Yellowstone County Public Records / Yellowstone County Arrest Records

Yellowstone County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Yellowstone County

Arrest records in Yellowstone County are generally considered public information under Montana's constitutional right to know provisions and the Montana Public Records Act. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1003, government records are presumed to be open to public inspection unless there is a specific statutory exemption or the demands of individual privacy clearly exceed the merits of public disclosure.

The Montana Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access arrest records, with certain limitations. Law enforcement agencies in Yellowstone County maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records are typically accessible to members of the public upon proper request.

It is important to note the distinction between arrest records and conviction records:

Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement based on probable cause that they committed a crime. An arrest alone does not constitute proof of guilt.
Conviction records indicate that an individual has been found guilty of a crime through due process of law, either by trial or plea.

Under Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301, criminal justice information is divided into public and confidential categories. While arrest records are generally public, certain information may be restricted if it involves:

Ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (with exceptions)
Information that would compromise individual privacy rights
Records sealed by court order

The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office maintains and provides access to arrest records in accordance with these state laws and regulations.

What's in Yellowstone County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Yellowstone County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. The content of these records is standardized to ensure consistency across jurisdictions and includes the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, or other distinguishing features)
Residential address
Photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
Circumstances leading to arrest
Use of force information (if applicable)

Charge Information:

Criminal charges filed
Statute or ordinance citations
Charge classification (felony, misdemeanor)
Charge severity level
Description of alleged criminal activity

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number
Issuing court
Date of issuance
Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)
Warrant status

Booking Information:

Booking number
Date and time of booking
Booking facility
Processing officer information
Property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond amount
Bond type
Bond status
Conditions of release (if applicable)

Court Information:

Court of jurisdiction
Case number
Scheduled court appearances
Judge assigned to case

Custody Status:

Current detention status
Housing location (if incarcerated)
Expected release date (if applicable)
Probation/parole status (if applicable)

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history
Known associates
Vehicle information
Employment information
Emergency contact information
Medical alerts or special needs

The Yellowstone County Detention Facility maintains these records in accordance with Montana state law and departmental policies.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Yellowstone County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Yellowstone County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county provides multiple access points for record retrieval, depending on the specific information needed and its intended use.

To request arrest records in person:

Visit the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours.
Complete a Public Records Request Form, providing specific information about the record being sought.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying (fees vary based on record type and number of pages).
Allow processing time as specified by the records clerk.

Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office
2323 2nd Avenue North
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2929
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office

To request arrest records by mail:

Download and complete the Public Records Request Form from the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office website.
Include a copy of valid government-issued photo identification.
Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Include payment for applicable fees (check or money order made payable to "Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office").
Mail the completed package to the Sheriff's Office Records Division.

For criminal history information beyond basic arrest data, requestors may need to contact the Montana Department of Justice's Criminal Records and Identification Services:

Montana Department of Justice - Criminal Records
2225 11th Avenue
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
(406) 444-3625
Montana Department of Justice

Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-302, certain criminal justice information is available to the public upon request, though requestors may be required to state the purpose for which the information will be used.

How To Find Yellowstone County Arrest Records Online

Yellowstone County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official online portals. These electronic resources allow members of the public to search for basic arrest information without visiting government offices in person.

The primary online resource for current arrest information is the Yellowstone County Detention Facility inmate search. This database provides real-time information about individuals currently in custody. To utilize this resource:

Navigate to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility website.
Locate the inmate search function.
Enter search criteria (last name, first name, or booking date).
Review search results, which typically include:
- Inmate name
- Booking date
- Charges
- Bond information
- Next court date
- Current custody status

For more comprehensive criminal history information, the Montana Department of Justice maintains the Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN). While full access to this system is restricted to authorized criminal justice agencies, limited public access is available through:

Montana Department of Justice - Criminal History Record Check
Montana Criminal Records Check

This service requires:

Payment of applicable fees
Submission of proper identification
Completion of required forms
Statement of purpose for the record check

For court records related to arrests, the Montana Judicial Branch provides online access through:

Montana Courts Electronic Filing and Records Access
Montana Court Records

Users should note that pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103, certain information may be restricted from online access even when available through in-person requests. Additionally, the information available online is often limited to basic details rather than complete arrest records.

