Gallatin County Criminal Records
What Is Gallatin County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Gallatin County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103, which defines criminal justice information and establishes parameters for its collection, maintenance, and dissemination.
Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, including the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, regardless of whether charges were filed
- Court Records: Official proceedings in the Gallatin County District Court and Justice Courts, including arraignments, hearings, trials, and case dispositions
- Conviction Records: Final judgments resulting in guilty verdicts or pleas
- Incarceration Records: Information regarding detention in the Gallatin County Detention Center or state correctional facilities
Important distinctions exist between various types of criminal records:
- Arrest vs. Conviction: Arrest records document only that an individual was taken into custody, while conviction records confirm legal guilt
- Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Felonies constitute more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors carry lesser penalties
- Adult vs. Juvenile: Records for offenders under 18 are generally sealed under Montana Code Annotated § 41-5-216, with limited exceptions
- Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Current warrants represent ongoing enforcement actions, while historical records document past proceedings
The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Gallatin County include:
Gallatin County Sheriff's Office
615 S 16th Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2100
Gallatin County Sheriff's Office
Gallatin County District Court
Law & Justice Center
615 S 16th Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2171
Gallatin County District Court
Montana Department of Justice - Criminal Records
303 N Roberts St
Helena, MT 59620
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Montana Department of Justice
These records collectively document the complete criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final disposition and any subsequent supervision or incarceration.
Are Criminal Records Public In Gallatin County
Criminal records in Gallatin County are generally considered public information in accordance with the Montana Public Records Act, specifically Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1003, which establishes the presumption of public access to government records. This statute declares that "every person has a right to examine and obtain a copy of any public information of this state" except as explicitly restricted by law.
The Montana Constitution further reinforces this right in Article II, Section 9, which states: "No person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions, except in cases in which the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure."
Public criminal records in Gallatin County typically include:
- Adult arrest records
- Court proceedings and dockets
- Conviction information
- Sentencing details
- Incarceration records
- Sex offender registry information
However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:
- Ongoing investigations, as protected under Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-303
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions for violent offenses)
- Expunged or pardoned offenses
- Certain domestic violence and sexual assault victim information
- Records where privacy interests are determined to outweigh public disclosure
The Gallatin County District Court and Justice Courts maintain public access terminals where members of the public may inspect publicly available case information during regular business hours. Additionally, the Montana Courts Electronic Filing Portal provides online access to certain court records, though registration and fees may apply for comprehensive searches.
Law enforcement agencies in Gallatin County, including the Sheriff's Office, maintain separate records systems with varying public access policies in accordance with state law and departmental procedures.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Gallatin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Gallatin County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing various types of criminal records:
In-Person Requests at the Courthouse:
- Visit the Gallatin County Law & Justice Center during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays)
- Proceed to the Clerk of District Court office on the third floor
- Complete a records request form, providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable search and copy fees ($10.00 for record search, $0.50 per page for copies)
- Allow staff time to process the request (same-day service for simple requests; complex searches may require additional time)
Mail Requests:
- Download and complete the Public Records Request Form from the county website
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Enclose a check or money order for applicable fees
- Mail the request to:
Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
Law & Justice Center
615 S 16th Ave, Room 302
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2171
Gallatin County Clerk of District Court
Criminal History Background Checks:
For comprehensive criminal history information, requests must be submitted to:
Montana Department of Justice - Criminal Records
303 N Roberts St
Helena, MT 59620
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Montana Criminal Records
Requestors must submit fingerprints and pay the required fee ($30.00 for name-based checks, $33.25 for fingerprint-based checks). Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301, certain requestors may have greater access rights, including criminal justice agencies, authorized researchers, and individuals requesting their own records.
For active warrants and current inmate information, the public may contact:
Gallatin County Detention Center
605 S 16th Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-2140
Gallatin County Detention Center
How To Find Criminal Records in Gallatin County Online?
Gallatin County offers several digital platforms through which members of the public may access criminal records information online. These resources provide varying levels of detail and require different access protocols.
The primary online resources include:
Montana Courts Case Search:
- Navigate to the Montana Courts Public Access Portal
- Select "Gallatin County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, or date range)
- Review the results, which include case numbers, filing dates, charges, and case status
- Note that while basic case information is viewable without registration, accessing full documents requires an account and payment of fees
Gallatin County Detention Center Inmate Roster:
- Visit the Gallatin County Detention Center website
- Select the "Current Inmates" link
- Search by name or booking date
- View current custody status, charges, bond amounts, and scheduled court dates
- Note that this database only includes currently incarcerated individuals, not historical detention records
Montana Correctional Offender Network:
- Access the Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search
- Enter the individual's name or DOC identification number
- Review information on current inmates and those under DOC supervision
- Access details including conviction offenses, sentence information, and custody status
- Note that this database only includes individuals sentenced to DOC custody or supervision
Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry:
- Navigate to the Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry
- Enter search criteria (name, county, city, or zip code)
- Review offender profiles, including photographs, addresses, and offense information
- Access compliance status and registration requirements
- Note that this registry is updated regularly but users should verify information with local law enforcement
When utilizing these online resources, users should be aware of the following limitations:
- Not all criminal records are available online
- Some records may require in-person requests
- Historical records may not be digitized
- Certain case details may be redacted or restricted
- Information accuracy should be verified through official sources
For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests and dispositions across multiple jurisdictions, the Montana Department of Justice Criminal History Record Information remains the authoritative source, though these requests typically require submission of fingerprints and payment of fees.
