Yellowstone County Public Records /Yellowstone County Warrant Search

Yellowstone County Warrant Search

What Is a Search Warrant In Yellowstone County?

A search warrant in Yellowstone County is a legally binding court order that authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct a search of a specifically designated location and seize particular items or evidence described within the warrant. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-5-221, a search warrant may be issued by a judge upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, particularly describing the place to be searched and the items to be seized.

The legal foundation for search warrants in Yellowstone County stems from both the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article II, Section 11 of the Montana Constitution, which protect citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. These constitutional provisions establish that warrants shall be issued only upon probable cause.

Search warrants are distinct from other types of warrants issued in Yellowstone County:

Arrest Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to take a specific person into custody
Bench Warrants: Issued by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing
Civil Warrants: Issued in non-criminal matters, often related to civil contempt

The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office is typically responsible for executing search warrants within the county jurisdiction, while the Billings Police Department may execute warrants within city limits.

Are Warrants Public Records In Yellowstone County?

The public record status of warrants in Yellowstone County follows a nuanced framework governed by Montana's public records laws. Under the Montana Constitution Article II, Section 9, citizens have the right to examine government documents except where the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure.

The accessibility of warrant information depends on several factors:

Active vs. Executed Warrants: Active warrants (those not yet served) may have restricted access to prevent flight risk or evidence tampering. Executed warrants generally become part of the court record.
Warrant Type: Search warrants often remain sealed until executed to preserve investigation integrity. Arrest warrants and bench warrants may be more readily accessible as public records.
Judicial Sealing Orders: Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-5-307, a judge may order warrant information sealed for various reasons, including protection of confidential informants or ongoing investigations.

The Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court maintains records of warrants issued by district courts, while Justice Court and Municipal Court maintain their respective warrant records. Members of the public seeking warrant information must follow established procedures for records requests, which may include demonstrating legitimate interest and paying applicable fees.

How to Find Out if I Have a Warrant In Yellowstone County?

Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Yellowstone County may utilize several official channels. The Montana Judicial Branch has established procedures for warrant verification that balance public safety with individual privacy concerns.

To check for active warrants in Yellowstone County, members of the public may:

Contact the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office directly:

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

Verify warrant status through the Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court:

Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court
217 N 27th Street, Room 704
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2830
Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court

Check the Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal for warrants issued by Justice Courts or Municipal Courts.
For Billings Municipal Court warrants, individuals may utilize the City of Billings warrant search tool.

When making inquiries about warrant status, individuals should be prepared to provide their full legal name, date of birth, and potentially other identifying information. It is advisable to have photo identification available when making in-person inquiries.

How To Check for Warrants in Yellowstone County for Free in 2026

Members of the public currently have access to several no-cost methods to verify warrant status in Yellowstone County. These free resources are maintained by county and state agencies to promote transparency and public access to judicial information.

To check for warrants without incurring fees:

Access the Montana Judicial Branch Public Access Portal, which provides a searchable database of court records including warrant information for participating courts.
Visit the Yellowstone County Courthouse in person to conduct a self-service search:

Yellowstone County Courthouse
217 N 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2700
Yellowstone County Government

Utilize the public access terminals available at the courthouse during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, excluding holidays).
Contact the Billings Municipal Court for city-issued warrants:

Billings Municipal Court
220 N 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-8490
Billings Municipal Court

Call the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office warrant division directly at (406) 256-2929 during business hours.

When conducting warrant searches, individuals should be aware that some information may be restricted due to ongoing investigations or pursuant to court orders under Montana Code Annotated § 46-5-307.

What Types of Warrants In Yellowstone County

Yellowstone County courts issue several distinct types of warrants, each serving specific legal purposes within Montana's judicial system. Understanding the differences between warrant types is essential for individuals navigating the legal system.

