Montana Criminal Records History
In Montana, the central criminal history repository managed by the Department of Justice collects criminal history information on felonies, misdemeanors, and other offenses.
Criminal history records contain information that is collected by criminal justice agencies. This information may consist of:
- Identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests
- Detentions
- Complaints, indictments or information filed and any related dispositions
- Sentences
- Correctional status
- Release
FCRA Compliance: Because this search is processed in real-time to obtain the most current case status from the originating sources, it is compliant with FCRA guidelines. Turnaround time: 24 hours or less.
Where does Montana criminal history record information come from?
Most criminal history information originates with local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies such as the courts. These local agencies forward qualifying criminal record information to the state central criminal history repository. This central repository is where criminal history record information is stored and disseminated.
Does the criminal history record include information on protection orders, active warrants or other criminal record information?
The Montana public criminal history record does not include information on protection orders, active warrants, federal offenses (including tribal), intelligence or out-of-state records. The criminal history record does note whether an individual is deceased or is registered as a sexual and/or violent offender in the State of Montana.
How far back do the records go?
As far back as the 1950s, Montana State Prison and the FBI maintained arrest fingerprint cards. In 1979, the Montana State Legislature established the central repository. Records maintained by the prison and the FBI have been transferred to the repository. Per MCA 44-5-212, unless required by federal law, expunging, purging, or destroying of criminal justice information is not required based on the length of time such records are held.
What are the differences between the Montana Department of Justice public criminal history record search and other record/background checks offered over the Internet?
The Montana Department of Justice criminal history searches only public criminal records information from Montana. This search is conducted at the official state of Montana criminal records portal. The information provided is accurate and current as of the day the search was run.
Prior to using any nationwide database criminal records search, you should be aware that they are not necessarily the same as the public criminal record from Montana. When items are expunged or sealed on a Montana public criminal history record, they are no longer available to view by the public. Criminal databases may still provide some of this information as the record was public when purchased.
Montana Criminal Records Report – Sample
MONTANA PUBLIC CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD RESPONSE AS OF 2019-08-15
Requestor: BCS Background Screening
Query On: Name: DOE, JOHN
Date of Birth: 1978-10-13
Social Security Number: 123-45-6789
THIS RECORD IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING USE AND DISSEMINATION RESTRICTIONS:
THE FOLLOWING RECORD IS PROVIDED BASED SOLELY ON THE NAME AND NUMERIC
IDENTIFIERS PROVIDED AND NO ASSURANCES ARE MADE THE SUBJECT OF INQUIRY AND
THE SUBJECT OF RECORD ARE ONE AND THE SAME INDIVIDUAL. IF THE INFORMATION
IS USED TO DISQUALIFY AN APPLICANT, VOLUNTEER OR EMPLOYEE, THE OFFICIAL
MAKING THE DETERMINATION SHALL PROVIDE THE SUBJECT OF INQUIRY THE OPPORTUNITY
TO COMPLETE OR CHALLENGE THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE
MONTANA IDENTIFICATION RECORD.
FURTHER, AN INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE PRESUMED NOT GUILTY OF ANY CHARGE/ARREST FOR
WHICH THERE IS NO FINAL DISPOSITION STATED ON THE RECORD OR OTHERWISE
DETERMINED.IF THE SUBJECT OF RECORD WISHES TO CORRECT THE RECORD AS IT APPEARS
IN THE MONTANA CRIMINAL HISTORY REPOSITORY, THE INDIVIDUAL SHOULD BE ADVISED
THAT THE PROCEDURES TO CHANGE, CORRECT OR UPDATE THE RECORD ARE SET FORTH IN
TITLE 44, SECTION 44-5-215.
THIS RECORD DOES NOT INCLUDE TRAFFIC OFFENSES, NOR DOES IT INCLUDE CRIMINAL
RECORDS MAINTAINED BY OTHER STATES OR THE FBI.
ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION FURNISHED, A CHECK OF THE MONTANA CRIMINAL
HISTORY RECORDS SYSTEM DISCLOSES THAT EITHER THE INDIVIDUAL IN QUESTION HAS
NO PRIOR CRIMINAL RECORD OR THAT, IF IN FACT SUCH A CRIMINAL RECORD EXISTS,
IT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR DISSEMINATION UNDER MONTANA CODE ANNOTATED
44-5-301.
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*******RECORD PROVIDED BY******
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CRIMINAL RECORDS AND IDENTIFICATION SERVICES
PO BOX 201403, HELENA MT 59620-1403
406-444-3625 8 AM – 5 PM
END OF RECORD
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