Whitman County Arrest Records

Whitman County, Washington, arrest records are legal documents created by law enforcement authorities that contain information about an arrest, the arrested person, and the alleged crime. If there is probable cause that the person committed a crime, an officer may arrest them with a warrant or detain them without one.

Suspects are incarcerated in the Whitman County Jail, administered by the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. As a result, while the arresting body creates and files arrest records, relevant arrest information can be found in materials such as inmate or jail records, criminal records, and warrant details in Whitman County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Whitman County?

Yes. Washington's Public Records Act (PRA), codified under RCW Chapter 42.56, grants the public access to government records, including arrest information, unless otherwise stated by law. As a result, citizens and non-citizens of Whitman County may submit records requests to obtain non-exempted arrest records maintained by the Whitman County Sheriff's Office and other local enforcement agencies.

Nevertheless, the PRA restricts certain arrest records from public disclosure to ensure an equitable and fair justice/judiciary system, preserve individuals' privacy rights, and protect the lives and safety of specific persons.

Whitman County arrest records exempt from disclosure to the public include driver's licenses, social security numbers, and credit and debit card numbers. Others include essential intelligence information for effective law enforcement or privacy protection, active law enforcement investigations, and juvenile records, as well as the names, addresses, and photographs of child victims and witnesses.

Individuals searching for non-classified arrest records in Whitman County may wish to contact the Sheriff's Office at:

Whitman County Sheriff's Office
411 N Mill Street
Colfax, WA 99111
Phone: (509) 397-6266
Fax: (509) 397-2099
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Whitman County Arrest Statistics

A five-year crime statistics report by the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) revealed that the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office reported 1,741 arrests between 2019 and 2023. The gender distribution of the arrest data indicated that males accounted for 72.72% (1,266) of all arrests within the period, while females accounted for 27.28% (475).

The racial composition of all arrests in the period under review showed that Whites constituted the largest racial group arrested for various offenses, with 89.43% (1,557). Others include Blacks or African Americans, American Indians or Alaska Natives, and Persons of Unknown race, who accounted for 5.46% (95), 2.18% (38), and 1.95% (34) of all arrests, respectively. Asians accounted for 0.63% (11), while Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders comprised 0.34% (6).

Further analysis of the type of offenses law enforcement officers arrested suspects for between 2019 and 2023 showed that all other offenses aside from traffic were the commonest crimes, with 50.49% (880), followed by driving under the influence at 12.85% (224) and simple assault at 10.84% (189).

Find Whitman County Arrest Records

You can use the Whitman County Inmate Listing website or call (509) 397-5585 to find arrest records or inmate information.

At the state level, those searching for arrest records should visit the Department of Corrections website to use their Inmate Search tool. The search engine allows the public to access arrest and booking information for individuals convicted by state courts. Searching with the DOC's inmate search tool returns inmates' records such as the inmate's name, DOC number, and correctional facility.

For additional information on current and former inmates, record searchers 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

Requestors may use the Federal Inmate Locator or the Online Detainee Locator System to search for arrests made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), respectively.

Whitman County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Requesters usually use the terms "arrest records" and "criminal records" interchangeably. However, they refer to two distinct types of records. Some of the characteristics that distinguish the concepts are as follows:

Arrest Records

An arrest record provides a comprehensive account of an individual's arrest history. The record indicates that law enforcement officers took the individual into custody, but this does not indicate whether the individual was guilty of the alleged criminal offense. Arrest records are a segment of criminal history records that can be accessed at local police departments through criminal background checks or court case searches.

Criminal Records

A criminal record contains information regarding the outcome of an arrest, including whether it resulted in a conviction, acquittal, or dismissal. In contrast to arrest records, criminal records are considerably more extensive. They are composed of fingerprint-based data and disposition details provided by law enforcement bodies and tribunals in Whitman County. The Washington State Police is the primary custodian of criminal records in Washington State.

In conclusion, criminal records provide a more comprehensive perspective on an individual's relationships with the legal system, whereas arrest records primarily concentrate on the apprehension process.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Washington State law does not specify a fixed timeframe for sealing or expunging arrest records. Consequently, if someone does not undergo the process of sealing or expunging their arrest records, such a record may stay on record for a lifetime.

Under General Rule 15, the court may seal or redact adult criminal cases after a conviction has been vacated or when privacy or security concerns outweigh the need to make the documents accessible to the public.

Under RCW 10.97.060, the courts may also order the deletion of an individual's criminal history record on file with a law enforcement agency. Nonetheless, the file must consist of only non-conviction records and must have been on record for at least two years following the defendant's favorable disposition.

Requesters seeking information on sealing and expungement of criminal history records should visit the Washington State Patrol website to access their Expungement Checklist.

Whitman County Arrest Warrants

In Whitman County, and by extension, Washington State, an arrest warrant is a legal order issued by a judge, magistrate, or authorized clerks under RCW 2.20.010. The legal instrument allows law enforcement agents to arrest an individual accused of committing a crime.

Before a judge issues an arrest warrant in Whitman County, law enforcement officers must have submitted a criminal complaint or indictment. This document details the specific crime and the reason(s) why the officers believe the suspect committed the crime.

If the evidence of wrongdoing provided by law enforcement agents is convincing, the judge signs the arrest warrant. This makes the document an active arrest warrant.

The court may 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.

Do Whitman County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Whitman County arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active until the subject named in the warrant appears in court, passes away, or a judge quashes the warrant.