Natrona County Public Records / Natrona County Arrest Records

Natrona County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Natrona County

Arrest records in Natrona County are generally considered public information under Wyoming law. The Wyoming Public Records Act, specifically Wyoming Statute § 16-4-201 et seq., establishes that most government records, including arrest records, are available for public inspection. This statute defines public records as "any information in a physical form created, accepted, or obtained by the state or any agency, institution or political subdivision of the state in furtherance of its official function and transaction of public business."

However, it is important to note that not all components of arrest records are publicly accessible. Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 16-4-203, certain information may be withheld if disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, impair ongoing investigations, or compromise law enforcement operations. The Natrona County Sheriff's Office maintains and processes requests for arrest records in accordance with these statutory provisions.

A critical distinction exists between arrest records and conviction records. Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records indicate that a person was found guilty of a crime through legal proceedings. Under Wyoming law, both types of records are generally public, but arrest records that did not lead to conviction may be eligible for expungement under certain circumstances as outlined in Wyoming Statute § 7-13-1401.

What's in Natrona County Arrest Records

Natrona County arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records typically include the following components:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Gender
Race/ethnicity
Residential address
Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, etc.)
Fingerprints
Photograph (mugshot)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Reason for arrest
Whether force was used during arrest

Charge Information:

Criminal charges filed
Statute citations for alleged violations
Charge classification (misdemeanor or felony)
Charge severity level

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number
Issuing court
Date of issuance
Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)

Booking Information:

Booking date and time
Booking number
Processing officer information
Property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

Bond amount
Bond type
Bond status (posted, denied, etc.)
Conditions of release

Court Information:

Court case number
Assigned court
Scheduled court appearances
Court disposition (if available)

Custody Status:

Current detention status
Facility of incarceration (if applicable)
Release date (if applicable)

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history
Known associates
Vehicle information
Probation/parole status
Risk assessment scores
Medical alerts

The Natrona County Detention Center maintains booking and custody information, while the Sheriff's Office maintains the complete arrest records in compliance with Wyoming state law.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Natrona County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Natrona County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for requesting and accessing arrest records:

Submit a Written Request Form
- Complete the Natrona County Sheriff's Office Records Request Form
- Include specific information about the record being requested (name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest)
- Provide requestor contact information
- Submit proper identification (government-issued photo ID)
- Pay applicable fees (currently $5.00 per record)
In-Person Requests
- Visit the Natrona County Sheriff's Office Records Division during business hours
- Complete the records request form on-site
- Present valid identification
- Pay applicable fees

Natrona County Sheriff's Office
201 N. David Street, 2nd Floor
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 235-9282
Natrona County Sheriff's Office

Mail Requests
- Download and complete the records request form
- Include a copy of valid identification
- Enclose payment (check or money order)
- Mail to the Sheriff's Office address
Email Requests
- Scan completed form and identification
- Email to records@natronacounty-wy.gov
- Arrange for payment method

Processing times for records requests typically range from 3-10 business days, depending on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload. Pursuant to Wyoming Statute § 16-4-204, agencies must respond to records requests within a reasonable time.

How To Find Natrona County Arrest Records Online

Natrona County provides limited online access to certain arrest record information. The following digital resources are available to the public:

Natrona County Sheriff's Office Warrant Search
- The Sheriff's Office Warrants database allows users to search for active warrants
- Search by name (last name, first name)
- Results include warrant type, issuing court, and bond amount
- Updated regularly but not in real-time
Natrona County Detention Center Inmate Search
- Access the current inmate roster through the Detention Center website
- Search by name to find custody status
- Information includes booking date, charges, and bond information
- Limited to currently incarcerated individuals
Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Records
- The Wyoming DCI Criminal Records Unit maintains statewide criminal history information
- Requires submission of fingerprints and fees
- Provides more comprehensive criminal history than county-level searches
Wyoming Court System Records
- Wyoming court records can be searched through the state judicial system
- Case information may include arrest details if related to court proceedings
- Available at Wyoming Judicial Branch website

When conducting online searches, users should note that:

Information may not be comprehensive or current
Some records may require in-person verification
Certain sensitive information is redacted from online records
Official record copies still require formal requests through the Sheriff's Office

How To Search Natrona County Arrest Records for Free?

