Plymouth County Arrest Records

In Plymouth County, law enforcement agents typically arrest Individuals when they have probable cause to believe they have been involved in criminal activity. Iowa Code § 804.5 authorizes a peace officer to arrest an individual when there is probable cause to believe the individual has committed a crime or in the officer's presence. Upon an arrest, the arrestees are typically held at the Plymouth County Jail under the supervision of the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office, which serves as the jail operators and one of the primary agencies in charge of generating and maintaining arrest records.

Even though Plymouth arrest records differ from criminal records, they make up a broader public documentation and are often referenced in criminal history files. A typical instance is how arrest records can also be found in Plymouth County Court Records, which provide case-level details related to an arrest, such as court proceedings, charges, and outcomes.

Are Arrest Records Public in Plymouth County?

Yes. Under the Iowa Open Records Law, codified in Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code, Plymouth County arrest records are considered public information and, therefore, available to the public. Even though the Open Records Law allows the public to access and obtain copies of arrest records, specific arrest details are exempted from public disclosure, including:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Details of an ongoing investigation
• Details that could put an individual's life at risk
• Criminal identifying information

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Plymouth County public arrest records generally contain details that are non-confidential under the Iowa Open Records Law. These public details provide a summary of the arrest dealings, which are typically maintained by local law enforcement agencies like the Plymouth Sheriff's Office. Below are details found in a public Plymouth County arrest record:

• Full name of the individual arrested
• Date and time of the arrest
• Arresting agency
• Location and where the arrest took place
• Booking details such as the booking number and the holding facility
• Mugshot
• Bail or bond (If set)

Plymouth County Arrest Statistics

Plymouth County Arrest data can be accessed through the FBI's Crime Data Explorer (CDE). It is worth noting that the CDE platform does not compile the total number of arrests at the county level; instead, it displays statistics based on the various reports submitted by individual law enforcement agents in the county of interest.

A perfect example is how the Plymouth County Sheriff's office submitted an individual arrest report for 2023. According to the report, there were 216 arrests, 162 of which were men and 54 of which were women. Driving under the influence was the most common offence, with a tally of 80, closely followed by all other crimes, drug/narcotic offences, simple assault, and liquor law violations, with tallies of 52, 45, 10, and 9, respectively.

Additional crime and arrest statistics for Plymouth County can be obtained equally from the CDE portal or by contacting the appropriate local law enforcement agency.

Find Plymouth County Arrest Records

Individuals interested in accessing Plymouth County arrest records have numerous avenues available to them at both the state and county levels, including:

• Plymouth County Jail Inmate Roster

The Plymouth County Sheriff's Office operates the Jail. It maintains an up-to-date Inmate Roster that lists individuals currently held at the Jail in Le Mars. This online roster provides information on inmates, such as their names, booking dates, charges, and bond information. Interested individuals can either pay or simply use the remote tool or contact the jail directly at (712) 546-4419.

• Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) Offender Search

The Iowa Department of Corrections offers a remote Offender Search Tool for arrest records or information on individuals in state-run facilities or under supervision (e.g., parole or probation). This tool allows interested parties to search for their desired information by birthdate, name, offence, or status to access public information on offenders in Iowa, including Plymouth County. This database is updated weekly and contains details such as the offender's location, conviction, and sentence.

Free Arrest Record Search in Plymouth County

Interested individuals can typically access arrest records in Plymouth County at no cost. Local law enforcement agencies, such as the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office, may provide arrest information upon request at no charge.

Additionally, numerous third-party websites offer remote searchable databases that allow users to look up arrest records by name or case number easily. Nonetheless, since these platforms are not officially run or affiliated with government agencies, users are advised to verify the reliability and accuracy of any information obtained.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Plymouth County, Iowa, no specific rule exists on how long an arrest record can remain on file. Since arrest records are typically considered public information, they can remain accessible indefinitely. The only legal means through which an individual can remove an arrest record from official documentation is through a court-approved process such as expungement or record sealing.

Expunge Plymouth County Arrest Records

Expunging an arrest record in Plymouth County simply means keeping it separate in a secure database unavailable to the public. Expungement only becomes possible in Plymouth County once the individual meets the requirements and applies to the courts. The court may then enter an order to expunge the records, and an individual is at liberty to apply for an expungement order when:

• Deferred Judgments: According to Iowa Code Section § 907.9, the court may allow a deferred judgment once an individual pleads guilty to an offence. Following a deferred judgment, the court can expunge the case record.
• Acquittals or Dismissal: if an arrest results in a discharge or acquittal, in line with Section § 901C.2 of the Iowa Code, the court may enter an order to expunge such record. It is, however, worth noting that the record must have met the following conditions:
  • At least 180 days must have passed since the acquittal or dismissal
  • The applicant is required to have paid all court costs and financial obligations related to the case
  • The charge is for a public offence, except dismissed non-indictable traffic violations
  • The defendant is not competent to stand trial

It is also worth noting that for such a case, the expungement will only go through once all counts in the charge have been dismissed.

• Public intoxication: An individual convicted of possessing alcohol and certain prostitution under the age of 18 is eligible for expungement in accordance with Sections §§ 123.46(6), 123.47(8), and 725.1 of the Iowa Code. However, this is dependent on the individual not receiving any other criminal convictions for two years after the conviction.
• Other misdemeanour convictions: In Plymouth County, Iowa, an individual is allowed imprisonment for one misdemeanor conviction in a lifetime. This aligns with the reformed criminal law package § 901C.3 of the Iowa Code, enacted in 2019. Nonetheless, the following conditions are required before such expungement can scale through:
  • At least eight years should have elapsed since the conviction.
  • The applicant should not have any outstanding criminal charges.
  • Individuals with two prior deferred judgments are ineligible.
  • All costs, court-ordered fees, and any additional fees required by the clerk must be fully paid.

In order to apply for expungement in Plymouth County, an individual is required to first locate the criminal record from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and then complete the Application to Expunge Court Record. Upon proper completion, the form should be submitted to the court that heard the case and handed down the conviction.

This is followed by an official review by the court, which reserves the right to either grant or deny the expungement. This often requires a hearing, through which the court will decide.

Plymouth County Arrest Warrants

Plymouth County arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a judge or magistrate that give law enforcement agents the legal backing to arrest a specific individual. These warrants are typically issued following a probable cause to believe an individual has been involved in a crime. Probable cause may be based on an affidavit provided by a police officer, outlining facts and evidence that justify the arrest or the account of an eyewitness.

Generally, an arrest warrant is issued when the suspect is not caught in the act but later identified through investigation. Warrants also become necessary when an individual fails to appear in court or violates the conditions of parole or probation. A typical Plymouth County arrest warrant includes the following details:

• Name of the individual to be arrested
• Alleged offense
• Description of the suspect (If available)
• Signature of the issuing judge
• Specific instructions to law enforcement

Do Plymouth County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants do not automatically expire in Plymouth County, Iowa. Once a judge or magistrate issues them, they will continue to serve indefinitely. There is no fixed expiration time in Plymouth County; nonetheless, the efficacy of an arrest warrant can be affected by any of the following:

• If law enforcement apprehends the listed individual
• If the court recalls or quashes the warrant
• If the listed individual voluntarily appears in court