Montana Criminal Records
What defines a Criminal Record in Montana?
A criminal record is an official document that records a person’s criminal history. The information is updated from local, county and state jurisdictions as well as trial courts, courts of appeals and county and state correctional facilities.
While the standard for criminal record collection and storage varies from county to count, the majority of Montana criminal records are online record depositories that are available to the public in the form of a Criminal Background Report. This report is accessed through a number of courts, police departments, and the official Montana State Records Online Database.
The amount of criminal records information presented on StateRecords.org will vary from person to person. This is because the different resources used to collect information often have non-standardized state level protocols, storage classifications, requirements, organization and digitization processes. Criminal records in the state of Montana generally include the following subjects:
Montana Arrest Records
Montana Misdemeanors
A misdemeanor is a non-indictable offense which is generally less severe than felonies. However, like felonies, a misdemeanor charge is classified by a number-based system designed to describe the severity of the alleged crime. Misdemeanor crimes are distinguished from felonies by the seriousness of injury caused to another person, the cash value of the property taken, or a number of drugs in a person’s possession and whether there is proof of intent to sell or distribute the drugs.
Montana does not classify its misdemeanor crimes into separate classes. Misdemeanor crimes in Montana include assault, stalking, criminal trespass, theft of property not exceeding $1,500 in value, issuing a bad check not exceeding $1,500 in value, possession of marijuana not exceeding 60 grams, and driving under the influence.
Montana Felonies
Montana Sex Offender Listing
A sex offender listing is a registry of persons convicted of committing a sex crime that is often accessible by the public. In most cases, jurisdictions compile their laws into sections, such as traffic, assault and sexual. Judges are given discretion as to whether they need registration for crimes besides the charges listed under the sex offender registration law. A judge may order an adult to register as a sex offender if the crime involves sexual motivation.
Montana criminal law bars sexual contact with another person without that person’s consent. A violation can result in a felony conviction and even a life sentence if the assault results in injury. The severity of the penalties for sexual assault and sexual intercourse without consent in Montana depend on convictions of the same offense and other factors.
Montana Serious Traffic Violation
Montana Conviction Records
Montana Jail and Inmate Records
Montana Parole Information
Montana Probation Records
Probation records are official documents that show when a person receives probation as an alternative to prison. Probation allows people convicted of a crime in Montana to serve their sentences out of custody, as long as they follow probation conditions imposed by the judge and probation officer.
Probation is issued in proportion to the crime, so the length and nature of probation differ (sometimes drastically) from case to case. Probation typically falls into three categories: minimally supervised, supervised and intensive. Intensive probation is a form of very strict probation that has conditions that vary from state to state but that emphasize punishment and control of the offender within the community.
Montana Juvenile Criminal Records
Montana History and Accuracy of Criminal Records
Montana Megan’s Law
Megan's Law is the term for state laws that create and support a sex offender registry, which provides information on registered sex offenders to the public. The first Megan's Law appeared after the rape and murder of 7-year-old New Jersey resident Megan Kanka by a sex offender who lived in the girl's own neighborhood. Soon after passage of this first Megan's Law, the federal government requires that all states set up sex offender registries and offer the public with information about those registered.
In addition to any prison sentence or fine, a person convicted of sexual assault or sexual intercourse without consent upon a person under the age of 18 will also be required to register as a sex offender for many years after release from prison. Montana sex offender registration limits where the offender may live, work, go to school and simply be present. Sex offender registries are public records that may be accessed by employers, schools, landlords, neighbors, and the public.