Montgomery County Public Records / Montgomery County Arrest Records

Montgomery County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Montgomery County in 2026

MontgomeryKSRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Montgomery County, Kansas. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. The following record categories may be available for review:

Arrest and booking records
Criminal charge information
Jail roster and inmate status
Court case filings linked to arrests
Bond and release information

Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The sections below outline all available methods for locating arrest records in Montgomery County.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and jail roster information for individuals taken into custody within the county. Members of the public may access current inmate information and recent arrest data through the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. The roster is updated on a regular basis and includes the arrestee's name, charges, booking date, and custody status.

2. Local Police Departments

Several municipalities within Montgomery County operate independent police departments that maintain their own arrest logs and press release systems. The Independence Police Department and Coffeyville Police Department publish arrest information through their respective public communications channels. Press releases containing arrest information are periodically issued and may be accessed through city government websites.

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records are frequently linked to court case filings maintained by the Montgomery County District Court. Members of the public may search for associated criminal cases through the Kansas District Court Public Access Portal, which allows name-based searches to locate court cases connected to an arrest.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) maintains a statewide criminal history repository. Members of the public may request a criminal history record check through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation Criminal History Records portal. A fee applies to public record requests, and the repository includes arrest and disposition data from jurisdictions across the state.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
217 E. Myrtle St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 331-2920
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

Records Division is located within the main facility
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Valid government-issued photo identification is required
Fees for copies apply per the standard schedule

Police Departments:

Independence Police Department
214 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 331-1700
City of Independence

Coffeyville Police Department
801 Pine St.
Coffeyville, KS 67337
Phone: (620) 252-6160
City of Coffeyville

Records request procedures vary by department. Members of the public should contact each department directly to confirm current procedures and applicable fees.

Clerk of Court:

Montgomery County District Court Clerk
300 E. Main St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1070
Kansas District Court

Criminal records division handles case file inspection
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Case files may be inspected in person at the clerk's office
Copy fees apply per the standard schedule

By Mail:

Written requests submitted by mail to the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office should include the following:

Full legal name of the arrestee
Date of arrest, if known
Booking number, if known
Requestor's full name and return mailing address
Payment for applicable copy fees

Mail requests are directed to: Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, 217 E. Myrtle St., Independence, KS 67301. Processing time varies based on request volume.

By Phone:

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office may be reached at (620) 331-2920 during regular business hours. General custody status inquiries may be handled by phone; however, detailed record requests are processed in person or by mail. Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available.

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys may submit formal records requests on behalf of clients. Subpoenas may be issued for detailed records in the context of legal proceedings, and discovery processes in criminal cases provide access to arrest-related documentation through the court system.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number, if known
Jurisdiction of arrest

Are Arrest Records Public in Montgomery County

Arrest records in Montgomery County are public records under Kansas law. Pursuant to K.S.A. § 45-221, the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of government records, including arrest and booking information maintained by law enforcement agencies. The public interest in government transparency, community safety, and accountability supports broad access to arrest records.

Arrest records serve several recognized public purposes:

Government transparency and accountability
Public safety awareness
Journalism and investigative reporting
Academic and policy research
Background screening for employment and licensing
Legal proceedings and due process

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under Kansas law)
Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
Sealed records (court-ordered confidentiality)
Active investigation information
Undercover officer identities
Confidential informant information
Victim identifying information in certain cases
Witness protection participants

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The Kansas Constitution and KORA together establish the framework for public access to government records. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution supports press access to arrest information, while due process considerations require that arrest records accurately reflect the outcome of criminal proceedings, including dismissals and acquittals.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions. Employers and landlords using arrest records obtained through consumer reporting agencies must comply with FCRA requirements. Kansas does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though individual municipalities may have adopted local ordinances. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

What's in Montgomery County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name
Aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth
Age at time of arrest
Sex/gender
Race/ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in disclosure)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest (street address or general area)
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, etc.)
Arresting officer name and badge number (in some records)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions
Classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts for each charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Gang-related designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not typically included in public records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond type:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
Release date and time, if released
Release conditions, if public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment, if available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report details)
Witness statements
Victim information
Evidence collected
Investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain more detailed incident narratives and are subject to separate disclosure rules
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after an arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources, including court and law enforcement databases

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Montgomery County?

