>Broadwater County Arrest Records Online

Broadwater County, Montana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Broadwater County, Montana?

Arrest records are public documents in Broadwater County, Montana, pursuant to the Montana Public Records Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 2-6-1001 et seq.). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to examine and obtain copies of public records maintained by governmental bodies within the state. The Montana Constitution, Article II, Section 9, further reinforces this right by declaring that "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."

The Broadwater County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties under Montana law. These records document law enforcement activities and are considered public records unless specifically exempted by statute. Exemptions may apply to records involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy as determined by Montana courts.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records must submit their requests to the appropriate county agency, typically the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Court. Pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 2-6-1006, agencies must respond to requests for public records in a timely manner, generally within 10 business days.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Broadwater County?

Broadwater County provides limited online access to arrest records through official government portals. The county has implemented digital record-keeping systems in accordance with Montana's Electronic Government Services Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 2-17-501 et seq.), which authorizes local governments to provide electronic access to public records.

The Broadwater County public records system offers online access to certain public documents dated from 1997 to the present. However, comprehensive arrest records may not be fully available through this system due to privacy considerations and technical limitations. The online system primarily contains:

Basic arrest information
Court docket information
Case status updates
Public notices related to criminal proceedings

For records prior to 1997, individuals must visit the Broadwater County Courthouse in person at:

Broadwater County Courthouse
515 Broadway Street
Townsend, MT 59644
(406) 266-3443
Official Website

The Montana Judicial Branch also maintains a statewide court records database that includes some information about criminal cases in Broadwater County. This system provides case summaries but may not include complete arrest documentation.

How to Look Up Broadwater County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Broadwater County as of 2025. Pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 2-6-1003, public agencies must make records available for inspection during regular business hours. The following options are available to members of the public:

In-person requests at the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office:

Broadwater County Sheriff's Office
519 Broadway Street
Townsend, MT 59644
(406) 266-3441
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Broadwater County Sheriff

Requestors must complete a Public Records Request Form and provide proper identification. Fees for copies are assessed according to the county fee schedule established under Mont. Code Ann. § 7-4-2631.

Court records related to arrests may be obtained from:

Broadwater County District Court
515 Broadway Street, Room 203
Townsend, MT 59644
(406) 266-9230
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Montana District Courts

Online access through the Montana Courts Electronic Filing and Records system, which provides limited case information for District Court proceedings.
Written requests submitted by mail must include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
- Payment of applicable fees

Standard processing time for records requests is 5-10 business days, though complex requests may require additional time as permitted under Mont. Code Ann. § 2-6-1006(3).

Contents of a Broadwater County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Broadwater County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Montana law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory violations and charges filed
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Property inventory taken at booking
Initial appearance information
Bail or bond amount set
Detention facility information

The Broadwater County Jail maintains custody records that may include additional information about individuals following arrest, including incarceration status and scheduled court appearances.

Pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. § 44-5-103, criminal justice information is categorized as either public criminal justice information or confidential criminal justice information. Arrest records generally fall under public criminal justice information, though certain elements may be redacted if they qualify as confidential under statutory exemptions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Broadwater County

Montana law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-1101 through § 46-18-1111, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures.

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Broadwater County if:

The arrest did not lead to a conviction
The case was dismissed with prejudice
The individual was acquitted at trial
The conviction was for a misdemeanor and the statutory waiting period has elapsed
The conviction was for certain non-violent felonies after completion of sentence and rehabilitation requirements

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Broadwater County District Court, which has jurisdiction over criminal matters in the county. The petition must include:

Complete identification information
Certified copies of relevant court documents
Statement of eligibility under Montana law
Filing fee (unless waived by the court)

Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the County Attorney's Office, which may contest the expungement. If granted, the court will issue an order directing all agencies to seal or destroy records related to the arrest.

Expunged records are not accessible to the public, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for law enforcement purposes as specified in Mont. Code Ann. § 46-18-1111(3).