Sweetwater County Public Records / Sweetwater County Arrest Records

Sweetwater County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Sweetwater County in 2026

SweetwaterRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case data, and related criminal justice records through this resource. Available record categories include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, charge details, and court case numbers. Information presented reflects what is available through official public sources and may not represent complete criminal histories.

Records may be searched through official resources including the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office Records Division, the Wyoming District Court Clerk's office, the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), and online public access tools. The following sections detail each available method.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Records Division maintains arrest and booking records for all individuals processed through the county's law enforcement system. The Records Division operates under the direction of the Sheriff and Undersheriff and serves as the primary custodian of arrest documentation generated by the Sheriff's Office. Members of the public may submit report requests electronically through the Sheriff's Office report request portal. Available information includes:

Arrestee name and booking number
Date, time, and location of arrest
Charges filed at time of booking
Custody status and bond information
Booking photographs where applicable

Records are updated as new arrests are processed through the Sweetwater County Detention Center, which houses all persons arrested or incarcerated in Sweetwater County.

2. Local Police Departments

The Rock Springs Police Department and Green River Police Department serve as the primary municipal law enforcement agencies within Sweetwater County. Both departments maintain arrest logs and may issue press releases containing arrest information for matters of public interest. Members of the public seeking arrest records from municipal agencies should contact each department's records division directly, as municipal arrest records are maintained separately from Sheriff's Office records.

Rock Springs Police Department
212 D Street
Rock Springs, WY 82901
Phone: (307) 352-1575
Rock Springs Police Department

Green River Police Department
50 E. 2nd North Street
Green River, WY 82935
Phone: (307) 872-0555
Green River Police Department

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records are frequently linked to court case filings accessible through the Wyoming Judicial Branch. Members of the public may search for court cases associated with an arrest by entering the arrestee's name into the Wyoming eCourts public access portal. Court records reflect charges formally filed following an arrest and include case numbers, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information. The Sweetwater County District Court Clerk maintains criminal case files for felony matters, while the Circuit Court handles misdemeanor proceedings.

Sweetwater County District Court Clerk
80 W. Flaming Gorge Way
Green River, WY 82935
Phone: (307) 872-6440
Wyoming Judicial Branch

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) maintains the state's centralized criminal history repository through its Criminal Records Unit. Under Wyo. Stat. § 7-19-101, the Wyoming Criminal History Record Act governs the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of criminal history information statewide. Every arrest record maintained by the Division must include a fingerprint card (FPC). The DCI Criminal Records Unit provides:

Statewide criminal history background checks
Arrest and disposition records from all Wyoming jurisdictions
Name-based and fingerprint-based search options

Fees for criminal history record checks vary depending on the type of request and the requester's status. Name-based checks are available to the public; fingerprint-based checks are required for certain licensing and employment purposes.

Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation – Criminal Records Unit
316 W. 22nd Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7523
Criminal Records Unit

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office – Records Division
50140B Hwy 191 South, Suite 100
Rock Springs, WY 82901
Phone: (307) 352-6655
Sheriff's Office – Sweetwater County

Members of the public visiting the Records Division in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject, the approximate date of arrest, and any known booking number. Copy fees apply to records provided in paper format.

Clerk of Court:

Sweetwater County Circuit Court Clerk
80 W. Flaming Gorge Way
Green River, WY 82935
Phone: (307) 872-6440
Wyoming Judicial Branch

Criminal case files may be inspected during regular business hours. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with court fee schedules.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to:

Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office
Attention: Records
50140B Hwy 191 South, Suite 100
Rock Springs, WY 82901

Written requests should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, booking number if known, and the requester's full contact information. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the request. Processing time varies based on request volume.

By Phone:

Sheriff's Office Records Division: (307) 352-6655
Information available by phone is limited to general inquiries; detailed records require written or in-person requests
Requesters should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated documentation through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through standard public access channels. Records obtained through legal proceedings may include materials not available to the general public.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Rock Springs PD, Green River PD, or other agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Sweetwater County

Arrest records in Sweetwater County are public records under Wyoming law. The Wyoming Public Records Act, codified at Wyo. Stat. § 16-4-201 et seq., establishes that all records of public agencies are open to inspection by any person unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Arrest records fall within this framework because they document official government action — the exercise of law enforcement authority — and their public availability serves government transparency, public safety, community awareness, journalistic inquiry, legal proceedings, and background screening purposes.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency and, in some cases, arresting officer information
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Wyoming law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Records subject to court-ordered sealing are withheld from public inspection
Information pertaining to active investigations may be withheld to protect investigative integrity
Undercover officer identities and confidential informant information are exempt from disclosure
Victim identifying information may be restricted in certain offense categories
Participants in witness protection programs are not identified in public records

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The public's right to access government records is grounded in both the Wyoming Constitution and the Public Records Act. Courts have recognized that transparency in law enforcement activity serves the First Amendment interests of the press and public. At the same time, privacy interests and due process considerations require that certain categories of information — particularly records involving juveniles, sealed proceedings, and ongoing investigations — remain protected from routine disclosure.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable housing discrimination laws
Licensing agencies conducting background reviews
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance requirements
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers using arrest records for hiring decisions must comply with the FCRA, which governs the use of consumer reports including criminal history information. Wyoming does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, but federal contractors are subject to applicable federal guidance. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record: an arrest reflects a law enforcement action and does not establish guilt. Employers and landlords are advised to consider this distinction when evaluating records.

