>Cascade County Arrest Records Online

Cascade County, Montana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cascade County, Montana?

Arrest records are public in Cascade County, Montana, pursuant to the Montana Public Records Act (Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1001 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by law. 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 Cascade County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitating accountability in the judicial system
Providing necessary information for background checks
Supporting public safety through information dissemination

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted to protect sensitive information such as social security numbers, medical information, or details pertaining to ongoing investigations as provided under Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1002.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Cascade County?

Arrest records in Cascade County are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Cascade County Sheriff's Office maintains an Inmate Roster that is updated regularly with information on current detainees. Additionally, the Montana Judicial Branch provides digital access to court records through its Public Access Portal.

Online accessibility is governed by Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, which authorizes government agencies to provide electronic access to public records. The following online resources are available to the public:

The Cascade County Detention Center's inmate database
Montana District Court Public Access Portal
Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Public Access Portal
Montana Supreme Court Docket Search system

Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, obtaining complete arrest records may require additional steps or formal requests. The Montana Department of Justice has established protocols for electronic record dissemination in accordance with Administrative Rules of Montana 23.12.601-606.

How to Look Up Cascade County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Cascade County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1003, government agencies must make reasonable provisions for public inspection of records during normal business hours.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may obtain arrest records by visiting:

Cascade County Sheriff's Office
3800 Ulm North Frontage Road
Great Falls, MT 59404
(406) 454-6820
Cascade County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Closed 12:00-1:00 PM daily)

Cascade County Clerk of Court's Office
415 2nd Avenue North, Room 200
Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 604-7796
Clerk of Court's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted to either of the above offices and must include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Requestor's contact information
Purpose of the request
Notarized signature (for certain records)

Online Access

Digital access to arrest records is available through:

Fees for record retrieval are established pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006 and may vary based on the type and volume of records requested. Standard fees include $10.00 for record searches and $0.50 per page for copies.

Contents of a Cascade County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Cascade County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information

Legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Residential address at time of arrest
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars

Arrest Details

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number
Fingerprint classification
Photographic identification (mugshot)
Miranda rights acknowledgment

Case Information

Criminal charges filed (including Montana Code Annotated citations)
Incident report number
Warrant information (if applicable)
Bail or bond amount
Court docket number
Scheduled court appearances
Detention status

Disposition Information

Case outcome (if resolved)
Sentencing details (if convicted)
Probation or parole terms (if applicable)

It should be noted that pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301, certain information may be restricted if the record pertains to a juvenile offender, contains confidential criminal justice information, or involves an ongoing investigation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cascade County

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

Eligibility Criteria

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

The arrest did not lead to a conviction
The conviction was for a misdemeanor and the individual has completed all sentencing requirements
The conviction was for certain non-violent felonies and at least five years have elapsed since completion of the sentence
The conviction was set aside or reversed on appeal
The individual received a deferred imposition of sentence and the case was subsequently dismissed

Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including:

Violent felonies as defined in Montana Code Annotated § 45-5-102 through § 45-5-401
Sexual offenses requiring registration
Offenses involving driving under the influence

Expungement Process

The expungement procedure requires:

Filing a petition with the Cascade County District Court where the case was adjudicated
Providing notice to the Cascade County Attorney's Office
Attending a hearing before a district court judge
Demonstrating rehabilitation and that expungement serves the public interest

If granted, an expungement order directs all criminal justice agencies to seal the records and prohibits disclosure of their existence. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1107, the individual may legally state that the arrest or conviction never occurred.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process requires strict adherence to statutory requirements and may benefit from legal assistance. The Montana Judicial Branch provides standardized forms for expungement petitions on its official website.

Search Arrest Records in Cascade County

Cities

Great Falls