Wheatland 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
The Clerk of District Court in Harlowton is the county office that keeps Wheatland County District Court records. The District Court, in Judicial District 14, hears felonies, civil cases above the limited-jurisdiction limit, family law, probate, youth matters, and appeals from lower courts.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Montana District Court, Judicial District 14 (Clerk of District Court, Wheatland County) |
| Judicial District | 14 |
| Main Location | Clerk of District Court, Harlowton, MT 59036. The street address is not published here; call the clerk. |
| Main Phone | 406-632-4893 |
| Website | courts.mt.gov (Montana Judicial Branch) |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Harlowton) |
| Handles | District Court: felonies, civil cases above the limited-jurisdiction limit, family law, probate, youth matters, and appeals from Justice and City courts |
| Does NOT Handle | Misdemeanors and traffic cases (Justice or City Court), city ordinance violations (City or Municipal Court), federal cases (U.S. District Court for Montana), water rights (Montana Water Court), workers' compensation disputes (Workers' Compensation Court), appeals of District Court decisions (Montana Supreme Court), and parking tickets (issuing city or agency) |
| Online Case Search | MTCourts.org (statewide search; call the clerk for county records not shown) |
| Criminal Records Requests | Call the Clerk of District Court at 406-632-4893 |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | CitePay USA Montana payment site (statewide, not county-specific) |
How to Search Wheatland County Court Records
Have the full name, case number if known, and approximate dates ready before you search. District Court records for Wheatland County are kept by the Clerk of District Court in Harlowton.
Online
Go to MTCourts.org and search by name or case number.
Review the case summary for District Court cases the portal publishes.
Confirm any copy fees with the clerk before you request documents.
Best for: Quick case status lookups
In Person
Visit the Clerk of District Court in Harlowton, MT 59036.
Bring the full name and case number if you have them.
Ask the clerk which records are on file and how to get copies.
Best for: Records and copies not online
By Phone
Call the Clerk of District Court at 406-632-4893.
Ask whether the record you need is on file and available.
Ask what the clerk needs before you visit or request copies.
Best for: Confirming a record before a visit
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
Wheatland County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
Wheatland County courts handled an estimated 103 new cases in CY 2024 and disposed of an estimated 100. The estimate scales Montana statewide totals by the county's share of state population.
~103
Total filings in CY 2024
~100
Total dispositions in CY 2024
~103
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~+2.0%
Change in total filings vs CY 2023
| Metric | CY 2024 | CY 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~103 | ~101 | ~+2.0% |
| Total Dispositions | ~100 | ~98 | ~+2.0% |
| Criminal Filings | ~25 | ~25 | ~+0.0% |
| Civil Filings | ~35 | ~35 | ~+0.0% |
| Family Law Filings | ~18 | ~18 | ~+0.0% |
| Probate Filings | ~9 | ~9 | ~+0.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~2 | ~2 | ~+0.0% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~4 | ~4 | ~+0.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Montana statewide figures scaled by Wheatland County's 0.18% share of the state population.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Wheatland County?
Estimated total filings in Wheatland 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 | ~103 | ~100 | ~+2.0% |
| CY 2023 | ~101 | ~98 | ~+1.0% |
| CY 2022 | ~100 | ~97 | ~+1.0% |
| CY 2021 | ~99 | ~96 | ~+3.1% |
| CY 2020 | ~96 | ~93 | ~+3.1% |
Estimated filings changed +7.3% between CY 2020 and CY 2024, from 96 to 103. The largest annual change was +3.1% in CY 2021. The latest change of +2.0% reflects statewide Montana trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Montana statewide figures scaled by Wheatland County's 0.18% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Wheatland County?
The District Court in Wheatland County hears the case types listed below. The 2024 state report gives one total for the county, 81 new and reopened filings, without a count for each case type, so the largest category cannot be named here.
| Case Type | How It Is Reported |
|---|---|
| Abuse and neglect | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Adoption | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Civil | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Commitment | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Criminal | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Developmental disability | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Domestic relations | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Guardian conservator | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Investigative subpoena and search warrant | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Juvenile | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Paternity | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
| Probate | Included in the 81 county total; no separate count published here |
Growth or decline by case type cannot be ranked from the figures used here.
How Does Wheatland County Compare With Montana Overall?
