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Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes. The Sheriff's Office does fingerprint for certain job, license, or other necessary reasons.  If you need to be fingerprinted, you need to go to the Lawrence County Jail located at 300 East Water Street in Mt. Vernon.

HOW DO I OBTAIN A CCW PERMIT

What to bring:

  • Training certificate from Approved Instructor
    • Approved instructors for Lawrence County are listed on the website.  Instructors who are approved to train statewide are registered with the Missouri Sheriff's Association.
  • A valid photo ID, with current address information.
  • Fee of $100.00, cash, correct amount only, or check.
    • $50.00 for those who are currently serving or have served in the military.  Proof of service is required (Military ID, DD-214, etc.).

Where to go:

The Sheriff’s Office is located on the lower level of the Justice Center, 240 N. Main St, Suite 10, Mt. Vernon, MO.

Is an appointment necessary?

No, applicants may come at any time, Monday through Friday from 8 am – 4 pm.   The office will be closed from 12 to 1 pm. 

How long does the process take after applicant is fingerprinted?

Usually, seven to ten business days the applicant will receive a call if approved, or written notice if the application has been denied from the Sheriff’s Office.

What’s next?

When your application has been approved, you will be issued a Carry Conceal Permit at the Sheriff’s Office.  Each applicant must return to sign their application and receive their permit. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Notices of renewal will be sent by mail, every five years.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the Sheriff’s Office if you move.  If you move from Lawrence County, you must notify both the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office in the county in which you are moving. 

 

 

No, Lawrence County does not have any animal control officers.  They have no animal control ordinances.  Any animal complaints must fall under current state statute requirements.

No.  The Lawrence County Sheriff's office does not endorse anyone soliciting money for this office by phone.  Any phone calls you receive requesting money for the Sheriff's Office are probably scammers.  The only contact you may receive regarding the Sheriff's Office is from the Missouri Sheriff's Association (MSA).  You might receive a letter in the mail from them requesting support.  You will not receive a phone call from them.  The Missouri Sheriff's Association is the only organization that the Sheriff's Office supports as a solicitor of funds for the Sheriff's Office.

If you make a report with the Sheriff's Office you may be able to obtain a copy of the report with-in two business days.  In order to get the report, you must come to the Sheriff's Office located at 240 North Main, Suite 10 in Mt. Vernon.  Only the person making the report may obtain a copy of the report.  That person must also present a valid picture ID for the report.

You can check information on registered sex offenders by clicking on the "Sex Offender" link on the home page.  This page will display were the offender lives as well as information about the offense.

You can find out who is currently incarcerated in the Lawrence County Jail by clicking on the "Inmate Roster" on the home page.

If it is an emergency dial 911.  If it is a non emergency the please call 417-466-2131.  The on duty dispatcher will then forward the call to the appropriate agency or officer.

Yes.  The Sheriff's Office charges a fee for most all paper services.  Attached a fee schedule for papers served and mileage.

No.  If you receive a traffic ticket from a Deputy you must either appear in court on the date listed at the top of the summons or you may contact the courts by phone at the number listed.  You may also come to the courts which is located on the first floor of the Judicial Center.

No, if your power goes out, you will need to contact your local city utilities or rural electric co-op to report the outage.  The Sheriff's Office does not have any special numbers to notify them of the outage.  We use the same numbers that you would call.

HOW DO I OBTAIN A CCW PERMIT

What to bring:

  • Training certificate from Approved Instructor
    • Approved instructors for Lawrence County are listed on the website.  Instructors who are approved to train statewide are registered with the Missouri Sheriff's Association.
  • A valid photo ID, with current address information.
  • Fee of $100.00, cash, correct amount only, or check.
    • $50.00 for those who are currently serving or have served in the military.  Proof of service is required (Military ID, DD-214, etc.).

Where to go:

The Sheriff’s Office is located on the lower level of the Justice Center, 240 N. Main St, Suite 10, Mt. Vernon, MO.

Is an appointment necessary?

No, applicants may come at any time, Monday through Friday from 8 am – 4 pm.   The office will be closed from 12 to 1 pm. 

How long does the process take after applicant is fingerprinted?

Usually, seven to ten business days the applicant will receive a call if approved, or written notice if the application has been denied from the Sheriff’s Office.

What’s next?

When your application has been approved, you will be issued a Carry Conceal Permit at the Sheriff’s Office.  Each applicant must return to sign their application and receive their permit. 

IMPORTANT REMINDER

Notices of renewal will be sent by mail, every five years.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the Sheriff’s Office if you move.  If you move from Lawrence County, you must notify both the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office in the county in which you are moving. 

 

 

If you don't know the extension to who you are calling, you can simply press "1" and it will take you to a live person who can direct your call.

No.  It is not required that you give us any personal information. However, if you wish to be recontacted you will need to do so. There may be times when you need to be recontacted to verify information and leaving your name and a phone number is appreciated but not required.

Attached is a current list of trainers who are approved by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office for CCW permits.

CCW Instructors

 

The Sheriff in any county has the authority to commission municipal officers with in their county.  Several municipal officers with in Lawrence County have been given a commission by the Sheriff.  This benefits everyone involved.  On occasion, the Sheriff's Office requires assistance from municipal agencies for certain details.  By having a commissioned officer, those agencies can send officers to assist our office.  It also allows those agencies to have another resource in providing services to their jurisdiction.

Lawrence County Deputies have arrest authority anywhere with in Lawrence County.  This includes inside any city that is with in Lawrence County.  While County Deputies cannot enforce city ordinances, they can enforce all state laws with the city.

Yes.  If you know you are going to be out of town an extended amount of time you may call the Sheriff's Office and request an extra patrol of your residence.  A log will be made and officers will make an extra effort to check your residence.  If you live inside a jurisdiction that has its own police department, that information will be forwarded to the appropriate department.