> >Billings Arrest Records

Billings Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Billings, Montana?

Arrest records are public documents in Billings, Montana, pursuant to the Montana Public Records Act (Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1001 et seq.). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible for public inspection. The fundamental purpose of this statute is to ensure transparency in governmental operations and accountability of law enforcement agencies. Montana's constitutional provisions further reinforce the public's right to examine governmental documents, with certain statutory exceptions designed to protect privacy interests in specific circumstances.

Members of the public may access these records through designated governmental repositories, including the Billings Police Department and Yellowstone County offices. The Montana Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle that arrest records constitute public information, subject to limited redactions to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as prescribed by law.

How to Look Up Billings Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which individuals may obtain arrest records in Billings. The Yellowstone County criminal justice system maintains these records in accordance with Montana state law. Persons seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:

Online Database Access: The Billings Police Department maintains digital repositories where arrest records can be searched using identifying information such as name, date of birth, or case number. The Montana Judicial Branch also provides the Public Access Portal for court records related to arrests.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit formal requests at the Billings Police Department Records Division or the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office. Standard identification is required, and applicable fees may be assessed for document reproduction.
Court Record Searches: The Yellowstone County Justice Court and Billings Municipal Court maintain records of arrests that resulted in court proceedings. These records are searchable through court clerks or designated terminals.
Detention Facility Database: The Yellowstone County Detention Facility maintains a searchable database of current inmates, which includes arrest information.

Billings Police Department
220 North 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-8460
Official Website

Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office
2323 2nd Avenue North
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2929
Official Website

Contents of a Billings Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Billings law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Montana state regulations. These documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and other identifying characteristics of the arrested individual.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; arresting agency and officer identification; circumstances leading to the arrest; and whether force was used during apprehension.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Montana state law or Billings municipal code for which the individual was arrested, including statutory citations and charge classifications (felony, misdemeanor).
Case Processing Information: Booking number, case identification, fingerprint records, and photographic documentation (mugshot).
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, pretrial release conditions, or detention status.
Procedural History: Court appearances, arraignment dates, and preliminary hearing schedules related to the arrest.

Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103, these records must be maintained with accuracy and completeness. Law enforcement agencies are required to update arrest records to reflect subsequent developments, including prosecutorial decisions not to file charges or court dispositions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Billings

Montana law provides mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be expunged or sealed from public view. The expungement process in Billings operates under the authority of Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1101 through § 46-18-1111, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may petition for expungement under the following circumstances:

Arrests that did not result in charges being filed within one year
Cases dismissed by prosecutors or courts
Acquittals following trial
Deferred impositions of sentence after successful completion of probationary terms
Certain misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods

The expungement petition must be filed with the court of original jurisdiction. For Billings residents, this typically means the Yellowstone County District Court or Billings Municipal Court, depending on the nature of the original charge. The petition must include:

Certified copies of relevant court documents
Criminal history verification from the Montana Department of Justice
Affidavit attesting to eligibility under statutory criteria
Notification to the prosecuting agency

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that expungement serves the interests of justice and public safety. If granted, the court issues an order directing all governmental agencies to seal the records and prohibit their disclosure except under limited circumstances authorized by statute.

Yellowstone County District Court
217 North 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 256-2800
Official Website

Billings Municipal Court
220 North 27th Street
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-8490
Official Website

Obtaining Official Copies of Arrest Records

Official copies of arrest records in Billings may be obtained through formal request procedures established by the custodial agencies. The Billings Police Department maintains the primary repository for arrest documentation within city limits. Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, reasonable fees may be assessed for document reproduction and staff time.

To obtain official copies, requestors must:

Submit a completed police report request form with required identifying information
Provide government-issued identification
Pay applicable fees ($14 per standard report as of 2025)
Specify the preferred delivery method (in-person pickup, mail, or electronic transmission)

Certain arrest records may contain redacted information if disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informants, or violate privacy protections established under Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-303. Requestors may appeal redaction decisions through administrative channels or judicial review.

For arrests resulting in court proceedings, certified copies of related documents may be obtained from the clerk of the appropriate court. These records often provide additional context regarding the disposition of charges stemming from the arrest.

Legal Uses of Arrest Record Information

Montana law establishes parameters regarding the permissible uses of arrest record information obtained from public sources. These regulations aim to balance transparency with individual privacy and rehabilitation interests.

Authorized uses of arrest records include:

Background screening for employment in sensitive positions, including law enforcement, education, healthcare, and financial services, subject to the limitations imposed by the Montana Criminal Justice Information Act
Tenant screening by property owners and managers, provided that adverse decisions based on arrest records comply with fair housing regulations
Due diligence investigations for business transactions involving significant fiduciary responsibilities
Academic and policy research, provided that personally identifying information is anonymized

Prohibited uses include:

Discrimination in housing, employment, or public accommodations based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction
Publication of arrest information for commercial purposes without disclosure of final disposition
Harassment or intimidation of individuals based on arrest history

Violations of these provisions may result in civil liability under Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-326, which provides for actual damages, statutory penalties, and attorney fees for willful misuse of criminal justice information.