Glasgow Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Glasgow, Montana?
Arrest records in Glasgow, Montana are public documents accessible to members of the general public pursuant to the Montana Public Records Act (Mont. Code Ann. § 2-6-1001 et seq.). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to governmental records throughout the state, including those maintained by law enforcement agencies in Valley County. The Montana Constitution (Article II, Section 9) further reinforces this right through its "right to know" provision, which declares that no person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents of public bodies except in cases where the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure. Law enforcement records, including arrest documentation, generally fall within the category of records that must be made available for public inspection.
The Valley County Sheriff's Office and Glasgow Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules and make them available through established protocols. Citizens seeking information about arrests have a legally protected right to access these documents, though certain restrictions may apply to ongoing investigations or juvenile records as specified under Montana Code § 41-5-216.
How to Look Up Glasgow Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Glasgow, Montana. The following methods are available to requestors seeking arrest information:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Valley County Sheriff's Office located at 501 Court Square #10, Glasgow, MT 59230 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to submit a records request. Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees may be assessed for document reproduction.
Glasgow Police Department: Records may be requested directly from the Glasgow Police Department at 319 3rd Street South, Glasgow, MT 59230. The records division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and requires completion of a standard records request form.
Valley County Clerk of Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are maintained at the Valley County Courthouse, 501 Court Square, Glasgow, MT 59230. The office is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Montana Department of Justice: The state maintains a centralized criminal history repository accessible through formal request procedures. Requests may be submitted to the Criminal Records and Identification Services Section, 2225 11th Avenue, P.O. Box 201403, Helena, MT 59620-1403.
Online Portal Access: The Valley County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to recent booking information through their official website. This service includes basic arrest data but may not contain comprehensive case information.
Requestors should note that pursuant to Montana Code § 2-6-1006, agencies may charge reasonable fees for document reproduction and staff time required to fulfill records requests exceeding standard parameters.
Contents of a Glasgow Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Glasgow law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Montana state law and departmental policies. These documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred, along with the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Offense Information: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Montana Code Annotated citations and offense classification (misdemeanor or felony).
Booking Documentation: Fingerprint records, booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots"), and unique booking identification numbers assigned by the detention facility.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, bond amounts, and pretrial release conditions if applicable.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including court dates, hearing outcomes, and final adjudication when available.
Agency Information: Identification of the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the case and contact information for follow-up inquiries.
The Valley County Detention Center processes all arrests within Glasgow city limits and maintains these records in both physical and digital formats in accordance with Montana Administrative Rules 44.5.301 through 44.5.303, which govern records management protocols for law enforcement agencies.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Glasgow
Montana law provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be expunged or sealed from public view 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.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Glasgow must petition the court of jurisdiction, typically the Valley County District Court. Eligibility requirements generally include:
- Cases resulting in dismissal of charges or acquittal at trial
- Arrests not resulting in formal charges within one year
- Successful completion of deferred prosecution agreements
- Certain misdemeanor convictions after prescribed waiting periods
- Juvenile records meeting statutory criteria under § 41-5-216
The expungement process requires submission of a formal petition to the Valley County District Court, located at 501 Court Square, Glasgow, MT 59230. Petitioners must provide certified copies of relevant case documents, including disposition records demonstrating eligibility. The court may schedule a hearing at which the petitioner must demonstrate that the benefits of expungement outweigh the public interest in maintaining the record.
Upon granting of an expungement order, all agencies maintaining records of the arrest, including the Glasgow Police Department, Valley County Sheriff's Office, and Montana Department of Justice, are directed to seal or destroy the records as specified in the court order. Pursuant to § 46-18-1107, expunged records are not accessible through standard public records requests, though they may remain available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes.
The Montana Board of Pardons and Parole, located at 1002 Hollenbeck Road, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, provides additional information regarding expungement eligibility and procedures.
Search Arrest Records in Glasgow
