HCS HB 1053 -- ARREST RECORDS

SPONSOR:  Pratt (Jolly)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Judiciary by a vote of 12 to 0.

Currently, access to official court records for persons arrested
and charged, but the case is subsequently nolle prossed,
dismissed, or the accused is found not guilty or imposition of
sentence is suspended, is limited to law enforcement agencies,
child care agencies, residential care facilities, and skilled
nursing facilities.  This substitute authorizes access to
official court records to victims of offenses against the family
found in Chapters 566 and 568, RSMo.  The official records will
be released only for the purpose of using the records in the
victim's own judicial proceeding.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will allow victims to
inspect the defendant's court record for the purpose of using it
for their own civil court proceeding.  Releasing the court
records will also allow the victim to avoid future threats from
the defendant.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Jolly; Aubrey Key;
and Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alex Curchin, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:41 am