Criminal Department
Criminal Department
The Criminal Division of the Office of the Clay County Circuit Clerk is responsible for the maintenance and filing of both Felony and Misdemeanor criminal cases; along with the associated records.
We can answer questions via phone such as “what day and time do I have court”?
Criminal Cases are filed according to a Probable Cause Statement along with one of three types of Charging Documents: Indictment, Complaint or Information. The charging document lists what the defendant is being accused of.
When a criminal case has received a Judgment/ is Sentenced; that Judgment is sent to Criminal Division for processing. The Court Costs and any fines/fees ordered are then assessed to the case.
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*Please note*
- Should you choose to represent yourself, please know that you will be held to the same standards as a licensed attorney.
- Criminal Clerks are not allowed to give legal advice, instruct you on how to proceed; or advise you of which documents you may need for your situation.
- Criminal Clerks do NOT have authority to grant Continuances.
- IF you have received a Traffic Ticket/Citation your case is with the Traffic Division
CHANGE OF ADDRESS:
If you have a change of address, it is very important that you notify the court.
We will not change your address by phone. You must appear in person with Identification, or mail us a change of address.
It is important to keep your mailing address current, as the court will send all notices/updates to the address on file.
INCARCERATED AND MISSED A COURT DATE?
If you missed a Court date due to being incarcerated, you may provide this court with a Letter of Incarceration from the location of your incarceration. The letter does NOT keep a Failure to appear warrant from being ordered and issued. The letter simply shows that you did not fail to appear willfully.
Need to Access Closed Records?
Criminal Division provides records as allowed by law when requested in proper form.
Closed records are only available to the parties listed on the case in question; such as the Defendant or the Attorney of Record at that time. To access said records, please appear in person with a valid ID.
Alternatively, you may request your records via fax at (816) 407-3899.Attn: Criminal Records.
Make a clear and legible copy of your valid ID, and on that same paper, list the documents you are requesting. Please include your full name, DOB and the last four numbers of your SS#, as well as any pertinent information that will help us find your record(s) and of course, the location that you would like the records to be sent to.
Please include a contact number should there be any questions. Your request must include your notarized signature.
Criminal FAQs
How do I get a continuance?
You need to go to court and ask the Judge or contact your attorney if you have one.
Clerks in the Criminal Division are NOT allowed to grant continuances on criminal cases.
WHAT IS AN ARRAIGNMENT?
Typically, the first Court date after one has been arrested for the first time on a particular case is an arraignment. The arraignment is a hearing where the defendant is informed of the charges filed against him/her by the States Attorney. A plea of guilty or not guilty is typically entered at that time.
BOND POSTING
You may only post bond AFTER your warrant has been served upon you. typically, at a sheriff department oR police station. The warrant must be served to you before you can post a bond:
The Court cannot accept a bond payment.
- You cannot post your bond online. If you do, it will be returned.
- Your bond will not be returned to you until AFTER the disposition of your case.
- AFTER you have been served your warrant and your bond has been posted, you will be given a court date and appearance time.
BOND REFUND: COURT COSTS WILL BE TAKEN FIRST
Your bond will be refunded ONLY after your case is finished, or by order of the Judge.
Once you your case is finished, court costs will be assessed for each individual case you may have. And any fee as well, for example a DWI charge may have had a recoupment fee request filed due to the law enforcement agency who may have had to perform a test, or perhaps restitution will be ordered due because of property damage.
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Your bond refund CANNOT be processed the day your case is disposed of. There is a process to follow. Many people have work to do to get it to the Criminal Division so that we may assess your costs as ordered by the Judge and then process your bond to apply it the fees assessed. This will at least take 7-10 days.
Stop by the Criminal Division to Fill out an envelope so that we can mail the remainder of your bond to you or if you would rather, leave your phone number on the envelope so we can call you when your check is ready for you to pick up.
BOND ASSIGNMENT FORM (may be found in either Traffic or Criminal Divisions)
This form is just like it sounds. Fill out this form if you need the bond refund check to be made out to someone else so that the check may go to the person you would like; such as your atty, or whomever posted your bond for you. You must show your ID to prove you are the owner of the bond.
COURT COSTS
- Misdemeanor: $112.50
- Felony: $289.50
Crime Victims Compensation
If Case Moved From Associate Court To Circuit Court (Boundover)
If Case Moved From Circuit Court To Associate Court (Remanded)
For Felonies That Are:
- Chapt 195. Statutes Or The Charge Is An Unclassified Drug Charge (No A, B, C, D, E. Level Specified In The Charge Code.)
Late Fee: For Any Case Not Paid In Full Within 30 Days Of Disposition
**NOTE** - Any Case Not Paid Within The Specified Time Length Will Be Placed On Debt Collection..
For more Court Costs and Fees, please visit Criminal & Traffic Court Costs and Filing Deposits & Other Fees
More FAQ
- When is my court date?
- What am I charged with?
- Do I have a Warrant?
- How much is my Bond?
- Can I post cash or can I get a Bondsman?
- How much court costs do I owe
- What division do I go to?
- Can I pay online?
- Can someone come in to the courtroom with me? (at this time the answer is no)
- Access your case(s) by clicking on Litigant Name Search and entering your name,
- or click on Case Number Search using your case number.
- If you see a PAY BY WEB icon located on your case, you can pay by web.
Forms
| Type | Number | Title | Last Revised |
|---|---|---|---|
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319 | Application to Inspect Closed Criminal Records | |
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CR40 | Bond | 06/01/2007 |
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Bond Assignment | 06/04/2015 | |
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315 | Criminal Case Information Form | |
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511 | Entry of Appearance | 01/31/2011 |
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CR120 | Notice Of Appeal - Criminal | 07/08/2019 |
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547 | Petition to Enter Plea of Guilty | 01/28/2015 |
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Precept Form | 10/13/2005 | |
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Request for Interpreter/Translator | 08/09/2011 | |
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CR190 | Subpoena - Order to Appear / Produce Documents / Give Depositions | 01/07/2025 |
Additional court forms are available on the Missouri Courts website.
Contact Information and Other Links
| Building: | James S. Rooney Justice Center |
| Address: | 11 South Water Street Liberty, Missouri 64068 |
| Telephone: | 816-407-3860 |