Seattle Arrest Records

Arrest records in Seattle, Washington, contain details on city-wide arrest-related events. Information seekers typically obtain such records from the Seattle Police Department, the King County Sheriff's Office, and other local law enforcement agencies, and public documents, such as criminal records. For example, Washington Court Records may include arrest information in cases where arrests led to court proceedings. Individuals arrested in Seattle are held at the King County Correctional Facility.

Are Arrest Records Public in Seattle?

According to the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), Seattle arrest records are generally considered public information. Typically, anyone has the right to access these records. However, the Act exempts certain types of arrest records from public disclosure. Such records include essential intelligence information for effective law enforcement or privacy protection, active law enforcement investigations, juvenile records, and the names, addresses, and photographs of child victims and witnesses. Others include driver's licenses, social security numbers, and credit and debit card numbers.

The contact details of the Seattle Police Headquarters are as follows:

Office location:
610 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104-1900

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 34986
Seattle, WA 98124-4986

Seattle Arrest Statistics

A 5-year statistical report by the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) revealed that the Seattle Police Department recorded 46,899 arrests between 2019 and 2023. The gender split of the arrest data indicated that males accounted for 78.36% (36,757) of all arrests within the period, while females accounted for 21.64% (10,148).

Further investigation of the type of offenses law enforcement officers arrested suspects for between 2019 and 2023 showed that simple assault was the commonest crime, with 23.98% (11,252), followed by all other offenses aside from traffic at 18.98% (8,908), driving under the influence at 11.57% (5,429) and unspecified assault at 9.45% (4,436).

In Seattle, law enforcement officers typically detain or arrest suspects at the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF), located at:

500 5th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
United States

Find Seattle Arrest Records

Interested parties searching for Seattle arrest records at the state level may visit the Washington State Department of Corrections website to use their Inmate Search tool. Using their search engine, users may obtain arrest and booking information for individuals convicted by state courts. Searching with the DOC's inmate search tool returns inmates' records, including their name, DOC number, and the correctional facility where they are housed.

For further details on current and former inmates, requesters may contact the DOC at:

Washington Department of Corrections
7345 Linderson Way SW
Tumwater, WA 98501-6504
Phone: (360) 725-8213
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 41100
Olympia, WA 98504-1100

The Federal Inmate Locator enables records searches to locate individuals apprehended by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Users may also use the Online Detainee Locator System to find those held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Seattle Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Record searchers often use the phrases "arrest records" and "criminal records" synonymously. However, they are referring to two different categories of records. Some of the features that distinguish between the concepts are as follows:

Arrest Records

An arrest record contains a detailed summary of a person's arrest history. The record indicates that law enforcement agents arrested the subject; however, it does not specify whether the individual was involved in the alleged criminal offense. Arrest records are a type of criminal history record that may be obtained from local police departments using criminal background checks or court case searches.

Criminal Records

A criminal record comprises information about the outcome of an arrest, such as whether the person was convicted, acquitted, or dismissed. Criminal records are much more extensive than arrest records. They comprise fingerprint data and disposition information provided by Seattle law enforcement agencies. The Washington State Patrol is the primary custodian of criminal records in Washington.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Washington State law does not set a timetable for sealing or expunging arrest records. Therefore, if an individual does not seal or expunge their arrest record, it may remain on file for the rest of their life.

Seattle Arrest Warrants

A Seattle arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a court that authorizes law enforcement agents to take someone into custody. Before a judge issues an arrest warrant in Seattle, law enforcement officers must submit a criminal complaint or indictment. This document details the specific crime and the reason(s) why the officers believe the suspect committed the crime.

Typically, the judge will sign the arrest warrant if law enforcement agents present strong proof of criminal activity. As a result, the document is now an active warrant for arrest. The court may also issue an arrest warrant when an individual is suspected of committing a felony or a misdemeanor. It may also issue a warrant if someone fails to appear in court as scheduled or for probation violations.

An arrest warrant in Seattle usually includes the signature of the issuing judge or magistrate, the date of issuance, the nature of the offense, the name or description of the person to be arrested, any supporting documents (such as affidavits or testimonies), and the specifics of the offense.

Do Seattle Arrest Warrants Expire?

Seattle arrest warrants do not expire. They remain in effect until the suspect mentioned in the warrant appears in court, passes away, or a judge quashes the warrant. Similarly, imposing time limits on filing criminal charges (statute of limitations) does not invalidate arrest warrants. When a court issues a valid arrest warrant, the statute of limitations is "tolled" (paused). This means that the clock pauses and the warrant may remain in effect forever, regardless of how much time has passed.

Expunge Seattle Arrest Records

Under RCW 10.97.060, Washington State residents may petition the courts for the deletion of criminal history records maintained by custodial law enforcement agencies. However, the documents must consist of only non-conviction records and must have been on record for at least two years following the defendant's favorable disposition. Individuals who comply with specific requirements may also request the deletion of non-conviction records that have existed for three years from the date of arrest, citation, or warrant if they do not result in a conviction.

Individuals seeking information on sealing and expungement of Seattle criminal history records should visit the Washington State Patrol website to access the Expungement Checklist. They may also access valuable information on the procedures for vacating a conviction through the Seattle Municipal Court's website.