Flathead County Criminal Records

What Is Flathead County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Flathead County are official documents that chronicle 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 encompass several distinct categories of documentation:

• Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes an individual into custody on suspicion of criminal activity
• Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings, including charges, hearings, and case dispositions
• Incarceration Records: Information regarding an individual's detention in county jail facilities
• Probation/Parole Records: Documentation of supervision following release from incarceration

It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records. Arrest records document instances where individuals were taken into custody but do not necessarily indicate guilt. Conviction records, conversely, document instances where individuals were found guilty of criminal charges through court proceedings.

The classification of offenses significantly impacts how records are maintained and accessed:

• Felony Records: Document more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
• Misdemeanor Records: Document less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
• Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by individuals under 18 years of age, which are generally sealed from public access under Montana Code Annotated § 41-5-216

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Flathead County:

Flathead County Sheriff's Office
920 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5585
Flathead County Sheriff's Office

Flathead County District Court
920 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5906
Flathead County District Court

Montana Department of Justice - Criminal Records
303 North Roberts
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3625
Montana Department of Justice

These criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final disposition, including charges filed, arraignment proceedings, plea entries, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole information.

Are Criminal Records Public In Flathead County

Criminal records in Flathead County are generally considered public information under Montana's constitutional right to know and the Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1003. This statute establishes that "every person has a right to examine and obtain a copy of any public information of this state" except as otherwise expressly provided by law.

The Montana Constitution, Article II, Section 9, further reinforces this right, stating: "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."

Under current law, the following criminal record information is generally accessible to the public:

• Adult arrest records resulting in conviction
• Court proceedings and case dispositions for adults
• Sentencing information for convicted individuals
• Active warrants
• Sex offender registry information

However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:

• Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
• Records sealed by court order
• Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
• Records expunged pursuant to court order
• Information where privacy interests outweigh public disclosure interests
• Victim information in certain sensitive cases

The Flathead County Clerk of Court maintains court records that are generally available for public inspection during regular business hours. Similarly, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, jail rosters, and warrant information that may be accessed by members of the public.

It is important to note that while criminal records are generally public, the method of access and associated fees may vary depending on the specific record sought and the maintaining agency. Additionally, certain information within otherwise public records may be redacted to protect privacy interests as determined by statute or court order.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Flathead County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Flathead County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving specific purposes and containing different types of information.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit:

Flathead County Clerk of Court
920 South Main Street, Room 300
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 758-5906
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Flathead County Clerk of Court

When requesting criminal records in person, the following steps are recommended:

1. Bring government-issued photo identification
2. Complete the appropriate request form available at the clerk's counter
3. Provide as much identifying information as possible about the subject of the search
4. Pay applicable search and copy fees (currently $10 for record searches plus $0.50 per page for copies)
5. Allow time for staff to retrieve the requested records

For court case information, the Montana Courts Public Access Portal provides a centralized system for searching court records. Users may search by:

• Case number
• Party name
• Filing date range
• Case type

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office maintains current information regarding:

• Active warrants through the Warrants Database
• Current jail inmates via the Jail Roster
• Sex offender registry information

For written requests by mail, individuals should:

1. Draft a formal request letter including:

   • Requestor's full name and contact information
   • Subject's full name, date of birth, and any other identifying information
   • Specific records being requested
   • Purpose of the request
   • Signature and date

2. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for applicable fees

3. Mail the request to the appropriate agency:

Flathead County Records Department
800 South Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901

Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-301, agencies must respond to record requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed 10 business days for readily available information.

How To Find Criminal Records in Flathead County Online?

Flathead County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient access to various types of criminal justice data without requiring in-person visits to government offices.

The primary online resources for criminal records in Flathead County include:

1. Montana Courts Public Access Portal - This statewide system provides access to court case information from district courts and courts of limited jurisdiction. Users can search by:

   • Case number
   • Party name
   • Attorney name
   • Filing date range

   The portal displays case types, filing dates, charges, scheduled hearings, and case dispositions. Registration is required for full access, though basic case information is available without an account.

2. Flathead County Jail Roster - This database provides current information on individuals incarcerated in the Flathead County Detention Center. The roster includes:

   • Inmate name
   • Booking date
   • Charges
   • Bond information
   • Expected release date (when applicable)

   The roster is updated daily and can be sorted by last name, booking date, or release date.

3. Flathead County Warrants Database - This searchable database contains information on active warrants issued in Flathead County. Users can search by:

   • Name
   • Warrant type
   • Issuing agency

   The system displays warrant information including the charge, bond amount, and issuing authority. Photos are displayed for individuals with felony warrants but not for those with only misdemeanor warrants.

4. Montana Supreme Court Docket Search - For appellate cases, this database allows searches of Montana Supreme Court cases by:

   • Case number
   • Party name
   • Attorney name
   • Date range

5. Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search - This statewide database provides information on individuals under the supervision of the Montana Department of Corrections, including:

   • Current inmates in state facilities
   • Individuals on probation or parole
   • Offender demographics
   • Conviction information
   • Custody status
   • Sentence details

It is important to note that while these online resources provide substantial information, they may not contain complete criminal history records. Certain documents, particularly older records or those containing sensitive information, may only be available through in-person requests at the Flathead County Clerk of Court or other appropriate agencies.