Several options exist for members of the public to access basic arrest record information in Natrona County without payment of fees:

Public Access Terminals
- Computer terminals are available at the Natrona County Courthouse for free public access
- Limited to basic case information and court records
- Available during regular business hours
- No printing capabilities without payment of fees

Natrona County Courthouse
200 N. Center Street
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 235-9200

Free Online Resources
- The Natrona County Sheriff's Office website provides free access to:
  - Active warrant information
  - Daily booking reports
  - Current inmate roster
- Information is limited to basic details and may not include complete arrest records
Local News Sources
- Local newspapers and news websites often report on significant arrests
- Police blotters may be published with basic arrest information
- Not comprehensive but available at no cost
Public Records Inspection
- Wyoming Statute § 16-4-202 allows for inspection of public records without charge
- While copies may incur fees, viewing records in person is typically free
- Requires scheduling an appointment with the records custodian

It is important to note that while basic information may be available at no cost, comprehensive arrest records typically require formal requests and payment of associated fees. Free resources generally provide limited information and may not include historical records or detailed arrest information.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Natrona County

Under Wyoming law, individuals may petition for the expungement (legal erasure) or sealing (restricting public access) of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes are governed by Wyoming Statute § 7-13-1401, which outlines eligibility requirements and procedures.

Expungement vs. Sealing:

Expungement: The physical destruction or deletion of records, removing them completely from public and most official access
Sealing: Records remain intact but are restricted from public view, accessible only to law enforcement and certain government agencies

Eligibility for Expungement in Natrona County:

Arrests that did not lead to conviction
- Cases dismissed without prejudice after 180 days
- Cases dismissed with prejudice
- Acquittals or not guilty verdicts
- No charges filed within statute of limitations
Certain misdemeanor convictions
- After waiting period (typically 5 years)
- No subsequent convictions
- All fines, restitution, and court costs paid
First-time drug possession offenses
- After successful completion of probation
- Under Wyoming Statute § 7-13-301

Steps to Request Expungement:

Obtain certified copies of court documents related to the case
Complete petition for expungement (available from the Clerk of District Court)
File petition with the court where the case was handled
Pay filing fees (approximately $100)
Attend scheduled hearing before a judge
If granted, obtain certified copy of expungement order
Submit expungement order to all agencies holding records

Natrona County District Court
200 N. Center Street, Room 115
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 235-9243

Individuals seeking expungement may wish to consult with an attorney, as the process can be complex. The Wyoming State Bar offers referral services for those needing legal assistance. Certain serious offenses, including violent felonies and sexual offenses, are generally not eligible for expungement under Wyoming law.

What Happens After Arrest in Natrona County?

Following an arrest in Natrona County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process that includes several key stages:

Booking Process
- Transportation to Natrona County Detention Center
- Personal information collection
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Property inventory
- Medical screening
- Initial custody determination
Initial Appearance
- Occurs within 72 hours of arrest (typically 24-48 hours)
- Charges formally read to defendant
- Constitutional rights explained
- Determination of probable cause
- Initial bail/bond decision
- Appointment of public defender if eligible
Bail/Bond Consideration
- Judge sets bail amount based on:
  - Severity of charges
  - Criminal history
  - Flight risk
  - Community ties
  - Public safety concerns
- Options include:
  - Cash bond
  - Surety bond
  - Property bond
  - Release on own recognizance
  - Pretrial supervision
Preliminary Hearing (Felony Cases)
- Held within 10 days if in custody, 20 days if released
- Prosecution presents evidence to establish probable cause
- Defense may challenge evidence
- Judge determines if case proceeds to District Court
- May be waived by defendant
Arraignment
- Formal reading of charges
- Defendant enters plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Trial date set if not guilty plea entered
- Pretrial conference scheduled
Pretrial Proceedings
- Discovery exchange
- Motion hearings
- Plea negotiations
- Status conferences
Trial
- Jury selection
- Opening statements
- Presentation of evidence
- Closing arguments
- Jury deliberation and verdict
- Right to speedy trial under Wyoming law
Sentencing (If Convicted)
- Presentence investigation
- Victim impact statements
- Sentencing hearing
- Judge imposes sentence based on:
  - Wyoming sentencing guidelines
  - Statutory requirements
  - Mitigating/aggravating factors
Post-Conviction
- Right to appeal within 30 days
- Possible probation supervision
- Incarceration if sentenced
- Payment of fines, restitution, court costs

