### Submitting an Open Records Request To request a public record, you will need to submit an Open Records Request. While some departments accept informal requests over the phone, submitting a written request ensures your inquiry is documented and processed efficiently. When preparing your request, be sure to provide as much identifying information as possible, including: * The full name of the individual arrested * The individual's date of birth (if known) * The approximate date and time of the arrest or incident * The location of the incident ### Contact Information You can contact or visit the department in person to inquire about the specific forms and fees associated with public records copies: * **Address:** Tahlequah Police Department, 100 S. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah, OK 74464 * **Phone:** (918) 456-8801 * **Hours:** Typically Monday through Friday, during standard business hours. Note that under Oklahoma law, law enforcement agencies may charge a reasonable fee for copying records, especially if the request requires significant search time or physical media. ## Checking the Cherokee County Detention Center

Because the Tahlequah Police Department utilizes the county jail for housing detainees, individuals arrested by city officers are booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center. If you cannot find a mugshot through the city police department, the county sheriff's office is the next logical step. ### Cherokee County Sheriff's Office The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office manages the county jail and maintains booking logs, which include mugshots, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts. * **Inmate Roster:** The Sheriff's Office occasionally maintains an online inmate roster or jail lookup tool. If the online portal is unavailable, you can contact the detention center directly to verify if an individual is currently housed there. * **Address:** Cherokee County Detention Center, 213 W. Delaware St., Tahlequah, OK 74464 * **Phone:** (918) 456-2583 ## Utilizing Oklahoma Court Databases If you are searching for the legal outcome of an arrest rather than just the booking photograph, Oklahoma's state court databases are highly effective resources. While these databases do not typically display mugshots, they provide comprehensive records of charges, court dates, and case dispositions.

### Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) For cases prosecuted in the Cherokee County District Court, you can search the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN). This free public portal allows you to search by the individual's name to view active cases, past convictions, and filed charges. ### On Demand Court Records (ODCR) Some counties in Oklahoma use On Demand Court Records (ODCR) to publish their docket information. Checking both OSCN and ODCR ensures you do not miss records filed at different levels of the state court system. ## Important Limitations and Legal Considerations When searching for and utilizing public arrest records, it is crucial to keep several legal and practical limitations in mind:

### Presumption of Innocence A mugshot and arrest record indicate only that an individual was booked into a facility; they do not indicate guilt. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ### Expunged Records If an individual successfully has their record expunged under Oklahoma law, their arrest records and mugshots are legally sealed. Once expunged, these records are no longer accessible to the general public, and agencies are legally required to withhold them from public release. ### Third-Party Websites While third-party search databases compile mugshots and arrest records, these sites are not official government sources. They may display outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information. For official purposes, always verify records directly through the Tahlequah Police Department, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, or the Oklahoma court system.