Can You Search Flathead County Criminal Records for Free?

Pursuant to Montana's constitutional right to know and the Montana Public Records Act § 2-6-1006, members of the public have the right to inspect many criminal records without charge, though fees may apply for copies or extensive searches.

The following free resources are available for criminal record searches in Flathead County:

1. In-Person Inspection - Montana law permits individuals to examine public records during normal business hours at no cost. The following locations offer free inspection of criminal records:

   Flathead County Clerk of Court
   920 South Main Street, Room 300
   Kalispell, MT 59901
   (406) 758-5906
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

   Visitors may review court files, including criminal cases, at public terminals without charge. Staff assistance for locating records is provided at no cost, though extended research assistance may incur fees.

2. Online Resources - Several free online databases provide access to criminal justice information:

   • Flathead County Jail Roster - This free database lists current inmates in the Flathead County Detention Center.

   • Flathead County Warrants Database - This resource provides information on active warrants at no cost.

   • Montana Courts Public Access Portal - Basic case information is available without registration or fees, though full document access may require registration and payment.

   • Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search - This statewide database provides information on current inmates and those under supervision at no charge.

While inspection is generally free, the following fees may apply for copies or certified records:

• Standard copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copies: $2.00 per document plus copy fees
• Record searches requiring extensive staff time: $10.00 per search
• Electronic records on CD/DVD: $10.00 per disc

The Flathead County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains the county's fee schedule for public records requests. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the request serves the public interest, as determined by the custodian of records.

What's Included in a Flathead County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Flathead County typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content of these records is standardized pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 44-5-103(4), which defines criminal justice information.

Identifying Information:

• Full legal name and known aliases
• Date of birth
• Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Mugshot/booking photograph
• Last known address
• State Identification Number (SID)
• FBI number (if applicable)
• Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Booking number
• Charges filed at arrest
• Bail/bond information
• Detention facility location
• Arresting officer information

Court Case Information:

• Case number
• Court of jurisdiction
• Filing date
• Formal charges filed by prosecutor
• Statutory citations
• Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
• Plea entered
• Attorney information (defense counsel and prosecutor)
• Judge assigned to case
• Hearing dates and outcomes

Disposition Information:

• Verdict or case outcome
• Conviction date (if applicable)
• Sentencing details:
  • Incarceration length
  • Probation terms
  • Fines and court costs
  • Restitution ordered
  • Special conditions imposed
• Appeal information (if applicable)
• Probation/parole status and conditions

Additional Information:

• Active warrants
• Protective/restraining orders
• Sex offender registration requirements
• DUI/DWI history
• Traffic violations connected to criminal charges
• Pending charges in other jurisdictions
• Prior criminal history summary

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and booking information, while the Flathead County District Court maintains case files containing court proceedings, judgments, and sentencing information.

It should be noted that juvenile records typically contain similar information but are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions under Montana Code Annotated § 41-5-216, limiting public access to these records.

How Long Does Flathead County Keep Criminal Records?

Flathead County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Montana Secretary of State's Local Government Records Committee, as authorized by Montana Code Annotated § 2-6-1201. These schedules establish minimum retention periods for various types of criminal justice records.

The retention periods for common 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
• Court transcripts: Permanent retention for felonies; 10 years for misdemeanors
• Judgments and sentencing orders: Permanent retention

Law Enforcement Records:

• Arrest reports: 10 years from date of arrest
• Investigation reports for felonies: Permanent retention
• Investigation reports for misdemeanors: 10 years from case closure
• Booking photographs and fingerprints: Permanent retention
• Incident reports: 10 years from date of incident
• Jail records: 10 years after release from custody
• Active warrants: Until served or recalled by issuing authority

Probation and Parole Records:

• Supervision records: 10 years after completion of supervision
• Pre-sentence investigation reports: Permanent retention

It is important to note that while these represent minimum retention periods, many records—particularly those related to serious offenses—are maintained permanently. Additionally, records that have met their retention period may be transferred to the Montana Historical Society for archival purposes rather than being destroyed, especially if they are deemed to have historical significance.

Digital records are increasingly replacing paper documents in Flathead County's criminal justice system. The Montana Courts Public Access Portal maintains digital court records according to the same retention schedules that apply to physical documents.

Expungement or sealing of records may occur before the standard retention period expires if ordered by a court pursuant to Montana Code Annotated § 46-18-1101, which provides for expungement of certain criminal records under specific circumstances.

Lookup Criminal Records in Flathead County

Flathead County Sheriff's Office

Jail Roster - Flathead County Sheriff's Office

Flathead County Sheriff's Office - Warrants

Clerk of Court Department - Flathead County

Public Records - Flathead County

Montana Public Access Portal

Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search

Montana Supreme Court Docket Search