Arrest records are public documents in Platte County, Wyoming, pursuant to the Wyoming Public Records Act (W.S. § 16-4-201 through 16-4-205). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wyoming Public Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.
The Platte County Sheriff's Office maintains custody of arrest records generated by county law enforcement personnel. These records document the official actions of peace officers and constitute public records under Wyoming law. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodial agency, which must respond within a reasonable timeframe as prescribed by W.S. § 16-4-202.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure, including:
• Information pertaining to ongoing investigations • Juvenile records (subject to restrictions under W.S. § 14-6-239) • Personal identifying information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy • Information specifically exempted by court order
Platte County arrest records are partially available through online resources, though comprehensive access requires utilizing multiple platforms. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) maintains the state's central repository for criminal history information but does not provide complete public access to all arrest data through online portals.
The Wyoming State Court system offers an electronic case management system that allows public users to search for court cases, including those stemming from arrests. This system provides docket information, case status, and scheduled court appearances. However, the system does not typically include arrest reports or booking photographs, which remain in the custody of the arresting agency.
For individuals in custody following arrest, the Wyoming Department of Corrections Offender Locator provides current incarceration status and facility information. This resource is updated regularly but is limited to individuals who have been transferred to state custody following court proceedings.
Pursuant to W.S. § 16-4-204, agencies may charge reasonable fees for electronic access to public records. Users of online systems should anticipate potential fees for document retrieval or printing services.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Platte County, each with varying levels of comprehensiveness and accessibility:
In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies
The Platte County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records for unincorporated areas of the county. Requestors may submit public records requests during regular business hours.
Platte County Sheriff's Office
816 Wheatland Street
Wheatland, WY 82201
(307) 322-2331
Platte County Sheriff's Office
For arrests made by municipal police departments, requests should be directed to the appropriate agency:
Wheatland Police Department
600 9th Street
Wheatland, WY 82201
(307) 322-2141
Wheatland Police Department
Court Records Access
The Platte County Circuit Court maintains records of criminal proceedings resulting from arrests within the county. These records may be accessed through:
Platte County Circuit Court
800 9th Street
Wheatland, WY 82201
(307) 322-3857
Wyoming Judicial Branch
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding legal holidays.
State-Level Resources
The Wyoming State Archives maintains historical court and criminal justice records that may include arrest information. Researchers seeking historical arrest data may contact:
Wyoming State Archives
Barrett Building
2301 Central Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7826
Arrest records maintained by Platte County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Wyoming statute and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include:
• Subject identification information:
• Arrest details:
• Processing information:
• Case disposition:
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation oversees the standardization of arrest record formats across jurisdictions to ensure compliance with national reporting standards. Law enforcement agencies in Platte County submit arrest data to the state's central repository in accordance with W.S. § 9-1-627.
Wyoming law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The expungement process in Platte County is governed by W.S. § 7-13-1401 through § 7-13-1408, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in the following circumstances:
• Arrests that did not result in conviction • Misdemeanor convictions after specified waiting periods • Certain felony convictions after completion of sentence and waiting periods • First-time drug possession offenses under W.S. § 35-7-1037 • Juvenile records pursuant to W.S. § 14-6-241
The expungement petition must be filed with the court of jurisdiction where the case was processed. For Platte County cases, petitions are typically filed with:
Platte County District Court
800 9th Street, Suite 206
Wheatland, WY 82201
(307) 322-3857
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the prosecuting attorney's office. The Wyoming Department of Corrections may provide input regarding rehabilitation for cases involving probation or incarceration. If granted, an expungement order directs all agencies to seal or destroy records pertaining to the arrest and subsequent proceedings.
Expunged records are not accessible through standard public records requests. However, certain government agencies may retain limited access for law enforcement or judicial purposes as specified in W.S. § 7-13-1401(c).