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Powell Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Powell, Wyoming?

Arrest records are public in Powell, Wyoming pursuant to the Wyoming Public Records Act (Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-201 through 16-4-205). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The Act mandates transparency in governmental operations by requiring that records of official actions be made available for public inspection. Arrest records, which document the apprehension of individuals suspected of criminal activity, fall within this category of public information.

Members of the public should note that certain exceptions exist to this general rule of accessibility. Records may be withheld if they are:

Part of an ongoing investigation
Sealed by court order
Subject to specific statutory exemptions
Related to juvenile offenders (in most circumstances)
Protected by federal privacy laws

The Powell Police Department and the Park County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with Wyoming state law and make them available through established procedures.

How to Look Up Powell Arrest Records in 2025

The process for accessing arrest records in Powell, Wyoming in 2025 involves several official channels through which members of the public may obtain this information. Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 16-4-202, government agencies must make public records available for inspection during regular business hours. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may visit the Powell Police Department located at 270 North Clark Street, Powell, WY 82435 (307-754-2212) during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to submit a formal request for arrest records. Additionally, the Park County Sheriff's Office at 1402 River View Drive, Cody, WY 82414 (307-527-8700) maintains county-wide arrest records.
Circuit Court Records: The Powell Circuit Court, located at 109 West Bent Street, Powell, WY 82435 (307-754-8890), maintains records of arrests that have resulted in court proceedings. Court clerks can assist with accessing these public documents during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM).
Online Access Systems: The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (Wyoming DCI) provides limited online access to criminal history information through their Criminal Records Section. This service requires proper identification and payment of statutory fees.
Public Access Terminals: Designated computer terminals at the Park County Courthouse provide access to certain public records, including arrest information that has been processed through the court system.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.

Contents of a Powell Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Powell law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Wyoming state regulations and local protocols. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's encounter with law enforcement resulting in arrest. Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 7-19-106, which governs criminal history record information, a typical arrest record in Powell contains the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrestee and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color
Residence address at time of arrest (may be redacted in public versions)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory violations and charges filed
Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (commonly known as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Detention facility information if the individual was incarcerated
Preliminary court appearance information
Bond amount and conditions, if applicable

The Wyoming State Archives maintains historical arrest records for research purposes, which may contain additional information depending on the time period in which the arrest occurred.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Wyoming

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Powell operates within a comprehensive legal framework established by state and federal statutes. Wyoming's approach to public records balances transparency with privacy considerations through several key legislative provisions:

Wyoming Public Records Act (Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-201 et seq.): Establishes the fundamental right of citizens to inspect and copy public records, including arrest records, with certain exceptions.
Criminal History Record Information Act (Wyo. Stat. § 7-19-101 through 7-19-109): Governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history information by law enforcement agencies throughout Wyoming.
Court Records Access (Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 79): Provides guidelines for public access to court records, including those related to arrests that proceed to court action.
Federal Regulations (28 CFR Part 20): Establishes standards for criminal justice information systems that receive federal funding, affecting how local agencies in Powell handle arrest data.

The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state and provides oversight to ensure compliance with these legal requirements. Local agencies in Powell, including the Police Department and Sheriff's Office, implement these regulations through established policies and procedures.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Powell are generally public, several statutory and procedural limitations restrict access to certain information. These limitations serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and the integrity of the criminal justice system. Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 16-4-203, the following restrictions apply:

Sealed Records: Court orders may seal arrest records in cases of dismissals, acquittals, or successful completion of diversion programs. These records become unavailable through standard public access channels.
Juvenile Records: Arrests of individuals under 18 years of age are generally confidential under Wyoming Statute § 14-6-239, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.
Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to open investigations may be temporarily withheld to prevent interference with law enforcement proceedings.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information.
Expunged Records: Following a court-ordered expungement pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 7-13-1401, arrest records are removed from public access and treated as if the arrest never occurred.
Time Limitations: Some older arrest records may not be readily available in electronic format and may require additional processing time or special requests to the Wyoming State Archives.

The Park County Circuit Court maintains jurisdiction over many of these limitations and can provide guidance on specific cases.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Powell

Wyoming law provides a mechanism for the expungement of certain arrest records through a formal legal process. Expungement effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes. Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 7-13-1401, individuals may petition for expungement if they meet specific eligibility criteria:

Arrests that did not result in charges being filed
Cases that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Certain misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods
First-time drug possession offenses after successful completion of probation
Certain felony convictions after waiting periods ranging from 5-10 years

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Powell Circuit Court located at 109 West Bent Street, Powell, WY 82435 (307-754-8890). Petitioners must provide:

Complete criminal history information
Certified court documents related to the case
Affidavit attesting to eligibility requirements
Payment of filing fees (approximately $100, though fee waivers may be available)

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that expungement serves the interests of justice. The prosecuting attorney and victims have the right to present objections. If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records and prohibit their disclosure except under limited circumstances authorized by statute.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Arrest records from Powell are frequently utilized for background screening purposes by employers, landlords, and other entities. The use of these records is governed by both Wyoming state law and federal regulations that establish parameters for lawful access and application. Entities conducting background checks should be aware of the following provisions:

Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681): Federal law requiring disclosure to individuals when adverse actions are taken based on information in consumer reports, including criminal history information.
Wyoming Employment Security Law (Wyo. Stat. § 27-3-607): Restricts the use of certain criminal history information in employment decisions.
Ban-the-Box Considerations: While Wyoming has not enacted statewide ban-the-box legislation, some employers voluntarily follow these principles by delaying criminal history inquiries until later in the hiring process.
Accuracy Requirements: Users of arrest record information must ensure the accuracy and currency of information obtained, as records may not reflect subsequent dismissals or expungements.
Consent Requirements: Written consent from the subject individual is generally required before obtaining criminal history information for non-criminal justice purposes.

The City of Powell Police Department can provide guidance on proper protocols for requesting arrest records for background check purposes. Requests typically require submission of a signed release from the subject individual and payment of applicable fees.