Adams County Arrest Records

In Adams County, arrest records are official documents that provide information about an individual's detention by law enforcement authorities when they are suspected of committing a crime. Arrests occur when officers have probable cause to believe an individual has broken the law or if they have a warrant for the individual's arrest.

Under Washington Revised Code (RWC) Section 10.31.100, police officers can arrest an individual without a warrant if they witness a crime or have probable cause to believe a felony or gross misdemeanor was committed. The Adams County Sheriff's Office mainly creates and keeps arrest records, but other local law enforcement agencies also keep their records. To get arrest records, requesters may contact the Sheriff's Office. They may also find arrest information in Adams County court records.

After an arrest in Adams County, the arrestee goes through booking. This process records their name, address, and date of birth. The arrestee is also searched for weapons or contraband, fingerprinted, and checked for outstanding warrants. Officers also record the charges and bail details. All this information goes into the arrest record, which is shared with local courts and law enforcement.

Are Arrest Records Public in Adams County?

Yes. Under the Washington Public Records Act, arrest records in Adams County are deemed public. The law grants the public access to government records, including arrest records. However, due to the sensitive nature of some arrest information, certain arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure. For instance, if sharing an arrest record could adversely affect an ongoing investigation, put an individual's safety at risk, or reveal a confidential informant's identity, such a record would be withheld. Also, juvenile records are protected by law and are not usually shared.

To get public arrest records in Adams County, individuals may file a request with the Adams County Sheriff's Office or the appropriate law enforcement agency. They may need to show ID or explain the request, especially for sensitive cases.

Adams County Arrest Statistics

According to a report from the county sheriff's office, the crime rate in Adams County in 2023 was 422.4 per 100,000 residents. The average daily population in the county jail was 19 inmates. There were 9 cases of aggravated assaults, five cases of sexual assault, and 255 cases of property crime. The property crime rate stood at 325.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. Drug-related offenses accounted for the most arrests, followed by violent crimes, which accounted for 8% of all arrests in the county.

Find Adams County Arrest Records

Interested parties seeking access to Adams County arrest records may leverage several avenues. The first point of call is the Adams County Sheriff's Office. They are in custody of arrest records and grant access to them on request through public records filings. Requesters may contact the Public Records Unit of the agency by phone, mail, or in-person visit.

Adams County Sheriff's Office
210 W Broadway Ave,
Ritzville, WA 99169
Phone: (509) 659-1122

The WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) system is an online tool from the Washington State Police where record seekers may search for arrest and criminal records. In addition, record seekers may find arrest records as part of Adams County court records online.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides a tool for requesters to get information about individuals in federal facilities. Through the inmate locator tool, they may access arrest records.

Adams County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Although arrest and criminal records are different documents with different purposes, arrest records show when and why an individual was taken into custody, but do not imply guilt. They just mean the person was suspected of a crime. On the other hand, criminal records list an individual's history of convictions and the sentences given.

Even if an individual was never convicted of a crime, they may have an arrest record. On the other hand, a criminal record implies that the individual pleaded guilty or was found guilty of a crime. Although arrest records may be included as part of a criminal record, they may stand alone if the charges against the individual are dropped.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records in Adams County are permanent. The only way to remove an arrest from a person's record is through sealing or expungement. Per RCW 10.97.060, non-conviction arrest records may be expunged after a waiting period of two years if the individual was not charged or the case was dismissed. Convicted individuals are not eligible for this record relief.

Adams County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge in Adams County that authorizes law enforcement to apprehend an individual. The minimum standard to issue a warrant is the establishment of probable cause. This means that there is sufficient evidence for a reasonable or prudent person to believe that the individual committed a crime or violated the law.

Arrest warrants are issued when:

• A law enforcement officer requests one after establishing probable cause through an investigation.
• A person misses a court date, the court may issue a Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant.
• An individual violates the terms of their probation or parole.
• A grand jury finds enough evidence to charge an individual with a serious crime.

Do Adams County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Adams County do not have an expiry date. Once a judge has signed them, they remain active until the suspect is arrested. However, in rare cases, the judge may cancel the warrant if the suspect turns themselves in or if additional information shows they were not guilty.

Expunge Adams County Arrest Records

Under RCW 9.94A.640, record owners may have their arrest records sealed if they meet specific criteria. This makes the records inaccessible to the public. However, law enforcement and other authorized individuals may still access them if needed.

A record owner may be eligible for expungement if:

• The individual must have been acquitted of all charges or had their charges dismissed
• The prescribed waiting period has elapsed
• They have not been involved in any criminal activity during the waiting period

To initiate an expungement, record owners must petition a court with jurisdiction over the arrest. The petition should contain information about the arrest, grounds for expungement, and supporting evidence. Individuals may expunge records only once in their lifetime, and the offense must not be a sex or violent crime.