Criminal records in Flathead County, Montana, are accessible through several channels. FlatheadCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Montana state court portals, the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of District Court. Whether you need to look up a current case, check for outstanding warrants, or request certified copies of court documents, this guide covers the specific tools and procedures available in Flathead County.
How to Search Criminal Records in Flathead County
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Through FlatheadCourt.us
Start at FlatheadCourt.us to search for publicly available criminal court record information in Flathead County. You can search by the defendant's name or case number.
Online — State and County Tools
- Montana District Court Public Access Portal — The Montana Public Access Portal provides online access to District Court case records, including criminal filings in Flathead County. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name.
- Montana Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Portal — Justice Court and City Court cases (typically misdemeanors and traffic offenses) may be available through the limited jurisdiction portal, also accessible from the Montana Judicial Branch website.
- Flathead County Jail Roster — The Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate roster that lists individuals held at the Flathead County Detention Center. You can sort by last name, book date, or release date. A recent bookings view is also available.
- Outstanding Warrants — The Sheriff's Office publishes a searchable outstanding warrants list for Flathead County. Photos are displayed for individuals with felony warrants only.
- Montana Offender Search — For convicted felons under state supervision, use the Montana Department of Corrections Offender Search.
- Federal Cases — Criminal cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana are available through PACER.
In Person
Visit the Flathead County Clerk of District Court office at the county courthouse in Kalispell. Public access terminals or assistance from clerk staff may be available for looking up case records. Bring the defendant's full name and, if possible, a date of birth or case number.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court Records — Send a written request to the Flathead County Clerk of District Court specifying the defendant's name, date of birth, and case number (if known). Include payment for any applicable copy or certification fees.
- State Criminal History — Formal criminal history background checks are handled by the Montana Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. These checks typically require fingerprint submission and are available to law enforcement, authorized agencies, and individuals requesting their own records.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date range of the case or arrest
Search Flathead County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Montana District Court case numbers follow a standard format that identifies the county, case type, and filing sequence. A typical Flathead County criminal case number looks like this:
- DC-07-2024-1234
Here is what each part means:
- DC — Indicates District Court
- 07 — The county code for Flathead County (Montana's 11th Judicial District)
- 2024 — The year the case was filed
- 1234 — The sequential case number assigned that year
Justice Court and City Court cases use different prefixes and numbering conventions. If you only have a partial case number, try searching by the defendant's name on the state court portal instead. Case numbers are the fastest way to pull up a specific record and avoid confusion when common names return multiple results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Flathead County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | References the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) section, e.g., 45-5-102 MCA for deliberate homicide |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court handles the case |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations; the docket will show both original and amended charges |
| Multiple Counts | A single case may include several charges, each listed separately with its own statute code |
Case Status
- Pending — The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Court proceedings are ongoing (hearings scheduled, motions pending)
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All obligations fulfilled, including sentencing conditions, fines, or probation
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Initial court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary Hearing — For felony cases; a judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed to trial
- Pre-Trial Conference — A meeting between parties to discuss plea offers, motions, and trial readiness
- Trial — Bench trial (judge only) or jury trial
- Sentencing — Occurs after a guilty verdict or plea; the judge imposes penalties
- Review Hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court-ordered conditions
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Dismissed with Prejudice — Charges cannot be refiled
- Dismissed without Prejudice — Charges may potentially be refiled
- Deferred Sentence — Sentencing postponed; if conditions are met, the charge may be dismissed
- Suspended Sentence — Part or all of the sentence is suspended, often with probation conditions
- Withheld Judgment — No formal conviction is entered if the defendant completes conditions; commonly used for first-time offenders under Montana law
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Flathead County
Clerk of District Court
The Flathead County Clerk of District Court is the custodian of all District Court criminal case files. You can request certified copies of judgments, dispositions, and other case documents.
How to submit a request:
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Court office at the Flathead County Courthouse in Kalispell. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up the case and prepare certified copies while you wait or within a few business days.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), the specific documents requested, and a check or money order for the applicable fees. Mail to:
State Criminal History Repository
For a comprehensive criminal history report (not limited to Flathead County), submit a request to the Montana Department of Justice. Fingerprint-based background checks are processed through the Division of Criminal Investigation. These are typically used for employment screening, licensing, or personal record review.
What identification is needed:
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests at the Clerk of Court
- Fingerprint card or electronic fingerprint submission for state criminal history checks through the DOJ
- Notarized authorization may be required if requesting records on behalf of another person
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Flathead County
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard document copies | $0.50 per page | Per MCA § 25-1-1104; verify current rate with the Clerk of Court |
| Certification fee | $2.00 per document | Added to the per-page copy cost; per MCA § 25-1-1104 |
| Name-based criminal history check (DOJ) | Varies | Contact the Montana DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation for current fee |
| Fingerprint-based background check (DOJ) | Varies | Includes state and/or FBI processing fees; see DOJ background checks page |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Clerk of Court — Often same-day for simple document copies; certified copies may take 1–3 business days
- Mail requests — Allow 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and the complexity of the request
- State criminal history checks (DOJ) — Processing times vary; fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks
Fees are subject to change. Contact the Clerk of District Court or the Montana DOJ directly to confirm current amounts before submitting payment.