What are Lake County Public Records?
Montana Public Records Act defines Lake County public records as public information fixed in different channels. They must also be recoverable in a functional form for reference in the future. Lake County public records are selected for maintenance by the state records committee, judicial branch, legislative branch, or local government records committee. The Act declares that a public officer may conceal information concerning the safety of the public, individual, or security of public facilities from public disclosure. This is in case the disclosure tampers with the safety of the public including facility personnel, students in public schools, or inmates of a facility. However, a public officer may not withhold information from public access required to keep the public, individual, and public facilities safe.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location including the city, county or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Lake County Crime Statistics
The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program analyzes criminal statistics for law enforcement. The crimes are under violent crimes and property crimes categories. The 2019 UCR Program reports that Lake County had 81 violent crimes including three murders and non-negligent manslaughters, 10 rape offenses, one robbery, and 67 aggravated assaults. In the same year, there were 260 property crimes including 52 burglaries, 163 larceny thefts, 45 motor vehicle thefts, and three arson offenses. In 2018, there were 76 violent crimes, one murder and non-negligent manslaughter, 17 rape offenses, three robberies, and 55 aggravated assaults. In addition, there were 67 burglaries, 122 larceny thefts, 40 motor vehicle thefts, and six arson offenses, resulting in a total of 229 property crimes. The reports show that between 2018 and 2019, property crimes increased by 13.54% while violent crimes had an increase of 6.58%.
Are Lake County Criminal Records Public?
The Montana Department of Justice – Criminal Records and Identification Services Section provides public access to Lake County criminal records. Deferred and dismissed criminal records are not available to the public. Information from arrests, prosecutors, and courts on felony charges is publicly accessible. Lake County background checks include only criminal history information. However, due to Montana’s privacy laws, there is a limit to the release of criminal history information. There are certain information not available from Montana criminal records but may be available from local law enforcement and other agencies. These include police reports, warrant information, and parole information. Interested parties can obtain them from a specific local court or law enforcement agency.
The fees for the background checks are dependent on the type and extent of the criminal history information requested. There are two types of background checks provided by the Montana Department of Justice: Name-based check or Fingerprint check.
- Name-based check: the use of a name, date of birth, and social security to search only for Montana public criminal history records
- Fingerprint check: This method is only available to statutorily authorized parties. It contains accurate and comprehensive information that includes access to criminal history information. It also includes access to criminal history information in Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The Criminal Records and Identification Services Section permits interested parties to make a request for Lake County criminal records using three methods. Parties can obtain them online, in person, or by mail.
Online: The general public can visit Criminal History Online Public Record Search (CHOPRS). Click on the Public Users “Start Service” button and proceed with the request. The service requires the name and date of birth of the subject. A social security number is optional but provides a comprehensive search. The requester must also provide their name. Applicable fees apply although the service allows four aliases at no extra cost.
Mail: For name-based checks, provide all possible names of the subject, date of birth, and social security number. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order of applicable fees in US currency. Requesters must send mail-in fingerprint checks requests in person or by mail. Requesters must complete the highlighted sections of the fingerprint card and include all information on the applicant card. The fingerprint cards are available at local law enforcement agencies or the Montana Criminal Records. Do not fold or staple the fingerprint card. In addition to the fingerprint card, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with a check or money order of applicable fees and send it to:
Montana Criminal Records
P.O. Box 201403
Helena, MT 59620-1403
Parties who wish to make an in-person request can visit the Montana Department of Justice – Criminal Records and Identification Services Section using the contact information below:
2225 11th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 444-3625
Fax: (406) 444-0689
E-mail: dojcriss@mt.gov
Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How to Obtain Lake County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office maintains the county's police reports. Obtaining a Lake County police report relies on the requester’s relationship to the case. For defendants in a case, The Lake County Attorney's office will provide the police report to the defendant’s lawyer. If the defendant is representing themselves, then the defendant will receive the police report after being charged in court. Victims in a case should make a request for a copy of the police report at the Lake County Attorney’s Office.