How To Search Yellowstone County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access certain Yellowstone County arrest records without payment of fees through several authorized channels. These no-cost options provide basic information while maintaining compliance with Montana public records laws.

The most accessible free resource is the Yellowstone County Detention Facility inmate search, which provides current information about individuals in custody. This searchable database includes:

Names of currently detained individuals
Booking dates
Charges
Bond information
Scheduled court appearances

To use this resource:

Visit the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office website
Navigate to the Detention Facility section
Select the inmate search function
Enter search criteria (name or booking date)
Review the results displayed

Additional free resources include:

Public Access Terminals at the Yellowstone County Courthouse
217 N 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2800
Yellowstone County District Court

These terminals provide access to:

Court case information
Hearing schedules
Case dispositions
Judgment information

The Billings Police Department also maintains public information regarding recent arrests:

Billings Police Department
220 N 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-8460
Billings Police Department

Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, agencies may not charge fees for the inspection of public records, though reasonable fees may be assessed for document reproduction or extensive research. Individuals seeking more comprehensive criminal history information may need to utilize fee-based services through the Montana Department of Justice.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Yellowstone County

Montana law provides specific mechanisms for the removal of arrest records from public access under certain circumstances. These processes fall into two distinct categories: expungement (legal erasure) and sealing (restricting public access).

Expungement

Expungement is the complete removal of arrest records from government databases. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1101, expungement may be available in the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in dismissal of charges
Deferred prosecution agreements that have been successfully completed
Certain misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods
Cases where the individual was found not guilty

The process for expungement in Yellowstone County requires:

Filing a petition with the Yellowstone County District Court
Providing notice to the prosecuting agency
Attending a hearing before a district judge
Obtaining a court order directing expungement

Sealing of Records

Record sealing restricts public access while maintaining the records for limited official use. Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1103 governs the sealing process, which may apply to:

Certain felony convictions after completion of sentence and waiting periods
Juvenile records upon reaching adulthood
Cases involving deferred imposition of sentence after successful completion

To petition for record sealing:

Complete the appropriate petition form available from the Yellowstone County District Court
Submit the petition to the court where the case was adjudicated
Provide notice to all relevant agencies
Attend the scheduled hearing
If granted, ensure the court order is distributed to all agencies holding records

Yellowstone County District Court
217 N 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2800
Yellowstone County District Court

It is important to note that certain records, particularly those involving violent offenses, sexual crimes, or offenses against children, may have limited eligibility for expungement or sealing. Additionally, even sealed records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes.

What Happens After Arrest in Yellowstone County?

Following an arrest in Yellowstone County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Montana state law and local procedures. This process includes several distinct phases from initial custody through case disposition.

Initial Custody and Booking

Upon arrest, individuals are transported to the Yellowstone County Detention Facility for processing. The booking procedure includes:

Recording of personal information
Fingerprinting and photographing
Medical screening
Property inventory
Criminal history check
Assignment to appropriate housing

Initial Appearance

Within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), arrestees appear before a judge for:

Formal notification of charges
Review of probable cause for the arrest
Determination of bail or release conditions
Assignment of counsel for indigent defendants
Scheduling of subsequent proceedings

Charging Decision

The Yellowstone County Attorney's Office reviews arrest information to determine formal charges through either:

Filing of a complaint for misdemeanor cases
Presentation to a grand jury or filing an information for felony cases

Preliminary Hearing/Arraignment

For felony cases, a preliminary hearing may be held to determine if sufficient evidence exists to proceed. At arraignment, defendants:

Receive formal reading of charges
Enter a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
Have trial rights explained
Receive scheduling for pretrial proceedings

Pretrial Proceedings

Before trial, several proceedings may occur:

Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
Pretrial motions addressing evidence and procedural issues
Plea negotiations
Status conferences to monitor case progress

Trial

If the case proceeds to trial, defendants have the right to:

Jury trial or bench trial (judge only)
Confront and cross-examine witnesses
Present evidence and testimony
Remain silent or testify on their own behalf
Receive verdict based on "beyond reasonable doubt" standard

Sentencing

Following conviction (by plea or verdict), sentencing occurs with consideration of:

Statutory guidelines
Pre-sentence investigation reports
Victim impact statements
Mitigating and aggravating factors
Defendant's criminal history

Post-Conviction

After sentencing, defendants may pursue:

Appeal of legal errors
Post-conviction relief for constitutional violations
Sentence review for excessive punishment
Probation or parole supervision for eligible sentences

Throughout this process, the Yellowstone County criminal justice system operates under the constitutional principles of due process and equal protection, with proceedings documented in public records maintained by the courts and law enforcement agencies.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Yellowstone County?

