Where can I obtain prison records?

How can I obtain MO Circuit Court records?

• How can I obtain MO Circuit Court records? Specifically from Clinton County, Missouri for the year of 1880? I have obtained a prison record for someone that was imprisoned from 1880 to 1881. He was in there for Grand Larceny. Now I'd like to obtain some actual court documents that might tell what exactly happened. I did some checking earlier and there appears to be some records available on microfilm at the MO State Archives (which is where I go the other record). I'm guessing that I need to order the court records from the same people. I think. I'm just wondering what information might be available on the court records and if they will tell me the particulars of this man's crime. Any feedback from other family history buffs would be appreciated. TY.

• Answer:

  UK based I would start with where you got the prison record from, if the place has a website where their record idexes are databased then do a search so you can get the record numbers as it will then be easier for you or them to find it for you, if they don't have what you are looking for then ask where the records are likely to be. I have copies of the curcuit court records for someone I am researching, which gives names, date and very detailed case details of evidence against the person, who they were charged along with, their pleas and sentences or detainments, where they were detained and where they were eventually sent and what sentance they received...trying to get the prison record, but it is held elsewhere and so I need to go and search myself at the local records office of the County the prison was in.....good luck, if you are researching your FH the best information you can get is if your ancestors were either rich or rogues as there are more records for them...mine was eventually sent to a prison for the disabled, but was not disabled prior to going to prison, so I am guessing something happened when he was in the holding prison, which means there will be hospital records too...and a prison photograph of him.