Under the Kansas Open Records Act, agencies are authorized to charge fees for the reproduction of public records. Current fees applicable to arrest record requests in Montgomery County are as follows:

Record Type	Fee
Inspection of records (in person)	No charge
Photocopies (per page)	$0.25–$1.00 (varies by agency)
Certified copies	$1.50 per page (court records)
Electronic format	Varies by agency
Search fee	May apply if extensive staff time required

Accepted payment methods at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and District Court Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with each office prior to submitting a request.

Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, including requests made by indigent individuals or by members of the news media for records in the public interest. The Kansas Open Records Act permits agencies to waive or reduce fees when disclosure is in the public interest and when the requester demonstrates financial hardship.

Members of the public may inspect records in person at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation charges a separate fee for statewide criminal history record checks, currently set at $20.00 for a name-based search submitted by a member of the public.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Montgomery County

Kansas law provides two primary legal mechanisms for removing or restricting public access to arrest records: expungement and sealing. Expungement results in the destruction or removal of the arrest record from law enforcement and court databases, while sealing restricts public access without physically destroying the record. Under K.S.A. § 21-6614, Kansas provides a statutory expungement process for eligible individuals.

Eligibility for Expungement in Kansas:

Arrest with no charges filed: Eligible immediately after case closure
Charges filed but dismissed: Eligible after a waiting period determined by the nature of the original charge
Acquittal (not guilty verdict): Eligible after case conclusion
Certain misdemeanor convictions: Eligible after a waiting period (typically three to five years)
Certain felony convictions: Eligible after a waiting period (typically five to ten years, depending on the offense)
Serious violent offenses, sex offenses, and certain other crimes are not eligible for expungement

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Confirm eligibility based on the nature of the arrest or conviction and the applicable waiting period under K.S.A. § 21-6614
Obtain the case number and arrest information from the Montgomery County District Court Clerk
Complete the petition for expungement form, available from the District Court Clerk's office
File the petition with the Montgomery County District Court and pay the applicable filing fee
Serve copies of the petition on the prosecuting attorney and any relevant law enforcement agencies
Attend the scheduled hearing; the court will determine whether expungement is granted
If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge or seal the record

Filing Location:

Montgomery County District Court Clerk
300 E. Main St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1070
Kansas District Court

The Kansas Legal Services organization provides assistance to eligible individuals navigating the expungement process. Members of the public who cannot afford private legal counsel may contact the Kansas Legal Services office for guidance.

What Happens After Arrest in Montgomery County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Montgomery County Jail, located at the Sheriff's Office facility at 217 E. Myrtle St., Independence, KS 67301. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the booking facility, the following steps are completed:

Personal information recorded
Miranda rights read, if not already administered
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted for criminal history check
Outstanding warrants check conducted
Personal property inventoried and stored
Clothing exchanged for jail uniform
Medical and brief mental health screening completed
Housing classification determined

The booking process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Kansas law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate or judge without unnecessary delay, and within 72 hours of arrest. At the first appearance:

Formal charges are read
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for indigent defendants
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are explained

Hearings may be conducted via video conference. Court schedules are available through the Kansas District Court website.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond:

Full bond amount paid in cash
Refunded upon case conclusion, minus applicable fees
Amount set by judge or magistrate

Surety Bond:

A licensed bail bondsman posts the full amount
The defendant pays a non-refundable premium, at present set at 10% of the bond amount in Kansas
The bondsman assumes responsibility for the defendant's appearance

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond):

Released on a written promise to appear
No monetary payment required
Granted based on community ties, employment, criminal history, nature of charges, and flight risk assessment

No Bond:

Individual held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants

Conditions of Release:

Regular check-in requirements
Travel restrictions
No-contact orders
Drug and alcohol testing
GPS monitoring
Pretrial supervision

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The individual receives their personal property, a written court date, and written conditions of release. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant.

If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is informed of commissary, phone, and visitation procedures.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:

Montgomery County Public Defender's Office
300 E. Main St., Suite 101
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1080
Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services

Eligibility for appointed counsel is based on financial need. An application is completed at or shortly after the first appearance.

Private Attorney:

Defendants have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of proceedings. The Kansas Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service for individuals seeking private legal representation.

