Wyoming Arrest Records

Arrest records are official documents that indicate a person's apprehension and detention. They specifically show that a person has been taken into custody, detained for investigation, or restrained by law enforcement based on an allegation of criminal activity. All details relating to citizens' arrests and bookings are stored in the computer systems of law enforcement agencies, enabling the record custodian to access and retrieve arrest records upon request.

In Wyoming, the State Department of Corrections, the State Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), County Sheriff's Offices, and city police departments collaboratively maintain arrest records. However, when an arrest occurs, the responsible agency, such as the Laramie County Sheriff's Office, the Natrona County Sheriff's Office, and the Casper Police Department, books the individual and creates an arrest fingerprint card. Arrest records may be requested online, by phone, email, or in person, depending on the policies of the record custodian.

Individuals and agencies request arrest records for various reasons. For instance:

• Lawyers can conduct an arrest records search as part of the evidence for an ongoing court case.
• Law enforcement officers may utilize arrest records as part of their investigative efforts.
• Landlords conduct arrest record checks on potential tenants to help ensure the safety of current residents and reduce the risk of financial liability from tenant injuries caused by criminal activity.
• Financiers may review arrest records to assess a person's loan eligibility, helping them evaluate the applicant's honesty and ability to repay the loan as agreed.

Are Arrest Records Public in Wyoming?

Yes, arrest records are public in Wyoming. Per the Wyoming Public Records Act, all law enforcement agencies in the state are permitted to release arrest records to the public. This makes all arrest records open for inspection and copying by anyone during a record custodian's business hours. However, the Wyoming Public Records Act restricts access to confidential arrest records. Examples of these records include:

• Juvenile arrest records (Wyo. Stat. § 14-6-203)
• Medical records of arrestees
• Victim information
• Investigatory and law enforcement files
• Unexecuted arrest warrants, search warrant applications, and affidavits
• Non-conviction or expunged records
• Sensitive personal identifying information of arrestees
• Arrest records that could pose a risk to an individual's life or physical safety if disclosed.

Wyoming Arrest Statistics

Data from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program, as reported by participating law enforcement agencies in Wyoming, shows that 14,422 individuals were arrested for various offenses in 2022. This number rose by 31.7% in 2023, reaching 19,006 arrests. During this period, juvenile arrests increased by approximately 23.2%, rising from 2,172 in 2022 to 2,677 in 2023. Adult arrests increased by 33.3%, rising sharply from 12,233 to 16,312. The most frequently reported offenses during the period under review included drug and narcotics violations, DUIs, simple assaults, and liquor law violations.

Arrest offense rates in Wyoming between 2022 and 2023.

Find Public Arrest Records in Wyoming

Individuals seeking public arrest records in Wyoming can obtain them from most law enforcement agencies across the state. Requests to view or acquire copies of these records may be submitted online or in person. For instance, statewide arrest information is available through the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC), which accepts in-person and online requests.

Record seekers can submit online requests through the Wyoming Offender Locator, using either a name or inmate number as search criteria. Additionally, individuals may submit in-person requests during regular business hours at the appropriate WDOC institution, provided they have the inmate's name or identification number for processing. Please note that obtaining copies of arrest records may incur a small fee, depending on the number of copies requested.

Wyoming residents may obtain arrest records by submitting requests to local law enforcement agencies, including County Sheriff's Offices and City Police Departments. These agencies typically provide arrest records in the following ways:

