How do I get a criminal background check in Montana?

To get a criminal background check in Montana, use the Montana Department of Justice Criminal Records and Identification Services at https://dojmt.gov/enforcement/identification-and-records/. Name-based statewide checks cost $20 (Form CRA, mail-in). Fingerprint-based checks for licensure cost $30 pl…

Common Questions About Public Records in Great Falls

Real questions from people researching records in Great Falls. Each answer is verified against official agency sources — no third-party services.

📋 Where do I look up warrants in Montana? ▼

To look up warrants in Montana, contact the local sheriff or police where the warrant was issued. The Montana Department of Justice publishes a most-wanted list at https://dojmt.gov/. The statewide warrant database (CJIN) is restricted to law enforcement; individuals must check by phone with the issuing agency. Many counties post most-wanted lists (Yellowstone Sheriff at https://yellowstonecountysheriff.com/, Missoula at https://www.missoulasheriff.com/). Court bench warrants appear in the Montana Courts records search at https://courts.mt.gov/. Montana Constitution Art. II §9 establishes a strong right to know; M.C.A. §2-6-1003 governs public records. Sources: MT DOJ (https://dojmt.gov/), MT Courts (https://courts.mt.gov/).

Tagged: Montana · warrant

📋 How can I find out if someone has an outstanding warrant in Montana? ▼

To check for an outstanding warrant in Montana, the Montana Department of Justice publishes a most-wanted list at https://dojmt.gov/. The statewide warrant database (CJIN) is restricted to law enforcement; individuals must check by phone with the issuing sheriff or court. Court bench warrants appear in the Montana Courts records search at https://courts.mt.gov/. Major counties post their own most-wanted (Yellowstone Sheriff at https://yellowstonecountysheriff.com/, Missoula at https://www.missoulasheriff.com/). Montana Constitution Art. II §9 establishes a strong right to know; Montana Code Annotated §2-6-1003 governs public records. Sources: MT DOJ (https://dojmt.gov/), MT Courts (https://courts.mt.gov/).

Tagged: Montana · warrant

❓ Where can I find the locations of criminal felony cases in Montana? ▼

To find the location of criminal felony cases in Montana, use the Montana Courts case lookup at https://courts.mt.gov/. Felony cases (Class C, B, A, and Death-eligible) are heard in the District Courts of each county; misdemeanors in Justice or Municipal Courts. The Montana Judicial Branch's Public View case search (Odyssey-based, county-specific) lets you filter by court level and case type. The Montana Department of Justice publishes annual crime reports at https://dojmt.gov/. Montana Code §46-3-110 governs venue. Montana Constitution Art. II §9 establishes a strong right to know; M.C.A. §2-6-1003 governs public records. Sources: MT Courts (https://courts.mt.gov/), MT DOJ (https://dojmt.gov/).

Tagged: Montana · general

Have a question about records in Great Falls? The agencies that hold these records are listed throughout this page — start there.

Great Falls, Montana · Public Records

Great Falls Public Records, Court Cases & Arrests

Search court records, arrest information, criminal history, and police reports for Great Falls, located in Cascade County, Montana. All records linked here come from official government sources.

Records access in Great Falls

Law enforcement in Great Falls is primarily overseen by the Great Falls Police Department. The Cascade County Sheriff's Office is key to law enforcement, particularly in rural areas and county jurisdiction. If you need to obtain arrest records, mugshots, booking records, and criminal histories, the process involves several steps. Individuals can start by approaching the records unit of the Great Falls Police Department, where personnel can assist with local records. For broader inquiries, the Cascade County Sheriff's Office can provide access to relevant documents, including those related to incidents within its jurisdiction. Further, the Montana Department of Justice Bureau of Criminal Investigation maintains the statewide criminal repository, which individuals may contact for full criminal history checks. Many of these records can also be accessed through online lookup portals for added convenience, reflecting a commitment to transparency and public information. The judicial system in Great Falls is anchored by the Cascade County District Court, which handles a wide array of cases, including civil, criminal, and family matters. Individuals looking to request court records can do so through the court’s website, which offers an online portal designed to help with access to various documents. For personal records like birth, death, and marriage certificates, residents should contact the Cascade County Clerk and Recorder or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for vital records, with applications available both online and in person. Property records are maintained by the county assessor and recorder, with online access also provided for convenience. Public records requests can be made under the Montana Right to Know law, which grants citizens the right to access government documents. Typically, responses to these requests are provided within 5 to 10 business days, ensuring a timely process for accessing essential public information.

Crime statistics · Great Falls · FBI UCR 2024

Reported offenses for the Great Falls jurisdiction, total population 60414. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program.

Violent crimes	Property crimes
Total: 347 Murder & non-negligent manslaughter: 4 Rape: 54 Robbery: 33 Aggravated assault: 265	Total: 3405 Burglary: 393 Larceny / theft: 2826 Motor-vehicle theft: 285 Arson: 27

Reporting period: calendar year 2024.

Great Falls · Population & demographics

Total population	58505
White	88.5%
Black or African American	1.1%
Asian	0.9%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	3.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial count.

Montana public records law

Records held by Great Falls city offices, the Cascade County Sheriff, and the Cascade County courts are subject to the Montana Right to Know Provisions (Mont. Const. art. II § 9).

Where to file a records request in Great Falls

Police records: file with the Great Falls Police Department or via the Cascade County Sheriff for unincorporated areas.

Court records: Cascade County courts handle criminal, civil, family, and probate matters.

Booking and inmate records: Cascade County Sheriff publishes a public inmate roster including booking photos and charges.