Criminal records in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, are available through several channels. MatanuskaSusitnaCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the borough. Additionally, the Alaska state court system offers the online tool CourtView, law enforcement agencies publish daily reports and warrant lists, and the Borough Clerk's Office processes public records requests. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this borough.
How to Search Criminal Records in Matanuska-Susitna
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following identifiers:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Online Search
- MatanuskaSusitnaCourt.us — Enter the name or case number to find publicly available data on criminal cases in Matanuska-Susitna.
- CourtView — The official portal for searching court cases in the Alaska Court System. Note: Searching through CourtView is not a criminal history check, and some cases may not appear in the system.
- Daily Law Enforcement Reports — The Daily Dispatch of the Alaska Department of Public Safety allows viewing reports for a selected date range, including incidents in the Borough.
- Active Warrants — Alaska State Troopers publish a list of active warrants issued by the state court system.
In Person
Visit the court in Palmer, where the Palmer Courthouse is located — the main judicial facility for Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Public access terminals in the courthouse allow case searches without a prior request.
Court contact information can be found in the Alaska Court System directory.
By Mail or Written Request
Complete the TF-311 (Request for Court Records) form and send it to the appropriate court. Include the full name of the party, case number (if known), and specific documents you need. For a state-level criminal history check, contact the Alaska Department of Public Safety, which handles background check requests.
Law Enforcement Agencies
The Wasilla Police Department — the largest municipal law enforcement agency in the Borough — can also provide information on arrests and incidents within the city. More details are available on the Wasilla Police Department page.
Search Matanuska-Susitna Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Alaska is assigned a unique number consisting of several components. A typical format looks like this:
3PA-24-00123CR
- 3 — Judicial district number (Third Judicial District, which includes Matanuska-Susitna)
- PA — Court location code (PA = Palmer)
- 24 — Year the case was opened (2024)
- 00123 — Sequential case number
- CR — Case type (CR = criminal)
Knowing this number, you can enter it directly into CourtView or specify it in the TF-311 form. Searching by case number is the most accurate method as it eliminates confusion with individuals of the same name. If the number is unknown, start with a name search and narrow the results by date or case type.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Matanuska-Susitna
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Reference to a specific section of the Alaska Statutes, e.g., AS 11.41.220 (Assault in the Third Degree) |
| Severity level | Felony, Misdemeanor, Violation |
| Amended charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — the new wording will appear in the case |
Case Status
- Pending — The case is open, awaiting consideration
- Active — The case is in the active court proceedings stage
- Disposed — The court has made a final decision
- Closed — All procedural actions are completed, and the case is closed
Hearings
A criminal case typically goes through several types of hearings:
- Arraignment — The first appearance of the accused in court, charges are announced
- Preliminary hearing — The judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (for felony)
- Pre-trial conference — Discussion of procedural issues, possibility of a plea deal
- Trial — The court hearing on the merits
- Sentencing — Sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review hearing — Checking compliance with the terms of the sentence (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after consideration |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — at the prosecutor's initiative or by the judge's decision |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The accused does not admit guilt but does not dispute the charges |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by the court or jury |
| Suspended Imposition of Sentence (SIS) | The court postpones the sentence; if conditions are met, the conviction may be removed |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Matanuska-Susitna
Certified copies are official documents with the court seal, accepted by other institutions as legal proof.
Through the Court (Clerk of Court)
Submit a completed TF-311 form to the Palmer Courthouse in person or by mail. Specify the case number, party name, and which documents are needed. Bring valid photo identification (state ID or passport).
Through Alaska Department of Public Safety
If you need an official criminal history background check, not a copy of a specific case, submit a request to the Department of Public Safety. This usually requires fingerprints and a completed application. Such a request covers the person's entire criminal history at the state level.
Public Records Borough
For non-criminal public records of the Borough (ordinances, minutes, etc.), contact the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Public Records Department. This department does not handle criminal cases — only the court and DPS do.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Matanuska-Susitna
Below are the fees set by the Alaska Court System and the Department of Public Safety. Specific amounts are determined according to Alaska Administrative Rules and may change.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $0.25 per page | Standard rate of the Alaska Court System |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document | In addition to the cost of copies |
| CourtView online search | Free | Viewing basic case information |
| Criminal history background check (through DPS) | Depends on the type of check | Contact DPS for current rates; fingerprints are usually required |
Processing Times
- Online search (CourtView) — Instant results if the case is in the database
- Request for copies through the court — Typically 5 to 10 business days when submitted by mail; in-person requests often have copies prepared the same day
- Background check through DPS — May take from a few days to several weeks depending on the scope of the check and the need for fingerprint processing
Before sending a request by mail, confirm current fees by calling the Clerk's Office at the Palmer Courthouse to avoid delays due to incorrect payment amounts.