records of inmates confined in federal custody. To find an inmate in Carroll County, individuals generally enter specific details that sufficiently identify the incarcerated subject into the search field. These include the inmate’s full name, BOP number, FBI number, and other relevant information that may be required.

These tools, mandated by Iowa Code §904.601, ensure accuracy while protecting confidentiality.

Carroll County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records, generated by the Sheriff’s Office upon detention, capture immediate details like date, charges, location, and booking photos. Basically a snapshot of suspicion, not guilt (per Iowa Code §692.15). They remain public unless expunged and focus solely on the apprehension phase.

Criminal records display the full trajectory of justice, including arrests, charges, pleas, trials, convictions, and sentences, maintained by courts and the Division of Criminal Investigation. An Iowa criminal history check costs $15, and it reveals outcomes, unlike mere arrest logs.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Iowa, arrests remain on records indefinitely unless expunged, per state law— Iowa Code §901C. No automatic removal exists; they persist in court dockets and background checks, potentially affecting employment or housing. County law enforcement follows this, with the Sheriff’s records retaining data for statistical and investigative needs.

Expungement eligibility varies:

• For non-convictions (e.g, acquittals or dismissals), individuals can apply after 180 days if costs are paid (waivable for good cause like identity theft).
• Misdemeanor convictions qualify after 8 years, only when there are no pending charges. It is restricted to a one-lifetime limit. It doesn't apply to persons with serious offenses.
• Convictions of public intoxication, possession of alcohol under the legal age conviction, juvenile prostitution conviction (Iowa Code Sections §§ 123.46(6), 123.47(8), 725.1)
• Adult cases transferred to juvenile court (Iowa Code §§ 232.8(2), 803.6).

Felonies rarely qualify without pardon. Applicants can file applications in the convicting court (Form 2.86), serve the county attorney, and attach a DCI check ($15). Afterwards, the court reviews for compliance, and if granted, the record is sealed from public view but accessible to law enforcement.

Carroll County Arrest Warrants

In Iowa, including Carroll County, arrest warrants arise from misdemeanors with flight risk, failed court appearances, or indicted felonies. It ensures due process instead of a warrantless arrest (except for felonies committed in the presence of an officer). Under Iowa Code §804.1, warrants are issued by a magistrate upon the filing of a complaint (or supported by affidavits) showing probable cause that an offense occurred and the named person committed it.

Circumstances necessitating issuance include indictable offenses like felonies or misdemeanors within the magistrate’s jurisdiction. A citation may be issued instead for lesser offenses, but if the person fails to appear, a warrant follows (§804.5).

The warrant’s contents (§804.2) include:

• Directions to any peace officer in the state
• The defendant’s name (or “name")
• The offense by name or general description
• Issuance date and location
• The magistrate’s signature with title.

They are usually served by Sheriff’s deputies and result in a booking at the Carroll County Jail.

Do Carroll County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Carroll County arrest warrants remain active indefinitely until executed, recalled, or quashed (Iowa Code §804.10). Unlike search warrants, which have a 10-day limit, arrest warrants persist across jurisdictions. Felony warrants have no time limit, while misdemeanors do, unless the underlying charges have a statute of limitations (e.g., 10 years for Class D felonies in Iowa). Factors influencing validity include:

• The type of offense
• Bench warrants for failures to appear stay open
• Court policies like periodic reviews by the county attorney or the defendant’s death
• Statute of limitations

The Sheriff’s Office maintains active lists and validates warrants monthly via the ISP’s system, ensuring accuracy.

Expunge Carroll County Arrest Records

After confirming eligibility (arrests without convictions or waiting period elapsed), individuals generally follow these steps for expungement in Carroll County:

• Complete the petition form for expungement: Residents of Carroll County may request to expunge or seal their arrest records by filing a motion (via Form 2.86) where the case originated. Electronic filing in Iowa court cases and appeals is mandatory unless otherwise required or authorized. All filers, including attorneys, self-represented persons, and government agencies, are required to file documents electronically in court.
• Serve the county attorney and attach DCI history ($15 fee)
• Attend a court hearing and present your case before a judge.

If the judge grants the petition, the court notifies all relevant law enforcement agencies, which generally remove or conceal the arrest record within 60 days. If denied, individuals may appeal within 30 days of the decision.