Washington Arrest Records

Washington arrest records are official documentation of the circumstances surrounding the apprehension of a suspect believed to have committed a crime. These documents help citizens and other interested persons keep track of arrests made by law enforcement agencies. Although arrest records are generated after an arrest, they do not indicate that the suspect is guilty of a crime.

In Washington, arrested suspects are typically booked at the nearest police department or precinct. Local law enforcement agencies, including the King County Sheriff's Office and the Seattle, Bremerton, and Bellingham Police Departments, usually maintain such records in the state.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington?

Yes. The Washington Public Records Act provides public access to government records, including arrest information, unless otherwise stated by law. Consequently, requesters may view, inspect, or make copies of non-exempted arrest records maintained by Washington law enforcement agencies.

Some records exempted from public disclosure by the Washington Public Records Act include:

• Driver's licenses, social security numbers, and credit and debit card numbers
• Ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Juvenile records
• Names, addresses, and photographs of child victims and witnesses

Arrest Statistics

According to a 5-year National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) statistical data, Washington law enforcement agents made 741,344 arrests between 2018 and 2023. The gender breakdown of the arrest data revealed that males accounted for 74.05% (548,955) of all arrests during the period, while females comprised 25.95% (192,389).

Further analysis of the types of offenses for which law enforcement officers detained suspects between 2018 and 2023 suggested that all other crimes, except traffic violations, were the most common, accounting for 30.80% (229,525) of the total. This was followed by simple assault at 16.75% (124,800), driving under the influence at 15.95% (118,866), and unspecified larceny theft at 11.15% (83,081).

Find Public Arrest Records in Washington

Individuals seeking public arrest records in Washington may obtain this information from local and state law enforcement agencies, including the Washington State Patrol, county sheriff's offices, and local police departments. Requesters may access arrest records from these custodians in person, by mail, or online.

Online

Online databases are typically considered the most convenient way to access arrest records because of their accessibility from any location with an internet connection. Inquirers are, however, expected to comply with the specific procedures and requirements of the custodian law enforcement agency while making a record request.

The general process for obtaining an arrest record in Washington includes:

1. Identifying the government agency maintaining the record: The custodian of arrest records is typically the law enforcement agency that made the arrest. This may be county sheriff's offices, city police departments, or the Washington State Patrol. Requesters may also obtain arrest records from county courthouses, as arrest records are documented in the Washington criminal justice system.
2. Contacting the Agency: Record searchers are typically required to contact the relevant law enforcement agency through specified channels, which may include in-person, mail, or online methods. To complete the record request, they are usually expected to provide information such as the arrestee's name and date of birth. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) serves as the state's primary repository for arrest records, maintaining records submitted by law enforcement agencies and courts throughout Washington.

In-Person Requests

Inquirers seeking arrest records in person are typically required to complete and submit a record request form by visiting the office of the custodian agency. For instance, eligible requesters may submit a Request for Conviction Criminal History Form or a complete set of fingerprints to the Washington State Patrol's Criminal History Record Information in person to obtain a conviction record. Requesters are typically expected to pay applicable fees to complete the request.

Mail-In Requests

Requesters using the mail-in option are typically required to complete and mail the relevant request form to the custodian agency, along with the applicable fees. Specified payment methods often include checks, money orders, or debit/credit cards.

Online

Some county sheriff's offices and police departments may provide access to inmate rosters or traffic collision logs. However, they usually do not offer the public online access to complete arrest records. Interested parties are required to request such records formally. The Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) is the official internet source of criminal history conviction records in Washington. Requesters are typically required to pay for requested information using a debit or credit card.

Obtaining Restricted Arrest Records in Washington

In Washington, public access to some arrest records may be restricted by law to protect personal information, juveniles, witnesses, or the integrity of an ongoing case from unauthorized access. Furthermore, sealed or expunged records are inaccessible to the public but available to criminal justice agencies upon request. Access to restricted records is typically granted by a court.

According to Criminal Court Rules 4.8, a court may issue a subpoena for production, which is an order to permit the inspection, copying, testing, or sampling of a record even though it is restricted. Following the approval of the application, the applicant is typically required to complete the Proof of Personal Service form, after which the subpoena is served on their behalf. The server is usually expected to deliver a copy of the subpoena to the custodian agency. After receiving the subpoena, the custodian agency is required to provide the documents specified in the subpoena within a reasonable time.

