Washington Criminal Records 

These records contain arrest, disposition, and conviction data. Various local and state law enforcement agencies, courts, and detention facilities prepare multiple types of criminal records for numerous offenses. Furthermore, criminal records are public information in Washington. Law enforcement agencies create and maintain criminal records. As a result, they are public records under the Freedom of Information Act. Only those sealed, expunged, or legally restricted are exempt. A Washington criminal record contains information such as: 

  • Subject’s full name and all other aliases. 
  • Date of birth. 
  • Gender. 
  • Race/ethnicity. 
  • Fingerprints and mugshot of the subject. 
  • Indictment history (past, present). 
  • Arrest warrants and arrest records of subject. 
  • Conviction information. 

Are Criminal Records Public In Washington? 

According to the FOIA, all public members have access to public criminal records in Washington. The public now has easy access to on-demand court records due to the digitization of criminal records. The requester in Washington can conduct a criminal record search through the clerk’s office of the various trial courts. One may search the State Department of Police or the county sheriff’s office. It is important to note that while a requester may not find a free public criminal record check service in Washington, they may be able to find a reasonably priced public search. 

Forms Of Criminal Records 

The following are the different forms of criminal records in Washington:

Washington Inmate Records 

Inmate records are the official documents detailing inmates’ incarceration and release from incarceration facilities within Washington. In addition, these records establish the identities and locations of those in prisons. Washington jail records detail the operations of the state’s various detention and correctional facilities.  

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) oversees the operation of all state prisons and work release facilities. Moreover, individuals may use the agency’s Inmate Search tool to lookup inmate information. On the other hand, sheriffs’ offices and police departments in Washington’s counties and cities administer local jails. As a result, the requester can look up inmate and jail records for these local detention centers by visiting or calling the various local law enforcement agencies. 

The following information is available on a Washington inmate’s record: 

  • The inmate’s full name and alias. 
  •  Identifying personal information like gender, race, height, and scars. 
  • Fingerprints and mugshots of inmates. 
  • Inmate’s crime(s) Details. 
  • Date of incarceration, early release eligibility, and anticipated release date. 
  • The location of the inmate’s detention/correctional facility. 
  • Previous convictions and sentences. 

Juvenile Criminal Records In Washington 

In Washington, juvenile criminal records detail the criminal activities of people considered minors (under 18 years). Although Washington does not try juveniles as adults, their criminal records still contain information about their arrests, indictments, judgments, adjudications, and probation. In addition, the state’s laws do not recognize juvenile delinquency.  However, juvenile criminal records are accessible to the public. Juvenile adjudication records, for example, are just as quickly accessible as adult conviction records. Similarly, juvenile records in Washington do not vanish when a person reaches the age of 18. Former juveniles must ask the court to seal their records to prevent public access.

Washington Arrest Records 

the Washington State Department of Police or other law enforcement agencies prepares arrest records in Washington. These records are kept when people are apprehended after being accused of committing crimes. These arrests may occur due to police investigations or officers directly witnessing criminal activity. While arrest records detail the events leading up to the arrest and detention, they are not evidence of guilt or indictment. When indictments or court hearings follow such arrests, they are included in criminal records. Arrests do not always result in detention. Officers from the Washington State Patrol may arrest people solely to issue a ticket or bring them in for questioning. A Washington arrest record contains the following information: 

  • The alleged crime or reason for the arrest should be described in detail. 
  • Name, gender, birth date, and other identifying personal information of the arrestee. 
  • The date and location of the arrest and the identity of the arresting officer. 
  • The location of the arrestee’s detention center or jail. 
  • The official who issued the arrest warrant’s name. 

When a person is arrested by law enforcement, during the booking process, some paperwork involves both the law enforcement officer and the arrestee, the police record. These records include arrest records, warrants, incident reports, sex offender information, and police activity logs. 

Washington arrest records are open and accessible to the public. Local and state law enforcement agencies create public arrest records. Individuals may access free arrest records from the official record custodian, usually the arresting agency. They may also find the arrest records on the county Sheriff’s website using the arrest search tools. 

