Cherokee County Arrest Records

Cherokee County, Oklahoma, arrest records provide information about all arrest-related incidents. Information seekers often receive such records from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies or other public documents, such as criminal records. For example, Cherokee County court records may include arrest information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Cherokee County?

Yes. The Oklahoma Open Records Act (Title 51, Oklahoma Statutes, Sections 24A.1 through 24A.33) authorizes the public to view and copy government documents, including arrest records, unless exempted by law.

The Act protects privacy and sensitive information by exempting some data from public disclosure. For instance, records of pending investigations or those that could risk a person's safety are not made public. Records comprising personal identifying information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, unlisted phone numbers, and driver's license numbers are also not available to the public unless released in an official report.

Requesters wishing to inquire about open arrest records in Cherokee County may contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at the following address:

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
213 W Delaware St
Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464
Phone: (918) 456-2583
Fax: (918) 456-6594

Cherokee County Arrest Statistics

According to a 5-year analysis of figures from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office reported 1,294 arrests between 2019 and 2023. The gender distribution of the arrest figures revealed that males were the predominant offenders, with 72.72% (942), while females constituted 27.28% (353) of all arrests.

The racial composition of all arrests in the period under review showed that American Indians or Alaska Natives were the prevalent racial group arrested for various offenses, with 50.70%. Whites, Blacks or African Americans, and persons whose racial identities were unknown accounted for 44.05% (570), 3.25% (42), and 1.62% (21) of all arrests, respectively. Asians constituted 0.39% (5) of those arrested.

A breakdown of the type of offenses law enforcement officers detained offenders for between 2019 and 2023 showed that all other offenses aside from traffic were the most prevalent, with 24.65% (319), followed by simple assault at 16.69% (216) and driving under the influence at 9.35% (121). Offenders arrested for unspecified burglary accounted for 6.88% (88), while those arrested for possessing dangerous, non-narcotic drugs made up 6.26% (81).

Find Cherokee County Arrest Records

Requesters searching for information on Cherokee County inmates at the state level may find them through the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) Offender Lookup tool.

Using search criteria such as the offender's first or last name, date of birth, or DOC Number, inquirers may access details such as the offender's prison status, facility location, offense, and sentencing.

Alternatively, requesters may access public arrest information through the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN). Users may use the Case Search tool to search for arrest records by name or case number.

At the national level, federal law enforcement officers may detain a Cherokee County offender in one of their facilities. Interested parties searching for such a person may use the Federal Inmate Locator tool to locate the inmate.

Cherokee County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records in Cherokee, as in other parts of Oklahoma, record the moment the police detain an individual. These documents include the date, time, reason for the arrest, and any charges. However, a person's arrest record does not always indicate that they were found guilty of a crime.

The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, or other relevant law enforcement organizations are responsible for maintaining arrest records in Cherokee County.

Conversely, criminal records are extensive reports of the formal history of a person's relationship with the criminal justice system. They cover convictions, judicial decisions, charges, and arrests.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is the principal custodian of criminal records in Oklahoma.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

A Cherokee County arrest warrant will remain on a person’s record indefinitely unless they file for expungement or sealing through the courts.

Under Title 22, Section 18 of the Oklahoma Statutes, eligibility for expungement depends on the circumstances of arrests and resolutions of the case. Common eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Where no charges are brought following an arrest, expungement may be requested after 1 year.
• Arrest records may be expunged if the charges were dropped and no further charges were filed.
• If an individual is exonerated or found not guilty, they may be eligible for expungement.
• Expungement may be an option if the offender successfully completes a deferred sentence and fulfills additional waiting periods.
• Depending on the crime and resolution, individuals may need to wait 5–10 years before being eligible.

Cherokee County Arrest Warrants

Cherokee County arrest warrants are court orders signed by a judge or magistrate that give the police the power to take someone into custody. These documents are usually issued after probable cause has been established through an affidavit by a law enforcement officer or other witnesses.

In Cherokee County, arrest warrants are necessary when a crime occurs outside the officer’s view or when the officer must make an arrest to prevent the suspect from fleeing or harming others.

Arrest warrants issued by Cherokee County usually contain the accused's name (or a physical description if not known) and information on the alleged crime. The document also includes details such as the date of issuance, the judge's signature, and issuing court information.

Do Cherokee County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Cherokee County arrest warrants typically do not expire. Following their issuance, they stay active until the individual named on the warrant is taken into custody or the warrant is revoked by a judge. Arrest warrants are not subject to a statute of limitations; therefore, they can be enforced at any time.

Furthermore, a judge may cancel a warrant if law enforcement fails to make significant attempts to enforce it. The status of an arrest warrant may be determined by factors such as the magnitude of the crime and law enforcement efforts to locate the perpetrator.