Yes, arrest records are public in Stillwater, Oklahoma. This accessibility is governed by the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. § 24A.1 et seq.), which establishes that all government records, unless specifically exempt by law, must be open for public inspection and copying. Arrest records, as part of the public judicial process, fall under this act's provisions, enabling citizens to obtain information about arrests made within the jurisdiction. The Oklahoma Open Records Act serves to promote transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations by ensuring public access to these records.
Members of the public may request arrest records from various governmental agencies in Stillwater, including the Stillwater Police Department and the Payne County Court. These entities are required by law to provide reasonable access to these records during regular business hours, subject to applicable fees for search and duplication services as permitted under § 24A.5(3) of the Oklahoma Statutes.
To obtain arrest records in Stillwater, several methods are available to the public. Residents and interested parties can search for arrest records using various official resources maintained by local law enforcement and judicial authorities. The following options are available for accessing arrest information:
Visiting the Stillwater Police Department in person at 723 S. Lewis Street, Stillwater, OK 74074. Records can be requested Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. by completing a records request form at the front desk. The department can be reached at (405) 372-4171.
Accessing the Police Records Division online portal, which provides digital access to public arrest records. Pursuant to Oklahoma law, certain records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy as specified in § 24A.8.
Contacting the Payne County Court Clerk's Office located at 606 S. Husband Street, Stillwater, OK 74074. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at (405) 372-2316. Court records, including those related to arrests that have proceeded to court action, are maintained at this location.
Utilizing the Stillwater Municipal Court for violations of city ordinances. The court is located at 723 S. Lewis Street, Stillwater, OK 74074, and operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The court can be contacted at (405) 742-8253.
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate the search process. Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with § 24A.5(3) of the Oklahoma Open Records Act and may vary based on the complexity of the search and volume of records requested.
A Stillwater arrest record typically contains comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved. These records are maintained in accordance with Oklahoma state law and local regulations governing record-keeping practices. Standard arrest records in Stillwater include the following elements:
It should be noted that pursuant to § 24A.8(B) of the Oklahoma Open Records Act, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including details that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation. Additionally, records involving juveniles are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions under Oklahoma law.
In Stillwater, the expungement of arrest records is governed by Oklahoma state law, specifically 22 O.S. § 18 and § 19, which outline the eligibility criteria and procedures for removing arrest information from public access. Individuals seeking expungement must meet specific statutory requirements, which generally include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Payne County District Court located at 606 S. Husband Street, Stillwater, OK 74074. The petition must include specific information about the arrest and the legal basis for expungement under Oklahoma law. A filing fee, currently set at $163.00, must accompany the petition unless the court grants a fee waiver based on indigency.
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing date. Notice of the hearing must be served to the District Attorney's Office, the arresting agency, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and any other agencies that may possess records related to the arrest. These agencies have the right to object to the expungement request.
If the court grants the expungement, all public records relating to the arrest will be sealed and removed from public access. Pursuant to 22 O.S. § 19, the individual may thereafter legally state that the arrest did not occur and that no such record exists with respect to such person. However, certain government agencies, particularly law enforcement and licensing bodies, may still have limited access to expunged records for specific purposes as permitted by statute.