Across Washington, there are over 133,000 reported arrests each year, with Spokane County contributing approximately 9,900 of these incidents. The state's Public Records Act (PRA) grants the public the extensive rights to access public records, including arrest records, unless specific statutes restrict their disclosure.
In the process of acquiring arrest records, law enforcement may redact certain information that could reveal the identities of witnesses or is relevant to an ongoing investigation. However, these exempt records may still be accessed by the record owner, their legal counsel, certified criminal justice agencies, and the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. The cost for obtaining arrest records in Spokane County is based on the actual expenses related to duplicating the records and the staff time involved in the copying process.
Various agencies, including the county Sheriff's Office, Police Departments, local Courthouses, and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) are responsible for managing Spokane County arrest records.
To obtain arrest records from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, individuals must submit a written request containing accurate details. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail to:
Spokane County Sheriff's Office CAB Public Disclosure Request Attn: Civil Division 1100 W Mallon, PSB Spokane, WA 99260
Additionally, requestors may be required to pay any applicable fees associated with obtaining copies of the records.
In Spokane County, Police Departments handle arrest record requests via online portals or by mail. Requestors should adhere to the specific submission method preferred by the arresting department. For instance, the Spokane, Cheney, and Spokane Valley Police Departments mainly accept requests through their public records portals but also accept submissions through U.S. mail.
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) maintains and disseminates criminal history record information (CHRI) in Washington, which includes information on convictions, court dispositions, and arrest records.
Spokane County residents can access criminal records through the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system. This service costs $11 per request, regardless of the result, and payments can be made using a debit or credit card.
To request a conviction CHRI, individuals must submit a completed Request for Conviction Criminal History Form along with the required fees to the Washington State Patrol, Identification and Background Checks Section, PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633. The fee is $32 for a record based on name and birthdate, $58 for a fingerprint-based record, and an additional $10 for notarization.
Also, Conviction CHRI based on an individual's name and birthdate can be obtained in person at the Olympia Office, located at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501.
Arrest records connected to criminal cases that led to formal charges may typically be found at local courthouses, depending on where the case was heard. For cases in Spokane Superior Court, you may request criminal court records by mail or in person at the County Clerk's Office. Certified copies cost $5 per page, while non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page.
For criminal cases handled by the Spokane District Court, you may mail or deliver in person the Records Request form providing key information, such as the case number and defendant's name.
You may also search for criminal cases from both the Superior and District Courts using the Spokane County Case Information Viewer. For cases in the Municipal Courts, the eCourt Portal offers online access. Additionally, third-party services like InfoTracer can be used to obtain accurate and reliable arrest records for Spokane County.
The Washington State Statistical Analysis Center publishes the Criminal Justice Data Book which compiles crime data from multiple agencies. The analysis below is based on arrest data reported to the NIBRS for the following offenses in Spokane County:
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| ARREST TYPE | ADULT ARRESTS | JUVENILE ARRESTS |
|---|---|---|
| Arson | 19 | 2 |
| Burglary | 538 | 16 |
| Assault | 2,261 | 333 |
| Robbery | 153 | 40 |
| Manslaughter | 5 | 0 |
| Theft | 1,550 | 95 |
| Drug violation | 452 | 12 |
| Murder | 20 | 1 |
It is situated in Spokane county, Washington with a total number of 146 employees - 7 female, 108 male officers and 31 civilians. Spokane County SO ORI (Originated Agency Identifier) number is WA0320000, it belongs to the Pacific division in the West region with a region code of Region IV.
| Department | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Airway Heights Police Department | 1307 S Ziegler Street | (509) 244-3707 |
| Cheney Police Department | 215 "G" Street | 509-535-9233 |
| Spokane Police Department | 1100 W Mallon Ave | 509-477-5980 |
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) | 11919 W. Sprague Avenue | 509-244-6700 |
| Spokane County WA Jail | 1100 West Mallon | 509-477-2278 |
| Spokane County WA Juvenile Detention Facility | 902 N. Adams St. | 509-477-4742 |