What's in Sweetwater County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" designations
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and race/ethnicity
Height, weight, eye color, and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public-facing records)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest (street address or general area)
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police department, state agency, or other)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges as filed at time of booking
Wyoming statute numbers alleged to have been violated
Charge classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation where applicable

Booking Information:

Name and location of booking facility
Intake timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in public-facing records

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type: cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance (PR bond), or no bond
Release date and time if the individual has been released
Release conditions where publicly available

Court Information:

Court case number assigned following formal charging
Court jurisdiction (District Court or Circuit Court)
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment where available through the Wyoming Judicial Branch

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (contained in the police report, which is a separate document)
Witness statements and victim information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted from public records)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain detailed incident narratives and investigative information beyond what appears in the arrest record
Court records: Document legal proceedings initiated after the arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences, not merely arrests
Background checks: Compile information from multiple sources including arrest records, court records, and conviction data

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Sweetwater County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Sweetwater County depends on the requesting agency and the format of the records provided. Under Wyoming's Public Records Act, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of copying records.

Record Type	Estimated Fee	Agency
Paper copies of arrest/booking records	$0.10–$0.25 per page (standard)	Sheriff's Office Records Division
Certified copies of court records	Varies by document; set by court fee schedule	Clerk of Court
Name-based criminal history check (DCI)	Fee set by DCI; contact agency for current amount	Wyoming DCI Criminal Records Unit
Fingerprint-based criminal history check	Higher fee than name-based; contact DCI	Wyoming DCI Criminal Records Unit
Electronic delivery of report	May be available at no additional charge	Sheriff's Office (per report request portal)

Inspection of records (viewing without copying) is available at no charge at the Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court during regular business hours
Electronic delivery of certain records may be requested through the Sheriff's Office report request portal and may not carry an additional fee
Accepted payment methods vary by agency; cash, check, and money order are accepted at most offices; contact the specific agency to confirm
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the records custodian

Members of the public may inspect records at no cost during regular business hours at the Sheriff's Office Records Division or the Clerk of Court without incurring copy fees.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Sweetwater County

Wyoming law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes). These are distinct remedies. Expungement results in the destruction or removal of the record from public databases; sealing restricts access but does not destroy the underlying documentation.

Under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1501 et seq., Wyoming's expungement statutes govern eligibility and procedure. Individuals may petition for expungement in the following circumstances:

Arrest without conviction (charges dismissed, acquitted, or not filed)
Completion of a deferred prosecution or diversion program
Certain first-offense misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period
Certain nonviolent felony convictions after a waiting period, subject to statutory eligibility requirements

Steps to Petition for Expungement in Sweetwater County:

Determine eligibility based on the nature of the offense, disposition, and time elapsed since arrest or conviction
Obtain the case number and relevant court documents from the Sweetwater County District Court or Circuit Court Clerk
File a Petition for Expungement in the court where the case was adjudicated
Serve the petition on the prosecuting attorney's office (Sweetwater County Attorney's Office)
Attend the scheduled hearing; the court will determine whether expungement is granted
If granted, the court issues an Order of Expungement directing all relevant agencies to seal or destroy records
Provide certified copies of the Order to the Sheriff's Office Records Division, the Wyoming DCI Criminal Records Unit, and any other agencies holding records

Sweetwater County Attorney's Office
80 W. Flaming Gorge Way, Suite 200
Green River, WY 82935
Phone: (307) 872-6440
Sweetwater County

Wyoming DCI Criminal Records Unit
316 W. 22nd Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7523
Criminal Records Unit

Third-party commercial websites that republish arrest records are not bound by expungement orders and may retain records independently. Individuals who have obtained an expungement order may contact such websites directly to request removal, though compliance is not legally mandated under Wyoming law.

What Happens After Arrest in Sweetwater County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Sweetwater County Detention Center, which serves as the county's primary booking and detention facility. The Sweetwater County Detention Center is described as a state-of-the-art facility housing all persons arrested or incarcerated in Sweetwater County, as well as inmates held on behalf of other jurisdictions.

