Wyoming Warrant Search

Law enforcement agencies document all information in the court filings (applications, affidavits, and other papers) used to obtain a warrant. Once the warrant is issued, the details in the warrant, along with any information gathered during its execution, are also entered into the law enforcement database. This makes it possible for record seekers to conduct warrant searches. A Wyoming warrant search permits individuals to view or copy warrant information from the appropriate record custodian. Interested individuals must contact county sheriff’s offices, local courts, and city police departments to conduct warrant searches. These agencies disseminate warrant information online, by phone, email, or in person during business hours. Warrant query can be made by name or warrant number. Warrant searches are relevant to individuals for various reasons:

• A state attorney can conduct a warrant search to obtain evidence against a person in court.
• Employers screen job applicants for warrant records to improve the overall quality of their hires.
• A lender can conduct a warrant search to ensure they are not loaning money to a fraudulent person.
• Wyoming peace officers can conduct a warrant search to provide evidence in an ongoing investigation.
• Members of the public can request warrant records to verify whether a person has a criminal arrest record. This helps to promote public safety.
• A defense attorney can request their client’s warrant records to gain insight into the case, challenge the warrant, or advocate for the exclusion of certain evidence.

Are Warrants Public Records in Wyoming?

Yes. According to the Wyoming Public Records Act, warrants are public records. Therefore, anyone can inspect or obtain copies of warrants maintained by law enforcement agencies at reasonable times during business hours (Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-202). Note that some warrant records are not open to the public. However, such confidential warrants are accessible to criminal justice agencies. For example, all information filed with the court to secure a search warrant, such as applications, affidavits, papers, and records, are confidential until the warrant is executed and returned to the issuing court. The court seals confidential search warrants, and the information contained therein is not disseminated to the public. Such information is only open to judges, peace officers, court commissioners, or other court employee in the course of official duties. Additionally, juvenile warrant records or warrants that are part of investigatory records are not open to the public.

Types of Warrants in Wyoming

Different types of warrants are available in Wyoming. These warrants are issued based on applications filed with the court. The most common warrant authorized individuals tend to apply for are:

• Bench warrant: This is a written order issued by a judge when a defendant fails to appear in court, fails to pay fines, or fails to comply with court orders.
• Arrest warrant: This is an official document issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing a peace officer to arrest someone who is accused of committing a crime.
• Search warrant: This is a judicial document authorizing entry and or seizure of properties at a premise.
• Administrative inspection warrant: This is a type of warrant issued by a district court judge or district court commissioner commanding an authorized individual to inspect a specified area, premises, building, or conveyance and to seize specified properties.
• Fugitive Warrant: This is a special type of arrest warrant issued in one state that commands peace officers to take into custody a person who has fled to another state to avoid prosecution or punishment. Fugitive warrants give peace officers the legal right to detain suspected fugitives until the other state picks them up.

What is a Search Warrant in Wyoming?

Per Wyo. Stat. § 7-7-101, district judges or court commissioners, circuit judges, or magistrates have the authority to issue search warrants to search for and seize any property:

• Stolen or embezzled in violation of state law
• Created, intended for use, which is or has been used for committing a crime
• Possessed, controlled, designed, intended for use, which is or has been used in violation of any state law
• When the property or items to be seized include any object or evidence that indicates a crime has been committed or suggests that a specific person has committed a crime.

Per Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41, a judicial officer issues a search warrant based on a sworn affidavit that establishes probable cause to believe a search and seizure is necessary. Before deciding on a warrant request, a judicial officer might require the applicant to appear in person and may also examine the applicant and any witnesses they bring under oath. The proceeding will be recorded by a court reporter or recording equipment and made part of the affidavit. The proceeding will be documented by a court reporter or recording equipment and included in the affidavit. The search warrant must:

• Be directed to a peace officer.
• State the grounds or probable cause for its issuance
• Identify the person or property to be searched or seized
• Designate the judicial officer to whom the search warrant will be returned.
• Command the peace officer to execute the warrant within a specified time during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The executing peace officer must enter on the warrant the exact date and time it was executed. They must also prepare and verify an inventory of any property seized. This must be conducted in the presence of another peace officer and the person from whose possession or premises the property was seized. The executing peace officer must provide a copy of the warrant and a receipt for the seized property to the individual from whom or from whose premises the property was taken or leave a copy of the warrant and receipt at the location where the property was seized. All executed search warrants must be returned within five (5) days of seizing the property alongside a copy of the inventory to the designated judicial officer. This can be done through reliable electronic means. The judicial officer will provide a copy of the inventory to both the person from whom or from whose premises the property was taken and to the applicant for the warrant upon request.

