Criminal records in Lincoln County, Missouri, are available through several channels. LincolnCourt.us provides quick access to publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court system, county law enforcement agencies—including the sheriff's office—and the Circuit Clerk's office. Below are specific steps, search formats, data types, and procedures for obtaining certified copies.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lincoln
There are several ways to find criminal records, each suitable for different situations.
Online Search
- LincolnCourt.us — Enter the person's name or case number to view publicly available information on court criminal cases in Lincoln County.
- Missouri Courts Portal — The Missouri Courts website operates the Case.net system, allowing searches by name, date of birth, or case number across all district courts in the state.
- Sheriff's Inmate Roster — The Lincoln County Sheriff inmate roster shows individuals currently held in custody, along with charges and bail amounts.
- MODOC Offender Search — The Offender Search of the Missouri Department of Corrections contains data on individuals under the department's supervision.
- Arrest Reports — The Missouri State Highway Patrol publishes preliminary information on arrests made by the state patrol.
In-Person Visit
The Circuit Clerk's office in Lincoln County provides access to court cases. Visit the Circuit Clerk's office in the courthouse in Troy, Missouri. There, you can use public terminals or ask the clerk to find the case you need.
Written Request by Mail
For a statewide criminal history check, send a request to the Missouri State Highway Patrol — Criminal Record Check. Two options are available:
- Name Search — based on name and date of birth.
- Fingerprint Search — through the MACHS portal, the total cost for a state and FBI check is $44.00.
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person (last name, first name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Search Lincoln Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each case in Missouri courts is assigned a standardized number. Understanding its structure speeds up the search.
A typical Missouri case number format looks like this:
XX-AABB-CR00001
- XX — two-digit county code (Lincoln County has its own code in the Case.net system).
- AA — year the case was filed (e.g., 25 = 2025).
- BB — letter code for the type of case. For criminal cases, CR (criminal) or CF (criminal felony) is usually used. Traffic violations are marked as TR.
- 00001 — sequential case number within the year.
Enter this number in Case.net or on LincolnCourt.us to go directly to the specific case. This is the most accurate method—searching by name may return multiple results, while the case number always leads to one record.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lincoln
When you find a case, it contains several categories of information. Here's what each of them means.
Charges
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific article of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) under which the charge is brought |
| Severity Degree | Felony (serious crime, classes A–E), Misdemeanor (offense, classes A–D), Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge—for example, reduce a felony to a misdemeanor as part of a plea agreement |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration.
- Active — the case is in the process of hearings or trial.
- Disposed — the court has made a decision; the case is completed.
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, the case is closed permanently.
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first presentation of the accused before a judge, where charges are announced and the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to send the case to trial (applies to felonies).
- Pre-trial — the parties discuss procedural issues, possible agreements.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction.
- Review — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence (e.g., probation).
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court or jury acquitted the defendant |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict—usually at the prosecutor's initiative or due to procedural reasons |
| Nolle Prosequi | The prosecutor dropped the charges |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lincoln
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by other institutions. A regular printout from the internet does not have legal force.
Where to Apply
Court Records — the Circuit Clerk's office processes requests for certified copies of court documents in criminal cases.
Lincoln County Circuit Clerk
Law Enforcement Records — The Sheriff's Records Division processes 3,000 to 3,500 reports annually. Contact them for copies of police reports and arrest reports.
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office — Records Division
Statewide Criminal History Check — The Missouri State Highway Patrol is the official custodian of state criminal records. Requests can be submitted online through MACHS (fingerprint check) or by mail (name check).
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — Visit the Circuit Clerk's office with a valid photo ID. Provide the full name of the party in the case and the case number if known.
- By Mail — Send a written request with the full name, date of birth (if known), case number, and a copy of your ID. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Online — For a statewide criminal history check, use the MACHS portal. For court records, check availability on the Case.net portal.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID (driver's license, passport)
- Full name of the person being requested
- Case number (recommended, but not always necessary)
- For fingerprint checks — fingerprint card FD-258 or electronic scanning through an authorized point
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lincoln
The cost depends on the type of request and the agency processing it.
| Service | Cost | Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50–$1.00 | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Certification fee | In addition to the cost of copies | During visit or 5–10 business days by mail |
| Name-based criminal history check (MSHP) | $20.00 | Usually up to 10 business days |
| Fingerprint-based check — state + FBI (MACHS) | $44.00 | Usually 3–5 business days for electronic requests |
| Copy of police report (Sheriff Records Division) | Check with the sheriff's office | Depends on the volume of the request |
Payment at the Circuit Clerk's office is usually accepted in cash or money order. Confirm acceptable forms of payment before visiting by calling 636-528-6300. For online requests through MACHS, payment is made by credit or debit card.
Note: Fees may change. It's best to check current rates directly with the Circuit Clerk's office or on the MSHP Criminal Record Check website.