Arrest records in Yellowstone County are maintained according to Montana's records retention requirements, which establish specific timeframes for preservation of law enforcement documentation. These retention periods vary based on record type, case disposition, and statutory mandates.

Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1013 establishes the general framework for government records retention, while specific schedules for law enforcement records are detailed in the Montana Local Government Records Retention Schedules. For arrest records, the following retention periods typically apply:

Arrest Reports and Booking Information:

Felony arrests: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor arrests: Minimum 10-year retention
Arrests not resulting in charges: 5-year retention
Juvenile arrests: Until subject reaches age 18, then sealed per court order

Fingerprint Cards and Identification Records:

Felony arrests: Permanent retention
Misdemeanor arrests: 10-year retention after case closure
Juvenile fingerprints: Maintained separately with restricted access

Investigation Reports Related to Arrests:

Homicide cases: Permanent retention
Felony cases: 25-year retention after case closure
Misdemeanor cases: 10-year retention after case closure
Unfounded cases: 5-year retention

Detention Records:

Inmate booking records: 10-year retention after release
Custody logs: 5-year retention
Inmate medical records: 7-year retention after release

The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state requirements, with oversight from the Montana Secretary of State's Records Management division. Different agencies within the county criminal justice system (law enforcement, courts, prosecutor's office) may maintain separate copies of arrest-related records with their own retention requirements.

Records retention serves several critical purposes:

Preserves evidence for potential future legal proceedings
Maintains documentation for background checks and security clearances
Provides statistical data for crime analysis and resource allocation
Ensures accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system
Protects the rights of both the accused and victims

Individuals seeking information about specific arrest records should note that even after the minimum retention period has expired, many records may be maintained for longer periods, particularly those related to serious offenses or cases with ongoing legal significance.

How to Find Mugshots in Yellowstone County

Mugshot photographs, formally known as booking photographs, are created during the arrest processing procedure at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. These images serve as official documentation of an individual's appearance at the time of booking and become part of the arrest record.

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots typically consist of two images:

A front-facing (portrait) photograph
A profile (side-view) photograph

These photographs document:

Physical appearance at time of arrest
Identifying features (scars, tattoos, etc.)
Height reference markers
Booking identification information

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

In Yellowstone County, booking photographs are primarily maintained by:

Yellowstone County Detention Facility
3165 King Avenue East
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-6881
Yellowstone County Detention Facility

Secondary repositories may include:

Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office Records Division
Billings Police Department Records Division
Montana Department of Justice Criminal Records Division

Finding Mugshots

To obtain official copies of booking photographs, individuals may:

Submit a public records request to the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office
Provide specific identifying information (name, date of birth, date of arrest)
Pay applicable fees for record reproduction
Present valid identification
State the purpose for the request

Can Mugshots Be Found Online

While some jurisdictions publish booking photographs online, Yellowstone County currently limits online access to basic inmate information through the inmate search function. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-311, law enforcement agencies must consider privacy interests when determining whether to publish mugshots online.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

The most reliable method for obtaining booking photographs is through formal channels:

Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office Records Division
2323 2nd Avenue North
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2929
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to booking photographs may be restricted in cases involving:

Ongoing investigations
Juvenile arrests
Expunged or sealed records
Privacy concerns that outweigh public interest
Court-ordered restrictions

Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that commercial websites that publish and charge for removal of mugshots operate independently from official government agencies and may not maintain accurate or current information.

Lookup Arrest Records in Yellowstone County

Search for current inmates at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility

Submit a public records request for criminal records from the City of Billings

Contact the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office for arrest record information

View inmate search results from the Yellowstone County Detention Center

Learn about the Yellowstone County Detention Facility and its operations