Can You Search Gallatin County Criminal Records for Free?
Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1006, government agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search and duplication of public records. However, several options exist for accessing certain criminal records in Gallatin County without payment.
Free In-Person Inspection:
Montana law permits free inspection of non-confidential public records during normal business hours. The following locations offer public access terminals for viewing criminal records at no cost:
Gallatin County Law & Justice Center - Public Access Terminal
615 S 16th Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Gallatin County Courts
Visitors may view:
- Public court dockets
- Case summaries
- Hearing schedules
- Non-sealed case filings
- Judgment information
While inspection is free, printing documents from these terminals incurs a fee of $0.50 per page.
Free Online Resources:
Several digital platforms provide free access to specific criminal record information:
-
Gallatin County Detention Center Inmate Roster - Provides current inmate information including charges and bond amounts at no cost through the Sheriff's Office website
-
Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry - Offers free public access to information about registered sex offenders and violent offenders residing in Gallatin County through the Montana Department of Justice
-
Montana Correctional Offender Network - Provides free access to information about individuals currently under Department of Corrections supervision via the CONWEB search portal
-
Montana Courts Public Portal - Offers limited free case information search capabilities through the Montana Judicial Branch website, though accessing documents requires payment
Fee-Based Services:
For comprehensive criminal history reports, certified copies, or extensive record searches, fees apply according to the following schedule:
- Name-based criminal history check: $30.00
- Fingerprint-based criminal history check: $33.25
- Certified court documents: $10.00 plus $0.50 per page
- Record search requiring staff assistance: $10.00 per name
- Expedited processing: Additional $20.00
These fees are established pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301 and local court rules.
What's Included in a Gallatin County Criminal Record?
Criminal records maintained in Gallatin County typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the nature of the case and the maintaining agency, but generally includes the following categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, identifying marks)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Driver's license number
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed by law enforcement
- Probable cause statement
- Bail or bond information
- Pre-trial detention status
Court Case Information:
- Court case number and jurisdiction (District Court or Justice Court)
- Filing date and prosecutor information
- Formal charges filed, including Montana Code Annotated citations
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Hearing dates and proceedings
- Motion filings and judicial rulings
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Verdict or plea outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details, including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Treatment requirements
- Community service obligations
- Post-conviction proceedings
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protection/restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Habitual offender status
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The level of detail available to the public may be limited by privacy protections established under Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-303, particularly for ongoing investigations, juvenile proceedings, and cases involving protected victims. Law enforcement agencies and authorized criminal justice entities have access to more comprehensive information than is available through public records requests.
For complete criminal history information spanning multiple jurisdictions, the Montana Department of Justice Criminal Records Unit maintains the central repository of criminal history record information for the state.
How Long Does Gallatin County Keep Criminal Records?
Gallatin County maintains criminal records in accordance with the Montana Local Government Records Retention Schedules, established pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1013. These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various categories of criminal justice records.
The retention periods for key criminal record documents are as follows:
Court Records:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after case closure
- Traffic violations: 3 years after case closure
- Court dockets and indexes: Permanent retention
- Judgments and sentencing orders: Permanent retention
- Warrants: Until served plus 3 years
- Probation records: 10 years after completion of probation
Law Enforcement Records:
- Arrest reports: 10 years
- Investigation reports for felonies: Permanent retention
- Investigation reports for misdemeanors: 10 years
- Incident reports: 5 years
- Booking photographs and fingerprints: Permanent retention
- Jail records: 10 years after release
- Sex offender registration information: Permanent retention
Prosecution Records:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 10 years after case closure
- Declined prosecutions: 3 years
These retention periods represent minimum requirements; many records, particularly those related to serious offenses, are maintained permanently. Digital conversion has enabled longer retention of many record types that previously might have been destroyed after the mandatory retention period.
It is important to note that even when physical records are destroyed according to retention schedules, summary information may be maintained indefinitely in electronic databases. Additionally, records that have been sealed or expunged pursuant to court order are removed from public access but may still exist in restricted government archives.
The Montana Department of Justice maintains criminal history information in the central repository indefinitely, though certain non-conviction data may be removed after specific time periods in accordance with Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-202.
For questions regarding specific record retention policies, members of the public may contact:
Gallatin County Records Management
311 W Main St, Room 304
Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: (406) 582-3080
Gallatin County Records Management
Lookup Criminal Records in Gallatin County
Montana Correctional Offender Network