Comanche County Arrest Records

In Comanche County, an arrest occurs when law enforcement suspects an individual of committing a crime or catches them in the act. After an arrest, the individual is generally booked at a local police station or the Comanche County Detention Center. During booking, officers record the suspect's personal information, the basis for the arrest, and the circumstances surrounding the apprehension. This process creates essential records, including an official arrest report. Based on the crime's severity, the individual may be released on bond or held in the Comanche County Detention Center until their court appearance.

County law enforcement agencies are primarily responsible for creating and maintaining arrest records in Comanche County, Oklahoma. These records are vital components of the criminal justice system as they initiate legal proceedings and may be referenced throughout a case. Arrest records may also be included in broader public records maintained by state and local agencies. For example, arrest information may be included in Comanche County court records and other legal documents like criminal complaints, court orders, and case files.

Are Arrest Records Public in Comanche County?

Yes, arrest records in Comanche County are generally available to the public under the Oklahoma Open Records Act (Title 51). However, there are exceptions to public access based on 51 O.S. §24A.5, which protects certain sensitive information from being disclosed. For example, the following information may be exempt from public release:

• Information pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
• Records pertaining to juveniles and minors
• Records from closed public meetings
• Information that may disclose the identity of a victim, witness or informant
• Sensitive medical information related to investigations
• Test-related materials
• Social Security numbers

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A typical public arrest record in Comanche County will include the following information:

• The arrestee's name, age, gender, and date of birth
• The charges filed against the individual
• The date and time of the arrest
• The location where the arrest occurred
• The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
• The case number associated with the arrest
• The bond amount (if applicable)
• The court date scheduled for the individual

Find Comanche County Arrest Records

The Comanche County Sheriff’s Office primarily manages Comanche County arrest records and other local law enforcement agencies. Interested persons may query these offices in person or via mail for arrest-related information, depending on where the arrest occurred.

To facilitate the search, requests should include the personal information of the arrestee and details of the apprehension as well as their corrections ID (where applicable). Requests to the Sheriff’s Office may be addressed to:

Comanche County Sheriff
315 SW 5th Street, #102
Lawton, Oklahoma 73501
Phone: (580) 353-4280

If the arrest was made by a state agency, such as the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, inquirers may search for the inmate using the OK Offender Tool managed by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Searches may be conducted using the offender’s name, OK Doc number, or birthdate.

In the case of federal arrests, including those conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), more specific search methods may be required. For instance, federal inmates can be located through the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator, which allows searches by name or BOP register number. If an individual was arrested by ICE, they may be temporarily held in the Comanche County Detention Center. If not located there, ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System can be used to conduct a broader search for the detainee.

Free Arrest Record Search in Comanche County

The inmate search tools provided by government agencies are typically free to use. Additionally, record custodians will typically process a record search request at no cost unless the inquirer requests a physical copy of the record.

Various third-party websites aggregate public records, including county jail bookings, police reports, and court information, which may be helpful for locating arrest files. These platforms can be particularly useful for those searching across multiple jurisdictions. While many of these sites offer free access to basic search results, some more detailed reports may require payment. Users should be cautious about the accuracy and timeliness of the information on these third-party platforms, as it may not always reflect real-time updates.

Get Comanche County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Comanche County provide detailed documentation of an individual’s entire criminal history. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is the central repository for criminal history records for Oklahoma, including Comanche County. The Bureau processes two types of criminal record requests: a name-based criminal history check and a fingerprint-based check.

Name-Based Checks

Interested members of the public may use the OSBI Criminal History Information Request Portal (CHIRP) for name-based criminal history checks. To use this system, the requester must create an account on CHIRP and perform a search using one name, up to three aliases, and the date of birth. Additional search criteria, such as race, gender, or Social Security Number, can also be included. While creating an account is free, each criminal history search costs $15.00, with an optional $2.00 Department of Corrections registry search. Search results remain available for 60 days once retrieved.

