Lincoln County Arrest Records

Lincoln County arrest records are public and are available online and in person at the Sheriff's Office. These records are generated when a person suspected of committing a crime is arrested and detained in the Detention Center. The arrestee's personal information and the circumstances surrounding the arrest will be documented online and transferred to relevant local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies' databases. If the arrest leads to prosecution, details of the legal proceedings, such as charges, court appearances, and case outcomes, are recorded in Lincoln County court records. These records are maintained separately from arrest records and may be accessed through the county's judicial system.

Are Arrest Records Public in Lincoln County?

Yes. The Montana Public Records Act and MT Code Annotated §44-5-301 permit public access to arrest records. This allows law enforcement agencies in Lincoln County to release arrest records to members of the public upon request. Customers can submit requests online or in person during business hours. Montana law prohibits public disclosure of such arrest records for privacy reasons. Examples of such records are stated in MCA § 44-5-103(3). Generally, confidential arrest records include victim information (MCA § 44-5-311), criminal intelligence information, fingerprints or investigative photographs, and juvenile arrest records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Lincoln County contain the following information:

• Booking number
• The offender's name and number
• Statute, offense, and clerk
• The name of the court where the case was heard

Lincoln County Arrest Statistics

The Montana Board of Crime Control (MBCC) has a Statistical Analysis Center that publishes annual crime reports, where individuals can find information about crimes committed by arrestees in the state. Offenders arrested in Lincoln County committed about 549 crimes in 2023. The offense rate per 10,000 was 255. The Lincoln County Detention Center holds about 29 adult arrestees.

Find Lincoln County Arrest Records

The Montana Department of Corrections maintains Lincoln County arrest records and makes them publicly available to record seekers. Requests can be made online through the Offender Search Portal or in person at facilities scattered across the state. Those using the online portal will need an ID number or name to conduct a search.

Individuals can also find Lincoln County arrest records at federal law enforcement agencies. These agencies issue such records online and in person at their local offices. For example, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has an Inmate Locator where requesters can find arrest information without charges. A name or number is required to conduct the search. Copies of arrest records can be obtained in person at BOP's facilities. Similarly, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an Online Detainee Locator System where arrest information is freely available to members of the public. A search can be conducted using a detainee's A-Number or biographical information. Copies of arrest records can be obtained from the ICE's field offices or detention facilities.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lincoln County

Record seekers can find arrest records for free on the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office website. On the site, click the "Detention" menu at the top bar, then scroll down and click the "jail roster" link to view arrest information. The inquirer will see arrest information about inmates by name. Another way of finding arrest records for free is through a third-party aggregated database. However, such sites only release basic arrest information for free. Users who need comprehensive arrest records must pay a small fee.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The Montana Criminal Records & Identification Services Section (CRISS) automatically removes non-conviction arrests from criminal records. However, arrests where the offender was convicted remain on record forever except expunged.

Expunge Lincoln County Arrest Records

Expungement refers to the permanent destruction, erasure, or deletion of arrest records from the criminal history record information system maintained by the Department of Justice (MCA § 46-18-1103). Lincoln County courts only expunge non-conviction cases and certain misdemeanors. According to MCA §44-5-202, the Montana Criminal Records & Identification Services Section (CRISS) automatically expunges non-conviction arrest records. The arrestee does not need to complete a Record Removal Form if the arrest occurred after July 1, 2017. However, the record holder must mail a Record Removal Form alongside a Court Judgment to CRISS Expungement if the arrest was before July 1, 2017. The CRISS takes 30 days to process expungement requests and will provide a confirmation letter to the applicant once the request is processed. The mailing address is:

Montana Criminal Records & Identification Services Section
2225 11th Ave.
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620
E-mail: dojcriss@mt.gov
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Fax: (406) 444-0689

Per MCA § 46-18-1105, Petitioners arrested for misdemeanor offenses should file a Petition for Expungement in the Lincoln County District Court. They must serve a copy of the Petition on the prosecution office responsible for the conviction (MCA § 46-18-1106). The prosecution office will notify case victims within 14 days of receiving the petition. If the District Court grants the petition, the petitioner must go to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to be fingerprinted on a blue applicant's fingerprint card (FD-258). Fingerprinting services cost $10, payable by cash, check, or money order. Afterwards, the petitioner must mail an expungement form (available on the MT DOJ website), fingerprint card, and the expungement order form to the CRISS. The CRISS will verify the documents and remove the petitioner's arrest data from the CCH if the verification is successful.

Lincoln County Arrest Warrants

According to MT Code § 46-6-201, a court will issue an arrest warrant if the contents of a complaint and the examination of the complainant, witnesses, or affidavits show probable cause to believe that a person has committed a crime. The judicial officer can issue multiple warrants on the same complaint. An arrest warrant must be in writing, and the name of the state or municipality (MT Code § 46-6-214). They also contain the following information:

• Nature of the offense
• Specify the bail amount
• The judge's signature and the title of their office
• The issuing date of the arrest warrant
• A command that the defendant be arrested and brought before the nearest court
• The defendant's name or any name or description of the defendant

Per MT Code § 46-6-215, a judicial officer will direct arrest warrants to all peace officers in Montana. The warrant can be executed in any county in the state.

Do Lincoln County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Lincoln County do not expire. They remain active until they are executed, quashed by the court, or the defendant dies. Individuals interested in finding out if they have outstanding warrants can conduct a search using the Montana Public Access Portal. Users must select a specific court from the dropdown menu to search for their name and warrant status.