Valley County, Montana Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Valley County, Montana?
Arrest records in Valley County, Montana are public documents pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1003, which establishes the right of public access to government records. The Montana Constitution, Article II, Section 9 further guarantees citizens the right to examine governmental documents except in cases where the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure. Valley County law enforcement agencies maintain these records as part of their official documentation of arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions:
- Ensures transparency in the criminal justice system
- Facilitates accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Provides necessary information for background checks
- Supports public safety through awareness of criminal activity
- Enables statistical analysis of crime patterns for policy development
The Valley County Sheriff's Office processes requests for arrest records in accordance with state regulations governing public information disclosure. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as permitted under Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1009.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Valley County?
Valley County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms in accordance with Montana's public records statutes. The Montana Judicial Branch maintains electronic databases that include arrest information as part of the state's commitment to governmental transparency. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, which addresses electronic information and databases, these records are made available through official channels.
The following online resources provide access to Valley County arrest records:
- The Montana Judicial Branch website offers a searchable database of court records that may include arrest information
- The Valley County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that is updated regularly
- The Montana Department of Corrections provides an online offender search tool that includes arrest data for individuals processed through the state correctional system
Users of these online systems should note that pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301, certain criminal justice information may have restricted access. Additionally, the accuracy and completeness of online records may vary, and official verification may be required for legal or employment purposes.
How to Look Up Valley County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking Valley County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several authorized methods in accordance with Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1003. The following procedures have been established for accessing these public documents:
Online Judicial Records System: The Montana Judicial Branch provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests in Valley County. Users must create an account and may be subject to nominal fees for document retrieval.
Valley County Sheriff's Office: Individuals may submit formal requests for arrest records directly to the Sheriff's Office. Requests must be submitted in writing using the designated form available at their office.
Valley County Sheriff's Office
501 Court Square #10
Glasgow, MT 59230
(406) 228-4333
Valley County Sheriff's Office
- Valley County Clerk of Court: The Clerk maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through designated electronic systems.
Valley County Clerk of Court
501 Court Square #6
Glasgow, MT 59230
(406) 228-6226
Valley County Clerk of Court
- Montana Department of Justice: For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrest records, individuals may submit requests to the Montana Department of Justice's Criminal Records and Identification Services.
Montana Department of Justice
2225 11th Avenue
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3625
Montana Department of Justice
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-302, fees may be assessed for record searches and reproduction.
Contents of a Valley County Arrest Record
Valley County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103, which defines the components of criminal justice information. These official documents typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color, distinguishing marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest with corresponding Montana Code citations
- Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
- Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-202
- Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
- Disposition information, if available, indicating the current status of the case
- Bail or bond amount established, if applicable
- Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
The Montana Department of Justice maintains standards for the collection and storage of this information through its Criminal Justice Information Network. Access to certain elements of arrest records may be restricted based on privacy considerations as determined by Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-303, particularly for cases involving juveniles or certain sensitive investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Valley County
Valley County residents may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1101 through § 46-18-1111. The expungement process allows for the sealing of records from public view when statutory requirements are met.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Valley County include:
- Cases resulting in dismissal of charges
- Acquittals following trial proceedings
- Deferred prosecutions that have been successfully completed
- Misdemeanor convictions after completion of all sentencing requirements and passage of five years without subsequent offenses
- Certain non-violent felony convictions after completion of all sentencing requirements and passage of five years without subsequent offenses
The expungement procedure requires:
- Filing a formal petition with the Valley County District Court
- Payment of filing fees as established by the court
- Notification to the Valley County Attorney's Office
- Possible hearing before a District Court judge
- Judicial determination regarding the petition
Valley County District Court
501 Court Square #6
Glasgow, MT 59230
(406) 228-6268
Montana Judicial Branch
Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1107, if expungement is granted, the court will issue an order directing all criminal justice agencies to seal the records. The Montana Department of Justice will then remove the records from public access databases, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Search Arrest Records in Valley County