• Online Requests: Some Sheriff's Offices in Wyoming, such as the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office, regularly post arrest records on their websites for public access. Others provide Inmate Search tools or Inmate Lists that allow the public to view arrest and inmate details. For instance, the Uinta County Sheriff's Office offers an Active Inmate Roster that displays arrest information for all current inmates. Additionally, individuals can obtain arrest details electronically from various police departments in Wyoming by requesting police reports; the Cheyenne Police Department, for example, issues police reports exclusively through its Online Records Request Division.
• Phone Requests: Certain Sheriff's Offices in Wyoming also provide arrest information over the phone. For instance, inquirers can access arrest records from the Natrona County Sheriff's Office by calling the Detention Center's automated phone system at (307) 235-9521. Callers are required to supply specific arrest details to assist with the search
• In-person Requests: Requesters may visit any local law enforcement office during regular business hours to request arrest records. A name or booking number is typically required to process the request. For example, the Evanston Police Department provides police reports, including arrest records, in person Monday through Friday between 8.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m
• By email and mail: Some local police departments in Wyoming offer arrest records by email and mail. For instance, to get arrest records from the Green River Police Department, requesters must complete the Records Request Form and send it by email at grpdrecords@cityofgreenriver.org or by mail. A processing fee is required to complete the request.

According to Wyo. R. Prac. & P. 45, a court clerk may issue a subpoena at an individual's request, directing a Wyoming law enforcement agency to produce, or allow the inspection or copying of, confidential arrest records. The subpoena may be served by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or any adult not a party to the case. Once served, the requester must submit a statement to the issuing clerk detailing the date and method of service, along with the names of the individuals involved. This statement must be certified by the person who served the subpoena. If the law enforcement agency objects to releasing the records, it must file a written response within 14 days of receiving the subpoena.

How to Look up Arrest Records Online in Wyoming

Wyoming state and local law enforcement agencies provide online databases that allow individuals to access arrest records.

Online arrest lookup in Wyoming:

• The Wyoming Department of Corrections: the WDOC provides arrest information through its offender locator page, allowing searches by name or inmate number
• County jail rosters and sheriff websites: Some county sheriff's offices publish active jail rosters or inmate search tools on their official websites. For instance, the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office website features arrest records under the "Helpful Links" section by selecting the "Arrests, Calls, Inmates" tab. To view records of individuals currently held in the Big Horn County Jail, users can click on "Incarcerated People" in the left-hand navigation menu.
• Police departments' public records portals: Most police departments in Wyoming provide arrest records in person, with only a few making them available online. To determine whether online access is available, individuals should visit the police department's website in the city where the arrest occurred. For example, the Records Division of the Rock Springs Police Department allows individuals to request copies of police reports online.

Alternatively, Wyoming residents can retrieve arrest information through third-party online platforms. A name-based search that returns results for multiple jurisdictions is guaranteed on third-party portals. However, these portals are untrustworthy since they are less efficient than government or official search portals. Fortunately, most third-party vendors provide initial arrest record searches for free to the public. However, a fee is required for full access to comprehensive searches, typically from $2.95 to $4.95 for seven days of unlimited access, or between $19.95 and $24.95 for a monthly subscription.

What is Included in Wyoming Arrest Records?

In Wyoming, most arrest records are publicly accessible. As a result, individuals requesting these records can typically expect to find the following information in a complete arrest report:

• Mugshot
• The arrestee's full name and occupation
• Arrestee's physical description (age, sex, and race, height, weight, and color of hair and eyes)
• Arrest details (date, time, and location of the arrest)
• Name of the arresting agency and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
• Bail/bond information
• Charges against the arrestee
• Booking details
• Case or court information (if filed).

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Wyoming

Typically, arrests stay permanently on a person's record. However, some eligible arrests can be removed through expungement. The Wyoming State Archives offers details regarding the state's arrest record retention schedule:

• Arrest records relating to criminal cases filed at the Circuit Court are retained for 10 years after case completion and then destroyed
• Executed arrest warrants are retained for 2 years
• Arrest records relating to case files of offenders with death penalties are destroyed after 50 years
• Juvenile arrest case files are deleted 14 years after the case
• Victim case files associated with arrest events are destroyed 15 years after resolution
• Criminal investigation records are deleted 5 years after the case closes
• Arrest records of addicted offenders are deleted 7 years after the completion of an assessment
• Fingerprint records of criminal offenders are retained for 100 years from the date they are created
• Inmate intake records are retained for 3 years after superseded
• Criminal jacket files, which summarize offender cases, are destroyed after 99 years
• Inmate medical records are retained for 10 years following release from custody
• Law enforcement case files are retained for 10 years
• Citation-related arrest records, excluding those involving alcohol, parking, or traffic/game-fish violations, are retained for one year
• Arrest records related to alcohol citations, including implied consent cases, are destroyed after 5 years.

