Ames Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Ames, Iowa?
Arrest records are public documents in Ames, Iowa, pursuant to the Iowa Public Records Law (Iowa Code Chapter 22). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to members of the public. The State of Iowa maintains this policy of transparency to ensure governmental accountability and to facilitate an informed citizenry. Under Iowa Code § 22.2(1), "Every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record and to publish or otherwise disseminate a public record or the information contained in a public record."
The Ames Police Department and Story County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state regulations. Interested parties may request access to these documents through established protocols, though certain restrictions may apply to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive information as outlined in Iowa Code § 22.7.
How to Look Up Ames Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple avenues exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Ames, Iowa. The following methods represent the primary means through which individuals may obtain these documents in 2025:
Online Public Access Systems: The City of Ames maintains digital repositories where arrest records may be searched. Users must create an account and may be required to pay nominal processing fees for certain documents. The system allows searches by name, date of arrest, or case number.
Ames Police Department: Individuals may submit requests in person at the department headquarters. Staff will assist with locating relevant records upon verification of the requestor's identity.
Ames Police Department
515 Clark Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: (515) 239-5133
City of Ames Police Department
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Story County Sheriff's Office: As the county-level law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within its jurisdiction, including those in Ames.
Story County Sheriff's Office
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-6566
Story County Sheriff's Office
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Story County Clerk of Court: Court records related to arrests, including case dispositions, may be accessed through the Clerk's office.
Story County Clerk of Court
1315 South B Avenue, Suite 6
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7466
Iowa Judicial Branch - Story County
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.3, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document retrieval and copying services. These fees are established to cover the actual costs incurred in fulfilling public records requests.
Contents of an Ames Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Ames law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Iowa law and departmental policies. These documents typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Detailed enumeration of charges filed, including Iowa Code citations
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
- Case or incident number assigned to the arrest
- Preliminary hearing date, if applicable
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility where the individual was held
The comprehensiveness of these records serves multiple purposes within the criminal justice system, including identification verification, case processing, and statistical analysis. However, pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.7, certain information may be redacted from public versions of these records, particularly details pertaining to confidential informants, minors, or victims of certain crimes.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Ames
The State of Iowa provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Ames and throughout the state. Expungement refers to the legal process whereby arrest records are sealed from public access, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and the court system.
Iowa Code Chapter 901C governs the expungement process. Under § 901C.2, individuals may qualify for expungement if their case meets specific criteria:
- The criminal charge was dismissed with prejudice
- The defendant was acquitted (found not guilty)
- The defendant successfully completed a deferred judgment period
- The case has been dismissed and the applicable statute of limitations has expired
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a formal application with the district court in Story County
- Pay the requisite filing fee (approximately $185 as of 2025)
- Provide documentation verifying eligibility for expungement
- Attend a scheduled hearing before a district court judge
Story County District Court
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
Phone: (515) 382-7466
Iowa Judicial Branch - Story County
Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including most violent felonies, sexual offenses, and operating while intoxicated (OWI) convictions. Additionally, Iowa law stipulates waiting periods for certain categories of offenses, typically ranging from two to eight years following case disposition.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal considerations. The court evaluates each petition individually, weighing factors such as the nature of the offense, the petitioner's subsequent criminal history, and the public interest in maintaining or sealing the record.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the specified records. These agencies include the Ames Police Department, Story County Sheriff's Office, Iowa Department of Public Safety, and the FBI. While expunged records are removed from public databases, they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
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