Richland County, MT Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
Richland County is in Montana's 7th Judicial District. The District Court for this district hears felonies, civil cases above the limited-jurisdiction limit, family law, probate, youth matters, and appeals from lower courts, and the Clerk of District Court in Sidney keeps its records.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | District Court, 7th Judicial District (Clerk of District Court, Richland County) |
| Main Phone | 406-433-1709 (Clerk of District Court) |
| Website | courts.mt.gov (Montana Judicial Branch) |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Sidney) |
| Handles | Felonies; civil cases above the Justice Court limit; family law; probate; youth matters; appeals from Justice and City courts |
| Does NOT Handle | Misdemeanors, small claims, and preliminary felony hearings (Justice Court); city ordinance and municipal cases (City or Municipal Court); federal cases (U.S. District Court for Montana); parking tickets (issuing agency) |
| Online Case Search | MTCourts.org (statewide search) |
| Criminal Records Requests | Call the Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709 |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | citepayusa.com (statewide Montana court payment site) |
How to Search Richland County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Richland County District Court records are kept by the Clerk of District Court in Sidney.
Online
Go to MTCourts.org to search statewide court case information.
Search by name or case number where the portal offers it.
Call the clerk for records the portal does not show.
Best for: Checking case information before a visit
In Person
Go to the Clerk of District Court in Sidney, MT 59270.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk whether public access terminals are available.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call the Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709.
Ask the clerk whether they accept written requests.
Ask the clerk which details they need to find a case.
Best for: Confirming records and request steps
Search by Name on MTCourts.org
Go to MTCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Richland County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Richland County courts handled an estimated 554 new cases in CY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 537. The estimate scales Montana statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~554
Total filings in CY 2024
~537
Total dispositions in CY 2024
~554
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~+2.0%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~554 | ~543 | ~+2.0% |
| Total Dispositions | ~537 | ~526 | ~+2.1% |
| Criminal Filings | ~134 | ~132 | ~+1.5% |
| Civil Filings | ~189 | ~185 | ~+2.2% |
| Family Law Filings | ~97 | ~95 | ~+2.1% |
| Probate Filings | ~47 | ~46 | ~+2.2% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~9 | ~9 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~23 | ~23 | ~+0.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in civil filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Montana statewide figures scaled by Richland County's 0.97% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Richland County?
Estimated total filings in Richland County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2024 | ~554 | ~537 | ~+2.0% |
| CY 2023 | ~543 | ~526 | ~+1.5% |
| CY 2022 | ~535 | ~519 | ~+1.3% |
| CY 2021 | ~528 | ~513 | ~+2.7% |
| CY 2020 | ~514 | ~499 | ~+2.7% |
Estimated filings changed +7.8% between CY 2020 and CY 2024, from 514 to 554. The largest annual change was +2.7% in CY 2021. The latest change of +2.0% reflects statewide Montana trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Montana statewide figures scaled by Richland County's 0.97% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Richland County?
Richland County's District Court recorded 741 new and reopened cases in 2024, but the source does not publish counts by case type for this county.
| Case Type | Status for 2024 |
|---|---|
| Abuse and neglect | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Adoption | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Civil | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Commitment | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Criminal | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Developmental disability | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Domestic relations | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Guardian conservator | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Investigative subpoena and search warrant | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Juvenile | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Paternity | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
| Probate | Included in the 741 total; no county count published here |
The county total rose 5.0% from 2023 to 2024, but this source does not show which case type is fastest-growing or fastest-falling.
How Does Richland County Compare With Montana Overall?
Richland County is estimated to account for about 0.97% of the 57,082 cases filed in Montana courts in CY 2024.
| Metric | Richland County | Montana | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~554 | 57,082 | ~0.97% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+2.0% | +2.0% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~554 | 1,019 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~537 | 989 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~24.3% | 24.3% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~34.2% | 34.2% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~17.5% | 17.5% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Montana figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Montana statewide figures scaled by Richland County's 0.97% share of the state population.
Richland County Crime Statistics (2024)
These figures are Montana statewide totals reported to the FBI for 2023 and 2024, not totals for Richland County, and agency reporting may be incomplete. Statewide violent crimes fell 4.3% and property crimes fell 10.6% from 2023 to 2024, and county crime counts are not available in this section.