Fingerprint Based Checks

For fingerprint-based criminal history checks, individuals must complete a Criminal History Request Form and submit it to OSBI by mail or in person, along with original fingerprint cards. A fingerprint-based check costs $19.00, payable by cash (if submitted in person), cashier’s check, money order, or credit card. Mail-in requests must include a prepaid, self-addressed envelope for returning the documents. Requests should be sent to:

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
6600 North Harvey
Oklahoma City, OK 73116

Comanche County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records detail the circumstances of an individual’s apprehension, such as the date, location, and reason for the arrest, as well as the arresting agency. These records do not necessarily indicate that the individual was convicted of a crime, as an arrest is simply the first step in the criminal justice process. Arrest records are maintained by law enforcement agencies and are considered public records.

On the other hand, criminal records provide a more comprehensive overview of a person’s interactions with the criminal justice system, including formal charges, court proceedings, and the outcome of those proceedings, such as convictions or sentences. Criminal records are maintained by both law enforcement agencies and the court system, and they encompass the entirety of a person’s criminal history, not just individual instances of arrest.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Oklahoma, an arrest remains on a person's record indefinitely unless legally expunged. According to Oklahoma Statutes, individuals may qualify for expungement if they meet specific conditions, such as acquittal, dismissal of charges, or successful completion of a deferred sentence. This statute outlines various scenarios where someone can petition the court for an expungement, such as when charges are dismissed, the statute of limitations has expired, or the individual has been fully pardoned.

Expunge Comanche County Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal process that removes or seals an individual's criminal record, making it unavailable to the public. There are two primary forms of expungement in Oklahoma:

• Section 18 Expungement: This allows an individual to clear their entire arrest record.
• Section 991(c) Expungement: This is available to those who have received a deferred sentence. Following this, the petitioner’s file will be expunged, and the case disposition will be updated to a “pled not guilty, case dismissed” verdict. However, it does not remove the arrest record itself.

To qualify for expungement of county records under Oklahoma Statutes Title 22 § 18, individuals must meet one of the following:

• Acquitted, charges dismissed, or conviction reversed.
• Proven innocent through DNA evidence.
• Granted a full pardon or committed the offense as a minor and received a pardon.
• Arrested but not charged or wrongly arrested due to identity theft.
• Misdemeanor or nonviolent felony convictions dismissed or completed with no pending charges and specific time frames met (1-10 years, depending on the case).

To begin the expungement process, individuals must submit a Petition for Expungement or an Order of Dismissal and/or Expungement to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), along with the following details:

• Full name of the arrestee
• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• The crime(s) charged
• The date of arrest
• Disposition of the case (i.e., court outcome)

Submit the form, along with a $150.00 filing fee, to:

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
6500 North Harvey Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73116

Comanche County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Comanche County is a formal order signed by a judge that authorizes the arrest of a person. A judge issues an arrest warrant based on an affidavit or sworn statement from law enforcement demonstrating probable cause for the arrest. The warrant typically contains the following information:

• The suspect’s name
• The alleged crime
• A description of the charges
• Any conditions regarding the arrest (such as time or location constraints)

Comanche County Arrest Warrant Search

To check for active arrest warrants in Comanche County, individuals can use the Comanche County Sheriff’s Most Wanted List. This list allows users to view information on persons at large or with an active warrant against them.

Inquirers may also use third-party sites. Most of which host an inmate information portals; to use them:

• Open the inmate information portal.
• Select the "Warrant Check" option.
• Enter the individual’s first name, last name, and date of birth.
• Click “Find” to view the results.

Do Comanche County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Comanche County do not have an expiration date. Once issued, the warrant remains valid indefinitely until it is executed or formally canceled by the court. However, factors such as a suspect’s change in residency or moving out of state may impact how actively the warrant is pursued. Sometimes, the court may recall or quash the warrant if new evidence emerges or legal circumstances change.