Yakima County Arrest Records

In Yakima County, an arrest becomes necessary when an investigation carried out by an enforcement agency warrants it or when an enforcement agent witnesses or has established probable cause for a perpetrated or intended criminal act. Upon an arrest, the suspect is taken into custody, and the enforcement agent in charge retrieves vital information from the suspect. Therefore, Yakima County arrest records may be defined as official documents produced by the local enforcement agencies or justice systems in the County that provide information about an arrest and the arrestee.

These records are generally preserved by the local enforcement agency in charge of the arrest, the county Sheriff's office, or the County Public Records officer. Arrest records alone may not prove guilt but become part of a person's criminal record and Yakima County court records after an indictment or court hearing. Persons who are taken into custody are held by the Yakima County Department of Corrections pending their first arraignment, release on bail, or pretrial release.

Are Arrest Records Public in Yakima County?

Yes. Per the Washington Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Washington State Public Records Act, arrest records are considered public records and are open to the public for inspection and copying. However, sealed, expunged, or vacated records are not readily available to the public. Also, certain restrictions may apply to the public access of some arrest records, especially those connected with juveniles or medical issues. Personal information such as social security numbers and such information that may jeopardize a person's privacy or public safety are excluded from publicly available arrest records.

These restricted or exempt arrest records may be released to persons or government entities with the appropriate authorization. A court may also grant access to these records if the need to release them outweighs the risks of their release.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records are one of the records maintained by the law enforcement agencies in Yakima County. The details contained in Yakima County arrest records that are open to the public typically include:

• Name, age, gender, race, birthdate, and other personal identifying information of the arrestee.
• Physical descriptions of the suspect include marks, tattoos, skin/hair color, and height.
• Date and location of the arrest.
• Identifying information of the officer or enforcement agency that made the arrest.
• Name of the agency or official that issued the arrest warrant in cases where a warrant was used.
• Information about the detention or holding facility where the suspect is held.
• The alleged crime or reason for the arrest.

Yakima County Crime Rate

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and police chiefs (WASPC) publishes an annual report tagged Crime in Washington. The most recent data about the criminal activities in Yakima County was published in 2022. According to the reports collated from the Sheriff's office and other enforcement agencies in the County, the crime rate for 2022 was 678.3 per 1,000 residents. Larceny, burglary, motor vehicle theft, assault, and destruction of property were the most prevalent crimes reported for the year.

Yakima County Arrest Statistics

Based on statistics published by the WASPC in the “Crime in Washington 2022”, the total number of arrests for the year was 6,359. 5,929 adults were arrested in 2022, while juvenile arrests stood at 430. Out of the total sum, Group A offenses such as murder, larceny, burglary, and robbery totaled 3,863. On the other hand, 2,496 arrests were reported for Group B offenses, including DUI, drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and family offenses.

Find Yakima County Arrest Records

The Yakima County Department of Corrections and the Sheriff's Office maintain information about arrests made within the county. Interested persons may query either of these offices in person to retrieve public arrest records. The requestor will be required to provide details about the arrest, such as the subject's name, date, or place of the arrest.

Requests for arrest records may be sent to the Sheriff's office by filling out a form and submitting it alongside copy fees and other requirements to:

Yakima County Sheriff’s Office Public Records Manager
1822 South 1st Street
P.O. Box 1388
Yakima, WA 98903(07)
Phone: (509) 574-2625, (509) 574-2500
Fax: (509) 574-2501

Yakima County Department of Corrections
111 North Front Street
Yakima, WA 98901
Phone: (509) 574-1700

For arrests made by a state or federal law enforcement agency, interested persons may retrieve the desired records from the Washington State Department of Corrections, the U.S. Marshals, or the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Free Arrest Record Search in Yakima County

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office makes arrest records available to residents free of charge on its Public Records portal. The requestor intending to use this request portal is to provide an adequate description of the record requested. Inmate information for persons incarcerated by the Yakima County Department of Corrections is available online, free of charge. The Washington State Department of Corrections also maintains a searchable database that contains arrest and inmate information for residents of Yakima County.

Additionally, one may be able to obtain Yakima County arrest records from third-party websites. These sites are usually low-cost and subscription-based, but basic arrest details may be available free of charge.

