Benton County Arrest Records

Washington law permits arrests to be performed with or without a warrant. Pursuant to RCW 10.31.100, a police officer may arrest an individual without a warrant if there is sufficient probable cause to believe the individual has committed or is in the process of committing a felony. Additionally, an officer can arrest someone without a warrant for a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor if the offense occurs in their presence.

The Benton County Corrections Department expects all officers to document all information associated with an arrest before incarceration. This information is used to generate arrest records that are available to the public. Arrest records are managed by law enforcement and can be retrieved online and in person from their custodians. However, these records are also utilized within the judiciary, so record seekers are also likely to find arrest information featured within Benton County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Benton County?

Yes. The Washington Public Records Act ensures that all law enforcement agencies make all arrest records available for public inspection and copying. Therefore, anyone can request arrest records from Benton County Sheriff's Office and local police departments. The Washington Public Records Act exempts certain arrest records from public disclosure. Some examples of such records include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• The arrested person's medical records
• Juvenile arrest records
• The arrest database of felony firearm offenders
• Arrest information contained in a state or local gang database
• Arrest information revealing the identity of crime witnesses or victims or individuals who file complaints with law enforcement agencies whose disclosure would endanger any person's life, physical safety, or property. Body-worn camera recordings related to an arrest whose disclosure affects a person's right to privacy;
• Investigative records prepared by a law enforcement agency in Benton County about sex or sexually violent offenses;
• Arrest information revealing the description, identity, or contact details of an alleged or proven child victim of sexual assault under 18;
• Personal information, such as name and address, provided by an individual to the statewide unified sex offender notification and registration program to receive notifications about a registered sex offender.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records typically contain the personal information of an arrested person and information relating to the arrest. Below are some information contained in a Benton County arrest records:

• Demographic information (name, subject number, and date of birth)
• Booking history (booking number, date, time, origin, release date, and housing facility)
• Bond and bail information (bond amount, number, status, and type, and bail amount)
• Charge description, counts, crime class, and offense date and time
• Docket number, disposition, disposition date, and arresting agency
• Sentence date and length and attempt/commit

Benton County Crime Rate

The Benton County Sheriff's Department Annual Report recorded about 1,680 crimes in 2023, a 1% increase from 2022 (1,813). The top three crimes reported by the Department were simple assault (424), larceny (297), and destruction/vandalism of property (270). Violent crime totaled 101, while property crime totaled 833.

Benton County law enforcement agencies NIBRS Submission Agencies revealed approximately 14,557 crimes in 2023. The three major crimes for that year were larceny-theft offenses (4,103), destruction of properties (2,419), and simple assault (2,195).

Benton County Arrest Statistics

Benton County law enforcement agencies reported about 3,239 arrests to NIBRS in 2023. Group A arrests totaled 2,170, and Group B arrests were 1,069. Of those arrested, 3,007 were adults, and 232 were juveniles. The Benton County Sheriff's Department 2023 Annual Report revealed 360 misdemeanor, 99 felony, and 237 warrant arrests. That same year, the Major Crimes Unit cleared about 101 crimes with arrests. The Metro Drug Task Force had 134 arrests in 2023, a significant increase from 44 arrests in 2022.

Find Benton County Arrest Records

Requesters can use state and federal resources to look up inmate arrest records. The Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) maintains and disseminates statewide inmate information and may issue arrest records online and in person at prison facilities. Online requests can be made using the Incarcerated Search platform. Searches are typically conducted using a DOC number or name. Copies of arrest records cost $0.15 per page, while electronic scanned copies cost $0.10 per page.