The judicial officer must attach to the warrant the copy of the return, inventory, and all of the papers in connection with the warrant and shall file them with the Clerk of the District or Circuit Court in the county in which the property was seized.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Search Warrant?

A search warrant will be issued immediately after the judicial officer is satisfied that the grounds for the application exist or that there is probable cause to believe that they exist. However, search warrants requested by telephone or other reliable electronic means will be faster to obtain than in-person requests.

What is an Arrest Warrant in Wyoming?

Per Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 4, a court will issue an arrest warrant if a state attorney requests it and there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and the defendant has committed it. The warrant will be delivered to the sheriff or someone authorized by law to execute it. The arrest warrant must contain the following:

• The judicial officer’s signature
• The defendant’s name or specific identifiable description
• A description of the offense charged
• A command that the defendant be arrested and brought before the issuing court

An arrest warrant can be executed at any place as permitted by law. The defendant's arrest executes the warrant. The officer does not have to have the warrant in their possession at the time of the arrest, but they must inform the arrestee of the offense charged and that a warrant has been issued. The officer must provide the defendant with a copy of the warrant immediately. The executing officer must immediately bring the arrested person before the court or a commissioner for admission to bail. After executing the arrest warrant, The officer must return it to the issuing court. The issuing judicial officer can cancel an unexecuted arrest warrant at the state attorney's request. At the state attorney's request, a judicial officer can deliver a warrant returned unexecuted and not canceled to the sheriff or other authorized person for execution of service.

Arrest Warrant Lookup in Wyoming

Law enforcement agencies (like County Sheriff’s Offices and Courts) are the custodians of arrest warrants in Wyoming. These agencies permit arrest warrant lookups online, by phone, or in person during regular business hours. For example, record seekers can conduct arrest warrant record searches at Jackson Municipal Court by Email at courtclerk@jacksonwy.gov or by Fax at (307) 739-0919. The cost for this service is $10.00. Additionally, the Teton County Sheriff's Office provides a Downloadable Warrant List, which is updated regularly Monday through Friday to arrest warrant record seekers. After downloading the list, requesters can search within the document by pressing Ctrl+F (together) and then entering the desired search parameters. The Office also disseminates arrest warrant records by phone. Interested persons should call the Communications Center at (307) 733-2331.

How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant in Wyoming

Typically, individuals can find out if they have a warrant by visiting the law enforcement agencies in their city or county of residence. Most courts, local police departments, and sheriff’s offices maintain warrant information that is open to the public. All visitations should be scheduled during business hours. A name, issuing date, or warrant number will be required to perform the search.

Inquirers who want to know if a bench warrant has been issued in their name can contact the courts in their area. Most courts disseminate bench warrants online or by phone. For example, individuals can contact the Gillette Municipal Court Office at (307) 686-5254 to retrieve bench warrant information. Conversely, the Riverton Municipal Court publishes outstanding bench warrant information online for members of the public.

Arrest warrants are mostly available online at county sheriff’s office websites. For example, the Sublette County Sheriff's Office, the Gohen County Sheriff’s Office, and the Park County Sheriff’s Office all provide warrant information online. Only a few county sheriff's offices provide arrest warrant records by phone. A typical example is the Campbell County Sheriff's Office, who disseminate arrest warrant information by phone at (307) 682-7271.

Free Warrant Search in Wyoming

Wyoming residents can conduct free warrant searches at local courts, county sheriff's offices, and city police departments. Most law enforcement agencies release warrant information online at no cost. For example, The Natrona County Sheriff's Office provides free warrant records through its Warrant Search portal. Requesters can scroll through all the records on the warrant list or conduct a search by first or last name. Requesters can contact the relevant law enforcement agency to inquire if warrant searches via other methods are free.

How to Find Out If Someone Has A Warrant Online

Requesters can utilize online platforms or resources to check if someone else has an active warrant within Wyoming. Most law enforcement agencies have online portals where they disseminate warrant information at no cost. For example, the Mills Municipal Court has a Warrant List where residents can find warrants issued in the city. A typical warrant record retrieved online will contain information such as the issuing date, full name, gender, weight, age, charges, warrant number, eye and hair color, bail amount, mugshot, bond, sex, race, and height.

How Long Do Warrants Last in Wyoming?

Generally, most warrants issued in Wyoming do not expire. Rather, they stay active indefinitely until the subject of the warrant is arrested or the warrant is recalled and quashed. However, search warrants expire after ten (10) days of issuance, according to the Wyoming Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 41. Similarly, administrative inspection warrants must be executed and returned within ten (10) days of issuance (Wyo. Stat. § 35-7-1046). This means that search and administrative inspection warrants must be executed within the specified time.