4,863
Violent crimes in 2024 (Montana statewide)
18,745
Property crimes in 2024 (Montana statewide, includes larceny-theft and arson)
427.6
Violent crime rate per 100K (Montana statewide)
-9.4%
Change in total violent and property crimes vs 2023 (Montana statewide)
| Offense | 2024 | Rate per 100K | 2023 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 33 | 2.9 | 33 | 0.0% |
| Rape | 697 | 61.3 | 665 | +4.8% |
| Robbery | 217 | 19.1 | 278 | -21.9% |
| Aggravated assault | 3,916 | 344.3 | 4,106 | -4.6% |
| Violent crimes total | 4,863 | 427.6 | 5,082 | -4.3% |
| Burglary | 1,922 | 169.0 | 1,952 | -1.5% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 1,884 | 165.7 | 2,174 | -13.3% |
| Property crimes total | 18,745 | 1648.3 | 20,970 | -10.6% |
County violent and property rates are not available here, so no county comparison is made. The Montana statewide rates for 2024 are 427.6 violent and 1648.3 property crimes per 100K.
Richland County Courthouse Locations
Richland County has 1 Clerk of District Court location, in Sidney. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the office before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of District Court, Richland County (Sidney) | Sidney, MT 59270 (street address not listed here; call to confirm) | 406-433-1709 | See location page |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Richland County?
Montana's courts are a unified state system, and the court that handles a case depends on the case type and where it was filed. Federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for Montana, and parking tickets go to the agency that issued them.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Justice Court or City Court | Traffic citations go to the Justice or City Court that serves the place where the ticket was issued. |
| Parking ticket | The issuing city or agency | Parking tickets are not handled by a court. |
| Misdemeanor | Justice Court | Justice Courts hear misdemeanor cases. |
| Felony | District Court | District Court tries felonies, and Justice Court holds preliminary felony hearings. |
| DUI | Justice Court, City Court, or District Court | Misdemeanor DUI goes to Justice or City Court, and felony DUI goes to District Court. |
| Domestic violence | Justice Court or District Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route, depending on the charge. |
| Civil lawsuit | Justice Court or District Court | Justice Courts hear smaller civil claims, and District Court hears larger civil cases. |
| Small claims | Justice Court | Justice Courts hear small claims cases. |
| Eviction | Justice Court | Justice Courts hear eviction (unlawful detainer) cases. |
| Divorce | District Court | District Court handles divorce and other family law cases. |
| Child custody or support | District Court | District Court handles parenting plans and child support cases. |
| Probate or estate | District Court | District Court handles probate matters. |
| Juvenile case | Youth Court (within District Court) | Youth matters are heard in Youth Court, a division of the District Court. |
| Appeal | District Court, then the Montana Supreme Court | District Court hears appeals from Justice and City courts, and the Montana Supreme Court is the court of last resort. |
Are Richland County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Richland County court records are public, with exceptions set by Montana law and court rules.
Public records
Article II, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution gives the public a right to examine documents of public bodies, subject to privacy limits. Most District Court case files, including dockets, filings, and orders, can be inspected, and Justice and City courts keep their own records.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, mental health, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Other records may be confidential under Montana law or a court order.
Online access
Use MTCourts.org to search statewide court case information. This source does not list a county-specific online search, so confirm what the portal shows with the Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of District Court in Sidney, MT 59270, to view or request records. Call 406-433-1709 to confirm which records the office can provide before you visit.
Fees
This source does not state fees for Richland County records, so ask the Clerk of District Court about copy fees before you request them.
How to Search Richland County Court Records Online
Use MTCourts.org for District Court case information, and ask the Clerk of District Court for documents that are not available online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open MTCourts.org for District Court case information, or contact the court that handles your case type.
- Search by name or case number where the portal offers it, and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details for status, parties, and scheduled dates.
- Call the Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709 to request documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal (felonies) | MTCourts.org | District Court case information | Documents may require the Clerk of District Court |
| Traffic | The Justice or City Court that issued the citation; pay at citepayusa.com | Payment and case details through that court | Justice and City court records are kept by those courts |
| Civil | MTCourts.org (District Court civil cases) | District Court case information | Justice Court civil cases are kept by that court |
| Small claims | Justice Court | Case records kept by that court | Contact the court directly |
| Family law | MTCourts.org (District Court) | Case information for divorce, custody, and support | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | MTCourts.org (District Court) | Estate case information | Contact the Clerk of District Court to confirm |
| Juvenile | Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709 | Case information through the clerk only | Youth Court records are confidential |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Richland County
Montana traffic citations and fines are paid through the statewide payment site or directly with the court named on the ticket.
