>Turner County Arrest Records Online

Turner County, South Dakota Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Turner County, South Dakota?

Arrest records are public documents in Turner County, South Dakota, pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law § 1-27-1, which establishes the state's open records policy. The South Dakota Public Records Law mandates that government agencies, including law enforcement entities, make their records accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. This transparency requirement applies to arrest records maintained by the Turner County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies operating within the county jurisdiction.

Members of the public may access these records as part of their right to information about governmental activities. The South Dakota Legislature has determined that public access to arrest records serves several important functions, including:

Promoting accountability within the criminal justice system
Enabling citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
Providing necessary information for public safety awareness
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or restricted if they contain confidential information as defined under SDCL § 1-27-1.5, such as ongoing investigation details, juvenile information, or data that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Turner County?

Turner County arrest records are available online through several official digital platforms. The South Dakota Unified Judicial System maintains a comprehensive database that includes court records related to arrests in Turner County. Additionally, the Public Access Record Search portal provides a centralized system where members of the public may conduct searches for arrest-related information.

The online availability of these records is governed by SDCL § 1-27-1.1, which encourages government agencies to utilize electronic means for record dissemination when feasible. The Turner County Sheriff's Office maintains limited booking information on their official website, though the comprehensiveness of online records may vary based on:

The date of the arrest (more recent records are more likely to be digitized)
The status of the case (pending vs. closed)
Technical limitations of county information systems
Statutory restrictions on certain types of information

Users of online arrest record systems should be aware that electronic records may not always contain complete information. Some documents may require in-person inspection at the Turner County Courthouse or Sheriff's Office to access full details, particularly for older cases or those with special handling requirements.

How to Look Up Turner County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Turner County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing these records include:

Submitting a formal records request to the Turner County Sheriff's Office located at 400 S Main St, Parker, SD 57053. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (605) 297-3225.
Visiting the Turner County Clerk of Court at their temporary office located at 210 N. Main, Suite 101, Parker, SD 57053-0446. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Utilizing the South Dakota Unified Judicial System's online resources, which include court records related to arrests and subsequent judicial proceedings.
Submitting a request to the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation for a comprehensive criminal history check, which would include arrest information from Turner County.

Pursuant to SDCL § 1-27-35, government agencies may charge reasonable fees for record reproduction, search time, and redaction services. Requestors should be prepared to provide:

The full name of the individual whose records are being sought
Date of birth or approximate age (if known)
Date range for the search
Case numbers (if available)
Proper identification when requesting records in person

Agencies typically respond to records requests within 10 business days as required by SDCL § 1-27-37, though complex requests may require additional processing time.

Contents of a Turner County Arrest Record

Turner County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by South Dakota law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and residential address
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including fingerprint classification data
Custody status and bail determination
Case disposition information, if available
Photographic identification (mugshot)
Incident report summary detailing the circumstances of the arrest

The comprehensiveness of arrest records is governed by SDCL § 23-5-1, which establishes requirements for law enforcement record-keeping. Certain information within arrest records may be subject to redaction prior to public release, particularly details that might:

Compromise ongoing investigations
Reveal confidential informant identities
Disclose juvenile information protected under SDCL § 26-7A-27
Violate federal privacy laws such as HIPAA if medical information is included

The Turner County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules, which typically require preservation of arrest records for a minimum of 7 years, with many records being retained permanently due to their historical and legal significance.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Turner County

Turner County residents may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by South Dakota law. Expungement is the legal process through which arrest records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes. Pursuant to SDCL § 23A-3-26 through § 23A-3-33, individuals may qualify for expungement if:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The case was dismissed or resulted in an acquittal
The individual has completed all terms of their sentence, including probation
The statutory waiting period has elapsed (varies by offense classification)
The petitioner has not been convicted of additional crimes during the waiting period

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Turner County Circuit Court. Petitioners must:

Complete the appropriate court forms
Pay applicable filing fees (approximately $70 as of 2025)
Provide certified copies of disposition documents
Submit to fingerprinting for verification purposes
Attend a scheduled hearing before a circuit court judge

The court evaluates expungement petitions based on statutory criteria and the rehabilitation demonstrated by the petitioner. If granted, an Order of Expungement directs all county agencies, including the Sheriff's Office, to seal the specified records from public access. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety and other state agencies will also receive notification to update their records accordingly.

Expunged records remain available for certain limited purposes, including subsequent criminal proceedings and specific employment background checks for sensitive positions as outlined in SDCL § 23A-3-32.