Charging Decision:

Prosecutor's Review:

The Montgomery County Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges. Options include filing an information, requesting additional investigation, declining to prosecute, or filing different charges. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, formal charges are read and the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are set.

Court Process Overview:

Pretrial Phase:

Discovery: Exchange of police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and recordings between prosecution and defense
Pretrial Motions: Motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or compel discovery
Pretrial Conferences: Meetings between counsel and the court to discuss case status and resolution
Plea Negotiations: The prosecutor may offer a plea agreement involving reduced charges or a sentencing recommendation

Case Resolution Options:

Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness issues, or legal defects; may be followed by expungement petition
Diversion Programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court; successful completion results in dismissal
Plea Agreement: Defendant accepts guilty or no contest plea; sentencing hearing scheduled
Trial: Jury or bench trial; verdict of guilty or not guilty; sentencing follows a guilty verdict

Sentencing (if convicted):

The court may impose imprisonment, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. Appeal rights are explained at sentencing.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 72 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Months, varying widely by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to several months
Felonies: Resolved within several months to over one year
Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Kansas law

Important Contacts:

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
217 E. Myrtle St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 331-2920
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

Montgomery County District Court Clerk
300 E. Main St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1070
Kansas District Court

Montgomery County Attorney's Office
300 E. Main St.
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1060
Montgomery County, Kansas

Montgomery County Public Defender's Office
300 E. Main St., Suite 101
Independence, KS 67301
Phone: (620) 330-1080
Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than an attorney
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if needed
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of bond or release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Montgomery County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Montgomery County is governed by Kansas law and the records retention schedules established by the Kansas State Historical Society and applicable state agencies. Under Kansas administrative regulations, law enforcement agencies are required to maintain records in accordance with approved retention schedules, which vary based on the nature of the record and the outcome of the associated case.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, District Court, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Maintained indefinitely in the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Interstate Identification Index (III)

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently by the District Court
Local law enforcement retention follows the approved Kansas records retention schedule
State repository retains records indefinitely

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement retains booking records for a period determined by the applicable retention schedule, at present typically five years or more
Court records are retained permanently unless expunged by court order
State repository records may remain unless expungement is granted

Acquittals (Not Guilty):

Court records are retained permanently unless sealed or expunged
Local law enforcement retains records per the applicable schedule
Individuals may petition for expungement following acquittal

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records are retained for a shorter period, at present typically three to five years
Individuals may be eligible to petition for immediate expungement

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records:

Booking paperwork and fingerprint cards are retained per the approved schedule
Photographs are retained for the duration of the applicable retention period
Evidence retention varies based on case outcome and offense classification

Digital Records:

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records are retained for a minimum period set by state schedule
Records management system data is often retained permanently
Court electronic records are retained permanently in most instances

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies may retain arrest records indefinitely
These databases are not controlled by law enforcement and may not reflect expungements
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain accurate and current information

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office:

Booking records and arrest reports are retained per the Kansas records retention schedule
Investigative files are retained based on offense classification and case outcome
Phone: (620) 331-2920

Police Departments:

Arrest records and incident reports are retained per department policy and state schedule
Retention periods may vary between the Independence Police Department and Coffeyville Police Department

Clerk of Court:

Felony case files are retained permanently
Misdemeanor case files are retained for a period determined by the Kansas records retention schedule
Electronic records are retained permanently in most instances

State Repository:

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation maintains criminal history records for all jurisdictions in the state
Retention policy follows state administrative regulations
Members of the public may access the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for information on criminal history records

FBI Database:

The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index retain records accessible to law enforcement nationwide
Federal retention is permanent for most criminal history records
These records are used in employment background checks, firearms purchases, and other federally regulated processes

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in all major databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: May remain in databases unless expunged; not always reported on standard background checks
Expungement: Local records destroyed or sealed; state repository updated; FBI database may retain with a notation; removal from third-party databases is not guaranteed
No Charges Filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after the applicable retention period; eligible for expungement petition in most cases

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Kansas does not currently impose a statewide restriction shorter than the federal standard for private employment background checks. Arrests without convictions may not be reported by compliant consumer reporting agencies after the applicable period.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Records Division at (620) 331-2920 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A written public records request submitted under the Kansas Open Records Act may be required, and applicable fees may apply for copies of responsive records.