Wyoming Arrest Records

Per W.S. § 7-19-103, Wyoming arrest records refer to information, data, and records created by criminal justice agencies on Wyoming citizens to identify criminal offenders. It consists of an arrested person's identifiable descriptions, notations, or a summary of arrests. Arrest records are generated in compliance with the Wyoming Criminal History Record Act to enhance transparency and accountability. Per Wyo. Stat. § 7-19-107 (a), the Office of the Attorney General Division of Criminal Investigation is Wyoming's central repository for arrest records. A typical arrest record contains the following information:

• Arrest time and date;
• Arrestee's name, race, age, and address;
• Name of arresting agency;
• The offense committed by the arrestee;
• Arrest dispositions;
• Arrest location.

Are Arrest Records Public in Wyoming?

Yes. The Wyoming Public Records Act permits law enforcement agencies to make arrest records available to interested and eligible of the public. However, not all arrest records are considered public in Wyoming. Some examples of confidential arrest records include juvenile arrest records, investigatory records, and the personal information of an arrestee whose disclosure will constitute an invasion of personal privacy.

How Do I Look Up Arrest Records in Wyoming?

Several state, county, and federal sources provide access to arrest records in Wyoming. Individuals need to review such sources carefully before initiating an arrest records request. This is because each record custodian provides unique search methods. These custodians are as follows:

Local law enforcement agencies

Wyoming law permits all local law enforcement agencies to provide access to arrest records. Therefore, individuals can request to view or copy arrest records maintained by:

• City Police Departments: Individuals can find Wyoming arrest records by completing a records request form online or in person at city police departments. For example, the Rock Springs Police Department requires inquirers to fill out a Request for Release of Information form to obtain arrest records. A valid picture I.D. and a $5 payment (per name) are required to process the request. Fees may be paid by cash, company checks, money order, and credit/debit card. Personal checks are unacceptable.
• County Sheriff's Offices: The process of finding arrest records in county sheriff's offices in Wyoming differs between counties. For example, the Sheridan County Sheriff's Office provides weekly arrest information to the public on its Incidents, Arrests, and Detentions page. In contrast, individuals must complete a local background check form to obtain copies of arrest records at the Campbell County Sheriff's Office. The form can be obtained in person at the Office. Inquirers will be charged a fee of $10, payable by cash or certified funds.

Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)

Interested persons may request Wyoming arrest records in person at the DCI's Applicant Tracking System (ATS) unit. A fingerprint card is required to process the request. Individuals can do their fingerprinting at a local law enforcement agency or the DCI.

Copies of arrest records cost $15, but an extra $5 is required for fingerprinting service conducted by the DCI. Payment should be submitted by money order or cashier's check to the Office of the Attorney General or DCI. The address to submit the payment to is:

Division of Criminal Investigation

ATTN: ATS

208 South College Drive

Cheyenne, WY 82002

Note that cash, personal checks, or credit card payments are unacceptable. The processing time for Wyoming arrest records takes up to 2 weeks. However, the timeframes can last 5 to 6 weeks, depending on the workload and the quality of the submitted fingerprints. Review the Background Check Instructions and ATS FAQ pages for more information on obtaining arrest records from the DCI.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The FBI processes Wyoming arrest records requests online, by mail, or through an FBI-approved channeler. Online requests require submitting a fingerprint electronically at a participating U.S. Post Office location or by mail. The fingerprint card must be mailed alongside the confirmation email received during the application. Mail requesters must fill out an Applicant Information Form. They must send the form alongside a Fingerprint Card and an $18 fee per person to:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request

1000 Custer Hollow Road

Clarksburg, WV 26306

The fee can be paid by money order, certified check, or credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form. The FBI does not accept payments by cash, personal checks, or business checks. Individuals who choose to work with an FBI-approved channeler should contact them to know their costs, processing times, and location. This service attracts additional fees.

Free Arrest Record Search in Wyoming

Some county sheriff's offices in Wyoming offer free access to arrest records on their site. Requesters should navigate to the inmate roster section on the sheriff's office websites to view arrest information at no cost. For example, the Uinta County Sheriff's Office has an Active Inmate Roster where individuals can find the list of all individuals recently arrested within county limits. Inquirers may also visit the office to view the list in person unless otherwise stated by the department.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Wyoming?

Any arrest reported to the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) remains on a person's criminal record unless expunged. Once expunged, the arrest records will only be available for criminal justice purposes. In contrast, juvenile arrest records are deleted when a youth reaches the age of majority (18) unless the person is convicted of a crime as an adult.

How to Seal Arrest Record in Wyoming

In Wyoming, an arrest record expungement seals such records from public access. Only law enforcement officers can access sealed arrest records in Wyoming. Below are records that are eligible for expungement in Wyoming:

• Arrests with no conviction (W.S. § 7-13-1401): Individuals can expunge their arrest records if
  • It has been 180 days since the arrest or when the case was dismissed.
  • There are no pending charges against the person requesting the expungement of arrest records.
  • At least one of the following is true:
    • No criminal charge convictions relating to the incident that led to the arrest.
    • No criminal charges of any kind were filed against the person due to the event that led to the arrest.
    • The court or prosecutor dismissed the criminal charges relating to the arrest.
• Misdemeanor conviction (W.S. § 7-13-1501): A person convicted of a misdemeanor can expunge their arrest records if:
  • The misdemeanor did not involve using a gun
  • At least 1 year has passed after the end of a sentence for a status offense, or at least 5 years have passed since the end of a sentence for a non-status offense.
• Felony conviction (W.S. § 7-13-1502): A person convicted of a felony can expunge their arrest records if:
  • At least ten (10) years have passed since the person has completed their sentence, any program ordered by the court, and any restitution has been paid in full.
  • The Petitioner has not previously pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a felony besides the one they seek to expunge.
  • The felony did not involve using a gun.
• Juvenile records (W.S. § 14-6-241): Youths can expunge non-violent crimes when they turn18 years old, have not been convicted of any more felonies, and have no current felony cases against them and the court or prosecutor believes that they have been rehabilitated.

To expunge an arrest record in Wyoming, an individual must file a Petition for Expungement with the court that heard the case. The Petitioner must serve the petition to the prosecuting attorney, the division of criminal investigation, and the victims of the crime, depending on the case. The court will hold a hearing to determine if the offense is eligible for expungement. If the court grants the petition, the Petitioner must present an Order for Expungement to the court for the judge to sign. Afterward, the arrest record will be sealed and removed from public access. A copy of the Order will be sent to the Division of Criminal Investigation.