Washington Parole Records  

In the Washington correctional system, the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board (ISRB) is in charge of parole and probation. The parole board is a quasi-judicial body that collaborates with the Washington Department of Corrections to help inmates avoid parole violations. Moreover, to learn more about parolees in the state, use the Inmate Data Search tool. Submit a public records request to the ISRB for more information on parole. To submit a request, go to the Board’s Electronic Request Portal. Alternatively, you can send an email to: 

Public Records Office 

Department of Corrections  

PO Box 41118 Olympia,  

WA 98504-1118 

Include the parolee’s name, the date of the request, and the records requested. 

Washington Probation Records 

Suspended sentences served outside correctional facilities are detailed in Washington probation records. Also, information on Probationers found guilty of crimes and are sentenced to serve their sentences outside of prisons and jails is available on these records. Probation is supervised freedom, with each probationer having a probation officer assigned to them. Moreover, the probation officer keeps an eye on the probationer and reports any violations.  

A complete probation record identifies the convict and describes the indictment that led to the sentence, including the criminal offense, the date of the judgment, and the terms of probation. Furthermore, the Washington Department of Corrections manages the probation records and may make them available to the public upon request. 

What Are Conviction Records In Washington? 

Conviction records in Washington are official court documents that detail the convictions of people found guilty of crimes. These records are created after indicted individuals have entered pleas, undergone hearings, and been found guilty of the offense they were accused of. Infraction, misdemeanor, and felony charges can result in a conviction record. In non-jury trials, juries or judges decide the conviction records. The final judgments of guilty parties are available in Washington conviction records. After their trials, they could be put on probation, fined, imprisoned, or paroled. Final judgments are not included in the records of pardoned convicts or judgments set aside or reversed.  

Washington Arrest Warrant  

The courts in Washington issue arrest warrants. These are official orders that authorize law enforcement officials to arrest specific people. However, only judges and magistrates issue arrest warrants in Washington. A law enforcement officer or district attorney must appear before a judge and show probable cause to obtain such a warrant from a sitting judge. Arrest warrants are only valid for a specified time unless otherwise stated. 

In Washington, an arrest warrant should typically include the following information: 

  • The warrant’s subject is your name and other personal information. 
  • Details of the alleged criminal offense or probable cause for arrest Location and timing of the arrest. 
  • If the warrant has a validity period, it will have an expiration date. 
  • The warrant issuer’s name and the date of the warrant’s issuance. 
  • Conditions of bail/bond, if applicable. 

Although Washington does not have a centralized statewide warrant search database, local agencies can provide this information. Parties can also use the DEA Fugitive Search tool or the US Marshall’s Warrant Information System to conduct an active warrant search through national databases. 

In Washington, a state or local law enforcement officer can also arrest without a warrant. An arrest should occur only when the arresting officer witnessed the crime and has probable cause.       

Washington Dui Records 

A DUI (driving under the influence) in Washington is a serious traffic violation. A person operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or any other mind-altering substance is charged with a DUI in Washington state. A DUI charge in Washington is when a driver has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher. The highway patrol issues DUI charges to drivers with a THC concentration of 5 or higher. 

Repeat offenders’ licenses may be suspended by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) in addition to any court-ordered penalties. Motorists with six moving violations in 12 months or seven moving violations in 24 months have their licenses suspended by the DOL. Consequently, it will lead to a 60-day license suspension and a one-year probation period. If you get a ticket for a moving violation while on probation, it may result in a 30 days license suspension. In addition, the Department will reset your probation time.  

Federal Criminal Records In Washington 

The federal government keeps vast criminal records and serves as a clearinghouse for all departments to provide their own information. The Federal Bureau of Investigation maintains the Next Generation Identification (NGI) System, a database of criminal history information (FBI). The Interstate Identification Index (III) Set, which operates inside the NGI System, maintains a system of state pointers that serve as a portal to the state that has administrative jurisdiction over the arrest information.  

The FBI is in charge of the federal agencies’ administrative operations. The relevant agency replies with their criminal history record for that person upon the criminal history record request.