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Shawnee Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Shawnee, Oklahoma?

Arrest records are public documents in Shawnee, Oklahoma, pursuant to the Oklahoma Open Records Act (51 O.S. §§ 24A.1-24A.31). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of Oklahoma citizens to access and inspect government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within the jurisdiction. The Oklahoma Open Records Act operates under the principle that government transparency is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies.

The Shawnee Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law, which mandates that arrest information be made available to the public with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other statutorily protected information. Members of the public seeking arrest records may obtain them through established procedures, subject to applicable fees and identification requirements as prescribed by Oklahoma Administrative Code.

How to Look Up Shawnee Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:

Submit a formal records request in person at the Shawnee Police Department Records Division, located at 16 West 9th Street, Shawnee, OK 74801.
File a written request via certified mail addressed to the Records Division of the Shawnee Police Department, including proper identification and specific information about the requested records.
Access the Shawnee Police Department Records Division online portal for electronic submission of records requests.
Utilize the Shawnee Municipal Court online services for cases processed through the municipal court system.
Contact the Records Division by telephone at (405) 273-2121 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to inquire about record availability and request procedures.

Requestors should note that pursuant to Oklahoma Statute Title 51, § 24A.5, reasonable fees may be charged for document retrieval, copying, and certification services. Current fee schedules are available at the Records Division counter or on the official Shawnee Police Department website.

Contents of a Shawnee Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Shawnee Police Department contain comprehensive information as mandated by Oklahoma state law and departmental policies. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or alternative identifications
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged criminal violations
Arresting officer information and badge number
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers collected during processing
Custody status information, including bond amounts if applicable
Case numbers and reference identifiers for court proceedings
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable

In accordance with the Shawnee Municipal Code Chapter 12, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to confidential informants or ongoing investigations.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Shawnee

The maintenance and dissemination of arrest records in Shawnee operate within a structured legal framework established by state and local regulations. The Oklahoma Open Records Act serves as the primary legislative authority governing public access to these documents. Under this statute, arrest records are presumptively open for inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The Shawnee Police Department adheres to Oklahoma Statute Title 51, § 24A.8, which specifically addresses law enforcement records. This statute requires that certain information related to arrests be made available to the public, including:

The facts concerning the arrest, including the cause of arrest and the name of the arresting officer
Conviction information, including the disposition of all warrants
A chronological list of incidents, including initial offense reports
A summary of radio logs and calls for service

The Shawnee Municipal Court maintains jurisdiction over municipal violations as established in Article VII of the Oklahoma Constitution. Court records related to arrests for municipal violations are maintained separately from police department records but are similarly accessible to the public with certain statutory limitations.

Privacy Considerations and Limitations

While arrest records in Shawnee are generally public, certain privacy protections and access limitations exist under Oklahoma law. The following categories of information receive special handling:

Juvenile arrest records are confidential pursuant to Oklahoma Statute Title 10A, § 2-6-102, except under specific circumstances authorized by statute
Records pertaining to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or stalking may have personal identifying information redacted in accordance with Oklahoma Statute Title 22, § 60.14
Ongoing investigation materials may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would compromise law enforcement proceedings
Records sealed by court order following expungement proceedings are removed from public access

The Shawnee Police Department, in accordance with departmental policy and state law, implements administrative safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information while maintaining public transparency. Individuals seeking arrest records must provide proper identification, and certain records may require additional verification of the requestor's identity or legal standing to access the information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Shawnee

Oklahoma law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Individuals may petition for expungement in Shawnee through procedures established in Oklahoma Statute Title 22, §§ 18-19.

Eligibility criteria for expungement typically include:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
Arrests not resulting in charges being filed within the statute of limitations
Successful completion of a deferred judgment or suspended sentence
Pardoned offenses
Non-violent felony convictions after completion of sentence and waiting periods specified by statute
Misdemeanor convictions after completion of sentence and statutory waiting periods

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Pottawatomie County District Court or Shawnee Municipal Court, depending on the jurisdiction of the original case. Upon court approval, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining the relevant records, including the Shawnee Police Department, which must comply with court-ordered record sealing or destruction.

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that certain records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes even after expungement, as provided in Oklahoma Statute Title 22, § 19.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records maintained by the Shawnee Police Department may be utilized for background verification purposes in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Employers, landlords, and other authorized entities may access these public records subject to the following regulations:

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) governs the use of arrest records for employment purposes when obtained through consumer reporting agencies
Oklahoma Statute Title 40, § 61 prohibits employers from asking about or considering expunged arrest records
Background checks for certain positions, including those involving vulnerable populations, may require more comprehensive criminal history information beyond local arrest records

Individuals conducting background checks using Shawnee arrest records should be aware that these records document arrests only and not necessarily convictions. The presumption of innocence applies to all arrested individuals until proven guilty in a court of law.