- Online: Pay traffic citations at citepayusa.com, the statewide Montana court payment site, which is not specific to Richland County.
- In person or by phone: Call the Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709, or contact the court named on your citation, to pay in person or by phone.
Parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them, not by the court. Traffic citations and criminal fines are paid through the court that handles the case.
Richland County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Richland County court records?
Go to MTCourts.org to search statewide court case information, or call the Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709 for records the portal does not show.
Are Richland County court records public?
Yes, most are public under the Montana Constitution and court access rules, but sealed, juvenile, and other confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name on MTCourts.org, or call the Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709 for District Court criminal records. Justice and City court cases are searched through those courts.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or ticket for the court and date, or call the Clerk of District Court at 406-433-1709 to confirm.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay online at citepayusa.com, the statewide Montana payment site, or contact the court named on your ticket to pay in person or by phone.
How many cases are filed in Richland County each year?
The District Court recorded 741 new and reopened cases in 2024, compared with 706 in 2023.
What is the most common type of case in Richland County?
The source does not break the 741 District Court cases in 2024 down by case type, so the most common type cannot be stated.
Is crime in Montana rising or falling?
Statewide violent crimes fell 4.3% in 2024, from 5,082 to 4,863, and county crime counts are not available here.
Courts in the County
Richland County District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 300 12th Ave NW, Sidney, MT, 59270 |
| Phone Number: | 406-433-1709 |
| Fax: | 406-433-6945 |
| Website: | https://www.richland.org/567/Clerk-of-District-Court |
Useful Links
- Montana Judicial Branch - Access comprehensive information on the state court system, services, and resources across Montana, including Richland County.
- Richland County Court - Discover local court information including contact details, court services, and how to access records in Richland County.
- Richland County - Montana Association of Counties - Provides administrative and contact information for county courts, departments, and public service office in Richland County.
- Statewide Court Calendar - Montana - Search and view court schedules and calendars for all counties, including upcoming cases in Richland County.
- Montana Courts Self-Help Law Program - Offers resources and assistance on self-representation and legal forms, vital for navigating the Richland court system.
- Office of the Court Administrator - Montana Department of Justice - Insight into state court operations, administration, and public records access, serving counties like Richland.
- Montana Secretary of State - Provides essential state-wide legal resources, including court records information and public agency directories.
- State Law Library of Montana - An invaluable resource for legal research and accessing legal reference materials including state and local legislation.
- Montana Legal Services Association - Offers free legal help and resources to low-income individuals and families, including those in Richland County.
- Official State of Montana Portal - Comprehensive access to all government services, agencies, and public resource information for residents of Montana, including courts.
- Richland County Departments - Access detailed information about the county's various departments, including legal services and court support in Richland.
- Montana Court's Self-Help Guide - Provides step-by-step guides on accessing legal aid and court services for pro se litigants in Richland and beyond.
- National Center for State Courts - Offers nationwide judicial information, including Montana-specific court resources and administrative guidance useful for Richland County residents.
- Richland County Directory - Find contact directories for public offices, including courthouses and legal services within Richland County.
- Richland County MT Jail - Inmate Search - Utilize tools to search and locate individuals incarcerated in Richland County, along with visitation information.
- Legal Aid Services - Richland County - Facilitated assistance programs providing legal support to the community sponsored by the Richland County authorities.
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services - Broad range of social services, health, and legal aid resources supporting families and individuals in Richland County.
- Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court - Access appellate court records, filings, and additional judicial information pertinent to Richland County legal proceedings.
- Montana Transparency Portal - Offers public access to government spending, legal proceedings, and accountability records for Richland County and other state areas.
- Pro Bono Net - Montana - Facilitates free legal assistance programs, providing pro bono legal guidance and support services within the Richland County jurisdiction.
Table of Contents
- Richland County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Richland County Court Records
- Richland County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Richland County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Richland County?
- How Does Richland County Compare With Montana Overall?
- Richland County Crime Statistics (2024)
- Richland County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Richland County?
- Are Richland County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Richland County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Richland County
- Richland County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links