McAlester Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in McAlester, Oklahoma?
Arrest records are public documents in McAlester, Oklahoma, pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.31). This comprehensive legislation establishes the framework for public access to government-maintained records, including those pertaining to arrests made within municipal boundaries. The Oklahoma Open Records Act operates under the fundamental principle that government transparency serves the public interest, thereby allowing citizens and interested parties to obtain information about arrest incidents. These records remain accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions or sealed by court order.
The Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office and McAlester Police Department maintain these records as part of their official duties. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit formal requests to these agencies, subject to established protocols and applicable fees for document reproduction. The maintenance and accessibility of these records fulfill the legislative intent of promoting governmental accountability while balancing privacy considerations as prescribed by state law.
How to Look Up McAlester Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in McAlester, Oklahoma. Individuals seeking this information may utilize several methods depending on their specific requirements and the nature of the records being sought. The following constitute the primary mechanisms for accessing arrest documentation:
McAlester Police Department: Requestors may submit formal applications for arrest records directly to the Records Division at the McAlester Police Department, located at 30 E Washington Ave, McAlester, OK 74501. The department maintains records of arrests occurring within city limits and processes requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A standard processing fee applies in accordance with departmental fee schedules.
Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office: For arrests conducted by county law enforcement, individuals may contact the Records Section at the Pittsburg County Sheriff's Office, 115 E Carl Albert Pkwy, McAlester, OK 74501. The office processes record requests Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors must complete the designated form and provide proper identification.
Pittsburg County Court Clerk: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Pittsburg County Court Clerk's Office at 115 E Carl Albert Pkwy, McAlester, OK 74501. The office operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Pursuant to Oklahoma Court Rules, certain case information is available for public inspection upon submission of the appropriate request form.
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI): For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests statewide, the OSBI maintains a centralized repository accessible through formal application. Requests may be submitted to OSBI Headquarters, 6600 N Harvey Pl, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, or through their authorized online portal. Processing fees are established by Oklahoma Administrative Code § 375:35-1-2.
Online Court Records: The Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) provides limited case information through their public access portal. While not comprehensive for arrest records specifically, this resource offers case status information for matters that have proceeded to court filing.
Requestors should note that certain records may be subject to redaction or withholding pursuant to exemptions under the Oklahoma Open Records Act, particularly those involving juvenile offenders, ongoing investigations, or cases sealed by judicial order.
Contents of a McAlester Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by McAlester law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Oklahoma law enforcement protocols and the Oklahoma Criminal Justice Information Systems standards. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases or alternative names, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and other identifying physical characteristics.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the arresting agency; badge numbers or identifiers of arresting officers; and the statutory authority under which the arrest was executed.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Oklahoma state statutes or McAlester municipal ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including citation of relevant legal codes and preliminary classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies.
Booking Information: Processing details including the facility where booking occurred, assigned identification numbers, property inventory, and initial custody status determination.
Photographic Documentation: Standardized booking photographs ("mugshots") taken from front and profile perspectives in accordance with law enforcement identification protocols.
Biometric Data: Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process, which are subsequently submitted to state and federal fingerprint databases for identification verification and criminal history association.
Case Disposition: Initial court appearances, bail or bond determinations, and preliminary hearing schedules where applicable.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions as identified through database searches during the booking process.
Pursuant to 51 O.S. § 24A.8, certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including confidential informant information, details that would compromise ongoing investigations, or personal information protected by other statutory provisions.
Expungement of Arrest Records in McAlester
The expungement process in McAlester operates under the authority of Oklahoma state law, specifically 22 O.S. §§ 18 and 19, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements for the sealing of arrest records. Individuals seeking expungement must meet statutory qualifications, which vary according to case disposition and offense classification.
Eligibility for expungement in Oklahoma generally encompasses the following circumstances:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
- Arrests not resulting in charges being filed within the statute of limitations
- Convictions for which a pardon has been granted
- Certain non-violent felony convictions after completion of sentence and waiting periods
- Misdemeanor convictions after completion of sentence and statutory waiting periods
- Juvenile offenses meeting specific criteria under Oklahoma law
The formal expungement procedure requires petitioners to:
- File a Petition for Expungement with the Pittsburg County District Court, located at 115 E Carl Albert Pkwy, McAlester, OK 74501
- Provide notice to all agencies maintaining the records sought to be expunged
- Attend a scheduled court hearing where a judge will determine if the statutory requirements have been satisfied
- If granted, obtain certified copies of the expungement order for distribution to all relevant agencies
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 response to inquiries from non-governmental entities. However, certain government agencies, particularly law enforcement and licensing bodies, may retain limited access to expunged records for official purposes as permitted by statute.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation assesses a statutory fee for processing expungement orders, currently set at $150 per case pursuant to 22 O.S. § 19(D). Additional court filing fees may apply according to the current fee schedule established by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
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