Lafayette County
Lafayette County was organized in 1820, and Lexington was designated as its permanent seat. The county spans approximately 628.3 complete square miles and has the designation of the 47th county in all of Missouri based on its total area. As of the 2020 United States Census, approximately 32,984 people live in the county. The court system in Lafayette County consists of a Circuit Court and 13 Municipal Courts.
The Lafayette County Circuit Court is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Missouri and has general jurisdiction over most civil and criminal cases. It is divided into three divisions: Circuit, Associate, and Probate. The court oversees cases involving contracts, property, felonies, misdemeanors, guardianships, wills, delinquency, child custody, and divorce. Additionally, It provides a range of services, including mediation options, jury trials, and administrative hearings. The Lafayette County Municipal Courts have original jurisdiction over municipal ordinance violations. These courts handle matters involving traffic violations, disorderly conduct, littering, and public nuisance cases.
Lafayette County court records are official documents created during the judicial process in the county's courts. These records typically include judgments, evidence, orders, fillings, and transcripts. Types of Lafayette County court records include:
- Criminal Court Records
- Civil Court Records
- Probate Court Records
- Family Court Records
- Traffic Court Records
- Juvenile Court Records
In Lafayette County, court records are managed by the Clerk of Courts, who serves as the official custodian of judicial documents. The Missouri Sunshine Law grants the public the right to inspect and obtain copies of records within the county court system. However, certain records are sealed by law or court orders to preserve privacy or protect sensitive information, such as juvenile records, adoption records, and domestic violence records. Individuals may search for Lafayette County court records online through Missouri Judiciary's Case.net system, which provides public access to non-confidential case information, or in person by visiting the courthouse at:
Lafayette County Courthouse
1001 Main Street
Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: (660) 259-4315
