Asotin County Arrest Records

Asotin County law enforcement agencies may arrest people under different circumstances, including under a warrant, when they observe a crime, when they have probable cause that someone has committed a violation, or when mandated by statute (e.g., domestic violence mandatory arrests per RCW 10.31.100(d)).

Statutory provisions, offense severity, and offender history are common factors that determine if a person arrested in Asotin will be held in custody until they appear before a judge. However, each suspect goes through a booking process after a formal arrest. Booking involves fingerprinting the suspect (for eligible offenses), collecting DNA and other samples, inventorying the suspect's belongings, and gathering details of the crime. It is during this time that the arresting officer creates the arrest report or record.

Admittedly, while arresting agencies prepare and store the initial arrest report, information in this report may be added to other documents or files, which are often publicly available. Examples include the Asotin County court records, incident reports, booking records, and statewide criminal history files.

Are Arrest Records Public in Asotin County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Asotin County. Washington's Public Records Law (Chapter 42.56 RCW), the central statute governing access to governmental records, permits the dissemination of arrest records to interested members of the public. Under this law, any person can request and obtain an Asotin arrest record from its custodian, provided the record is not explicitly exempt from disclosure or subject to discretionary releases.

Public access exceptions may apply under Chapter 42.56 RCW, RCW 10.97 (the Washington Criminal Records Privacy Act, which regulates criminal history dissemination), a court rule/order, or another state/federal regulation. The following are arrest-related records/information not released to the general public in Asotin County:

• Juvenile offender records
• Medical or mental health data
• Social Security numbers
• Certain Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) per RCW 10.97.050
• Personal contact information of victims or witnesses
• Active investigation data

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A public arrest record is a subset of an official arrest record that contains only non-confidential/non-sensitive information, which any member of the public can view. The following are generally included in such documents:

• Arrestee's identifying information: Full name, known aliases, birth date or age, ethnicity or race, gender
• Arrestee's physical descriptors: Height, weight, hair color, eye color, complexion, scars or tattoos
• Arrest details: Date & time, location, arresting agency, arresting officer(s), arrest type (on-view, warrant, in-custody)
• Charges: Alleged offense(s), offense class (e.g., felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor), statutory reference/citation
• Booking details: Date & time, ID number, facility, mugshot
• Bond/bail information: Bond type, bond amount, custody or release status
• Court information (if available): Next appearance date, court case number

Asotin County Arrest Statistics

Law enforcement agencies in Asotin County (consisting of the local Sheriff's Office, Asotin Police Department, and Clarkson Police Department) report their arrest figures to the Washington Statistical Analysis Center (SAC). The SAC compiles and publishes statewide crime statistics yearly.

According to SAC's report, Asotin County had 1,086 adult arrests and no juvenile arrests in 2023. Various crimes contributed to the arrest total, and notable cases included assault (138 arrests), theft (105 arrests), violation of no contact/protection orders (30 arrests), burglary (29 arrests), and Group B offenses (727 arrests).

Find Asotin County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking arrest records in Asotin County may begin searching at the police department responsible for the arrest. Such agencies usually maintain records units or divisions that process arrest records inquiries. An example is the local sheriff's Records Department, which receives requests for criminal and police records pertaining to suspects, victims, and arrestees at 127 2nd Street, Asotin, WA 99402 or via email. The records department can also be reached at (509) 243-4717.

When querying local agencies, requesters will need to provide the name of an involved party (often the arrestee), the approximate date of the event, or any other details that may help staff locate the desired records. Requesters are also responsible for any search and copy fees associated with their inquiries.

Asotin County arrest records may also be retrieved from the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Specifically, the State Patrol maintains arrest records based on "submissions of fingerprint arrest cards from law enforcement arrests". As a result, an arrest for which fingerprinting is not required by law may not be found at this agency, and the record may be requested from the respective arresting department instead.

