Wyoming’s Public Access Search System (PASS) makes it easier for citizens to view court documents statewide.
Over the past two years, the Wyoming Supreme Court has made significant strides in increasing public access to court records. By replacing its old case management system with a new in-house platform known as the Public Access Search System (PASS), the state has created a more accessible, user-friendly system for Wyoming residents.
Unlike the previous case management system, which facilitated access to records through statewide public access terminals, PASS allows users to search for and view public court documents in every courthouse across Wyoming. This system, developed internally by the Administrative Office of the Courts staff, came at no additional cost to the state, according to State Court Administrator Elisa Butler.
“There wasn’t a cost to develop the new system because we did that in-house,” Butler explained. “The system itself didn’t cost us anything.”
The PASS system is available at public access terminals located inside each Wyoming courthouse. Citizens can view public court documents and follow the progress of cases in district and circuit courts statewide. The system operates on a walk-in basis, meaning that any Wyoming resident can access it during normal courthouse hours, typically from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
In Sheridan County, for example, there are public access terminals in the 4th Judicial District Court and Circuit Court, both housed at the Sheridan County Courthouse. Residents must request a key fob from clerk staff to log in, but once logged in, they can browse public records from any court in the state.
The rollout of the PASS system has received positive feedback from courthouse staff and users alike, especially in places like Sheridan County, where local citizens now have more opportunities to engage with the legal system.
Butler noted that the system offers a range of benefits to citizens, including the ability to track public cases and learn more about how the judicial process works.
“It’s beneficial in a lot of ways, especially if people are interested in learning about the court system,” Butler said. “It’s also beneficial if somebody has a question about a specific case or wants to see a specific document. As long as it’s public, they will be able to access any case in a circuit or district court statewide.”
The new system has made the judicial process more transparent, allowing residents to better understand court proceedings and access documents without delays or administrative hurdles.
While PASS is currently only available at courthouses, Wyoming officials are considering the possibility of remote access in the future. The move would allow residents to view public records online from the comfort of their homes, similar to systems already in place in other states.
“There are many states right now that have remote public access,” Butler said. “For example, you could sit in your office in Alaska and look at their public access system without having to go to the courthouse. Right now (in Wyoming) the only way folks can see those documents is if they go into a courthouse and sit at that public access terminal.”
The transition to remote access would not be immediate, as it would require additional security measures to protect sensitive and confidential information. Safeguards would need to be implemented to ensure that only publicly available documents could be accessed online.
Wyoming’s shift to the Public Access Search System (PASS) marks a significant improvement in court transparency and accessibility. By developing the system in-house at no additional cost, the state has provided a valuable resource for citizens who wish to follow public court cases or learn more about the judicial process.
