Kuenzle v. Missouri State Highway Patrol

COVINGTON, Chief Justice.

William F. Kuenzle, respondent, was arrested for, but not charged with, stealing under $150. Kuenzle petitioned the Circuit Court of Cole County to use its equitable power to expunge the arrest record. The court ordered expungement, and the Court of Appeals, Western District, affirmed. This Court granted transfer to decide the question of whether the trial court in this case had equitable authority to expunge Kuenzle’s arrest record. Judgment is reversed.

William Kuenzle worked as a clerk at Dillard’s Department Store in St. Louis. On October 26,1985, he sold to a…