Des Moines County Criminal Records
What Is Des Moines County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Des Moines County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies operating at the county, state, and federal levels.
Arrest records document the circumstances under which a person was taken into custody, including the date, arresting agency, and charges alleged at the time of booking. Conviction records, by contrast, reflect the formal outcome of criminal proceedings and carry greater legal weight for purposes such as employment screening or firearm eligibility. Under Iowa law, felonies are classified as Class A through Class D offenses and carry potential sentences of more than one year of incarceration, while misdemeanors are categorized as aggravated, serious, or simple and generally result in shorter terms or fines.
Juvenile records are treated differently under Iowa law. Pursuant to § 232.147 of the Iowa Code, juvenile adjudications are confidential and not accessible to the general public, distinguishing them from adult criminal proceedings. Active warrant records reflect outstanding orders for arrest that have not yet been executed, whereas historical records document resolved matters including dismissed charges, acquittals, and completed sentences.
The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in Des Moines County include:
- Des Moines County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking data, and jail records
- Iowa District Court for Des Moines County — maintains case filings, pleas, trial records, sentencing orders, and dispositions
- Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) — maintains statewide criminal history repositories
- Burlington Police Department — maintains local arrest and incident records
Records held by these agencies collectively document charges filed, arraignments, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing terms, and any subsequent probation or parole conditions. Members of the public seeking court case information may access Des Moines County Courts and Juror Information for guidance on the county's judicial structure within Iowa's Eighth Judicial District.
Des Moines County Sheriff's Office 211 N. Gear Ave., West Burlington, IA 52655 (319) 753-4511 Des Moines County Sheriff's Office
Iowa District Court — Des Moines County 513 N. Main St., Burlington, IA 52601 (319) 753-8262 Iowa Judicial Branch — Des Moines County
Are Criminal Records Public In Des Moines County
Adult criminal records in Des Moines County are presumptively open to the public under Iowa's open records framework. § 22.2 of the Iowa Code, Iowa's principal public records statute, establishes that "every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record." Criminal records maintained by county and state agencies generally qualify as public records subject to this provision.
The following categories of information are currently accessible to members of the public:
- Adult conviction records, including felony and misdemeanor dispositions
- Court case filings, hearing dates, and sentencing orders
- Booking and arrest logs maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration data
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed pursuant to § 232.147
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Expunged or deferred judgment records that have been formally sealed by court order
- Certain victim information, including addresses and identifying details protected under Iowa's victim privacy statutes
Members of the public are advised that while inspection of public records is a statutory right, agencies may impose reasonable fees for copying and may require advance notice for large or complex requests.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Des Moines County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Des Moines County criminal records through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
To obtain Sheriff's Office records:
- Visit the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office at 211 N. Gear Ave., West Burlington, IA 52655, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
- Submit a written public records request identifying the subject by full legal name and date of birth.
- Pay applicable fees as established by the office. The records request process is detailed on the Sheriff's Office website, including current fee schedules.
To obtain court records:
- Visit the Clerk of Court at the Des Moines County Courthouse, 513 N. Main St., Burlington, IA 52601.
- Provide the subject's full name and, if known, a case number or approximate filing date.
- Request certified copies if official documentation is required for legal or employment purposes.
To obtain a statewide criminal history background check:
- Submit a request through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The criminal history background check process is administered by the DCI and requires the subject's full name, date of birth, and applicable fee.
- Requests may be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the DCI office.
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation 215 E. 7th St., Des Moines, IA 50319 (515) 725-6066 Iowa DCI — Criminal History Record Check Information
How To Find Criminal Records in Des Moines County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Des Moines County criminal record information without requiring an in-person visit.
Iowa Courts Online Case Search — The Iowa Judicial Branch operates a statewide case management portal at iowacourts.state.ia.us that allows members of the public to search court case records by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal contains civil and criminal case information, including charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. No registration is required for basic name searches.
Des Moines County Jail Roster — The Sheriff's Office maintains current inmate information through its jail information page, which reflects individuals currently held at the Des Moines County Correctional Center. This resource is updated regularly and does not require registration.
Iowa DOC Offender Search — The Iowa Department of Corrections operates a publicly accessible offender search database that allows users to locate individuals currently or previously under the supervision of the Iowa correctional system. Offender records are public information pursuant to § 904.601(1) of the Iowa Code.
Iowa Sex Offender Registry — The Iowa Department of Public Safety maintains a statewide sex offender registry searchable by name, county, or ZIP code at sex offender registry.
Members of the public should note that online portals may not reflect the most recent case updates, and certain record categories — including sealed, expunged, or juvenile records — are not available through any public-facing online system.
Can You Search Des Moines County Criminal Records for Free?
Iowa law affirmatively establishes the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under § 22.2 of the Iowa Code, custodians of public records must permit inspection without imposing a fee for the act of viewing records. Fees may, however, be assessed for copying, certification, or staff research time when requests are extensive.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Iowa Courts Online Case Search — free name-based searches of court case records statewide, including Des Moines County criminal cases
- Des Moines County Jail Roster — free access to current inmate information via the Sheriff's Office jail page
- Iowa DOC Offender Search — free public access to the offender search portal maintained by the Iowa Department of Corrections
- In-person inspection at the Clerk of Court or Sheriff's Office — free to view; copying fees apply
Statewide criminal history background checks processed through the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation carry a per-request fee, as these involve staff research and compilation of records across multiple databases.
What's Included in a Des Moines County Criminal Record?
A complete Des Moines County criminal record may contain information drawn from multiple agencies and compiled across the full lifecycle of a criminal case.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) and, where applicable, FBI number
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Burlington PD, or other law enforcement)
- Booking number and facility (Des Moines County Correctional Center)
- Charges alleged at time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction (Iowa District Court, Des Moines County)
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges as formally filed, including Iowa Code statute citations and felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest, Alford)
- Attorney of record (defense and prosecution)
Disposition:
- Verdict or dismissal
- Conviction date
- Sentence imposed, including incarceration length, fines, restitution, community service, and special conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole terms and supervising agency
Additional Record Elements:
- Outstanding or recalled warrants
- Protective or no-contact orders
- Sex offender registration status
- OWI/DUI convictions and license actions
- Traffic-related criminal violations
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
How Long Does Des Moines County Keep Criminal Records?
Iowa law and administrative rules establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records maintained by county agencies. Retention schedules are governed by the Iowa State Archives and Records Program under the authority of the Iowa Code.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Arrest records and booking logs — retained for a minimum of five years following the date of arrest, or longer if associated with an open case
- Felony conviction records — retained permanently by the Clerk of Court and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
- Misdemeanor conviction records — retained for a minimum of seven years following final disposition
- Acquittals and dismissed charges — retained for a minimum of five years; may be subject to expungement petition under Iowa law
- Juvenile adjudication records — retained pursuant to confidentiality provisions and may be expunged upon the subject reaching adulthood and meeting statutory criteria
- Sex offender registration records — retained for the duration of the registration period, which may be ten years to lifetime depending on offense classification
- Jail records and inmate files — retained for a minimum of five years following release
The Iowa State Archives and Records Program publishes official retention schedules applicable to county government offices. Agencies are required to comply with these schedules and may not destroy records prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period without authorization.