There are also federal resources available to find Benton County arrest records. They include:

• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) allows members of the public to inspect and copy arrest records online and in person. Online requesters may use the Inmate Locator to find their desired records. The search criteria are by number (BOP register number, DCDC number, FBI number, or INS number) and name (first, middle, or last). In-person requests can be made at any BOP facility during business hours.
• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) uses the Online Detainee Locator System to make arrest records available to the public. Users can search by A-Number or biographical information. Record seekers can also conduct an arrest search in person at any ICE field office or detention facility. Requests should be made during business hours. Basic information about the records should be made to facilitate requests.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provides copies of arrest records online, by mail, and through approved channelers to subjects of records. The FBI charges $18 for arrest records, payable by money order, credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form, or certified check. For online requests, individuals must visit a participating U.S. Post Office location to submit their fingerprints electronically. The FBI processes online requests within 15 days, while mail requests take 20 days. A completed Applicant Information Form can be mailed to:
  FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
  1000 Custer Hollow Road
  Clarksburg, WV 26306
• Individuals can get arrest summary reports of Benton County offenders online or by mail at the United States Capitol Police (USCP). Online searches can be filtered by CFN number, crime date, crime summary, and crime type. Mail applicants must submit a Request Form to:

United States Capitol Police
Reports Processing Section
119 D Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20510

Free Arrest Record Search in Benton County

Interested members of the public can find arrest records for free via the Benton County Corrections Department. Access to arrest information is available online through the Department's Daily Jail Roster. The search criteria are name, subject number, booking number, booking date range, and housing facility. Record seekers can also find arrest records for free on third-party portals. The search will return basic information on every record in the system with the searched name for free. However, users who want a full arrest report may be required to pay a small fee. Although third-party sites have a convenient user interface, they are typically less reliable than government or official resources.

Get Benton County Criminal Records

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) provides certified criminal justice agencies unrestricted access to criminal records when such records are required for criminal justice purposes. However, the public can only have limited access to criminal records for non-criminal justice purposes. Public criminal records only contain information on convictions, registered sex/kidnapping offenders, and arrests less than 1-year-old with pending dispositions.

Interested persons may get Benton County criminal records from the WSP's Identification and Criminal History Records Section via the following methods:

• Online: Individuals can use the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) to obtain copies of criminal records. Searches may be done by name and date of birth for a fee of $11 each. Notary requests cost $10. Payments can be made by debit/credit card or by billing a pre-established account. WSP exempts registered non-profit organizations with an account from paying a fee when conducting a criminal record search on crimes committed against children or vulnerable adults for prospective employees and volunteers.
• Mail: Requesters can submit criminal record requests by mail based on a name and date of birth or fingerprints. A name-based search involves submitting a Request for Conviction Criminal History Form. This service costs $32, payable by money order, check, or by completing the Bankcard Authorization form. A fingerprint-based search involves submitting a complete set of fingerprints and a fee of $58 to the Identification and Background Check Section. Applicants can also request a notarized letter for an additional $10 fee and the requested criminal records.
• In-person: Individuals can complete a Conviction Criminal History Form and submit it at the Identification and Background Check Section to conduct a criminal record search by name and date of birth. They can also submit a full set of fingerprints at the office for a fingerprint-based search. All applications should be accompanied by the appropriate fees payable by check, cash, or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express). In-person requests should be made at the Olympia office located at:

Washington State Patrol
Helen Sommers Building
106 11th Avenue SW
Suite 1300
Olympia, WA 98501

The WSP conducts fingerprint services Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (it is closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.). Requesters should arrive no later than 4:30 p.m. The WSP charges $16, payable by cash, check, or credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) for fingerprint services. Applicants visit the Olympia office with their valid government-issued picture IDs.

Benton County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record is an official document that shows personal information about an arrestee and the facts surrounding the arrest. Per RCW § 10.97.030, criminal records contain information criminal justice agencies collect on offenders. They consist of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests, detentions, indictments, information, or formal criminal charges, and any disposition resulting from them.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Benton County, criminal history record information (CHRI), which contains arrest information, is kept in the Washington State Identification System (WASIS) until the arrested person reaches 120 years. However, if a person's record contains multiple dates of birth, it will be kept based on the newest date of birth. The Washington Secretary of State (SOS) provides a timeframe for retaining some arrest records through its Law Enforcement Records Retention Schedule. For example:

• Records pertaining to background checks, tests, and/or investigations completed by a Benton County law enforcement agency are retained for three (3) years after the request is fulfilled.
• Fingerprint requests are kept for three (3) years.
• The health records of arrestees who are 18 and over are kept for eight (8) years after the provision of health-related services.
• Minors' health records are kept for eight (8) years after they attain age 18 and eight years after they receive health-related services.
• Inmate release recaps are retained for the life of the agency.
• The custody files of an adult arrestee are kept for six (6) years after termination of incarceration.
• The custody files of minor arrestees are kept for five (5) years after the subject turns 18 and 6 years after termination of incarceration.
• Fingerprint analyses are kept for three (3) years.
• Warrant holds are kept for six (6) years after being canceled or the inmate is transferred.
• Legacy arrest register volumes and mug shot books are kept until they are no longer needed for agency business.
• An arrestee's criminal history information is kept until transmitted to Washington State Patrol and until no longer needed for agency business.
• An arrestee's criminal history record information (non-conviction data) is kept until the WSP grants the subject's deletion request or the subject's death, whichever occurs sooner.
• Recordings created as security measures that do not contain an identified incident are kept for 60 days after the recording date.

Expunge Benton County Arrest Records

In Benton County, expungement refers to the process of physically destroying a record. Pursuant to RCW 10.97.060, an individual can request an expungement of their arrest record on file with a law enforcement agency if:

• The file consists of only non-conviction data
• At least two years have elapsed since the record became non-conviction data, or at least three years have elapsed from the arrest date or warrant issuance for which a conviction was not obtained.
• The disposition was not a deferred prosecution or similar diversion of the alleged offender
• The record holder has not had a prior conviction for a gross misdemeanor or felony
• The subject of the record has not been arrested for or charged with any other crime during the intervening period.

Eligible individuals must submit a Request for Deletion/Expungement of Non-Conviction Records form by mail to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Identification and Criminal History Section. The mailing address:

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

If the expungement is granted, the WSP will delete the applicant's criminal history record information (CHRI) from the Washington State Identification System (WASIS). This does not affect arrest records maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The WSP does not expunge arrest records of cases that resulted in convictions or other dispositions adverse to the defendant unless a court orders it. Review the Expungement Checklist for more information on expungement of state arrest records.

Benton County Arrest Warrants

According to the Washington Superior Court Rule of Criminal Procedure 2.2, a judge will issue an arrest warrant when a complaint is filed and there is reasonable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense. The court uses the affidavit or sworn testimony to determine probable cause for issuing arrest warrants. Every arrest warrant issued in Benton County is expected to:

• Be in writing and the name of the State of Washington
• Be signed by the clerk with the title of the office
• State the issuing date and the county where it was issued.
• Specify the defendant's name or any name or description to identify the defendant if the name is unknown.
• Specify the offense charged against the defendant.
• Command that the defendant be arrested and brought before the issuing court.
• Provide information on bail or other conditions of release if the offense is bailable.

The court will direct the arrest warrant to all peace officers in Washington State, and only one peace officer must execute it. The defendant's arrest executes an arrest warrant. After the arrest, the executing officer returns the warrant to the issuing court. An unexecuted arrest warrant can be returned to the issuing court for cancellation at the prosecuting attorney's request.

Benton County Arrest Warrant Search

Record seekers can visit the Benton County Sheriff's Office in person to request arrest warrant records. The office is at two locations: Kennewick and Prosser. The Kennewick office opens from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closes from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch. The Prosser Office opens from Monday to Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and closes from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. for lunch. The Sheriff's Office is at:

Benton County Justice Center
7122 W. Okanogan Place
Kennewick, WA 99336
Phone: (509) 735-6555 (Kennewick)
Phone: (509) 786-5615 (Prosser)
Fax: (509) 783-5852

Individuals can also conduct Benton County arrest warrant searches on the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) website. They can use the Warrant Search tool to get the appropriate information. Select "BENTON" from the county drop-down to view all warrants issued for offenders in the county. Enter a first name, last name, DOC number, or crime to streamline the search.

Do Benton County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Benton County, arrest warrants do not have expiry dates. They remain active indefinitely until the defendant is apprehended. However, the issuing judge can cancel an unexecuted arrest warrant if the prosecuting attorney requests it.