Requesters who are neither defendants nor victims must file a Petition for Release of the information at the District Court. The release of the Lake County police report relies on the written order of a District Court Judge. Lake County arrest records are available to the public via an online roster. The roster is under the maintenance of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Details available on the site for Lake County arrest records include booking date, personal information (name, age, sex, etc), and description of the offense. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is located at:
Lake County Sheriff
Lake County Courthouse
106 4th Avenue E
Polson, MT 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7279
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Lake County
Interested parties can find Lake County sex offender information online at the Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registration Unit. The site allows users to search for Lake County sex offenders using the offender basic search and neighborhood search. Neighborhood search provides search criteria that include offender type, search distance, street address, and city. The street address and city are vital requirements. The offender basic search provides the following search parameters:
- Offender Type (sexual, violent, sexual/violent)
- Offender last name
- City
- County
- Postal Code
- Sex Offender Tier Level
- It also allows users to restrict the search to only non-compliant sex offenders
How to Find Lake County Inmate Records
Lake County inmate records are available at the office of the Lake County Sheriff. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office maintains a daily online detention roster that is accessible to the general public. Information on inmates includes name, sex, date of birth, race, booking date, description of the offense, and bond. For more information, requesters can contact the Sheriff’s Office using the contact information below:
Lake County Sheriff
Lake County Courthouse
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7279
Lake County Court Records
Lake County court records stem from documents and cases filed at any Lake County court. The cases include criminal cases and civil court cases. Residents of Lake County can visit Polson City Court, Lake County District Court, and Lake County Youth Court for judicial services.
Location of Lake County Courts
Lake County District Court
Lake County Courthouse Room 301
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT. 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7254
Polson City Court
106 1st Street East
Polson, MT 59860
Phone: (406) 883-8212
Fax: (406) 883-8233
Lake County Youth Court
Lake County Courthouse Room 120
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7264
Are Lake County Court Records Public?
A majority of Lake County court records are available to the public. The Lake County Clerk of District Court is the custodian for the records filed at the court. In addition to the general public, title companies, credit agencies, and investigative agencies regularly search for desired Lake County court records. The Clerk provides Lake County court records when requesters make a request and pay applicable fees.
How to Obtain Lake County Civil Court Case Records
Interested parties can find Lake County civil court case records at the office of the Lake County Clerk of District Court. Requesters need to provide the clerk with details of the desired court record. They include the filing date, name of parties, and case number. Typically, requesters are to submit a request, copy of a valid ID, and pay applicable fees. Requesters can also obtain Lake County civil court case records via the Docket Search Tool provided by Montana Supreme Court. Parties can gain access to court records from active cases and closed cases from 1979 to the present. The search tool requires either a case number, case party, or case attorney to bring up desired Lake County civil court case records.
How to Obtain Lake County Criminal Court Records
Lake County criminal court records are available online through the Montana Supreme Court. The site allows record checkers to search Lake County criminal court records through three search parameters. They include the case party, case attorney, and case number. Interested parties can obtain closed dockets that date back to 1979 as well as active dockets. To obtain a physical copy of a Lake County criminal court record, requesters should visit the Lake County Clerk of District Court. The clerk requires details of the Lake County criminal record to facilitate the search. The details include the filing date, party names, attorney details, and description of the offense. Typically, the release of a Lake County criminal court record requires the submission of a request, a copy of a valid ID, and payment of applicable fees.
What are Lake County Vital Records?
Lake County vital records document crucial life events in Lake County. The Lake County vital records include birth records, death records, divorce records, and marriage records. These records are under the custody of the Lake County District Court Clerk and the Lake County Clerk and Recorder.
Divorce Records
Lake County divorce records are records of marriage dissolutions in the county. Interested parties can obtain them from the Lake County Clerk of District Court. Parties must submit a request record search form and pay applicable fees as a company check, cashier’s check, or money order. The fee should be payable to Lake County District Court. Requesters must also enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. Contact the clerk for further inquiries at:
Lake County District Court
Lake County Courthouse Room 301
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT. 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7254
Marriage Records
Lake County marriage records register all marriage licenses issued in the county. The Lake County Clerk of District Court acts as the custodian for them. Interested parties must submit a request record search application and pay applicable fees. In addition, requesters must include a self-addressed stamped envelope and send them to:
Lake County District Court
Lake County Courthouse Room 301
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT. 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7254
Birth Records
Lake County birth records document births in the county. The Lake County Clerk and Recorder maintain the county’s birth records. Certified copies of a Lake County birth record are available to the subject of the record, parents, spouse, and children. Grandparents, guardians, and authorized representatives must submit proof of relationship to the subject before they can receive the Lake County birth record. Requesters must submit a birth certificate application, valid ID, and pay applicable fees to obtain a Lake County birth record. Parties should submit these requirements to:
Lake County Clerk and Recorder
Lake County Courthouse Room 214
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7215
Death Records
Lake County death records register decedents in the county. Requesters can visit the Lake County Clerk and Recorder to obtain a death record. Prior to obtaining a Lake County death record, parties must submit a death certificate application, valid form of identification, and pay applicable fees. Interested parties should submit mail and in-person requests to:
Lake County Clerk and Recorder
Lake County Courthouse Room 214
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
Phone: (406) 883-7215