The primary warrant types issued in Yellowstone County include:

Search Warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search specified premises for evidence related to criminal activity. These warrants must particularly describe the place to be searched and items to be seized as required by Montana Code Annotated § 46-5-221.
Arrest Warrants: Issued when probable cause exists that an individual has committed a crime. These warrants authorize law enforcement to take the named person into custody.
Bench Warrants: Issued by a judge when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing or violates court orders. Common reasons include failure to appear for arraignment, trial, or sentencing.
Civil Warrants: Used in non-criminal proceedings, often related to civil contempt, child support enforcement, or other civil matters.
Probation Violation Warrants: Issued when an individual on probation violates the terms of their supervision.
Extradition Warrants: Authorize the transfer of individuals from Yellowstone County to another jurisdiction where they face criminal charges.

The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office maintains records of active warrants and is responsible for executing many warrants issued within the county. Municipal warrants issued by the Billings Municipal Court are typically executed by the Billings Police Department.

What Warrants in Yellowstone County Contain

Warrants issued in Yellowstone County contain specific information mandated by Montana law to ensure legal validity and proper execution. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-5-223, warrants must include particular elements to satisfy constitutional requirements.

A typical Yellowstone County warrant contains:

Case Identification: Court case number, issuing court name, and date of issuance
Subject Information: Full legal name of the subject, date of birth, physical description, and last known address (for arrest warrants)
Legal Authority: Citation of the relevant Montana statutes authorizing the warrant
Judicial Authorization: Name and signature of the issuing judge or magistrate
Probable Cause Statement: Brief description of the facts establishing probable cause
Specific Instructions: For search warrants, a particular description of the place to be searched and items to be seized; for arrest warrants, the specific charges
Execution Parameters: Time constraints for execution (daytime only or day/night) and return requirements
Bond Information: For some warrants, the bail amount required for release

The Montana Judicial Branch maintains standardized warrant forms that ensure all required elements are included. The Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court processes and maintains these documents according to state record-keeping requirements.

Who Issues Warrants In Yellowstone County

In Yellowstone County, the authority to issue warrants is vested exclusively in judicial officers as prescribed by Montana law. This authority is distributed across different levels of the court system based on jurisdiction and case type.

The following judicial officers have warrant-issuing authority in Yellowstone County:

District Court Judges: The 13th Judicial District Court judges have the broadest warrant-issuing authority, covering felonies, serious misdemeanors, and civil matters. Yellowstone County currently has six district court judges who may issue any type of warrant within their jurisdiction.
Justice of the Peace: Yellowstone County has two Justices of the Peace who preside over Justice Court. These judicial officers may issue arrest warrants, search warrants, and bench warrants for matters within Justice Court jurisdiction, which typically includes misdemeanors and civil cases with limited monetary value.
Municipal Court Judges: The Billings Municipal Court judge may issue warrants related to violations of city ordinances and certain misdemeanors occurring within city limits.
Standing Masters: In limited circumstances, court-appointed standing masters may have delegated authority to issue certain types of warrants, particularly in family law matters.

The warrant application process typically begins with law enforcement or prosecutors presenting an affidavit establishing probable cause to a judicial officer. The Yellowstone County Attorney's Office often reviews warrant applications before submission to ensure legal sufficiency.

All warrant-issuing authorities in Yellowstone County must adhere to the requirements of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article II, Section 11 of the Montana Constitution regarding probable cause and particularity.

How To Find for Outstanding Warrants In Yellowstone County

Individuals seeking information about outstanding warrants in Yellowstone County may utilize several official channels established by county and state authorities. The process for locating warrant information varies depending on the issuing court and warrant type.

To search for outstanding warrants in Yellowstone County:

Access the Montana Courts Public Access Portal, which provides searchable records for participating courts including Yellowstone County courts.
Contact the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office Warrants Division:

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

Check with the appropriate court based on case type:

Yellowstone County District Court
217 N 27th Street, Room 704
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2830
Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court

Yellowstone County Justice Court
217 N 27th Street, Room 601
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2895
Yellowstone County Justice Court

Billings Municipal Court
220 N 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-8490
Billings Municipal Court

Submit a formal records request to the Yellowstone County Clerk of District Court for district court warrants.

When conducting warrant searches, requestors should provide the full legal name of the subject and, if possible, date of birth or other identifying information to ensure accurate results. Some warrant information may be restricted pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-5-307 if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation.

