Arrest records in Custer County, Oklahoma are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.31). This legislation establishes that government-held records, including arrest records, shall be available for public inspection and copying. The Act serves to ensure transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials by providing citizens with access to information regarding law enforcement activities within the county.
The Oklahoma Open Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public documents under § 24A.8, which states that law enforcement agencies shall make available for public inspection facts concerning arrests, including the name of the person arrested, the date and time of arrest, the offense for which the individual was arrested, and other pertinent information. These provisions apply to all law enforcement agencies operating within Custer County, including the Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.
Members of the public seeking access to arrest records in Custer County may submit requests to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Pursuant to § 24A.5 of the Act, agencies must provide prompt, reasonable access to records during regular business hours.
Arrest records in Custer County are available through various online platforms in accordance with Oklahoma's commitment to public information accessibility. The Custer County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records that can be accessed through their official website. This online availability is consistent with § 24A.4 of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which encourages government agencies to maintain records in accessible formats.
The Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) provides an additional online resource for accessing court records related to arrests in Custer County. Through this system, users may search for case information using the defendant's name or case number. The OSCN database includes information on criminal proceedings following arrests, including court dates, charges filed, and case dispositions.
Third-party aggregator websites also compile and present Custer County court records from official sources. These platforms may offer additional search functionalities but users should verify information obtained through these services with official county records.
Online access to arrest records is subject to certain limitations established by state law. Records that have been ordered sealed by a court or those pertaining to juvenile offenders may not be available through public online searches in accordance with § 24A.29 and 10A O.S. § 2-6-102.
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Custer County. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following methods:
Custer County Sheriff's Office
700 N 15th Street
Arapaho, OK 73620
(580) 323-1616
https://custer.okcounties.org/sheriff
Submit a written request to the Records Division of the appropriate law enforcement agency. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, such as the individual's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
Access the Oklahoma Offender Lookup system maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for information on individuals currently incarcerated or under supervision.
Check the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry for records pertaining to registered sex offenders residing in Custer County.
Contact the Clinton Municipal Court for records related to arrests within Clinton city limits.
Clinton Municipal Court
415 Gary Boulevard
Clinton, OK 73601
(580) 323-4377
https://clintonok.gov/government/municipal-court/
Custer County District Court
675 N 15th Street
Arapaho, OK 73620
(580) 323-3717
Pursuant to § 24A.5(3) of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, reasonable fees may be charged for document searches and copies. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's office.
Arrest records maintained by Custer County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Oklahoma state law. These records typically include:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency and the circumstances of the arrest. Records maintained by the Custer County Sheriff's Office typically contain more detailed information than those from smaller municipal police departments within the county.
All arrest records are subject to the provisions of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which establishes that certain information may be redacted prior to public release. Information that may be withheld includes Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft.
The expungement process in Custer County allows for the sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Oklahoma state law. Pursuant to 22 O.S. § 18, individuals may petition for expungement if they meet certain statutory criteria, including:
The expungement procedure requires filing a petition with the Custer County District Court. This legal process typically necessitates the following steps:
Upon successful expungement, pursuant to 22 O.S. § 19, the arrest record is sealed from public view and the individual may legally state that the arrest did not occur in most circumstances. However, certain government agencies, including law enforcement and licensing boards, may still access expunged records for official purposes.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation maintains specific guidelines regarding eligibility for expungement that must be strictly followed.