Sweetwater County Detention Center
50140B Hwy 191 South
Rock Springs, WY 82901
Phone: (307) 352-6655
Sweetwater County Detention Center

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Detention Center, the arrested individual undergoes the booking process, which includes:

Recording of personal identifying information
Advisement of Miranda rights if not previously given
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint collection and submission to state and federal databases
Criminal history and outstanding warrant checks
Inventory and storage of personal property
Medical and mental health screening
Housing classification assignment

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Wyoming law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judicial officer without unnecessary delay, and in practice this occurs within 48 to 72 hours of arrest. At the initial appearance:

The individual is formally notified of the charges
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for those who qualify
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are formally advisement

Hearings may be conducted via video conference from the Detention Center. Court schedules are accessible through the Wyoming Judicial Branch.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided all court appearances are made.

Surety Bond: The individual retains a licensed bail bondsman, pays a non-refundable premium (typically 10% of the bond amount), and the bondsman posts the full amount with the court.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The individual is held without the possibility of release pending further proceedings. This applies in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The individual receives their personal property, a written notice of court dates, and written conditions of release. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant.

If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to Detention Center procedures including commissary, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:

Individuals who cannot afford private counsel may apply for representation through the Wyoming State Public Defender's Office. Eligibility is income-based.

Wyoming State Public Defender – District 3 (Sweetwater County)
80 W. Flaming Gorge Way
Green River, WY 82935
Phone: (307) 872-3820
Wyoming State Public Defender

Charging Decision:

The Sweetwater County Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony matters, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are set for pretrial proceedings.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery (exchange of evidence), pretrial motions (including motions to suppress or dismiss), pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution may occur through dismissal, diversion program completion, a negotiated plea agreement, or trial.

Sentencing (if convicted):

Upon conviction, the court may impose incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment requirements, or a combination of these. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. The defendant retains the right to appeal a conviction.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: 48–72 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
Arraignment to resolution: Several months, varying by complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to a few months in most cases
Felonies: May extend to a year or more depending on complexity and court scheduling
Wyoming's constitutional speedy trial provisions apply throughout

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent by politely declining to answer questions
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney
Contact family or friends to assist with bail if applicable
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Sweetwater County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Wyoming is governed by state law, agency policy, and applicable federal requirements. The Wyoming Public Records Act and associated state records retention schedules establish minimum retention periods for law enforcement and court records.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, Wyoming DCI Criminal Records Unit, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the individual's permanent criminal history record

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently or for an extended period by local law enforcement and the state repository
Court records for misdemeanor cases are retained according to the Wyoming court records retention schedule

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement records are retained for a period determined by agency policy and state retention schedules
Court records may be retained permanently unless expunged
Records remain in databases unless the subject obtains an expungement order

Acquittals:

Court records are retained; local law enforcement records are subject to agency retention schedules
May be eligible for expungement under Wyoming law

Charges Not Filed / No-Information:

Booking records are retained for a period set by agency policy
These records are among the most eligible for expungement

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records: Booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained according to the applicable records retention schedule. Evidence retention varies based on case outcome and offense classification.

Digital Records: Records management systems and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records are retained according to state schedules, with many digital records maintained on a permanent basis. Mugshot databases may retain images for extended periods independent of case disposition.

Third-Party Databases: Commercial background check companies and third-party websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to law enforcement retention schedules. These entities are required to maintain accuracy under the FCRA but may not update records promptly following expungement.

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office: Booking records and arrest reports are retained according to Wyoming state records retention schedules. The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Records Division can provide information about specific record availability upon request.

Clerk of Court: Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor and traffic case files are retained according to the Wyoming court records retention schedule. Electronic court records are maintained on a permanent basis through the Wyoming Judicial Branch system.

State Repository: The Wyoming DCI Criminal Records Unit maintains arrest records from all Wyoming jurisdictions in accordance with the Wyoming Criminal History Record Act.

FBI Database: The NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records on a permanent basis. These databases are accessible to law enforcement nationwide and are used for employment background checks, firearms purchases, and other federally regulated purposes.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention across all major databases
Dismissal: May remain unless expunged; local retention varies by agency
Expungement: Physical records are destroyed or sealed at the local level; the state repository updates its records; the FBI database may retain a notation; removal from third-party databases is not guaranteed
No Charges Filed: Subject to the shortest retention periods; may be eligible for immediate expungement in some circumstances

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks report criminal history for a period of seven years for positions paying below a certain salary threshold; convictions may be reported indefinitely for higher-salary positions. Wyoming does not currently impose additional state-level restrictions on the reporting period for convictions. Arrests without conviction may appear on background checks but cannot be used as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions in many contexts.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public seeking information about whether a specific arrest record is still on file may contact the Sheriff's Records Division at (307) 352-6655 or submit a written public records request. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.