Wheatland County is estimated to account for about 0.18% of the 57,082 cases filed in Montana courts in CY 2024.
| Metric | Wheatland County | Montana | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~103 | 57,082 | ~0.18% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+2.0% | +2.0% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~103 | 1,019 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~100 | 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 Wheatland County's 0.18% share of the state population.
Wheatland County Crime Statistics (2024)
These figures are Montana statewide totals of offenses reported to the FBI, not Wheatland County counts, and agency reporting may be incomplete. Statewide violent crimes fell 4.3% and property crimes fell 10.6% from 2023 to 2024.
4,863
Montana statewide violent crimes in 2024
18,745
Montana statewide property crimes in 2024 (totals include larceny-theft and arson, not shown separately)
427.6
Montana statewide violent crime rate per 100K residents, 2024
-9.4%
Change in total violent and property crimes vs 2023, statewide
| Offense | 2024 (Montana statewide) | Rate per 100K | 2023 (Montana statewide) | 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 crime rates are not available in this section, so Wheatland County is not compared with the statewide rates of 427.6 violent and 1648.3 property crimes per 100K residents.
Wheatland County Courthouse Locations
Wheatland County has 1 District Court location, the Clerk of District Court's office in Harlowton. Check your notice or case paperwork for the court and location assigned to your case, and confirm with the clerk before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of District Court, Wheatland County | Harlowton, MT 59036 (street address not listed; call the clerk) | 406-632-4893 | See location page (Montana Court Locator) |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Wheatland County?
Montana's courts form one unified state system. Justice Courts, City Courts, and District Courts each hear different case types, and federal cases go to the U.S. District Court for Montana.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Justice Court or City Court | Traffic citations are heard in the court for the place where the ticket was issued. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets are handled by the issuing agency, not by a court. |
| Misdemeanor | Justice Court | Justice Courts hear misdemeanors; City Courts hear city ordinance violations. |
| Felony | District Court | District Court hears felonies, and Justice Court holds preliminary felony hearings. |
| DUI | District Court (felony) or Justice or City Court (misdemeanor) | The charge on your paperwork decides which court hears the case. |
| Domestic violence | Justice Court or District Court | Criminal charges follow the misdemeanor or felony route; ask the clerk about protection orders. |
| Civil lawsuit | District Court or Justice Court | District Court hears civil cases above the limited-jurisdiction limit; Justice Court hears smaller claims. |
| Small claims | Justice Court | Justice Court hears small claims cases. |
| Eviction | Justice Court | Justice Court hears landlord and tenant possession cases; confirm the filing office with the court. |
| Divorce | District Court | District Court hears family law, including divorce. |
| Child custody or support | District Court | District Court hears family law, including custody and support matters. |
| Probate or estate | District Court | District Court hears probate matters. |
| Juvenile case | District Court | District Court hears youth matters. |
| Appeal | District Court or Montana Supreme Court | District Court hears appeals from Justice and City courts; the Montana Supreme Court is the court of last resort. |
Are Wheatland County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Wheatland County court records are public, with exceptions. Article II, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution gives the public the right to examine documents, subject to privacy limits, and the Montana Rules for Access to Court Records describe how courts release records.
Public records
Most District Court case files, including filings and orders, are open to the public unless a law or court order restricts them. Justice and City court records are kept by those courts, not by the Clerk of District Court.
Restricted or confidential records
Juvenile, sealed, expunged, adoption, mental health, and protective-order-restricted records are not publicly available. Ask the clerk if you are unsure whether a record is restricted.
Online access
Go to MTCourts.org to look up case information. Not every case or document is online, and search results are not official court records.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of District Court in Harlowton, MT 59036 to view or request records. Call 406-632-4893 first to confirm which records are on file.
Fees
This section does not list fee amounts. Ask the clerk about any copy charges before you request records.
How to Search Wheatland County Court Records Online
Use MTCourts.org to search Wheatland County cases by case type, and ask the Clerk of District Court for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, civil, family law, probate, or juvenile.
- Open MTCourts.org to search court records.