The WSP provides WATCH, an online platform for purchasing criminal history records, as well as mail-in and in-person options for retrieving criminal history record information (more details available on the agency's Criminal History webpage). However, the general public can only access conviction information, arrests less than a year old with pending dispositions, and registered sex/kidnapping offender information from the State Patrol for non-criminal justice purposes. All other criminal history data is restricted from general review under RCW 10.97.050.

Individuals who simply wish to locate an arrested person in Asotin County may contact the Asotin County Sheriff's Office. This office operates the local jail, which houses adult offenders and pre-trial arrestees.

If the arrested person has already been transferred to a state prison, then the search may be conducted on the Incarcerated Search portal or by submitting an inquiry to the Washington Department of Corrections. For federally incarcerated individuals, one may access the Federal Inmate Search or contact the Federal Bureau of Prisons. An inmate's name or ID number is typically used to obtain records from such web-based systems.

Free Arrest Record Search in Asotin County

Individuals who query an arresting agency in Asotin County for an arrest record may not be required to pay any fees unless they need to copy or certify the record. In addition, different third-party databases hosted on the internet allow free searches of public records, including arrest data. The caveat is that the user may be required to pay to see or download comprehensive information. Generally, third-party vendors encourage verification with official repositories where records may be needed for a legal or official purpose.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Practically forever. Arrests executed in Asotin County remain on a person's criminal history record until expunged or sealed. However, not everyone qualifies for record expungement or sealing in Washington State.

Expunge Asotin County Arrest Records

Adults can delete their nonconviction/arrest records in Asotin County (i.e., eliminate existing information) under RCW 10.97.060 if:

• Their file consists of only nonconviction data, as defined in RCW 10.97. 030(2);
• At least two years have passed since their record became nonconviction data due to the entry of a favorable disposition (e.g., charge dismissal, acquittal, or nolle prosequi), or at least three years have passed from the date of an arrest or issuance of a citation/warrant for which no conviction was obtained (except the defendant is a fugitive or under active prosecution);
• They received no deferred prosecution or similar diversion;
• They have no prior conviction for a gross misdemeanor or felony; and
• They have not been arrested for or charged with another offense during the intervening period.

Such parties can delete records held by law enforcement agencies. To delete the State Patrol's criminal files, one should submit a Request for Deletion/Expungement of Non-Conviction Records form to the following unit:

Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section
ATTN: Criminal History Support Unit
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633

A separate request should be made to the local police departments that have the arrest record. Guidelines for such applications can be obtained from the respective agency.

On the other hand, any court order to seal a juvenile record in Asotin removes arrest information from the State Patrol's criminal files. However, the juvenile's identifying information will not be sealed or destroyed.

Individuals interested in sealing or destroying (expunging) their court records or vacating a conviction can find relevant guidelines in the Washington Courts' manual or consult an experienced attorney.

Asotin County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants in Asotin County direct the police to apprehend a person accused of a criminal offense. These warrants can also be issued due to one's failure to attend a scheduled court hearing or obey a court order.

Where an arrest warrant is to be issued because of a crime, CrR 2.2. and the Fourth Amendment require a finding of probable cause. The law enforcement officer seeking the warrant (sometimes called the "affiant") is expected to submit a complaint or affidavit to the court, establishing grounds for the arrest. If the judge or magistrate agrees with these facts, they will issue the process, which commands the accused person's arrest upon any law enforcement contact.

Besides the arrest command, an Asotin arrest warrant will name or describe the person to be apprehended, state the issuing date and jurisdiction, and carry the issuing magistrate's signature.

Do Asotin County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. An Asotin County arrest warrant follows its subject until executed and returned to the issuing court. It does not expire until the accused appears before the court to address the charged violation(s). However, beyond waiting to be captured by the police, subjects can voluntarily surrender to local authorities to resolve their warrants. Notwithstanding, courts retain the authority to quash or nullify arrest warrants when a sufficient basis exists, such as if the charges against the accused are dropped or dismissed.