Expunge an Arrest Record in Wyoming

Per Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1401(j)(i), expungement is the classification of arrest records so that they become confidential and only open to criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes. The following individuals are eligible for expungement in Wyoming:

• Arrestees who were not convicted of the offense (under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1401) may have their arrest records expunged 180 days after the arrest or following the dismissal of the criminal charges
• The individual has one misdemeanor conviction that does not involve the use or attempted use of a firearm and is not a conviction of a healthcare provider for sexual battery against a patient. Per Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1501, the arrest record may be expunged five years after completing the sentence for non-status offenses, or one year after completing the sentence for status offenses.
• Under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1502, an individual convicted of a felony may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged if they did not use a firearm during the offense, at least 10 years have passed since completing their sentence, and all court-ordered restitution has been paid.

To expunge arrest records in Wyoming, eligible individuals are required to file a Petition for Expungement with the appropriate court. This petition can be prepared independently or with the assistance of an experienced attorney. The court in which the petition is filed depends on the nature of the offense being expunged. If prosecutors filed charges and a court heard the case, the petitioner is required to submit the petition to that same court. Additionally, notice of the petition should be served on all relevant parties, such as the prosecuting attorney and the Division of Criminal Investigation, depending on the specific offense involved.

The filing fee is $300 for felony expungement, $100 for misdemeanor expungement, and there is no fee for expunging non-conviction offenses. The prosecuting officer has 30 days to respond to misdemeanor petitions, 90 days for felony petitions, and 20 days for nonconvicted petitions.

The court will set a date for a hearing if an identifiable victim or the prosecuting attorney submits a written objection to the court regarding the petition within the specified date. If no objection is filed to the petition, the court will enter an Order of Expungement. The court will place the petitioner's court files under seal, available for inspection only by court order. The court will send a certified copy of the order to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Wyoming?

In Wyoming, individuals can access recent arrest information online, by phone, or in person at law enforcement agencies. Most of these agencies offer online arrest portals where individuals may easily find current arrest information. For example, the Park County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) posts a list of all arrested persons on its website. To locate this list:

• Visit the official website, select the "Arrests" link in the left-hand navigation menu, and conduct a search by date range or name.

Individuals can also access recent arrest information online in Wyoming by using inmate rosters or portals available on most County Sheriff's Office websites. For example, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office provides an Inmate Roster that allows users to search for recent arrest records. Additionally, the office accepts Case Report Request Forms for copies of arrest records for $5.00 for the first 10 pages. However, requesters may need to call the office in advance at (307) 877-3971 or (307) 885-5231 and provide either the case number or detailed information about the arrest.

Wyoming residents can also obtain recent arrest information from local police departments. For instance, the Jackson Police Department provides a fillable Online Request Form, which individuals can submit directly or print and email to jpdic@jacksonwy.gov. The department processes requests within seven (7) days of submission.

Are Wyoming Arrest Records Free?

Yes, Wyoming arrest records are free. Most County Sheriff's Offices in Wyoming offer free public access to arrest records online. Requesters can search through arrest portals or inmate rosters to locate the necessary information. For instance, the Sublette County Sheriff's Office offers free access to arrest records through its Active Inmate Roster Page.

Similarly, the Wyoming Department of Corrections (WDOC) provides no-cost arrest records online through its Offender Locator, which allows searches by name or inmate number. It is necessary to note that in-person requests for arrest records may incur search and copy fees; therefore, those seeking free access are advised to use the available online options.