Okanogan County Arrest Records

Okanogan County arrest records are government files regarding information received or generated after an arrest event. Such records typically reveal information on the arrestee, criminal charges, arrest date, and the arresting agency’s details.

Peace officers have the legal right to arrest persons who violate state or federal statutes. Officers can also apprehend individuals who are likely to cause potential loss of life or property. Arrested persons are detained in the county jail until they are released or arraigned before a court.

Okanogan County’s law enforcement agencies are mostly responsible for creating arrest records. The agencies also serve as custodians of these records and may release them to interested parties.

Note: Some public files may contain arrest information. For example, the Okanogan County court records, rap sheets, and inmate records may include arrest information like criminal charges and booking dates.

Are Arrest Records Public in Okanogan County?

Under the Washington Public Records Act, Okanogan County arrest records are mostly open to the public. This means public members can inspect or obtain copies of the records from specific government entities. The entities are also legally required to produce requested files upon requests from the public. Note that the entities may require relevant search data, copy fees, or valid IDs before releasing the records.

However, Washington laws restrict public access to some records. Records that fall under this category typically contain information whose disclosure is determined to not be in the public interest. Case in point: the RCW 42.56.240 exempts the following arrest information from public view:

• Information that discloses specific details on victims of sexual assaults
• Investigative records and specific intelligence information collated by law enforcement agencies
• Body camera recordings that may disclose sensitive information
• Database of firearm felony offenders

Okanogan County Arrest Statistics

Okanogan County’s law enforcement agencies made 325 arrests in 2023, including crimes like simple assault, intimidation, and burglary. In contrast, the Okanogan County jail housed 84 inmates as of December 26, 2024.

Find Okanogan County Arrest Records

In Okanogan County, interested parties may find arrest records through resources or request options provided by government entities. For instance, the county sheriff’s office allows mail or in-person inquiries for arrest records in their custody. Persons or entities seeking to get arrest records must complete a request form and send it to:

123 5th Avenue
Room 200
Okanogan WA, 98840
Phone: (509) 422-7200

Inmate records are alternative options for finding arrest records in Okanogan County. For instance, the county jail hosts an online daily inmate and booking log of current detainees. Inquirers must scroll down the list to find inmate information.

The Washington Department of Corrections also maintains an online database for accessing inmate records. To use the database, inquirers must provide the inmate's name or DOC number. Note that the database only features data on inmates in the state’s correctional facilities. Likewise, inmate records can be found via the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ inmate locator. Users must provide the inmate's name or prison number to view arrest data on the platform.

Okanogan County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Okanogan County arrest records are quite different from criminal records in the following aspects:

They contain different information

Arrest records only cover information created in relation to an arrest event. The records may include the arrestee’s personal information, charges, arrest date and location, booking date, log number, arresting officer’s name, and document ID number. However, criminal records contain an individual’s full criminal history. This means the records contain not only arrest information but also court and incarceration data.

The records fall under the jurisdiction of different public entities.

Arrest records are primarily under the purview of arresting agencies. These agencies create arrest records by gathering information from arresting officers and maintaining access to them. In contrast, the Washington State Patrol is the sole custodian of criminal records. The agency creates criminal records by receiving data from arresting agencies, courts, and correctional facilities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Okanogan County, arrest records will remain public information unless they are sealed or expunged. There are set procedures for expunging or sealing arrest records, and this may be determined by the offense type. For instance, expunging a criminal conviction requires you to file a motion to vacate a conviction with a court of competent jurisdiction.

Who is eligible to expunge arrest records in Okanogan County?

Under RCW 10.97.060, arrestees are eligible to expunge arrest records if:

• It is two years or more after the court’s final disposition led to a not-guilty verdict.
• It is more than three years after the arrest charges were dismissed.
• The court case was dismissed after a stay of proceedings, appeal, stipulated order of continuance, or agreed order of continuance.

However, the requirements for expunging criminal conviction records include the following:

• The offense is a class B felony, and you were not convicted of a new crime in the last ten years.
• The offense is a class C felony, and you were not convicted of a new crime in five years.
• It is more than 20 years after completing the court sentence for a class B felony.
• There are no pending charges in the county, state, or federal courts.

Okanogan County Arrest Warrants

Okanogan County arrest warrants are court orders that call for the arrest of suspected offenders. Court judges will issue such warrants upon receiving a complaint from an arresting officer. The complaint must provide evidence that the defendant committed a crime or intends to do so.

Arrest warrants issued in Okanogan County must include the following information:

• The defendant’s name, aliases, and identifiable features
• Criminal charges and classification
• Warrant issuance date and location
• Warrant number
• Court official’s name and signature

Do Okanogan County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Okanogan County arrest warrants do not expire. Such warrants are active until the defendant is apprehended or the court nullifies them. Note that the statute of limitations does not affect the lifespan of an arrest warrant. That being said, you can look up arrest warrants through a search platform maintained by the Washington Department of Corrections.