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Casper Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Casper, Wyoming?

Arrest records are public documents in Casper, Wyoming, pursuant to the Wyoming Public Records Act (Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-201 through 16-4-205). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wyoming Public Records Act operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, is essential for maintaining public trust and accountability.

Members of the public may inspect arrest records maintained by the Casper Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Natrona County. These records document the official actions of law enforcement personnel and provide factual information regarding arrests within the jurisdiction. The public nature of these records serves multiple civic purposes, including:

  • Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
  • Allowing citizens to monitor the activities of public agencies
  • Providing information relevant to public safety concerns
  • Supporting journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
  • Enabling background checks for employment or housing purposes

It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or the privacy of victims in sensitive cases as provided under Wyoming Statute § 16-4-203.

How to Look Up Casper Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Casper provides multiple official channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods to obtain arrest record information:

  • In-Person Requests at the Casper Police Department
    Individuals may submit requests for arrest records by visiting the Records Division during regular business hours.

    Casper Police Department
    201 N. David Street, 2nd Floor
    Casper, WY 82601
    (307) 235-8278
    Police Department Information
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • Natrona County Sheriff's Office
    For arrests made by county law enforcement:

    Natrona County Sheriff's Office
    201 N. David Street, 1st Floor
    Casper, WY 82601
    (307) 235-9282
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

  • Online Public Records Request
    The City of Casper maintains an online portal for public records requests, through which citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records and other public documents.

  • Written Requests by Mail
    Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division at the address listed above. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information.

  • Casper Municipal Court Records
    For cases processed through the municipal court system:

    Casper Municipal Court
    201 N. David Street
    Casper, WY 82601
    (307) 235-8267
    Municipal Court Information
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 16-4-204, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the production of records, including copying costs and staff time required to fulfill requests exceeding a certain threshold.

Contents of a Casper Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Casper Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Natrona County typically contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event. Standard arrest records include the following categories of information:

  • Biographical Information

    • Full legal name of the arrested individual
    • Any known aliases or alternative names
    • Date of birth
    • Gender
    • Race/ethnicity (as categorized by law enforcement)
    • Residential address at time of arrest
    • Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
    • Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
  • Arrest Details

    • Date and time of the arrest
    • Location where the arrest occurred
    • Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
    • Agency responsible for the arrest
    • Booking number and processing information
    • Custody status following arrest
  • Criminal Charge Information

    • Specific charges filed at the time of arrest
    • Statutory citations for alleged violations
    • Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony)
    • Case number assigned by the court
    • Preliminary hearing information
    • Bond amount and conditions, if applicable
  • Documentation

    • Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
    • Fingerprint records
    • Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
    • Initial incident report summary

It should be noted that arrest records document allegations only and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Wyoming law and the U.S. Constitution, all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Casper

The expungement of arrest records in Casper is governed by Wyoming Statute § 7-13-1401 through § 7-13-1408, which provides a legal mechanism for the sealing of certain criminal records under specific circumstances. Expungement petitions must be filed in the court where the case was originally processed.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of arrest records in Casper include:

  • Arrests Not Leading to Conviction

    • Cases where charges were dismissed
    • Arrests where no charges were filed within applicable statute of limitations
    • Cases resulting in acquittal or not guilty verdicts
    • Arrests resulting from mistaken identity or false accusation
  • Misdemeanor Convictions

    • Eligible after five years from completion of sentence
    • No subsequent criminal convictions during waiting period
    • All fines, restitution, and court costs must be paid in full
    • Excludes certain offenses including domestic violence and sexual offenses
  • Felony Convictions

    • Limited eligibility for non-violent offenses
    • Ten-year waiting period after completion of sentence
    • No subsequent criminal convictions during waiting period
    • All victim restitution must be satisfied
    • Subject to prosecutorial and judicial discretion

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

  1. File a petition with the appropriate court (Municipal Court for city ordinance violations, Circuit Court for misdemeanors, District Court for felonies)
  2. Pay the required filing fee (approximately $100, though fee waivers may be available)
  3. Provide certified copies of disposition documents
  4. Submit to fingerprinting for verification purposes
  5. Attend a hearing if scheduled by the court

Upon successful expungement, records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes as outlined in Wyoming Statute § 7-13-1408. Expunged records do not appear in standard background checks, and individuals may legally deny the existence of expunged arrests in most circumstances.

Casper Municipal Court
201 N. David Street
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 235-8267
Municipal Court Information

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Casper

Arrest records in Casper carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. These records, while public, are subject to various regulations regarding their use and dissemination. The Wyoming Fair Credit Reporting Act and federal laws such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681) govern how arrest information may be utilized in employment and housing decisions.

Key legal considerations regarding arrest records include:

  • Employment Screening

    • Employers in Casper may consider arrest records when making hiring decisions
    • Public employers must demonstrate job-relatedness of criminal history inquiries
    • Private employers retain broader discretion but must comply with anti-discrimination laws
    • Arrests not resulting in conviction may have limited relevance under EEOC guidance
  • Housing Applications

    • Landlords may review arrest records when evaluating rental applications
    • Public housing authorities have specific guidelines regarding criminal history
    • Discrimination based solely on arrest records may violate fair housing regulations
  • Professional Licensing

    • Many professional licenses in Wyoming require disclosure of arrest records
    • Licensing boards evaluate arrests on a case-by-case basis
    • Failure to disclose arrests when required may constitute grounds for license denial
  • Immigration Consequences

    • Non-citizens may face immigration proceedings based on certain arrests
    • Even without conviction, arrest records may affect immigration status determinations
  • Firearm Possession

    • Certain arrests may trigger temporary prohibition on firearm purchases
    • Federal background check system may flag pending cases

Individuals with questions regarding the specific legal implications of an arrest record should consult with a licensed attorney. The Wyoming State Bar provides referral services for those seeking legal counsel regarding arrest records and their consequences.

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