How To Check Federal Warrants In Yellowstone County

Federal warrants represent a distinct category of judicial orders issued by federal courts rather than state or county courts. These warrants are processed through the federal judicial system and executed by federal law enforcement agencies, though cooperation with local authorities often occurs.

To check for federal warrants that may be executable in Yellowstone County:

Contact the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Billings Division:

U.S. District Court - Billings Division
2601 2nd Avenue North, Suite 1200
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 247-7000
U.S. District Court - District of Montana

Inquire with the United States Marshals Service, which is the primary federal agency responsible for executing federal warrants:

U.S. Marshals Service - District of Montana
2601 2nd Avenue North, Suite 1200
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 247-7030
U.S. Marshals Service

For federal criminal matters, the United States Attorney's Office may provide limited information:

U.S. Attorney's Office - District of Montana, Billings Branch
2601 2nd Avenue North, Suite 3200
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 247-4669
U.S. Attorney's Office - District of Montana

Access the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, which provides electronic access to federal court records, though some warrant information may be restricted.

It is important to note that federal warrant information is often more restricted than state or county warrants. Federal agencies typically do not confirm the existence of active warrants except to law enforcement personnel or to the subject's legal counsel. Federal warrants may be issued for violations of federal criminal statutes, immigration violations, or other matters under federal jurisdiction.

How Long Do Warrants Last In Yellowstone County?

Warrants issued in Yellowstone County remain legally valid and enforceable until they are executed, recalled by the issuing court, or otherwise terminated through judicial action. Unlike some jurisdictions that place time limits on warrant validity, Montana law generally does not establish automatic expiration dates for most types of warrants.

The duration of warrant validity follows these general principles:

Arrest Warrants and Bench Warrants: Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-6-216, these warrants remain active until executed, quashed by court order, or the underlying case is resolved. They may remain in effect for years or even decades.
Search Warrants: Under Montana Code Annotated § 46-5-226, search warrants must be executed within 10 days of issuance. After this period, the search warrant expires and cannot be legally executed without obtaining a new warrant.
Federal Warrants: Federal warrants executed in Yellowstone County follow federal rules and generally remain active until executed or recalled, regardless of time elapsed.

The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office maintains records of active warrants in their jurisdiction and periodically reviews older warrants to determine if they should remain active. In some cases, particularly for minor offenses, the issuing court may review and recall older warrants through administrative processes.

Individuals with knowledge of outstanding warrants against them are encouraged to address the matter promptly through proper legal channels, as warrants do not typically expire with the passage of time alone.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Search Warrant In Yellowstone County?

The timeframe for obtaining a search warrant in Yellowstone County varies based on several factors, including case urgency, judicial availability, and the complexity of the investigation. The process follows established procedures designed to balance law enforcement needs with constitutional protections.

Under normal circumstances, the search warrant process in Yellowstone County includes:

Preparation Phase: Law enforcement officers prepare an affidavit establishing probable cause, typically taking 1-4 hours depending on case complexity.
Review by Prosecutor: The Yellowstone County Attorney's Office may review warrant applications for legal sufficiency, adding approximately 1-3 hours to the process.
Judicial Review: A judge from the appropriate court reviews the application and supporting documents, which may take 30 minutes to several hours depending on judicial availability and workload.
Issuance: Upon finding probable cause, the judge signs the warrant, making it immediately executable subject to any time restrictions specified.

For standard cases during business hours, the entire process typically takes 4-8 hours from initiation to issuance. However, several factors may affect this timeline:

Emergency Situations: In exigent circumstances, the process may be expedited, with warrants potentially obtained in as little as 1-2 hours.
After-Hours Requests: Yellowstone County maintains an on-call judge system for after-hours warrant requests, though these may take longer to process depending on judge availability.
Electronic Submission: Montana law permits electronic submission of search warrant applications in certain circumstances, potentially reducing processing time.
Complex Investigations: Warrants involving complex financial crimes, multiple locations, or specialized evidence may require additional preparation time.

The Montana Judicial Branch and Yellowstone County courts strive to process warrant applications efficiently while ensuring proper judicial oversight as required by the Fourth Amendment and Montana Constitution.