>Haakon County Arrest Records Online

Haakon County, South Dakota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Haakon County, South Dakota?

Arrest records in Haakon County, South Dakota are public documents pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law § 1-27-1, which establishes the state's Public Records Act. This legislation mandates that government records, including those documenting arrests, remain accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The South Dakota Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials. Members of the public may access these records except in circumstances where:

The record pertains to an ongoing investigation
A court order has sealed the record
The record contains confidential information protected by state or federal law
The individual's record has been expunged pursuant to SDCL § 23A-3-27

The Haakon County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and facilitates public access as required by law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Haakon County?

Digital access to Haakon County arrest records is available through several authorized platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System provides electronic access to court records, which may include information related to arrests. Additionally, the Public Access Record Search portal enables citizens to search for case information throughout the state's judicial circuits, including the Sixth Judicial Circuit where Haakon County is situated.

It should be noted that:

Not all arrest records may be available online due to statutory restrictions
Records that have been sealed or expunged will not appear in public databases
Some detailed information may be redacted in accordance with SDCL § 23-5-7
Access to certain records may require registration or payment of statutory fees

The comprehensiveness of online records depends on the digitization efforts of local agencies and the implementation of record management systems within Haakon County.

How to Look Up Haakon County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Haakon County arrest records. Pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-1.2, public records shall be open for inspection during business hours. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following methods:

Visit the Haakon County Sheriff's Office located in the county courthouse at 140 S. Howard Ave., Philip, SD 57567
Submit a written request to the Haakon County Clerk of Courts at PO Box 70, Philip, SD 57567-0070
Access the South Dakota Unified Judicial System website for digitized court records
Utilize the Public Access Record Search portal for statewide case information
Contact the Division of Criminal Investigation for statewide criminal history information at 1302 East Highway 14, Suite 5, Pierre, SD 57501

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth. Pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-35, agencies may charge reasonable fees for record retrieval and reproduction.

Haakon County Sheriff's Office
140 S. Howard Ave., 3rd Floor
Philip, SD 57567
Phone: (605) 859-2850
Philip Police Department

Haakon County Clerk of Courts
PO Box 70, 140 South Howard
Philip, SD 57567-0070
Phone: (605) 859-2627
Office Hours: 8:00 am to noon MT, Monday-Friday
Haakon County Court Information

Contents of a Haakon County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Haakon County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by SDCL § 23-5-1. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's encounter with law enforcement resulting in arrest. Standard components of an arrest record include:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye and hair color
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)

It should be noted that pursuant to SDCL § 23-5-7, certain identifying information may be redacted from public records to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Haakon County

South Dakota law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to SDCL § 23A-3-27, individuals may petition for expungement when:

An arrest did not result in a conviction
The case was dismissed or resulted in an acquittal
The individual has completed a suspended imposition of sentence
The statutory waiting period has elapsed following completion of sentence
The offense was a minor drug possession charge eligible under SDCL § 23-6-8.1

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over Haakon County. Upon granting of an expungement order, records are sealed from public view but may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute.

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that:

Each charge must be addressed separately in the petition
Filing fees may apply pursuant to SDCL § 16-2-29
Legal representation is advisable but not required
The court maintains discretion in granting expungement requests
Federal charges are not eligible for expungement through state courts

Successful expungement results in the sealing of records from public access, though certain government entities may retain limited access for law enforcement purposes.