Mahaska County Arrest Records

The Mahaska County Sheriff's Office maintains physical and electronic copies of arrest records. Arresting officers provide the information in arrest records when booking a suspect in the Mahaska County Jail. These records typically contain the arrestee's personal details, the alleged offense, the date and time of arrest, and the arresting agency. Once charges are filed, the case moves to the Mahaska County court records. Court records such as case filings, hearing schedules, judgments, and sentencing information are created and maintained separately by the Clerk of Court and reflect the legal proceedings that follow an arrest.

Are Arrest Records Public in Mahaska County?

Yes. The Iowa Open Records Law grants members of the public the right to inspect and copy arrest records held by law enforcement agencies. The Mahaska County Sheriff's Office issues these records online and in person during business hours. However, requesters may be prohibited from accessing some arrest records because of their confidential nature. Non-public arrest records include peace officers' investigative reports, law enforcement agencies' criminal identification files, and minors' arrest records. Any arrest record whose disclosure would jeopardize an investigation or endanger a person's safety is generally inaccessible to the public.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Mahaska County, public arrest records contain the following information:

• The arrested person's full name and mugshot
• Age, gender, ethnicity, and race
• ID number and date of birth
• Custody status, detail, time, and date
• Location nd reporting agency
• Scheduled release date and time

Mahaska County Arrest Statistics

The Iowa Department of Public Safety uses the Uniform Crime Reporting System to publish arrest statistics to citizens. The 2024 offense and arrest summary reveals that approximately 407 arrests occurred in Mahaska County, a 21.12% decrease from the previous year's total. Adult arrests totaled 348, while juvenile arrests were 62. Group A arrests were about 254, and Group B arrests were 153.

Find Mahaska County Arrest Records

The Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) provides arrest records to members of the public online and in person. The DOC's Offender Search portal is the best tool for accessing arrest information of Mahaska County offenders in state prisons. Users will need a name, sex, birth date, county of commitment, offense, location, and offender number to conduct a search for free. Those needing copies of arrest records can visit any DOC prison to submit a request in person. In-person requests attract a search and copy fee.

Another way to find Mahaska County arrest records is through federal law enforcement agencies. Most agencies have online portals where individuals can access arrest records without charges. For example:

• The United States Capitol Police (USCP): Requesters can use the USCP online portal to find arrest summary reports for free. The search can be filtered by CFN number, crime summary, crime date, or crime type.
• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Users can find free arrest records through the Online Detainee Locator System. A search can be conducted by A-Number or biographical information.
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): The BOP has an Inmate Locator where members of the public can find arrest records for free. A search can be conducted by number or name.

The ICE (field offices or detention facilities) and BOP (facilities) have facilities scattered across the state where record seekers can obtain copies of arrest records. The record staff would require basic information about the record to facilitate the search. It is important to note that some federal law enforcement agencies do not issue their arrest records to the public. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) releases its records, accessible only to the subjects of the records. Eligible individuals can submit their requests online, by mail, or through authorized channelers. The fee is $18, payable by certified checks, money orders, or credit cards.

Free Arrest Record Search in Mahaska County

The Mahaska County Sheriff's Office partners with a third-party vendor to provide arrest information for free online to record seekers. A name or ID number will be required to conduct the search. Individuals can also call the office at (641) 673-4322 or email sheriff@mahaskacountyia.gov to inquire about free access to arrest records. The record staff will be willing to provide all the necessary information to facilitate the request.

Alternatively, inquirers can visit other third-party sites to locate arrest records without charges. Most platforms return basic arrest information for free with a single search criterion. However, users requesting comprehensive records must pay a small fee to proceed with their requests.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Most arrests stay forever on a person's criminal record. For example, the Record Retention Manual for Iowa Cities shows that investigation reports and arrest books are permanent records because of their continuing historical value. However, arrested persons with criminal-charge dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, or convictions for some misdemeanor offenses can restrict public access to their records through expungement.

Expunge Mahaska County Arrest Records

Expungement is the segregation of arrest records in a secure area so that they become inaccessible to members of the public (Iowa Code § 907.1(3)). Individuals with criminal-charge dismissals, not-guilty verdicts, or convictions for some misdemeanor offenses should review Iowa Code § 901C.2 to determine their eligibility for expungement. Applicants with misdemeanor convictions are allowed only one expungement application in their lifetime, but they may include multiple misdemeanor offenses in that single application. The expungement process involves filing Rule 2.86—Form 1 or Rule 2.86—Form 2 with the Mahaska County Clerk of the District Court. The applicant must provide the Mahaska County Attorney with a copy of the application form. The Clerk will enter an order to expunge if the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.

Mahaska County Arrest Warrants

The issuance of an arrest warrant commences with filing of a complaint before a magistrate (IA Code § 804.1). The magistrate will only issue a warrant when the complaint or affidavits filed with it reveal probable cause to believe a designated person has committed an offense. Per IA Code § 804.2, arrest warrants are directed to any peace officer in Iowa. It must contain the defendant's name if known. However, the magistrate may designate "name unknown" if the defendant's name is unknown. Arrest warrants must also state the name or general description of the offense committed by the defendant, the issuing date, the county or city where issued, and the magistrate's signature and name of office.

Do Mahaska County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants issued in Mahaska County do not expire. They have issuing dates but no expiration dates, as they remain active until executed. Anyone who suspects they may have a warrant should contact local law enforcement to verify their status and take appropriate steps to resolve it.