Texas County Police Records
Texas County police records are public documents held by the Texas County Sheriff's Office in Houston, Missouri. These records include arrest reports, incident logs, booking data, warrant information, and other law enforcement files. Missouri's Sunshine Law gives the public the right to access most of these records once an investigation becomes inactive. This page covers how to request Texas County police records, what types of records are on file, and where to search online.
Texas County Quick Facts
Texas County Sheriff's Office Records
The Texas County Sheriff's Office is located at 519 North Grand Avenue, Suite 101, in Houston, Missouri 65483. Sheriff Scott Lindsey leads the department. The office handles public records requests Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The main phone is (417) 967-4165, and the fax is (417) 967-4166.
Records at the Texas County Sheriff's Office include incident reports, arrest records with booking details, accident reports, warrant files, booking logs, and inmate information for those in the county detention facility. All records are maintained under RSMo Chapter 610. Sheriff Lindsey or a designated custodian handles public records requests from the Houston office. Texas County falls within the 25th Judicial Circuit. Court records for cases in the county are searchable through Missouri Case.net.
The Texas County Sheriff's Office works with the Missouri State Highway Patrol on certain investigations. The MSHP also investigates motor vehicle accidents on state highways in Texas County. Records from MSHP-investigated incidents are maintained by the Patrol separately from the sheriff's office.
How to Request Texas County Police Records
Submit records requests in writing to the Texas County Sheriff's Office at 519 N Grand Ave, Suite 101, Houston, MO 65483. In-person requests are accepted during regular office hours, and mail requests are also accepted. The Sunshine Law does not require a specific form, but written requests are best because they create a clear record of what you asked for and when you submitted it.
Be specific in your request. Include the full names of people involved, the date and location of incidents, and any case or report numbers you have. More detail means faster results. The office must respond within three business days under Section 610.023 RSMo. If more time is needed for a complex request, the office must give you a written explanation with a reason for the delay and a date by which you can expect to hear back.
Copy fees follow Missouri law under Section 610.026 RSMo. Standard paper copies cost $0.10 per page. Research fees are charged at the clerical hourly rate of staff who handle the request. The office will tell you the estimated cost before preparing any copies so you can decide whether to proceed.
Note: Accident reports for crashes investigated by Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers in Texas County are handled through the MSHP Public Records Center, not the Texas County Sheriff's Office.
Missouri Sunshine Law and Texas County
All Texas County law enforcement records fall under RSMo Chapter 610. The law sets a default that government records are public. If an agency wants to withhold a record, it must cite a specific statutory exemption. Section 610.011 RSMo declares openness in government records to be Missouri's public policy.
Section 610.100 RSMo deals specifically with law enforcement files. Arrest reports and incident reports are public records once an investigation is inactive. While a case is open, the agency may withhold the report. Records that could endanger victims, witnesses, or undercover officers can stay restricted. Once charges are filed or the case ends, most documents become accessible. If the Texas County Sheriff's Office fails to respond within three business days or denies a valid request, you can file a complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Office.
Online Databases for Texas County Records
Missouri Case.net is the state's official court records portal. It covers the 25th Judicial Circuit, which includes Texas County. You can search by name, case number, or filing date to find criminal and civil case data, charges, docket entries, hearings, and final dispositions. Case.net is free and accessible at any time.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol CJIS Division manages the statewide criminal history database. Name-based searches cost $15 and return open records including convictions and recent arrests. Fingerprint-based searches cost $20 plus vendor fees and return complete files. The MSHP also runs Missouri's sex offender registry, searchable by name or address to find registrants in Texas County. The registry hotline is 1-888-SOR-MSHP (767-6747).
Nearby Counties
Texas County is in south-central Missouri and borders several neighboring counties, each with its own sheriff's office and records procedures.