Skagit County Arrest Records

In Skagit County, arrest records are formal documents that record the details of an individual’s detention by law enforcement authorities for suspicion of committing a crime. Arrests typically occur when a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a person has engaged in criminal activity or has an arrest warrant issued by the court. Washington Revised Code (RWC) §10.31.100 grants police officers the authority to arrest individuals without a warrant in certain circumstances, such as when they witness a crime or have probable cause to believe a felony or gross misdemeanor has been committed.

Inmates arrested in Skagit County are generally held at the Skagit County Community Justice Center, the primary detention facility. However, depending on the severity of their offense or availability at the local jail, individuals may also be transferred to nearby correctional institutions.

The agency responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records in Skagit County is the Skagit County Sheriff's Office. However, arrest records are also compiled and maintained by other local law enforcement agencies, such as the Mount Vernon Police Department and Burlington Police Department.

Arrest records are public records often linked to Skagit County Court Records, ongoing or completed court cases, and files managed by the District Attorney's office and Department of Justice.

Once an individual is arrested in Skagit County, they go through a formal booking process which involves documenting the following:

• The arrestee's personal information, such as full name, address, and date of birth.
• Mugshots.
• Fingerprints are taken and cross-referenced with state and federal databases to identify outstanding warrants or criminal history.
• The arrestee is also searched for physical weapons and contraband.
• The law enforcement officer formally records the charges against the individual and sets bail details.

Depending on the severity of the charges, the individual is held in custody at the Skagit County Community Justice Center pending trial or released on bail. The booking ensures that all relevant information is captured in the arrest record, which is then shared with judicial and law enforcement entities across Skagit County.

Are Arrest Records Public in Skagit County?

Yes, arrest records in Skagit County are regarded as public records under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This law guarantees public access to most government records, including arrest information. However, certain arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure to protect sensitive information or ongoing investigations. For instance, arrest records that could interfere with an active investigation, endanger the safety of individuals involved, or reveal the identity of Confidential informants may be withheld. Additionally, the records of juvenile offenders are protected under RCW 13.50, which limits the disclosure of arrest information for individuals under 18.

To access Public arrest records in Skagit County, individuals typically need to file a request with the appropriate law enforcement agency, such as the Skagit County Sheriff's Office, through a public records request. In certain cases, a formal identification or explanation for the request may be required, especially if the information sought pertains to sensitive nondisclosure matters.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Skagit County, public arrest records contain the following information:

• The full name, date of birth, and gender of the individual.
• The arrest details like date, time, and location of arrests
• The individual's mugshots, fingerprints, and charges against them.
• Bail or bond information, if applicable.
• Details regarding the scheduled court appearances or case status.

These records may contain sensitive information such as medical details or the identities of witnesses, victims, or minors involved in the case.

Skagit County Arrest Statistics

Arrest records in Washington show a total of 143 361 arrests. Of these, 135,631 were adult arrests, while 7,730 were juvenile arrests. These statistics are for the year 2023.

Find Skagit County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking to find arrest records have several resources to that effect.

• Skagit County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and provides access to them upon request through public records filings. The Public Records Unit within the sheriff's office handles these requests.
• Washington State Patrol (WSP): The WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) system is an online portal managed by the Washington State Police that allows individuals to search for arrest records and Criminal records. This, too, is specifically useful for locating arrests beyond Skagit County.
• Skagit County Court Records may be accessed online.
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is a tool for searching for federally incarcerated individuals. Arrest records are available through the inmate locator tool.

Free Arrest Record Search in Skagit County

While some service fees are required for certain arrest records, there are several free resources available for conducting arrest records searches in Skagit County:

• Skagit County Clerk's Office. Through a public records request, individuals may access information from the clerk’s office, which manages court and criminal records.
• Washington State Courts also provide free access to certain public records, including arrest records.
• Third-party websites also offer free arrest record searches, although these websites may have certain restrictive policies regarding certain records and may not be up to date.

Skagit County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Regardless of the relationship between arrest and criminal records, there exists a subtle difference between them. An arrest record documents the circumstances surrounding an individual's detention by law enforcement but does not necessarily indicate guilt. It simply notes that a person was taken into custody based on suspicion of criminal activity. On the other hand, a criminal record reflects an individual's history of convictions for criminal offenses, including sentencing and penalties.

While an individual may have an arrest record without being convicted of a crime, a criminal record only forms if they are found guilty or pleads guilty to the charges brought against them. Arrest records may be included as part of a criminal record, but they may exist independently if the individual is not prosecuted or the charges are dropped.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Skagit County, arrest records remain on an individual's record indefinitely unless they are sealed or expunged. Under RCW 10.97.060, individuals may request that non-conviction arrest records be removed after two years, provided no charges were filed or the charges dismissed. For a conviction of a crime, the arrest record is a permanent part of their criminal history.

Expunge Skagit County Arrest Records

Expunging or sealing an arrest record allows individuals to clear their records, making the information inaccessible to the public. While Washington does not offer traditional expungement, certain records may be sealed under RCW 9.94A.640 if specific criteria are met.

To be eligible for expungement, individuals must:

• Have been acquitted of the charges, or the charges must have been dismissed.
• Wait a prescribed period after the incident, usually two years for non-convictions).
• Have no subsequent arrests or criminal activity during the waiting period.
• Not be seeking sealing for certain disqualifying offenses such as violent crimes or sex offenses.

Sealing a record typically involves filing a motion in the court where the original arrest or case occurred. If the motion is granted, the arrest record will be sealed from public view, although law enforcement and certain authorized employers may still access it. Sealing an arrest record does not eliminate the records like expungement does, but it makes it inaccessible to most entities outside of the criminal justice system.

Skagit County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate in Skagit County that authorizes law enforcement officers to take a person into custody. Under RCW 10.31.030, an arrest warrant is typically issued when there is probable cause, meaning that there must be sufficient evidence to believe that a person has committed a crime. Arrest warrants are issued under the following circumstances:

• At the request of law enforcement, after an investigation has established probable cause,
• If a person has been summoned to appear in court and fails to do so, the court may issue an arrest warrant for Failure to Appear (FTA) as provided by RCW 10.19.130.
• An arrest warrant may also be issued when someone violates the terms of their probation or parole.
• An arrest warrant may also be issued after a grand jury indictment where the jury finds sufficient evidence to charge an individual with a serious crime.

An arrest warrant contains the following:

• The full name and identifying details of the person to be arrested.
• Description of the crime the individual is suspected of.
• A statement of evidence or probable cause that justifies the warrant.
• The signature and office of the issuing authority.
• Conditions of arrests, including specific conditions and restrictions.

Once an arrest warrant is issued in Skagit County, law enforcement agencies are tasked with executing it in various locations where the person may be found, including jurisdictional boundaries where necessary.

Do Skagit County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Skagit County do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until they are executed or recalled by the court.