>Big Horn County Arrest Records Online

Big Horn County, Wyoming Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Big Horn County, Wyoming?

Arrest records in Big Horn County, Wyoming are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. § 16-4-201 through 16-4-205). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of Wyoming residents to inspect and copy public records maintained by government agencies, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings. The Wyoming Public Records Act operates under the presumption that all government records should be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities within the county. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes, including:

Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
Ensuring accountability of public officials
Facilitating informed civic participation
Providing necessary information for background checks and public safety

Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy interests as provided by W.S. § 16-4-203, particularly in cases involving juveniles or ongoing investigations.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Big Horn County?

Big Horn County arrest records are available online through several official channels. The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of recent arrests accessible through their official website. This online system was implemented to improve public access to information and reduce administrative burden on county staff.

The online arrest record system provides the following capabilities:

Search functionality by name, date, or case number
Access to basic arrest information including charges and arrest dates
Booking photos when available and legally releasable
Status updates on current inmates in the county detention facility

Users should be aware that the online system primarily contains recent records, typically from 2010 forward. The completeness of online records may vary based on technological limitations and staffing resources. For comprehensive historical arrest records, particularly those predating the digital system, requesters may need to contact the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office directly or visit the Wyoming State Archives which maintains historical county records.

How to Look Up Big Horn County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Big Horn County as of 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official channels:

Submit a written request to the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office:
- Complete the official records request form available on the Sheriff's Office Documents page
- Include specific information such as full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest
- Submit the form in person, by mail, or via email to the records division
Visit the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office in person: Big Horn County Sheriff's Office
417 Murphy Street
Basin, WY 82410
(307) 568-2324
Big Horn County Sheriff
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the online records portal through the Sheriff's Office website:
- Navigate to the Sheriff's Department Links page
- Select the "Arrests" or "Inmates" link to access the digital database
- Follow the on-screen instructions to search for specific records
Contact the Big Horn County Clerk of District Court for court records related to arrests: Big Horn County Clerk of District Court
420 West C Street
Basin, WY 82410
(307) 568-2381
Big Horn County Government
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to W.S. § 16-4-204, agencies may charge reasonable fees for record reproduction and staff time. Current fee schedules are available upon request from each respective office.

Contents of a Big Horn County Arrest Record

Big Horn County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wyoming state law and local regulations. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Residential address at time of arrest
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest
- Legal authority under which the arrest was made
Criminal charge information:
- Specific Wyoming statutes allegedly violated
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, etc.)
- Brief description of the alleged criminal activity
- Weapon involvement, if applicable
Post-arrest processing data:
- Booking number and facility
- Fingerprint and photograph information
- Property inventory
- Bail or bond amount, if established
Case disposition information (when available):
- Court appearance dates
- Plea entered
- Case outcome
- Sentencing details if convicted

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the case and stage of proceedings. Records related to ongoing investigations may contain redactions as permitted under W.S. § 16-4-203(b).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Big Horn County

Wyoming state law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Big Horn County. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, effectively removing them from public access. Pursuant to W.S. § 7-13-1401 through § 7-13-1408, individuals may petition for expungement under specific circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Big Horn County include:

Cases resulting in dismissal or acquittal
Arrests that did not lead to formal charges
Certain misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods
First-time non-violent felony convictions after waiting periods established by statute
Juvenile records upon reaching the age of majority

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the Big Horn County District Court where the case was adjudicated
Providing certified copies of relevant court documents
Submitting to a criminal history background check
Paying applicable filing fees (approximately $100 as of 2025)
Attending a hearing before a district court judge

Upon granting of an expungement order, all public agencies including the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and court clerks must seal the records as directed. Private entities that have previously obtained the records are not automatically bound by expungement orders, which may limit the effectiveness of expungement in the digital age.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that certain government agencies may retain access to expunged records for specific purposes, including law enforcement and judicial proceedings.

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