Arrest records in Wheatland, Wyoming are classified as public information and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Wyoming Public Records Act (Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-201 through 16-4-205), which establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be made available for public inspection. The Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information about law enforcement activities within their communities.
Pursuant to Wyoming law, arrest records may only be withheld from public disclosure when specifically exempted by statute, court order, or when disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-203. The Platte County Sheriff's Office and Wheatland Police Department maintain these records in accordance with state retention schedules and make them available through established protocols for public records requests.
Members of the public seeking arrest information should note that while the records are public, certain information within them may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile information as provided by Wyoming Statutes § 14-6-240.
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public to access arrest records in Wheatland, Wyoming as of 2025. The Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation and local law enforcement agencies have established the following procedures for record retrieval:
• In-Person Requests: Citizens may obtain arrest records by visiting the Wheatland Police Department located at 615 9th Street, Wheatland, WY 82201. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors must present valid government-issued identification and may be required to complete a standard records request form.
• Platte County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains county-wide arrest records and booking information at 850 Maple Street, Wheatland, WY 82201. Public counter hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The office can be reached at (307) 322-2331 for inquiries regarding record availability.
• Online Portal Access: The Wheatland Police Department provides limited arrest information through their official records portal. Basic arrest data, including names and charges, may be searchable through this system, though complete records typically require formal requests.
• Written Requests: Standard mail requests may be submitted to either agency with a completed Wyoming Public Records Request Form, a copy of the requestor's identification, and applicable processing fees. Requests should specify the information sought and provide sufficient identifying information about the subject of the inquiry.
• Third-Party Background Check Services: While commercial services may offer arrest record information, these sources are not official and may contain incomplete or outdated information. Official verification should always be sought through authorized government channels.
Pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-204, agencies may assess reasonable fees for record reproduction, staff time exceeding fifteen minutes, and specialized computer services required to fulfill requests. Fee schedules are posted at each agency location and on their respective websites.
Arrest records maintained by Wheatland law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Wyoming state law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:
• Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any distinguishing physical characteristics or identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
• Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); the law enforcement agency conducting the arrest; and the circumstances leading to the apprehension.
• Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed at the time of arrest, including the Wyoming Statute citation for each alleged offense, charge classification (misdemeanor or felony), and charge severity level.
• Booking Information: Time and date of booking, assigned booking number, fingerprint classification data, and property inventory taken during the intake process.
• Photographic Documentation: Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots") taken from front and profile views, showing the individual's appearance at the time of processing.
• Detention Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, if applicable; pretrial release conditions; or detention status if the individual was held in custody.
• Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including court dates, preliminary hearing outcomes, and final disposition if the case has concluded.
• Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions may be included if relevant to the current charges or if affecting bail determinations.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation maintains standards for arrest record documentation through its Criminal Justice Records System, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions within the state. Pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 9-1-627, these records must be maintained with accuracy and completeness to ensure their reliability for both law enforcement and public access purposes.
The State of Wyoming provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in Wyoming Statutes § 7-13-1401 through § 7-13-1408. Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Wheatland must adhere to the following statutory requirements and procedures:
• Eligibility Criteria: Expungement may be granted when: (1) the arrest did not lead to a conviction; (2) charges were dismissed; (3) the individual was acquitted; (4) the arrest resulted from mistaken identity; or (5) the individual has completed all requirements for certain first-time offenses as specified in Wyoming law.
• Waiting Periods: Applicants must observe mandatory waiting periods before filing for expungement. These periods vary based on offense classification: 180 days for non-conviction records, one year for misdemeanor convictions, and five years for eligible felony convictions, provided all terms of the sentence have been fulfilled.
• Petition Process: Petitioners must file a formal petition with the Platte County District Court located at 800 9th Street, Wheatland, WY 82201. The petition must include certified copies of relevant court documents, criminal history verification from the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and a filing fee of $100 (subject to change).
• Notice Requirements: Copies of the petition must be served to the Platte County Prosecutor's Office at 800 9th Street, Suite 101, Wheatland, WY 82201, and to any victims as required by statute. The prosecuting attorney has 30 days to file objections to the petition.
• Judicial Review: The District Court judge will review the petition, any objections filed, and may schedule a hearing to determine whether expungement serves the public interest. The court considers factors including the nature of the offense, the petitioner's criminal history, and rehabilitation evidence.
• Effect of Expungement: When granted, expungement orders direct all criminal justice agencies to seal records pertaining to the arrest. Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 7-13-1401(c), expunged records are not accessible to the general public but may remain available to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation provides standardized forms for expungement petitions, available through their office at 208 South College Drive, Cheyenne, WY 82002, or through the Platte County Court Clerk's office.