Story County Criminal Records
What Is Story County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Story County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.7, which establishes the framework for public records in the state.
Criminal records in Story County include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Story County Sheriff's Office, which may not necessarily result in charges or conviction
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older, which are generally public
- Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 18, which are typically sealed and confidential under Iowa law
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by courts
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal justice interactions
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Story County, each responsible for different aspects of the criminal justice process:
Story County Sheriff's Office
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-6566
Story County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, jail information, and the current inmate roster.
Story County Clerk of District Court
Story County Justice Center
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-7466
Story County Courts & Clerk of Court
The Clerk's office maintains court case records, including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, and sentencing information.
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
215 E 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 725-6066
Iowa Department of Public Safety
The DCI maintains statewide criminal history information, including fingerprint records and comprehensive criminal histories.
Criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process from arrest through final disposition, including charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information such as incarceration, probation, or parole terms.
Are Criminal Records Public In Story County
Criminal records in Story County are generally public information, with specific exceptions, as established by the Iowa Open Records Law, also known as Chapter 22 of the Iowa Code. This statute affirms the public's right to access government records while balancing privacy concerns and investigative integrity.
Iowa Code § 22.2(1) states: "Every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record and to publish or otherwise disseminate a public record or the information contained in a public record." This provision establishes the presumption of openness for government records in Iowa, including criminal records in Story County.
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. The following categories have restricted access:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations are confidential under Iowa Code § 22.7(5) until the investigation concludes
- Juvenile Records: Court proceedings involving minors under 18 are generally confidential pursuant to Iowa Code § 232.147, with limited exceptions
- Expunged Records: Cases that have been legally expunged are removed from public view
- Sealed Records: Records sealed by court order are not publicly accessible
- Certain Personal Information: Information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and other sensitive personal data may be redacted from otherwise public records
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and the current inmate roster maintained by the Story County Sheriff's Office are examples of criminal records that are publicly accessible. The Iowa Judicial Branch provides access to court records through its online portal and public terminals at the courthouse.
It is important to note that while many criminal records are public, their use is regulated by various state and federal laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which governs how criminal history information can be used for employment, housing, and other purposes.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Story County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Story County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, depending on the specific information needed.
For in-person requests at the Story County Courthouse:
- Visit the Story County Clerk of District Court during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies (currently $0.50 per page for standard copies)
- Wait for staff to retrieve the requested records, which may be available immediately or require additional processing time
Story County Clerk of District Court
Story County Justice Center
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-7466
Story County Courts & Clerk of Court
For mail requests:
- Submit a written request to the Story County Clerk of District Court at the address above
- Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available)
- Specify the records being requested (e.g., specific case files, criminal history)
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees
- Allow 7-10 business days for processing
For criminal history record checks through the state:
- Submit a request to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
- Complete the Criminal History Record Check Request Form
- Include the required fee (currently $15 per name checked)
- Provide a waiver signed by the subject of the check (if the request is from a third party)
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
215 E 7th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 725-6066
Iowa Department of Public Safety
Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Code 661-82.3, requestors must provide at minimum the subject's name and date of birth for criminal history checks. Additional identifying information may improve search accuracy.
How To Find Criminal Records in Story County Online?
Story County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals offer convenient access to various types of criminal records without requiring an in-person visit to county offices.
The primary online resources for criminal records in Story County include:
-
Iowa Courts Online Search: The Iowa Judicial Branch maintains a comprehensive database of court records, including criminal cases in Story County. Users can search by:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Date range
This system provides case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information. Some documents may require in-person viewing at courthouse terminals.
-
Story County Sheriff's Inmate Roster: The Current Inmate Roster provides real-time information about individuals currently detained in the Story County Jail, including:
- Name and booking photo
- Charges
- Bond information
- Booking date
-
Iowa Offender Search: The Iowa Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database of current and former inmates in the state correctional system, including those from Story County. This resource provides:
- Offender location
- Conviction information
- Sentence details
- Release dates
-
Story County Records Search Portal: The county maintains a Records Searches portal that provides access to various public records, including some criminal justice information.
When using these online systems, users should note:
- Some portals require registration or the creation of a user account
- Certain detailed documents may only be available for in-person viewing
- Records may have a processing delay before appearing in online systems
- Some sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
- Older records may not be fully digitized and might require in-person requests
The Story County Sheriff's Office also provides information about civil process and other law enforcement records that may be relevant to criminal history searches.
Can You Search Story County Criminal Records for Free?
Story County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without cost, as provided under Iowa's Open Records Law. Iowa Code § 22.2 establishes the right to examine public records at no charge, though fees may apply for copies or specialized searches.
Free in-person inspection of criminal records is available at:
Story County Clerk of District Court
Story County Justice Center
1315 South B Avenue
Nevada, IA 50201
(515) 382-7466
Story County Courts & Clerk of Court
Public terminals at the courthouse provide free access to court records during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). Visitors may view records without charge, though printing fees apply.
Free online resources include:
-
Current Inmate Roster: The Story County Sheriff's Office maintains a free, publicly accessible database of current jail inmates.
-
Iowa Courts Online Search: Basic case information is available without charge, including:
- Case numbers
- Party names
- Charges filed
- Hearing dates
- Case disposition
-
Iowa Offender Search: This free database provides information on individuals currently or previously under the supervision of the Iowa Department of Corrections.
While basic searches are free, fees may apply for:
- Certified copies of court documents ($10 per document)
- Extensive record searches requiring staff time
- Complete criminal history reports from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation ($15 per name)
- Expedited processing of requests
The Story County Sheriff's Office also maintains certain public safety records that can be accessed without charge, though specialized requests may incur fees as outlined in the county's fee schedule.
What's Included in a Story County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Story County contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (e.g., Story County Sheriff's Office)
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction
- Statutory charges filed (Iowa Code citations)
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney representation details
- Hearing dates and outcomes
Disposition Information:
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/OWI violations
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges
- Probation/parole violations
The Story County Jail maintains records related to incarceration, while court records are maintained by the Clerk of District Court. Comprehensive criminal history information is compiled by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
It is important to note that pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.7, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations.
How Long Does Story County Keep Criminal Records?
Story County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Iowa Records Retention Commission and governed by Iowa Code § 305.8, which establishes the framework for government records management in the state.
Different types of criminal records are subject to varying retention periods:
- Felony Case Files: Permanently maintained for serious offenses (Class A and B felonies); 75 years for other felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 20 years after final disposition
- Traffic and Simple Misdemeanors: Maintained for 10 years after final disposition
- Arrest Records Without Charges: Generally kept for 3 years, then destroyed if no charges were filed
- Jail Records: Booking information and inmate files are typically retained for 7 years after release
- Probation Records: Maintained for 10 years after completion of probation
- Juvenile Records: May be sealed upon reaching adulthood if eligibility requirements are met; otherwise retained according to offense classification
The Story County Sheriff's Office maintains law enforcement records according to these schedules, while court records are preserved by the Clerk of District Court.
Certain records may be eligible for expungement under specific circumstances as provided in Iowa Code § 901C.3, which allows for the expungement of certain dismissed cases and acquittals. Additionally, Iowa Code § 123.46(6) provides for the expungement of certain public intoxication convictions after two years with no new criminal convictions.
Digital records maintained in the Iowa Courts Online system follow the same retention schedules as their physical counterparts, though technological changes may affect how these records are stored and accessed over time.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety maintains criminal history information indefinitely unless a court order directs expungement or sealing of specific records.
Lookup Criminal Records in Story County
Story County Courts & Clerk of Court
Iowa Judicial Branch - Story County