Marion County Arrest Records

In Marion County, law enforcement agents, in accordance with Iowa Code § 804.5, may take persons suspected of criminal actions into custody pending arraignment, release on recognizance, or posting of bail. Under state laws, a peace officer may only arrest a suspect after establishing a substantive probable cause for the criminal offense. Arrested individuals are typically moved to the Marion County Detention Center for booking and holding.

Marion County arrest records are official reports and documents that contain details about the arrest of individuals suspected of committing criminal acts or violating stipulated laws. Arrest records usually contain the arrestee's fingerprints, mugshots, and personal information. Marion County arrest records are generally preserved by the Sheriff's Office and other police departments in the County. Arrest records on their own may not be able to establish the guilt of the arrested individual. However, the arrest disposition, case outcome, and convictions may be retrieved from Marion County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Marion County?

Yes. Under Chapter 22 of the Iowa Open Records Law, arrest records generated in Marion County are presumed open for public inspection and copying. Anyone in search of arrest records may freely request them from the law enforcement agency in charge of the record.

Certain arrest records and information are, however, not available to the public per § 22.7. Such records and information may only be accessed by law enforcement agencies and individuals with proper authorization from a court. Some of these restricted records and arrest information are:

• Confidential witness information and records of juveniles or victims
• Sealed or expunged arrest records
• Records tagged confidential by state and federal laws
• Investigative files and reports of law enforcement agencies
• Arrest information whose disclosure poses serious threats to public peace and safety
• Arrest information that may impede ongoing investigations and hinder one’s fair hearing
• Other information outlined in Iowa Code § 80G.2
• Personal identifying information and billing information, including security numbers, telephone numbers, residential address, and account information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Marion County arrest records for public inspection typically contain the following arrest and arrestee information:

• Personal information of the arrestee, including full name, age, race, occupation, and birth date
• Physical descriptions of the arrestee such as scars, tattoos, gender, height, skin, eye, or hair color
• Location, date, and time of the arrest
• Type and class of the alleged offense
• Bail/ bond or release information
• Arresting agency and officer information
• Booking and arraignment information.

Marion County Arrest Statistics

According to Chapter 692.15 of the Code of Iowa, law enforcement agencies are mandated to submit arrest data reports to the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s UCR program. These submitted reports form the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) arrest statistics for the state.

Based on statistics reported in the UCR Arrest Trend Reports, a total of 427 arrests were recorded in Marion County for 2023. The total sum consisted of Group A(215) and Group B(212) offenses. The most common offenses for the year were driving under the influence (83), drug/narcotics violations(69), drug equipment violations(37), and aggravated assaults(34).

Find Marion County Arrest Records

The Marion County Sheriff's Office manages arrest records and information at the county level, while the Iowa Department of Public Safety retains a statewide database of arrests within the State. Residents of Marion County may obtain access to arrest records by walk-in visits to the Sheriff's office or by sending mail/electronic requests using the following information:

Marion County Sheriff’s Office
County Law Enforcement Center
211 North Godfrey Lane
Knoxville IA 50138
Phone: (641) 828-2247
Fax: (641) 828-7137

The Search Offender tool maintained by the State Department of Corrections is another option for public access to Marion County arrest records. Interested persons may search for arrest information by name, birth date, location, sex, offense, inmate number, and county.

Free Arrest Record Search in Marion County

Researchers and concerned persons have limited options for accessing Marion County arrest records free of charge. The most popular option is a walk-in visit to the record custodian within regular hours. Most record custodians like the County Sheriff's Office allow inquirers to inspect arrest records in their custody at no cost. However, a fee may be required for duplicating and providing copies of the inspected records.

In addition, some third-party aggregate sites or independent records providers provide users with certain arrest records and information free of charge or at a low cost. These sites are usually convenient. However, users cannot use records from third-party websites for official purposes as these sites are not government-affiliated.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Per the Iowa Record Retention Manual, Marion County arrest records stay indefinitely on the subject's record. Persons who wish to erase their arrest history and records may need to apply for expungement or sealing per state laws.

Expunge Marion County Arrest Records

Expungement in Iowa refers to the separation of a record to a secure database that is restricted from public access. Per state laws, arrest records created in Marion County may only qualify for expungement if the subject was acquitted, no charges were filed or the filed charges were dismissed, and 180 days have elapsed (Iowa Code § 901C.2). Certain arrest records for misdemeanors may also qualify for expungement under § 901C.3.

To expunge a Marion County arrest record, concerned persons may obtain a copy of their criminal honesty record from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The next step is to complete the appropriate “Application to Expunge Court Record” form. Upon completion of the application form, the petitioner may submit the application and other requirements to the Marion County District Court clerk’s office for review and approval.

Marion County Arrest Warrants

A Marion County arrest warrant is an official order for the arrest and detention of a suspect. It is usually issued by a magistrate to law enforcement agents for execution. An arrest warrant may be issued in connection with a criminal offense, civil suit, or failure to appear in court. Per Iowa Code § 804.1, a magistrate may issue an arrest warrant once there is substantial evidence or probable cause that the suspect committed the alleged offense.

Under § 804.2-3, Marion County arrest warrant must contain the suspect's name, issuing date, county of issuance, and a description of the alleged crime. In cases where the committed offense is bailable, an arrest warrant will typically contain the bail conditions and other release information. The Magistrate's name, signature, and title are also included in an issued arrest warrant.

Do Marion County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Not at all. Arrest warrants issued in Marion County do not expire. Rather, they remain valid until an arrest is made or a court recalls the warrant. Nonetheless, several factors, such as jurisdiction, crime severity, and statutes of limitation, may influence the execution of issued arrest warrants.