Oklahoma Arrest Records: How to Find a Oklahoma Arrest Record

Oklahoma arrest records are legal documents containing the details of a subject's arrest, confinement, and detention by members of the Oklahoma law enforcement agency. 

This report is generated when an offender is apprehended, taken in, and/or charged for a felony, misdemeanor, or other violations. 

Arrest records are considered public documents in Oklahoma and include information collected from the 77 counties of the state. 

However, arrest records cannot serve as the offender's Oklahoma criminal record because arrest records are not definitive proof of guilt or involvement in the alleged crime. 
 

The information in an arrest record can be used to evaluate a person's inclinations toward criminal acts. 

In addition, they can be used by landlords, employers, and other members of the public in making decisions about a person. 

Some of the details in an Oklahoma arrest record include the offender's personal information, name of the arresting agency, booking time and date, the offense committed, bail information, and description of the events that caused the arrest. 

The Duration of Oklahoma Arrest Records

Oklahoma arrest records are kept on file at varying periods depending on the crime committed. 

Some crimes stay on record forever and come up during regular background checks, while others do not. 

In addition, arrest records involving minor offenses like speeding tickets do not remain on file permanently. 

However, arrest records for crimes like sexual offenses and other violent crimes, punishable by more than one-year imprisonment, remain on records forever. 

The arrest records that are permanently kept on file include:

* Child abuse
* Driving under influence, including driving under the influence of drugs
* Drug possession 
* Child neglect 
* Child exploitation over the internet 
* Offenses involving domestic violence 
* Crimes committed using a firearm 
* Sexual abuse of minors between seven years and below

Arrest records left on file for ten to fifteen years include kidnapping, indecent exposure, robbery, theft, and prostitution. 

Arrest records that stay on file for five to ten years include drug trafficking, illegal use of a motor vehicle, and aggravated assault. 

Arrests for minor misdemeanors like DUI, disorderly conduct, and trespassing are generally left on file for one year. 

How to Find Arrest Records in Oklahoma

Interested parties searching for arrest records in Oklahoma can use the following methods:

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, also called OSBI, is tasked with maintaining a state-wide database of criminal history information, including arrest records. 

In addition, the agency has an online searchable database accessible to members of the public. 

However, the database only stores details of arrests made by local or state law enforcement agencies. 

For instance, where an arrest is made by a federal agency such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), such records will also be stored on the site. 

To access the OSBI database, you will be required to first create an account and pay a membership fee. 

After that, you will be introduced to a page where you can search for arrest records by date of birth, name, and other identifying details.

Furthermore, an individual can obtain an arrest record by reaching out to the law enforcement agency where the arrest was made. 

This is usually the local sheriff's office or police department. Every county in Oklahoma has its guidelines and policies regarding access to arrest records; however, you would be required to provide your personal and offender details. 

Another platform providing access to arrest records in Oklahoma is the Criminal History Information Request Portal (CHIRP). 

The portal offers one of the fastest ways to access arrest records. 

To use, you must first open a CHIRP account and wait for an approval message. 

Once your account is approved, you can search for your arrest record for $15 per search. If you cannot access their online portal, you can submit a request in person or via mail. 

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, responsible for maintaining the agency, requires applicants to fill out a criminal records request form. 

Afterward, the applicant must attach payment using a credit card, check, or money order. 

The application should be enclosed in a self-addressed and stamped envelope and sent to the OSBI using the following address:

6600 North Harvey Place 
Oklahoma City, OK 73116 
Phone: (405) 848-6724 
Fax: (405) 879-2503

In addition, an interested party can also obtain an Oklahoma arrest record through a subpoena. 

An Oklahoma arrest record can be accessed using a subpoena when a subject's criminal history is relevant to a case or court proceeding. 

An interested party can subpoena an arrest record by first submitting a written application to the OSBI. 

It is also worthy of note that the application must include the offender's name and the case number. 

In addition, the applicant must also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope. However, no fee is attached to an OSBI subpoena for an arrest record. 

However, an applicant might have to pay a fee if the application originates from another agency like the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. 

Once your request is received, it will be processed by the agency and later presented to the court as evidence. 

Subpoenas can also be obtained from Oklahoma courts and the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN). 

Conclusion 

People need arrest records for different purposes, and in Oklahoma, employers and landlords can consult arrest records before hiring employees or renting out an apartment to customers. 

If you are searching for arrest records in Oklahoma, the methods discussed above are valuable ways to discover such records in Oklahoma.