Montana's law enforcement agencies process more than 25,000 arrests annually, with Lewis and Clark County reporting about 1,600 of all arrests statewide. Records of individuals arrested in the county are publicly accessible under the Montana Public Records Act. Anyone can view these records online or make formal requests to the appropriate record custodians in Lewis and Clark. While online databases typically provide arrest reports free of charge, obtaining paper copies may require a fee. According to the state law, records involving juveniles, sealed cases, or active investigations are confidential. Only record owners, law enforcement agencies, and the Lewis and Clark County Attorney can view restricted records.
Requesters can visit any of the following record custodians to look up Lewis and Clark County arrest records.
You can view arrest reports and charges on the Jail Roster available on the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's website. Alternatively, you can send phone, fax, and walk-in requests to the Sheriff at:
406 Fuller Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 447-8204
When requesting copies, you may be required to provide details such as the subject's name and arrest date.
Lewis and Clark County has two police departments located in the cities of Helena and EastHelena. These departments keep records of suspects arrested within their jurisdiction. You can visit the department's website to find contact details, access online request forms, or read guidelines on how to obtain arrest records. Providing relevant details such as the subject's name and age may help narrow down the search and expedite the request.
Montana provides public access to arrest records of offenders in Lewis and Clark County. Name-based searches can be conducted online via the DCI Criminal History Online Public Record Search. Interested persons can search the online portal as a registered or public user. They must also provide necessary details such as the subject's name, date of birth, and social security number. Each online search costs $20, payable by credit card or eCheck. Requesters can also obtain name-based criminal records by submitting written requests to:
Montana Criminal Records
2225 11th Avenue
PO Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
Mail requests should include the $15 processing fee, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the subject's identifying information. Fingerprint-based criminal records, containing detailed and accurate information, are available to members of the public. To get these records, contact local police departments in Lewis and Clark or the County Sheriff for fingerprint cards. Submit the fingerprint cards, $10 processing fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the same address.
The Clerk of District Court keeps criminal court records filed in Lewis and Clark County. To get these records, interested persons can download and complete the search request form. Afterward, submit in person or by mail at:
Lewis and Clark Clerk of District Court
228 East Broadway, Room 104
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 447-8216
Requesters can also use Montana's Public Access Portal to view criminal case files. Lewis and Clark County arrest records are also accessible online through reputable third-party websites like InfoTracer.
Lewis and Clark has an arrest rate of 2,250 arrests per 100,000 residents. Below are the recorded arrest figures for adults and juveniles in the county during this time.
| Arrest Type | Number of Arrests |
|---|---|
| Murder | 0 |
| Robbery | 6 |
| Rape | 7 |
| Aggravated Assault | 92 |
| Simple Assault | 358 |
| Arson | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 25 |
| Burglary/Breaking and Entry | 16 |
| Larceny | 227 |
| Total Crimes Against Persons (Violent Crimes) | 463 |
| Total Property Crimes | 272 |
| DUI Crimes | 216 |
| Others | 737 |
| Total Number of Arrests | 1,688 |
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Crime Data Explorer