How to Look Up Arrest Records Online in Washington

Information seekers looking for online Washington arrest records may obtain such information through official online resources or third-party websites.

Official Online Sources

Requesters may access public arrest records online via the following local and state criminal justice agencies:

• Local Police Departments: Users may access arrest logs via the websites of some local police departments. For example, the Whatcom County Jail Bookings and the Pacific County Jail Bookings provide daily updates on new arrests.
• Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH): This is the central online repository for criminal history information in the State of Washington, maintained by the Washington State Patrol (WSP). WATCH receives records from courts and law enforcement agencies statewide and is the fastest way for individuals to access their criminal history record information (CHRI) online. Information about arrests that occurred within the past year and are still pending in the criminal justice system may be obtained through this database. Searches on the portal cost $11 per name, payable by credit card regardless of the search results. Information required to complete the search includes the arrestee's name and date of birth.
• Washington State Digital Archives: Requesters may also search for historical information, including dated arrest records, for free using this online resource.
• DOC Inmate Search: Users may search for individuals incarcerated in state prison facilities via the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Search tool. By using an inmate's DOC number, first name, or last name in the search fields, users may access information on current and former inmates in the DOC's database.

Third-Party Websites

These are non-governmental websites that offer public records search services to interested parties, typically for a fee. These private repositories are often helpful in situations where the inquirer is unsure of the arresting law enforcement agency, as this is a key detail for completing local and state online searches. Although they help conduct generalized online searches, it is essential to verify the completeness and accuracy of the results, as they may not be as up-to-date as official government sources.

What is Included in Washington Arrest Records?

Washington arrest records may contain the following elements:

• Arrestee's personal information (Name, Gender, and Age)
• Picture of the Arrestee
• Booking Information (Booking number, booking date)
• Date of the arrest
• Case number
• Warrant information
• Details of the arresting Agency and officer
• Description of the charge or offense
• Time and place of the arrest.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Washington?

In Washington, arrests stay on record forever unless they are expunged, deleted, sealed, or vacated by a court. There are varying timelines and conditions for expunging arrest records, depending on the type of crime and the Agency handling the case.

• Washington State Patrol (WSP) Arrests: Applicants may expunge such arrests if 2 years have passed and they have received a final disposition of the arrest.

• Criminal History Record Information (CHRI): Records stored in the Washington State Identification System (WASIS) are retained for up to 120 years.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI maintains the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which contains nationwide criminal records voluntarily supplied by states. These records are typically not expunged except by presidential pardon.

Expunge an Arrest Record in Washington

Per RCW 10.97.060, eligible applicants may seek the expungement of their non-conviction records from the records of criminal justice agencies if two years have passed since the record became a non-conviction record and three years have passed from the date of the arrest. The process for getting a record expunged may include either of the following:

• Writing a letter: A petitioner may write a letter appealing to the law enforcement agency holding the record and requesting that it be deleted. The Agency may deny the request if it involves a case of deferred prosecution, if the requester has been convicted of a felony or gross misdemeanor in the past, or if the requester was charged with another crime during their waiting period.
• Obtaining a Court Order: A petitioner may apply for a court order instructing the Agency to destroy their records. A court's order for expungement is final and binding.
• Submitting a WSP Request for Expungement: A petitioner may also complete and sign the expungement request form, which includes proof that they own the identifying data being requested for expungement, and other details about the case that led to the collection of the personal data.

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Washington?

Interested parties may access certain information on recent arrests in the state through the websites of local police departments and county sheriff's offices. Some of these agencies publish daily arrest logs on their sites. For instance, requesters may obtain recent jail bookings from Whatcom County and Pacific County through the website of the respective county sheriff's offices. They may also visit such local law enforcement agencies to view and inspect their arrest logs.

Are Washington Arrest Records Free?

Yes. Interested parties may access free Washington arrest records online through the local county sheriff's websites. They may also visit the county sheriff's office, police department, or precinct in person to obtain copies of non-restricted arrest records. Please note that while inspecting these documents is free, copying them usually involves a fee. Alternatively, requesters may utilize third-party websites that offer subscription-based access to arrest records. However, such sites are not regulated by government agencies. Therefore, the accuracy and completeness of documents obtained through these sites cannot be guaranteed.