Sweetwater County Arrest Records

Arrest records detail the circumstances surrounding a person's detention, including specific information about the individual involved. Typically, such records are compiled during the booking process after an arrest.

Under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 7-2-102, peace officers can arrest individuals because of an active warrant. They can also apprehend and take a suspect into custody without a warrant if they witness a crime directly.

Arrest records can be accessed independently or as part of other official documentation. For instance, they may be included in the Sweetwater County court records or Wyoming criminal records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Sweetwater County?

Yes. Arrest records in Sweetwater County are considered public records under Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 16-4-202. This means that any member of the public can request access to these records. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule.

Records, or portions of records, that fall into restricted categories may only be accessed by individuals with proper authorization. For instance, some arrest records may be exempt from public access due to federal law, specific state provisions, or court orders. Additionally, if releasing a record would harm the public interest or threaten someone's safety, it will not be disclosed.

A juvenile's record is a notable example of an arrest record that is not publicly available in Sweetwater County. To obtain such a record, one must present a court order.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record in Sweetwater County provides general information about an individual who was apprehended and the specifics of the arrest. The record includes details such as:

• Personal Information of the Offender: This comprises their full name, age, sex, photograph, address, and physical description, which may include characteristics such as height, weight, hair color, and eye color.
• Details about the Arrest/Charge: This section typically contains the booking number and date, the specific offense for which an arrest was made, the bond amount set for the offender (if applicable), the arresting agency, and the offender's custody status.

Sweetwater County Arrest Statistics

Sweetwater County arrest statistics can be retrieved from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) Crime Data Explorer. Members of the public can also visit or write local law enforcement agencies within Sweetwater for their departmental arrest statistics.

Find Sweetwater County Arrest Records

To obtain arrest records in Sweetwater County, one must first identify the appropriate agency to contact. For local arrest information, individuals can reach out to the department that made the arrest. The arrestee's name and arrest date may be required for a records search.

Additionally, the Sweetwater County Detention Center offers an application that allows the public to view a jail roster, which includes information about past and present detainees. Searches can be conducted using a first, middle, or last name.

For arrests included in one's Wyoming criminal history, requesters can inquire at the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) under the Office of the Attorney General. However, only subjects of records can see their statewide criminal history record information by submitting fingerprints to the DCI (more information is available on the Background Checks/Applicant Tracking System page).

Finally, arrest records can also be obtained as part of a nationwide criminal record when performing a background check through the FBI.

Free Arrest Record Search in Sweetwater County

Residents can access free arrest information from the Sweetwater County Detention Center's jail roster. They can also query local enforcement agencies for public arrest records. A fee may not apply unless they require copies of documents.

Fortunately, there is an additional option: Some private aggregate websites offer free access to arrest records. Although the information provided may not be comprehensive, users may still gain valuable insights.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Indefinitely. Arrests usually remain on file until expunged. In Wyoming, adult arrests reported to the DCI are permanent records; however, a juvenile's Wyoming criminal history record may be deleted when they reach the age of majority (18 years) unless they received a conviction as an adult.

However, it should be noted that local law enforcement agencies and courts also maintain record retention schedules, which direct how long their records/files are kept. These schedules vary across the board, including by the type of record and the specified timeframe for deletion after a case is completed.

Expunge Sweetwater County Arrest Records

Only qualified parties can seek an expungement in Sweetwater County, which, if granted, will seal the record from public view. Because expunged records are sealed, the records are not entirely erased from existence. Law enforcement agencies still retain access to a sealed record for official purposes, ensuring that certain aspects of a person's criminal history remain available for criminal justice matters.

An expungement in Sweetwater County is granted only under specific, limited circumstances. Adults can apply for expungement under Wyo. Stat. Ann. §§ 7-13-1401, 7-13-1501, and 7-13-1502. In contrast, minors are covered by Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 14-6-241. However, eligibility for expungement depends on the nature of the crime and whether it resulted in a conviction. As such, there is often a mandated waiting period before individuals can petition for expungement.

Individuals seeking expungement in Sweetwater are encouraged to consult an attorney to ascertain their eligibility status. If eligible, they can file for expungement with the court of jurisdiction, which entails obtaining one's criminal history, preparing the required court documentation (including the Petition for Expungement), and paying the necessary fees. Detailed information about the process is available on the Wyoming Equal Justice's Expungements page.

Sweetwater County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are legal documents that authorize law enforcement officers to apprehend individuals suspected of committing crimes. Once a warrant arrest is made, the defendant is taken into custody, processed into the system, and held until they present themselves before a judge. Depending on the nature of the alleged offense, the individual may be eligible for bail.

Typically, an arrest warrant is issued after a police officer submits a signed complaint and affidavit to the court alleging that a particular someone is involved in illicit activity. This documentation is presented to a judge, who then reviews the evidence or facts and decides whether to issue the warrant.

Sweetwater County arrest warrants include a defendant's full name or known physical characteristics, the charge against the defendant, the warrant number, the date of issue, and the issuing court.

Do Sweetwater County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. A Sweetwater County arrest warrant remains valid and legally enforceable until the subject is arrested. This means the warrant will persist until the suspect is captured and brought before the court to answer for the alleged crime(s).