Criminal records in Cowley County, Kansas, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. CowleyCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Cowley County. The 19th Judicial District Court, the Cowley County Sheriff's Office, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation also maintain records that may be searched or requested through their respective offices and online portals.
How to Search Criminal Records in Cowley County
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Cowley County, depending on what information you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- CowleyCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases filed in Cowley County.
- Kansas Judicial Branch — The state court system offers a district court records search tool that covers cases across Kansas, including Cowley County's 19th Judicial District.
- Cowley County Sheriff's Inmate Roster — The Sheriff's Office publishes current and archived inmate rosters online, which show individuals currently or recently held in the Cowley County Jail.
- Kansas Criminal History Record Search — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) maintains the state's Central Repository of criminal history records. You can request a name-based search online for a fee.
- KASPER — The Kansas Department of Corrections' offender population search lets you look up individuals currently or formerly under KDOC supervision.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of the District Court at the Cowley County Courthouse in Winfield. Public access terminals or assistance from clerk staff may be available for looking up case records. You can also visit the court location in Arkansas City for the same judicial district.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request to the Clerk of the District Court for copies of criminal case records. For a statewide criminal history check, submit a request to the KBI. The KBI's record check page explains what is needed for mail-in requests.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- Any additional identifiers such as middle name or suffix
Search Cowley County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number is the fastest way to pull up a specific criminal case in Cowley County.
Kansas district court case numbers follow a standard format:
- County code — A two-letter abbreviation identifying the county (Cowley County uses "CL")
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed
- Case type code — A two-letter code indicating the type of case. Common criminal codes include:
- CR — Criminal felony
- CM — Criminal misdemeanor
- TR — Traffic
- Sequential number — A unique number assigned to the case within that year and category
For example, a case number like CL-2024-CR-000123 would indicate a felony criminal case filed in Cowley County in 2024. Enter the full case number into the court's search system to retrieve filings, hearing dates, charges, and disposition information.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Cowley County
Criminal case records in Cowley County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Kansas statute number the defendant is charged under (e.g., K.S.A. 21-5706 for drug offenses) |
| Severity level | Felony (severity levels 1–10), misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), or infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be modified by the prosecutor through amendment or plea negotiation; the record will reflect both original and amended charges |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing, with scheduled hearings or motions
- Disposed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
- Closed — All obligations related to the case have been completed, including sentencing terms
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — The defendant's first court appearance, where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing — A hearing to determine whether enough evidence exists to proceed (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — A meeting between parties to discuss plea offers, motions, and trial preparation
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — A follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — The charges were dropped by the prosecution or the court
- Diversion — The defendant entered a diversion agreement; charges may be dismissed upon completion
- Acquitted — A formal finding of not guilty
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Cowley County
Certified copies of criminal case records in Cowley County are handled by the Clerk of the 19th Judicial District Court. These records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal and employment purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk of the District Court at the Cowley County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request to the clerk's office that includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and the specific documents you need. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Online (state-level) — For a certified criminal history record from the KBI, use the Kansas Criminal History Record Search portal. You will need to provide the subject's name and date of birth, and pay the required fee online.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- If requesting your own record from the KBI, fingerprint-based checks may be required for certain purposes
Contact Information
Clerk of the 19th Judicial District Court — Winfield
Kansas Bureau of Investigation — Criminal History Records
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Cowley County
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks vary depending on the source and type of record requested.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document | $0.50 per page plus certification fee | Clerk of the District Court |
| Certification fee | $1.00 per document | Clerk of the District Court (per K.S.A. 28-115) |
| KBI name-based criminal history check | $20.00 | Kansas Bureau of Investigation |
| KBI fingerprint-based criminal history check | $45.00 | Kansas Bureau of Investigation |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Cowley County Courthouse are often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request.
- Mail requests to the clerk's office typically take one to two weeks.
- KBI online searches usually return results within minutes for name-based checks. Fingerprint-based checks may take several business days.
Fees are established under Kansas statutes, including K.S.A. 28-115 for court document fees. The KBI sets its own fee schedule for criminal history record checks. Contact the relevant office directly to confirm current fees before submitting payment.