>Plymouth County Arrest Records Online

Plymouth County, Iowa Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Plymouth County, Iowa?

Arrest records in Plymouth County, Iowa are public documents pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 22, commonly known as the Iowa Open Records Law. This statute establishes that government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Iowa Open Records Law operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest by promoting accountability and oversight of public officials and agencies.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by Plymouth County law enforcement agencies, the County Clerk's Office, and the judicial system. These records document interactions between law enforcement and individuals suspected of criminal activity, providing a factual account of arrests made within county jurisdiction. The public nature of these records serves several governmental and societal functions:

Ensures transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitates public oversight of the criminal justice system
Provides information relevant to public safety concerns
Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
Enables background checks for employment and housing purposes

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain confidential information as defined by Iowa Code § 22.7, such as details that might compromise an ongoing investigation or information about minors.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Plymouth County?

Plymouth County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Plymouth County government website provides access to certain public records, including information about recent arrests and inmate populations. Additionally, the Iowa Courts Online Search system maintains electronic records of court proceedings related to arrests within the county.

The Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) implemented by the Iowa Judicial Branch pursuant to Chapter 16 of the Iowa Court Rules has significantly expanded online access to court records. This system allows for the electronic filing and retrieval of court documents, including those related to criminal cases originating from arrests in Plymouth County.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following considerations:

Records available online may not be comprehensive and might require supplementation through in-person requests
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions of arrest records
Access to some detailed information may require registration or payment of nominal fees
The timeliness of online records varies, with recent arrests potentially taking time to appear in searchable databases
Technical limitations may occasionally affect the availability of online records

Users of online arrest record systems should be aware that the information provided is for informational purposes and that official copies of complete records may need to be obtained directly from the appropriate county office.

How to Look Up Plymouth County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Plymouth County, each with specific procedures and requirements. Individuals seeking arrest record information may utilize the following resources:

Plymouth County Sheriff's Office

215 4th Avenue SE Le Mars, IA 51031 Phone: (712) 546-8191 Plymouth County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and arrest reports. Requests may be submitted in person during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) or by mail with appropriate identification and request forms.

Plymouth County Clerk of District Court

Plymouth County Courthouse 215 4th Avenue SE Le Mars, IA 51031 Phone: (712) 546-4215 Clerk of District Courts

The Clerk's Office maintains court records related to criminal cases, including documentation of arrests. Public terminals are available for searching court records during office hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM).

Iowa Courts Online Electronic Search

Iowa Courts Online Search

This statewide database allows users to search for court cases by name, case number, or citation number. While not providing complete arrest records, it offers information about court proceedings resulting from arrests.

Plymouth County Recorder's Office

Plymouth County Courthouse 215 4th Avenue SE Le Mars, IA 51031 Phone: (712) 546-4341 County Recorder

The Recorder's Office maintains certain public records that may contain information related to criminal proceedings following arrests.

When requesting arrest records, individuals should be prepared to provide:

Full name of the subject of the record
Date of birth or approximate age
Date or approximate timeframe of the arrest
Case number (if known)
Valid government-issued identification
Payment for any applicable fees (typically $5-15 per record)

Contents of a Plymouth County Arrest Record

Plymouth County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and processing of individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies. These records are created pursuant to Iowa Code § 804.29 and related statutes governing arrest procedures and documentation requirements. A complete arrest record typically contains the following components:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address
Gender and race (for identification purposes)

Arrest Details

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Law enforcement agency conducting the arrest
Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
Whether the arrest was made pursuant to a warrant

Criminal Charges

Specific charges filed at the time of booking
Iowa Code sections allegedly violated
Classification of offenses (felony, aggravated misdemeanor, serious misdemeanor, or simple misdemeanor)
Brief description of the alleged criminal activity

Processing Information

Booking number and facility
Fingerprint records and identification numbers
Booking photograph (commonly known as a "mugshot")
Property inventory taken at the time of booking
Medical screening information (non-confidential portions)

Case Disposition

Bail or bond amount set
Pretrial release conditions, if applicable
Court appearance dates
Case number assigned by the judicial system
Preliminary hearing information

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including social security numbers, medical information beyond basic screening, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Plymouth County

The expungement process in Plymouth County allows for the removal of certain arrest records from public access under specific circumstances defined by Iowa law. Iowa Code Chapter 901C governs the expungement of criminal records, with § 901C.2 specifically addressing the expungement of dismissed and acquitted cases. Individuals seeking expungement must meet statutory criteria and follow established legal procedures.

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to Iowa Code § 901C.2, an arrest record may be eligible for expungement if:

The criminal charge was dismissed with prejudice
The defendant was acquitted (found not guilty)
The defendant was convicted but the conviction was subsequently overturned or vacated
The defendant has completed a deferred judgment period successfully
The case meets the waiting period requirements (typically 180 days after disposition)
All court costs, fees, and restitution have been paid in full

Certain restrictions apply, including:

Cases involving public intoxication may have specific limitations
Deferred judgments for certain offenses may be ineligible
Cases with multiple related charges may have complex eligibility requirements

Application Process

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Plymouth County District Court. The procedure includes:

Completion of the Application for Expungement form available through the Iowa Judicial Branch website
Filing the application with the Clerk of District Court at the Plymouth County Courthouse
Payment of the required filing fee (approximately $85)
Notification to the County Attorney's Office, which has the right to object
Judicial review of the application and supporting documentation
Issuance of an expungement order if the application is approved

Effect of Expungement

When an expungement order is granted:

The record is removed from public access systems
The arrest is treated as if it never occurred for most purposes
The individual may legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged matter
Law enforcement and certain governmental agencies may retain access to the expunged record for limited purposes

Expunged records remain accessible to criminal justice agencies for law enforcement purposes and may be considered in certain professional licensing decisions or subsequent criminal proceedings.

Search Arrest Records in Plymouth County

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