Search Wrangell Criminal History Records

Wrangell City and Borough criminal history records are available through the Alaska Court System, the Wrangell Police Department, and the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Residents who need to search court cases, request police records, or run a formal background check can use the state's online tools or contact local agencies directly. Wrangell is a small island city in Southeast Alaska served by both local police and Alaska State Troopers. This page covers the key resources for finding criminal history records in the Wrangell City and Borough.

Wrangell Court Records

Criminal court records for Wrangell City and Borough are part of the Alaska Court System and can be searched through CourtView, the state's free public case search portal. The tool lets anyone look up cases by party name, case number, or citation. Results show charges, case type, filing date, hearing schedule, and current case status. The Alaska Court System covers all trial courts statewide, so Wrangell cases appear alongside records from the rest of Alaska.

Wrangell's court handles criminal cases that arise in the borough. Superior Court manages felony cases and more serious matters. District Court handles misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic citations. Court proceedings in Wrangell may also involve cases transferred from neighboring areas such as Petersburg Borough. Under AS 12.62.160, any person may receive Alaska criminal justice information subject to rules about nonconviction data and protected records. Most filed cases are publicly accessible through CourtView unless sealed by court order.

The image below was captured from the Alaska CourtView portal, which is the primary tool for searching Wrangell City and Borough criminal history cases.

The CourtView interface lets you search Wrangell cases by name or case number and see the full docket history for each filing.

Law Enforcement in Wrangell

The Wrangell Police Department provides municipal law enforcement for the city and borough 24 hours a day. Officers handle local criminal complaints, arrests, traffic enforcement, and records requests. The department maintains arrest records and incident reports for events within its jurisdiction. To request copies of police reports, contact the Wrangell Police Department directly.

Alaska State Troopers from the Petersburg and Ketchikan Posts provide additional law enforcement support for Wrangell City and Borough. Troopers handle major criminal investigations and assist with cases that exceed local department capacity. C Detachment covers all of Southeast Alaska, including Wrangell, and coordinates between communities that are accessible only by air or water. For incidents requiring state-level investigation, or when requesting records about trooper-handled cases, contact the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

The Alaska DPS website is the hub for all statewide law enforcement resources, including trooper contact information, background check tools, and the sex offender registry. The screenshot below shows the DPS home page, which links to Wrangell-related state law enforcement resources.

The DPS site links to trooper post contact information and the statewide background check system used by Wrangell Borough residents.

DPS Background Checks - Wrangell Borough

Criminal history background checks for Wrangell City and Borough go through the Alaska Department of Public Safety's Criminal Records and Identification Bureau. The bureau manages the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) under AS 12.62.110, which stores all arrest and conviction records from agencies throughout the state, including Wrangell.

Name-based background checks are $20. Fingerprint-based checks cost $35 and provide more accurate results because they match by biometric identity rather than name alone. Name-based searches may miss records filed under different spellings or aliases. For the most reliable results, submit fingerprints on a standard FD-258 form. There is no local DPS fingerprinting location in Wrangell. Residents can mail fingerprint cards to the Anchorage office or visit a DPS walk-in location when traveling. Self-service online requests are available at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov. Full instructions and forms are at the DPS background check page.

Sex Offender Registry for Wrangell Borough

The Alaska Sex Offender and Child Kidnapper Registry is a free public database at sor.dps.alaska.gov. Under AS 18.65.087, the Department of Public Safety maintains this registry and makes it searchable by name, address, zip code, or city. Photos, physical descriptions, conviction information, and current registration status are included for each registrant. Wrangell Borough registrants are monitored by State Troopers serving the area.

Registration is required by the next working day following conviction for a qualifying offense if the person is not incarcerated. Offenders must register within 30 days before release from any state correctional facility. Failure to register is a felony under Alaska law. The registry was updated in July 2024 under House Bill 66, which added requirements for passport numbers, professional licensing information, and plans for international travel.

Inmate and Detention Records

Wrangell does not have a large state correctional facility. Inmates from the borough may be held temporarily in a local holding cell before transfer to Ketchikan Correctional Center at 4520 Tongass Avenue in Ketchikan, or to other facilities in Southeast Alaska. The Alaska Department of Corrections manages inmate transfers and long-term housing for the region.

To find where a specific inmate is being held in Alaska, use the Alaska inmate search. This tool uses the VINE platform and lets you search by name or inmate ID. Search results include current facility location, booking information, and custody status. VINE also offers free automated notifications by phone or email when an inmate's status changes.

For active warrant information or recent arrest records in Wrangell Borough, contact the Wrangell Police Department at (907) 874-3304 or the State Troopers. Active warrants entered into court records also appear in the CourtView case index under the case where the warrant was issued.

Public Records Law in Alaska

Residents of Wrangell City and Borough can request government records under the Alaska Public Records Act (AS 40.25.100 through AS 40.25.295). The law covers records held by state agencies, including law enforcement records and court files. Agencies have 10 working days to provide an initial response. That response may deliver the records, deny the request with a legal explanation, ask for clarification, or give an estimated cost for larger requests.

Fees for copying records under APRA typically range from $0.25 to $0.50 per page for standard documents. Electronic records may be provided at no charge if the format is readily available. Law enforcement records are subject to specific exemptions under AS 40.25.120. Records from active investigations, confidential informant identities, and juvenile records are typically withheld. A denial must cite the specific statutory exemption. You have 60 working days to appeal a denial to the agency head. Under AS 12.62.180, sealed or expunged records are not disclosed and the agency must respond as if no record exists.

Cities in Wrangell City and Borough

Wrangell is both the borough and the main city. No additional cities in this borough meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site.

Nearby Boroughs and Areas

Wrangell borders other Southeast Alaska jurisdictions. Criminal cases from neighboring areas are filed in their respective court systems.