Arrest records are public in Sheridan County, Wyoming, pursuant to the Wyoming Public Records Act (Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-201 through 16-4-205). This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or held by government agencies shall be available for public inspection. The Sheridan County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction are required to maintain records of arrests as part of their official duties. These records are considered public documents under Wyoming state law, which promotes governmental transparency and accountability.
Members of the public may access these records for various legitimate purposes, including background checks, research, or personal information needs. The Wyoming Public Records Act specifically designates criminal justice records, including arrest information, as public documents unless specifically exempted by statute. Exemptions typically apply to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure might compromise public safety or individual privacy rights beyond the scope intended by the legislature.
Sheridan County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms in accordance with Wyoming's commitment to public information accessibility. The Sheridan County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of arrests and detentions that is regularly updated. Additionally, the City of Sheridan Police Department provides media releases and activity summaries that include arrest information.
The online availability of these records is governed by Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-202(a), which states that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times. Digital access represents the county's implementation of this statute in a manner consistent with modern information technology standards. Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, more detailed records may require formal requests or in-person visits to the appropriate agency.
Online records typically include the arrested individual's name, date of arrest, charges filed, and case status. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Wyoming law.
To obtain arrest records in Sheridan County, Wyoming, members of the public may utilize several official channels:
Sheridan County Sheriff's Office
54 West 13th Street
Sheridan, WY 82801
(307) 672-3455
Official Website
Sheridan County Clerk of District Court
224 South Main Street, Suite B11
Sheridan, WY 82801
(307) 674-2960
Official Website
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation
208 South College Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7181
Official Website
Pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-204, agencies may charge reasonable fees for record searches and copies. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate efficient processing.
Sheridan County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wyoming state law and local protocols. These official documents typically include:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records is mandated by Wyoming law enforcement standards and practices established by the Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and form the foundation of the criminal justice process in Sheridan County.
It should be noted that while arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody, they do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Wyoming law and the U.S. Constitution, all arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Wyoming state law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records in Sheridan County under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1401 through § 7-13-1408, individuals may petition for expungement if their case meets statutory requirements. The expungement process effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Sheridan County include:
The petition for expungement must be filed with the Sheridan County District Court, which has jurisdiction over the original case. The court will consider factors including the nature of the offense, the petitioner's criminal history, and the time elapsed since the arrest or conviction. The Wyoming Attorney General's Office and the prosecuting attorney who handled the original case must be notified of the petition and have the opportunity to object.
If granted, an expungement order directs all relevant agencies to seal their records pertaining to the arrest and/or conviction. This includes records held by the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office, the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, and the FBI. The legal effect of expungement is to restore the individual to the status occupied before the arrest or conviction, though certain exceptions exist for specialized purposes.