Get Yakima County Criminal Records

Yakima County criminal records may also be called criminal history records or RAP sheets. They are official reports and documents that contain information about a person's past interactions with the county, state, or federal law enforcement agencies. The Public Records Request portal managed by the County Sheriff's office may be used to make requests for criminal records of Yakima County citizens.

The Washington State Patrol is the custodian of criminal records at the state level. To request criminal records from the state patrol, interested persons may utilize any of the following means:

• Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH): this is an online fee-based portal for searching and obtaining Yakima County arrest records on the spot. Interested persons may perform a background check for a fee of $11 payable by credit or debit cards.
• Mail Requests: one may also send a completed Request for Conviction Criminal History Form and a fee of $32 or $58 for name-based or fingerprint searches respectively. The completed form, payment, and other requirements may be mailed to:

Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Check Section

P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633.

• In-person requests: a filled-out criminal history records request form and the required fees may be submitted physically at the state patrol’s office located at 106 11th Avenue SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501.

Yakima County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Yakima County, arrest records give basic details about an arrest, such as the events surrounding it, the reason for the arrest, and the personal information of the arrestee. Arrest records are usually incomprehensive and may not be substantial proof of guilt since they do not contain case dispositions.

In contrast, Yakima County criminal records are more comprehensive and detailed. They summarize an individual’s criminal history, including arrests, charges, indictments, sentencing, parole, and probation. Criminal records in Yakima County may be used to establish guilt as they provide information about a person's interactions with the criminal justice system and the outcomes.

Other distinct differences between Yakima County arrest and criminal records are their custodians and jurisdiction. Arrest records are usually maintained by the local enforcement agencies at the county level, whereas criminal records are statewide and preserved by the state patrol's office.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Yakima County arrest records stay on a person's records indefinitely, irrespective of the reason for the arrest. A background check or criminal history search will typically turn up arrest information for a named individual even when the arrest charges were dismissed or the arrestee was exonerated. However, Yakima County has provisions for residents to seal or vacate arrest records.

Expunge Yakima County Arrest Records

State laws allow residents of Yakima County to request the expungement or deletion of certain non-conviction data in a person's criminal history record free of charge. RCW 43.43.730 and 10.97.060 contain the provisions of Washington State laws for the sealing or deletion of non-conviction records.

Per Washington Administrative Code 446-16-025, eligible persons who wish to apply for the deletion of an arrest record may complete the request for expungement/deletion of non-conviction records form. The applicant should sign the form, which should contain an address and name of a witness. The applicant is to attach a valid means of identification, including fingerprints and proof that the request is consistent with the appropriate state laws. Completed forms and other requirements may be submitted in person to 3000 Pacific Avenue, Suite 202, Olympia, or mailed to:

Washington State Patrol
ATTN: Criminal History Records Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia WA 98504-2633.

Yakima County Arrest Warrants

Arrest Warrants are official writs or orders authorizing a particular law enforcement agency/agent to arrest and bring a named individual into custody. In Yakima County, the courts issue arrest warrants when an officer provides substantial evidence and probable cause that a criminal act has been performed. Yakima County arrest warrants are usually issued for an individual to be arrested within a specific period unless otherwise stated by law.

The arrest warrants issued by judicial officers in Yakima County typically contain the following information:

• Name, description, and personal information of the named individual
• Reason for the arrest warrant, including the alleged criminal act
• The intended place and date of the arrest
• The expiration date of the warrant/validity period, where available
• The name of the enforcement agency/agent authorized to make the arrest
• Name, signature, and office of the issuer
• Bail and bond requirements where applicable.

Yakima County Arrest Warrant Search

Yakima County does not have a central searchable database for issued arrest warrants. However, interested persons may query the local enforcement agencies to make inquiries about an outstanding warrant. The Washington State Department of Corrections maintains a Warrant search page where concerned persons may browse through the provided list or search for outstanding warrants by first/last name, crime, county, or DOC number. One may also search for arrest warrants nationwide using either the U.S. Marshall's Warrant Information System or the DEA Fugitive Search tool.

Do Yakima County Arrest Warrants Expire?

A Yakima County arrest warrant may have a validity period attached to it, depending on the reason for the warrant and the issuer's. However, in general terms, an arrest warrant becomes invalid once the record subject has been arrested or the issuing court recalls the warrant.