Dawson County Arrest Records

In Dawson County, Nebraska, law enforcement officers may arrest an individual when they have probable cause to believe that person has committed a crime. This can happen if the officer directly witnesses the crime, has a warrant for an individual's arrest, or gets reliable information that leads to an arrest.

The Dawson County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for making arrests and creating arrest records. Other local police departments within the county also make arrests and keep related records. Arrestees are usually held in county jail.

Arrest records in Dawson County are public records since they are created by government agencies while carrying out their duties. These records may also be linked to Dawson County court records, particularly when the arrests lead to legal proceedings.

Are Arrest Records Public in Dawson County?

Dawson County arrest records are generally deemed public under Nebraska's Freedom of Information and Public Records Law. This means most details about arrests are accessible to the public. These include the arrestee's name, arrest date and time, charges against them, and the arresting agency.

However, some records may be withheld if they contain confidential or sensitive information. Examples of arrest record information that may be withheld from the public include:

• Juvenile case records
• Personal details that could amount to a breach of privacy
• Medical information
• Trade secrets
• Records related to active investigations
• Information restricted by law or court order
• Details that may compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger individuals involved
• Identities of confidential informants
• Personal information about victims, especially sexual assault victims.

Dawson County Arrest Statistics

According to a 2019 report from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), the crime rate in Dawson County that year was 1,100 per 100,000 residents. That year, there were 20 incidents of aggravated assaults, five incidents of sexual assaults, and 223 cases of property crimes. The property crime rate that year was about 15 per 1,000 residents. Also, in 2022, the average daily population of the County jail was 126 inmates.

Find Dawson County Arrest Records

Dawson County arrest records and inmate information can be obtained through the County Sheriff's Office. Requests can be made in person or by mail. To help locate the correct records, requesters are required to provide details such as the arrestee's name, information about the incident, the arresting officer, and the facility where the individual is being held.

Also, the Nebraska State Patrol's Criminal Identification Division offers access to adult arrest records for a fee of $15.50. Requests can be made online or by submitting a Criminal History Record form in person or by mail. Payment must be made by personal check or money order.

Dawson County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records are different documents, serving different purposes. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody and held before trial. However, it does not include information about the trial or any conviction. In contrast, a criminal record tracks the full legal process beginning with the arrest and culminating in post-conviction outcomes.

In Dawson County, having an arrest record does not indicate guilt. On the other hand, a criminal record reflects the case disposition, including whether the individual was found guilty or not guilty.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Dawson County, Nebraska, arrest records are permanent. They are not automatically removed, but remain a part of the individual's criminal history. These records stay accessible unless the individual takes legal measures to have them sealed or expunged.

However, an arrest will not remain on a person's public record in the following cases:

• If no charges are filed, the arrest is removed from public view after one year.
• If charges are not filed due to a complete diversion, the record is removed after two years.
• If charges are filed but subsequently dismissed in court, the arrest is removed from the public record after three years.

Dawson County Arrest Warrants

According to the Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 29-403, an arrest warrant is a legal order issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of a crime. In Dawson County, a warrant is issued when a formal complaint is filed and there is probable cause to believe the individual has violated the law.

A typical Dawson County arrest includes the following:

• The name of the accused
• Their physical details (such as eye color, hair color, height, and tattoos)
• The alleged offense
• The name of the issuing judge or magistrate
• The date of issuance
• The bail or release terms

The Dawson County Sheriff's Office is responsible for executing arrest warrants and maintaining records of outstanding warrants within the county. Individuals may request a warrant search by submitting a written request to the Sheriff's Office. However, details of active warrants may be withheld if disclosing them could interfere with ongoing investigations.

Dawson County Sheriff's Office
709 N. Grant Street,
Lexington, NE 68850
Phone: (308) 324-3011

Typically, arrest warrants are issued by the courts and filed with court clerks. Individuals may check court dockets or public records at the Dawson County Courthouse to determine if a warrant has been issued for a specific individual. While the Nebraska State Patrol's Criminal Identification Division primarily manages arrest records and criminal histories, it may also hold information on warrants if they are linked to an arrest.

Do Dawson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Dawson County, Nebraska, arrest warrants remain active indefinitely. They do not automatically disappear. Once issued by a court, warrants remain active until they are either executed or revoked. Either the individual named in the warrant is arrested, the court recalls the warrant, or the individual turns themselves in.

Expunge Dawson County Arrest Records

In Dawson County, Nebraska, removing arrest information from public view is called expungement. Under Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 29-3523, individuals may request expungement or sealing of their arrest records in the following situations:

• The prosecutor decided not to file criminal charges
• The individual completed a diversion program instead of being charged
• Charges were dismissed by the court at the prosecutor's request
• The arrest occurred due to a mistake

To initiate the expungement process, eligible individuals must file a petition with the court that has jurisdiction over the arrest. The petition should include details about the arrest, reasons for expungement, and supporting documents. The petitioner must also notify the arresting agency. The court may then schedule a hearing to decide whether to approve the request.