Throughout this process, arrest records are maintained and updated to reflect the current status of the case. These records become part of the individual's criminal history maintained by both Natrona County and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Natrona County?

Arrest records in Natrona County are maintained according to Wyoming's records retention requirements, primarily governed by Wyoming Statute § 9-2-401, which establishes the State Archives and the Records Committee. The retention of law enforcement records follows specific schedules that vary by record type and agency.

Standard Retention Periods:

Arrest reports: Permanent retention
Booking information: Minimum 10 years
Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention
Photographs/mugshots: Permanent retention
Incident reports: Minimum 10 years
Investigation files: Permanent for felonies; 10 years for misdemeanors

The Wyoming Department of Archives oversees the state's records management program and publishes detailed retention schedules that law enforcement agencies, including the Natrona County Sheriff's Office, must follow. These schedules ensure proper documentation is maintained for legal, administrative, and historical purposes.

Different agencies maintain different retention requirements:

Sheriff's Office records may be kept longer than court records
Juvenile records have special confidentiality and retention provisions
Records related to unsolved cases are typically retained indefinitely
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as physical records

Even when records reach the end of their mandatory retention period, many are preserved for historical purposes rather than destroyed. Additionally, records that have been digitized may be maintained indefinitely in electronic format, even after physical copies are destroyed.

The preservation of arrest records serves several important functions:

Maintains evidence for potential future legal proceedings
Provides documentation for background checks
Ensures accountability in the criminal justice system
Preserves historical information for statistical and research purposes
Supports ongoing law enforcement investigations

How to Find Mugshots in Natrona County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. These images serve as visual identification records of individuals processed into the criminal justice system. In Natrona County, mugshots are taken at the Natrona County Detention Center as part of standard booking procedures.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

Mugshots in Natrona County are primarily maintained by:

The Natrona County Sheriff's Office Records Division
The Natrona County Detention Center
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (for statewide records)

These photographs are considered part of the official arrest record and are stored in both physical and digital formats within secure law enforcement databases.

Finding Mugshots

To obtain mugshots in Natrona County, individuals must follow established procedures:

Submit a formal records request to the Natrona County Sheriff's Office using the Records Request Form
Provide specific information about the subject (full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest)
Pay applicable fees (typically $5-10 per photograph)
Present valid identification
State the purpose for requesting the mugshot

Natrona County Sheriff's Office Records Division
201 N. David Street, 2nd Floor
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 235-9282
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Can Mugshots Be Found Online

Unlike some jurisdictions, Natrona County does not maintain a public-facing online database of mugshots. The county has adopted this policy to balance public information access with privacy concerns. While the Natrona County Detention Center website provides inmate information, it does not include mugshot images.

Some third-party websites may publish mugshots obtained through public records requests, but these sources:

May not be current or accurate
Often charge fees for removal (a practice discouraged by law enforcement)
May not remove images even after cases are dismissed or expunged
Are not officially affiliated with Natrona County government

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots in Natrona County is subject to certain limitations:

Juvenile mugshots are generally confidential under Wyoming law
Images related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily restricted
Mugshots that have been expunged are no longer available to the public
Requests deemed to be for commercial purposes may be denied
Wyoming Statute § 16-4-203 allows agencies to withhold records if release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy

Law enforcement agencies balance the public's right to information with individual privacy concerns when determining whether to release mugshot images.