- Search by name or case number 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 406-632-4893 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | MTCourts.org (District Court) | Case information where published | Documents may require the clerk |
| Traffic | The Justice or City Court that issued the ticket | Contact that court directly | Traffic citations are heard in Justice or City courts |
| Civil | MTCourts.org (District Court) | Case information where published | Sealed or restricted filings are not shown |
| Small claims | The Justice Court that handles the claim | Contact that court directly | Not part of District Court records |
| Family law | MTCourts.org (District Court) | Case information where published | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | MTCourts.org (District Court) | Case information where published | Restricted files may require the clerk |
| Juvenile | Clerk of District Court at 406-632-4893 | Case information only through the clerk | Juvenile proceedings are confidential and not in the public portal |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Wheatland County
Montana citations and fines can be paid through the statewide court payment site or directly with the court or clerk handling the citation.
- Online: Pay citations at the CitePay USA Montana payment site. This statewide site is not specific to Wheatland County.
- In person or by phone: Pay with the court or clerk handling the citation. For the Clerk of District Court in Harlowton, call 406-632-4893.
Parking tickets are paid to the city or agency that issued them, not to the court.
Wheatland County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Wheatland County court records?
Go to MTCourts.org to search by name or case number, or call the Clerk of District Court at 406-632-4893 for records not shown online.
Are Wheatland County court records public?
Most are, under Montana's right to know and court access rules, but juvenile, sealed, 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 406-632-4893. Justice and City court cases must be searched with those courts.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or paperwork, then call the clerk at 406-632-4893 or the court handling your case.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay citations at the CitePay USA Montana payment site, or pay with the court that issued the ticket.
How many cases are filed in Wheatland County each year?
Wheatland County recorded 81 new and reopened District Court filings in 2024, compared with 139 in 2023.
What is the most common type of case?
The 2024 state report gives one District Court total for the county, not counts by case type, so the most common type cannot be named here.
Is crime in Wheatland County rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 4.3% and property crimes fell 10.6% in 2024.
Useful Links
- Montana Judicial Branch - The official site of the Montana Judicial Branch, providing online access to court information, opinions, and services.
- District Courts — Montana Judicial Branch - Find information on Montana District Courts including contact details and resources for accessing district court records.
- Montana Secretary of State - Offers resources related to public records and official Montana documents, including business entity and UCC searches.
- Clerk of Court — Montana Judicial Branch - Provides details and resources for clerks of court, essential for handling court filings and accessing local records.
- Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Organization supports defense lawyers in Montana, offering legal resources and information on criminal defense matters.
- Montana Department of Justice - Delivers critical legal resources, victim services, and information regarding criminal records and justice systems in Montana.
- Montana Legislature - Provides legislative resources including laws, session information, and contact details for accessing public legal information.
- Montana Supreme Court Opinions - Access Montana Supreme Court opinions and legal resources vital for case law research and court history.
- Wheatland County Government - Official county resource for local government contacts, services, and access to county-specific legal and public records.
- Wheatland County - Montana Court Directory - Navigate the directory to find contact information for courts in Wheatland County, Montana including local court services.
- Montana Online Services - Find online services provided by the State of Montana, including public access to government and legal records.
- Montana Legal Services Association - Non-profit providing civil legal assistance to low-income individuals across Montana, offering various legal resources and help.
- Yellowstone County Courts - Although specific to Yellowstone, provides a reference for regional court systems and potential links to nearby services.
- FindLaw - Montana Law - Offers legal information and resources specifically tailored to Montana state law and court procedures, handy resource.
- Online Montana Public Records Search - Comprehensive online platform for searching public records across Montana, assisting in locating various legal documents.
- Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry - Access the registry to ensure public safety by tracking sexual and violent offenders residing in Montana.
- Montana Administrative Rules - Gateway to the administrative rules adopted by Montana state agencies, useful for understanding state regulations.
- Pew Trusts - Montana's Pretrial Reforms - Offers insights into the Montana criminal justice system and evaluations of pretrial reforms affecting local jurisdictions.
- Ballotpedia - Courts in Montana - Comprehensive overview of the structure and elections of courts in Montana, insightful for understanding local judicial systems.
- National Court History Society - Explores the history of courts in Montana, offering resources for historical research and understanding judicial evolution.
Table of Contents
- Wheatland County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Wheatland County Court Records
- Wheatland County Court Statistics (CY 2024)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Wheatland County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Wheatland County?
- How Does Wheatland County Compare With Montana Overall?
- Wheatland County Crime Statistics (2024)
- Wheatland County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Wheatland County?
- Are Wheatland County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Wheatland County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Wheatland County
- Wheatland County Court Records FAQ
- Useful Links