Yellowstone County Arrest Records

In Yellowstone County, Montana, arrests become necessary when law enforcement officers apprehend individuals based on sufficient evidence that they have committed a criminal offense, plan to, or pose a threat to public safety. Individuals may also be arrested when they fail to comply with a court order or summons.

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to a detention facility and processed/booked, during which arrest records are generated. These records provide an official account of the detention process and are referenced in subsequent judicial processes and records, including Yellowstone County court records.

Arrest records for these individuals provide valuable information about criminal cases in the county's court system and are often part of Yellowstone County’s court records. These records include essential details about the charges, the arresting agency, and legal proceedings related to the arrestee.

Are Arrest Records Public in Yellowstone County?

Under the Montana Public Records Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 2-6-1003), Yellowstone County arrest records are generally available to the public. This law requires public custodians, including law enforcement agencies, to provide access to records at reasonable times, allowing citizens to inspect or obtain copies of public records, including arrest records.

However, this provision is not absolute, and certain records may be exempt from public disclosure, including:

• Juvenile records and those pertaining to witnesses, informants, victims, and other vulnerable persons
• Sealed or expunged records per Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-1101
• Arrest records related to ongoing investigations or active legal proceedings,
• Information whose disclosure might pose a risk to national safety

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

An arrest record in Yellowstone County generally contains the following information:

• Personal details of the individual arrested
• Their mugshots and fingerprints,
• Date, time, and location of the arrest,
• Arresting agency and officer’s name,
• Specific charges filed against the arrestee,
• Booking number and the detention facility where the individual is held,
• Bail or bond amount,
• Case number, if available.

Yellowstone County Crime Rate

According to data from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, property crimes, particularly larceny theft, are the most prevalent offenses in Yellowstone County. In 2022, the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office reported over 1,200 property-related crimes, with larceny theft accounting for 680 of these incidents. Violent crimes, including aggravated assault and robbery, were also reported, but property-related crimes constituted the majority of cases in the county.

Find Yellowstone County Arrest Records

Yellowstone County arrest records can be accessed through local law enforcement agencies like the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, as well as state and federally-operated databases.

The County Sheriff’s Office publishes inmate information on its Detention Center Search Page. Inquirers may search the page by an inmate's last name, booking number, or arrest date to access specific arrest records or the full jail roster. Requests may also be made to the Sheriff’s Office directly using the Request for Records Check Form:

Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office
2550 3rd Avenue North
P.O. Box 35017
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 256-2929
Fax: (406) 256-2934

Interested persons may also access these records via the Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search Portal. In this case, the requester will also need to enter the inmate's first and last names and select "Montana" to access Yellowstone County arrest records.

Alternatively, visit the Montana Correctional Offender Network Search and click on "Find an Offender". This tool allows users to search for arrest records by offender name or other identifying information.

Free Arrest Record Search in Yellowstone County

There are several ways to access arrest records for free in Yellowstone County:

• Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster: Access the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster to search for arrest records of current inmates by name or booking date.
• Montana Department of Corrections Search Portal: Use the Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search to look up arrest records by entering names and search criteria.
• Public Libraries: Some public libraries in Yellowstone County may provide free access to online databases that contain arrest records or other public records related to law enforcement.
• Third-Party Websites: Certain third-party websites may offer free access to Yellowstone County public records, including arrest records.

Get Yellowstone County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Yellowstone County include more comprehensive information than arrest records, encompassing a full history of an individual's interactions with the legal system, such as convictions and sentencing. Law enforcement agencies and the Yellowstone District Court maintain these records.

To request records from the district court, inquirers may prepare a written request containing the case number of the record being sought, the documents of interest, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. The request, along with a payment of $1 per page (depending on the number of pages), may be delivered or mailed to the clerk's office at:

Yellowstone Clerk of District Court
P.O. Box 35030
Billings, MT 59107

Interested persons may also request name-based and fingerprint-based criminal record searches from the Criminal Records & Identification Services offered by the Montana Department of Justice. In-person requests may be directed to:

Montana Criminal Records
2225 11th Avenue
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
E-mail: dojcriss@mt.gov
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Fax: (406) 444-0689

Yellowstone County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest Records detail an individual’s apprehension by law enforcement in Yellowstone County. They include information about the alleged offense, the arresting officer, and custody status, but they do not confirm guilt or lead to a conviction. An arrest record is simply the initial step in the legal process.

Criminal Records provide a complete overview of an individual’s standing within the justice system. In addition to arrests, criminal records include convictions, sentencing, and incarceration details. A criminal record confirms whether an individual has been found guilty of a crime and provides information on legal outcomes, such as fines, probation, or imprisonment.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Montana, including Yellowstone County, an arrest record remains on an individual's criminal record indefinitely unless specific legal action is taken to expunge or seal it.

Expunge Yellowstone County Arrest Records

According to Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-1104, an individual may petition the court for expungement or sealing of arrest records if they satisfy the state’s eligibility requirements for expunction.

The following requirements generally apply:

• Dismissal or Acquittal: The charges against the arrestee must have been dismissed, or the individual must have been acquitted.
• Sentence Completion: The petitioner must have fully completed any sentence resulting from the arrest.
• No Subsequent Convictions: The petitioner must not have any subsequent criminal convictions for at least five years following the completion of their sentence.

Eligible individuals seeking to expunge or seal their arrest records in Yellowstone County should follow these steps:

• Confirm Eligibility: Ensure you meet all the legal criteria for expungement or sealing your arrest records.
• Obtain Records: Obtain copies of all relevant arrest records and court documents associated with your case.
• Prepare the Petition: Prepare a legal petition for the expungement or sealing of records. The petition should include:
• Full legal name and identification number,
• Details of the arrest (date, charges, arresting agency),
• Reasons for requesting the expungement or sealing.
• Pay Applicable Fees: There may be fees associated with filing the petition. Pay the necessary fees at the Yellowstone County District Court Clerk’s Office.
• Serve the Petition: Serve a copy of the petition to the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office.
• Court Hearing: Attend the court hearing where you will present your case and answer any questions from the judge or counter objections from the prosecutor’s office.
• Court Order: If the court grants the petition, it will issue an order to expunge or seal the arrest record.
• Follow-Up: Obtain a copy of the court order and follow up to ensure that all relevant agencies comply with the expungement order, as mandated by Montana Code Annotated Title 46, Chapter 18, Section 1110.

Yellowstone County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Yellowstone County is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement officers to take an individual into custody. According to Montana Code Annotated Title 46, Chapter 6, Section 201, a court can issue an arrest warrant if there is probable cause that an individual has committed or is about to commit a crime, has failed to comply with a court order, or poses a public risk.

Typically, an arrest warrant includes:

• The name and signature of the issuing judge or magistrate,
• The court that issued the warrant and the date of issuance,
• The full name, aliases, physical description, last known address, and date of birth of the individual named in the warrant,
• The charges against the individual,
• The time, date, and location of the alleged offense,
• An order to arrest the individual.

Yellowstone County Arrest Warrant Search

For information about active arrest warrants, visit, call, or send a letter to the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office at:

Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office
2550 3rd Avenue North
Billings, MT 59101
Phone: (406) 256-2929
Email: sheriff@co.yellowstone.mt.gov

Alternatively, contact the Yellowstone County Clerk of Court for information on active court-issued arrest warrants. They may provide details about the warrant status or assist with inquiries regarding specific cases.

Some online third-party databases provide information about active arrest warrants in Yellowstone County. However, be cautious when using third-party sites and verify the information through official county channels.

Do Yellowstone County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants in Yellowstone County do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until one of the following conditions is met.