>Silver Bow County Arrest Records Online

Silver Bow County, Montana Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Silver Bow County, Montana?

Arrest records are public documents in Silver Bow County, Montana, pursuant to the Montana Public Records Act (Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1001 et seq.). This legislation classifies arrest records as public criminal justice information, making them accessible to any member of the public upon proper request. The Montana Constitution, Article II, Section 9, further reinforces this right by establishing that the public has the right to examine government documents except in cases where the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure. Law enforcement agencies in Silver Bow County maintain these records as part of their statutory obligation to document all arrests and related proceedings within their jurisdiction.

The Silver Bow County Sheriff's Office and the Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department are the primary custodians of arrest records within the county. These agencies process and maintain documentation of all arrests made within their jurisdictional boundaries in accordance with Montana state law. Public access to these records promotes transparency in the criminal justice system and allows citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their community.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Silver Bow County?

Silver Bow County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Butte-Silver Bow County government provides digital access to certain public records through their official website, including limited arrest information. The Montana Department of Justice Criminal History Records maintains a comprehensive database that includes arrest records from Silver Bow County and other jurisdictions throughout the state.

Online access to arrest records is governed by Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301, which establishes parameters for the dissemination of criminal justice information. While basic arrest information is available online, certain details may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under state law. The online systems are updated regularly, typically within 24-48 hours of an arrest being processed through the county booking system.

Users seeking arrest records online should note that:

Records available through official government portals are considered authoritative sources
Third-party websites may also aggregate arrest data but may not contain complete or current information
The Silver Bow County Detention Center maintains current inmate information that is accessible online
Electronic access may require payment of statutory fees for certain detailed records

How to Look Up Silver Bow County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Silver Bow County arrest records may utilize multiple methods to obtain this information. Each method varies in processing time, associated fees, and comprehensiveness of the information provided. The following options are available for accessing arrest records:

In-person requests may be submitted at:

Silver Bow County Sheriff's Office
155 W Quartz St
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 497-1120
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Online requests can be submitted through:
- The Montana Department of Justice Criminal History Records portal
- The Silver Bow County public records request system
- The Montana Correctional Offender Network for current inmate information
Mail requests should be directed to:

Silver Bow County Clerk of Court
Courthouse, Room 313
155 W. Granite St.
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 497-6340
Official Website

Requests through Justice Courts require a $10 fee per name search and can be submitted at:

Silver Bow County Justice Court
155 W. Granite St.
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 497-6330

All requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-214, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search and reproduction of arrest records.

Contents of a Silver Bow County Arrest Record

Silver Bow County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's encounter with law enforcement resulting in arrest. A complete arrest record typically contains the following elements:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical description
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including citation of relevant Montana Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and booking photographs
Detention status and bail information if applicable
Case number and court of jurisdiction
Disposition of the arrest if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-303, including:

Social Security numbers
Medical information
Information pertaining to juveniles
Details that might compromise ongoing investigations
Information protected by court order

The Clerk of the District Court maintains the official court records associated with arrests, while the Sheriff's Office maintains the initial arrest documentation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Silver Bow County

Montana law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1101 through § 46-18-1111, individuals may petition for expungement if their situation meets statutory requirements. In Silver Bow County, the expungement process is administered through the District Court where the case was originally adjudicated.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Silver Bow County include:

Arrests that did not result in charges being filed
Cases where charges were dismissed with prejudice
Deferred prosecutions that have been successfully completed
Misdemeanor convictions after completion of all sentencing requirements and a waiting period
Certain non-violent felony convictions after completion of all sentencing requirements and a statutory waiting period

The expungement process requires:

Filing a formal petition with the Silver Bow County District Court
Courthouse, Room 313
155 W. Granite St.
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 497-6340
Payment of filing fees (approximately $100, with fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
Notification to the County Attorney's Office and any victims as required by statute
Judicial review and determination based on statutory criteria and public interest considerations

If granted, expungement orders direct all criminal justice agencies to seal the records from public view. However, pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1107, certain government agencies may retain access to expunged records for specific authorized purposes.