>Clallam County Arrest Records Online

Clallam County, Washington Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clallam County, Washington?

Arrest records are public documents in Clallam County, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that records maintained by governmental agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials. Under RCW 42.56.070, each agency must make available for public inspection and copying all public records unless specifically exempted by statute. Arrest records fall within the category of public records that are generally available for inspection.

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the unincorporated areas of the county, while municipal police departments maintain records for arrests within city limits. These records document official law enforcement actions and are considered part of the public record under Washington state law. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections outlined in RCW 42.56.240, which exempts specific information from disclosure when it would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records in Clallam County may submit requests through the county's public records request system or by contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency directly. Agencies are required to respond to requests promptly, typically within five business days, as mandated by RCW 42.56.520.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clallam County?

Arrest records in Clallam County are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and third-party providers. The Clallam County Sheriff's Office provides a jail roster that is updated regularly and accessible to the public via the county's official website. This roster includes information about individuals currently in custody, their booking date, and charges.

The Clallam County Clerk's Office maintains an online case search system that allows users to search for court cases, which may include information related to arrests. This system provides access to case summaries, hearing dates, and other relevant information. Access to these records is governed by Washington Court General Rule 31, which establishes guidelines for public access to court records.

Additionally, the Washington State Patrol maintains a statewide criminal history database that includes arrest information. Members of the public may request criminal history record information through the Washington State Patrol's website for a nominal fee, as authorized by RCW 10.97.050. It should be noted that online access to certain records may be limited due to privacy considerations and statutory exemptions.

How to Look Up Clallam County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Clallam County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:

Submit a public records request to the Clallam County Sheriff's Office:
- In person at 223 East 4th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362
- By telephone at (360) 417-2459
- Through the online public records portal
Contact the Port Angeles Police Department for arrests within city limits:
- Visit the Records Division at 321 East 5th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362
- Call (360) 452-4545 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Submit a request through the Police Records portal
Access the Clallam County Superior Court records for case information:
- Visit the Clerk's Office at 223 East 4th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362
- Call (360) 417-2250 for assistance
- Use the online case search system
Check District Court records for misdemeanor cases:
- Visit District Court I at 223 East 4th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362
- Call (360) 417-2361 for information

When requesting arrest records, requestors should provide as much identifying information as possible, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, agencies must respond to requests within five business days, either by providing the records, acknowledging receipt and estimating time needed, or denying the request with specific statutory citations.

Contents of a Clallam County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Clallam County law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard components of an arrest record include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color
- Home address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
- Identifying numbers such as booking number and inmate ID
Details of the arrest incident:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
- Witness information (may be redacted in public versions)
Processing information:
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Bail or bond information
- Court appearance dates
Case disposition information:
- Charging decisions by prosecuting attorney
- Court case numbers
- Plea information
- Sentencing details if convicted

The content and format of arrest records are standardized in accordance with Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 446-20-050, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information. Access to certain elements within arrest records may be restricted pursuant to RCW 42.56.240, which protects information that would violate personal privacy or endanger law enforcement personnel.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clallam County

Individuals with arrest records in Clallam County may be eligible to petition for expungement under specific circumstances prescribed by Washington state law. The process of expungement, legally referred to as "vacating" or "sealing" records in Washington, is governed by RCW 9.96.060 for misdemeanors and RCW 9.94A.640 for felonies. When a record is successfully expunged, it is removed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Clallam County include:

For misdemeanor convictions (RCW 9.96.060):
- Completion of all sentencing requirements
- No pending criminal charges in any court
- No new criminal convictions during a waiting period (typically 3-5 years)
- No prior record vacated within the past five years
- Not currently restrained by a domestic violence protection order
- Certain offenses are ineligible, including DUI and sex offenses
For felony convictions (RCW 9.94A.640):
- Completion of all sentencing requirements
- No criminal charges pending in any court
- Class B felonies require a 10-year waiting period with no new convictions
- Class C felonies require a 5-year waiting period with no new convictions
- Certain violent offenses and sex crimes are ineligible
For arrests not leading to conviction (RCW 10.97.060):
- Cases dismissed or acquitted may be eligible for immediate expungement
- Cases declined for prosecution may be eligible after two years

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Clallam County Superior Court located at 223 East 4th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362. Petitioners must use the appropriate court forms as prescribed by the Washington State Courts. The court reviews each petition individually, considering factors such as the nature of the offense, the petitioner's behavior since the arrest or conviction, and the public interest in maintaining the record.