Yellowstone County Criminal Records
What Is Yellowstone County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Yellowstone County encompass the official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103, which defines criminal justice information and establishes parameters for its collection, maintenance, and dissemination.
Criminal records in Yellowstone County include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office and Billings Police Department, regardless of whether charges were filed
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings in Yellowstone County District Court and Justice Court
- Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas
- Incarceration Records: Documentation of time served in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility
Important distinctions exist between various types of criminal records:
- Arrest vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody, while conviction records indicate legal guilt established through court proceedings
- Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies constitute more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors carry lesser penalties
- Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 18 are generally sealed and subject to stricter confidentiality protections under Montana Code Annotated § 41-5-216
- Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Current warrants represent ongoing enforcement actions, while historical records document past proceedings
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Yellowstone County:
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office
2323 2nd Avenue North
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2929
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office
Yellowstone County District Court Clerk
217 N 27th Street, Room 704
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2830
Yellowstone County District Court
Montana Department of Justice - Criminal Records
303 North Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3625
Montana Department of Justice
Criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process: charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole information.
Are Criminal Records Public In Yellowstone County
Criminal records in Yellowstone County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1003, which establishes the presumption that government records shall be available for public inspection. The statute states that "every person has a right to examine and obtain a copy of any public information of this state" except as provided by law.
The Montana Constitution further reinforces this right in Article II, Section 9, which declares: "No person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions, except in cases in which the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure."
Public criminal records in Yellowstone County typically include:
- Adult arrest records
- Court proceedings and case files
- Conviction records
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
- Probation and parole status
However, certain categories of criminal records are subject to restrictions or exemptions:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation
- Sealed Records: Cases that have been legally sealed by court order are not publicly accessible
- Juvenile Records: Records involving minors are generally confidential under Montana Code Annotated § 41-5-216, with limited exceptions
- Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access
- Victim Information: Certain details regarding victims, particularly in sensitive cases, may be redacted
- Confidential Informant Information: Details that could identify confidential informants are protected
The Montana Criminal Justice Information Act further regulates the dissemination of criminal justice information, distinguishing between public criminal justice information and confidential criminal justice information. Public criminal justice information is available for public inspection, while confidential criminal justice information is restricted to authorized criminal justice agencies or as otherwise provided by law.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Yellowstone County must follow established procedures through the appropriate custodial agencies, which may include the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, District Court Clerk, or the Montana Department of Justice.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Yellowstone County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Yellowstone County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.
For in-person requests at the Yellowstone County Courthouse:
- Visit the Yellowstone County District Court Clerk's office during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $10 for record searches plus $0.50 per page for copies)
- Allow processing time, which varies based on request volume
Yellowstone County District Court Clerk
217 N 27th Street, Room 704
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2830
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Yellowstone County District Court
For mail requests:
- Submit a written request to the appropriate agency (District Court for case records, Sheriff's Office for arrest records)
- Include subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and approximate date range for records
- Provide requestor's contact information and purpose of request
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees
- Allow 10-15 business days for processing
For criminal case information through the Montana Judicial Branch:
- Access the Montana Courts FullCourt Public Access system
- Register for an account if required
- Select Yellowstone County from the jurisdiction menu
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, or date range)
- Review available case summaries and register for extended access if needed
For detention facility records:
- Visit the Yellowstone County Detention Center inmate search
- Enter the individual's name in the search field
- Review current inmate status and booking information
- Note that historical detention records may require a formal request
For statewide criminal history information:
- Submit a completed fingerprint card and request form to the Montana Department of Justice
- Include payment for the current processing fee
- Provide a signed release from the subject of the search (if not requesting your own records)
- Allow 7-10 business days for processing
Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301, requestors must provide proper identification and may be required to state the purpose of their request when seeking criminal justice information.
How To Find Criminal Records in Yellowstone County Online?
Yellowstone County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information varies by system.
The primary online resources for Yellowstone County criminal records include:
Montana Courts Case Search
The Montana Judicial Branch maintains a public access portal for court records statewide, including Yellowstone County cases. Users may:
- Search by defendant name, case number, or filing date
- View case summaries, charges, and scheduled hearings
- Access certain case documents (though some may require in-person requests)
- Monitor case status and disposition information Registration is required for extended access, and certain document types may not be available online.
Yellowstone County Detention Center Inmate Search
The Yellowstone County Detention Facility provides an online roster of current inmates. This database allows users to:
- Search for currently incarcerated individuals
- View booking information and charges
- Check custody status and facility location
- Access limited booking photos The system requires users to complete a simple verification step before searching and only includes current inmates, not historical detention records.
Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search
The Montana Offender Search database provides information on convicted felons under Department of Corrections supervision. This resource allows users to:
- Search by offender name or DOC identification number
- View conviction information and sentence details
- Check supervision status (probation, parole, incarcerated)
- Access offender photographs and physical descriptions This system only includes felony convictions, not misdemeanors or arrests that did not result in conviction.
Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry
The Montana Department of Justice maintains a searchable database of registered sexual and violent offenders. Users can:
- Search by name, location, or offender characteristics
- View registration details and compliance status
- Access offense information and risk level
- Receive community notifications for specific areas
When using online resources, users should note several important limitations:
- Not all criminal records are available online
- Historical records may require formal requests
- Document access may be restricted for certain case types
- Information accuracy should be verified through official sources
- Some systems may charge access fees for detailed information
Online access to criminal records is governed by Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301, which establishes parameters for dissemination of criminal justice information.
Can You Search Yellowstone County Criminal Records for Free?
Yellowstone County provides several options for free access to criminal records, though certain limitations apply to these no-cost services. The Montana Constitution and Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1003 establish the public's right to inspect government records, including most criminal records.
Free in-person inspection options include:
- Yellowstone County District Court Records: Members of the public may visit the Clerk of District Court's office to review publicly available case files at no charge. While inspection is free, copying fees apply ($0.50 per page currently).
Yellowstone County District Court Clerk
217 N 27th Street, Room 704
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2830
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Yellowstone County District Court
- Yellowstone County Justice Court Records: Similar to District Court, Justice Court records may be inspected in person without charge, though copying fees apply.
Yellowstone County Justice Court
217 N 27th Street, Room 601
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2895
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Free online resources include:
-
Yellowstone County Detention Center Inmate Search: The current inmate roster is available online at no cost, providing information on individuals currently held in county custody.
-
Montana Offender Search: The Department of Corrections database offers free access to information on convicted felons under state supervision.
-
Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry: This free public safety resource provides information on registered offenders residing in Yellowstone County.
-
Montana Courts Public View: Basic case information is available through the Montana Judicial Branch's public access portal at no charge, though extended access requires registration and may involve fees.
Important limitations to free record searches include:
- Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Montana Department of Justice require payment of statutory fees
- Certified copies of court documents incur certification fees
- High-volume or commercial requests may be subject to research fees
- Staff assistance for complex searches may involve service charges
- Electronic document delivery may require payment of technology fees
The availability of free record inspection is consistent with Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, which allows agencies to charge reasonable fees for document copies but generally not for inspection of records. However, the statute permits fees for extensive searches requiring substantial staff time.
What's Included in a Yellowstone County Criminal Record?
Yellowstone County criminal records typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the local criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the nature of the case and the maintaining agency, but generally includes several key categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, distinguishing features)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Driver's license number
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and processing details
- Initial charges filed by law enforcement
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
- Arresting agency case number
Court Case Information:
- Court case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (District Court or Justice Court)
- Assigned judge
- Formal charges filed by prosecutor
- Statutory citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney representation details
- Hearing dates and proceedings
- Motion filings and judicial rulings
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Dismissed or amended charges
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, fees, and restitution ordered
- Treatment or program requirements
- Community service obligations
- Post-conviction proceedings
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protection or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Probation/parole officer assignment
- Risk assessment classifications
- Victim notification requirements
Criminal records maintained by the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office may emphasize arrest and detention information, while District Court records focus on judicial proceedings and outcomes. The Montana Department of Justice maintains the official statewide criminal history repository, which consolidates information from multiple jurisdictions.
The content of criminal records is governed by Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103, which defines criminal justice information and establishes standards for its collection and maintenance.
How Long Does Yellowstone County Keep Criminal Records?
Yellowstone County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by Montana state law and administrative rules. These schedules vary based on record type, offense severity, and maintaining agency. The Montana Local Government Records Committee establishes retention guidelines for county-level criminal justice records.
For law enforcement records maintained by the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention for homicide cases; 10 years after case closure for other felonies
- Misdemeanor case files: 3-5 years after case closure, depending on offense type
- Arrest records: 10 years from date of arrest for adults
- Booking photographs and fingerprints: Permanent retention
- Incident reports: 5 years from date of report
- 911 recordings: Minimum of 90 days; longer if related to ongoing investigations
For court records maintained by the Yellowstone County District Court:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic violations: 3 years after case closure
- Court dockets and indexes: Permanent retention
- Warrants: Until served or recalled, plus 3 years
- Probation records: 10 years after completion of probation
For detention facility records:
- Inmate booking records: 10 years after release
- Inmate medical records: 7 years after release
- Visitor logs: 3 years
- Facility incident reports: 5 years
Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1012, records scheduled for destruction must be disposed of in a manner that protects confidentiality when applicable. However, many criminal records in Yellowstone County are designated for permanent retention, particularly those involving serious offenses.
Several factors may affect retention periods:
- Records related to unsolved cases may be retained indefinitely
- Cases under appeal typically have extended retention periods
- Records may be preserved beyond minimum requirements if they have historical significance
- Electronic records may have different retention schedules than paper records
- Federal involvement in cases may trigger additional retention requirements
The Montana Secretary of State's Office provides detailed retention schedules for local government records, including criminal justice records. These schedules are periodically updated to reflect changes in law and administrative practice.
It is important to note that even after physical records are destroyed according to retention schedules, summary information may remain in electronic databases maintained by the Montana Department of Justice and other criminal justice information systems.
Lookup Criminal Records in Yellowstone County
Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office
Yellowstone County Detention Center Inmate Search