Aberdeen Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Aberdeen, Washington?
Arrest records are public in Aberdeen, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes the framework for public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The Act specifically mandates that public records shall be available for inspection and copying by any person, with limited exceptions as defined by statute. The Washington State Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle that arrest records fall within the definition of public records and are therefore subject to disclosure requirements under state law.
The Aberdeen Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records serve multiple public interests, including:
- Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
- Enabling community awareness of public safety matters
- Facilitating accountability of government agencies
- Supporting the constitutional right to information about governmental proceedings
Certain portions of arrest records may be exempt from disclosure under specific provisions of RCW 42.56.240, particularly when release would compromise an active investigation or violate privacy rights as defined by statute.
How to Look Up Aberdeen Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Aberdeen have several methods available to them. The Aberdeen Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides multiple channels for record requests. Individuals may obtain these records through the following procedures:
In-person requests at the Records Division of the Aberdeen Police Department
- Located at: 210 East Market Street, Aberdeen, WA 98520
- Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Telephone: (360) 533-3180
Public Records Requests submitted online through the official city portal
- Requests must specify the information sought with reasonable particularity
- Response times are governed by RCW 42.56.520, requiring initial response within five business days
Written requests submitted via postal mail to: Aberdeen Police Department Records Division 210 East Market Street Aberdeen, WA 98520
Requests through the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office for county-wide arrest information: Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office 100 W Broadway Ave, Montesano, WA 98563 (360) 249-3711
Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Aberdeen Municipal Court: Aberdeen Municipal Court 200 East Market Street Aberdeen, WA 98520 (360) 537-3171
Pursuant to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 44-14-040, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records, including arrest records. Current fee schedules are available at the time of request.
Contents of an Aberdeen Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Aberdeen Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Washington State law enforcement protocols. These records typically include the following elements:
Subject identification information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address (may be redacted in certain circumstances)
- Photograph/mugshot of the arrested individual
Arrest circumstance documentation:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
- Criminal charges filed, including citation of applicable Aberdeen Municipal Code or RCW sections
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Processing information:
- Booking number assigned by the Aberdeen City Jail
- Fingerprint classification data
- Property inventory taken at booking
- Initial appearance court date (if applicable)
- Bail or bond information
Case disposition details:
- Court case number
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Transfer to Grays Harbor County Detention facility (if applicable)
The Aberdeen Police Department Records Division is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and completeness of all arrest records in compliance with Washington State record-keeping requirements.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Aberdeen
Under Washington State law, individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process, governed by RCW 10.97 (Criminal Records Privacy Act) and RCW 9.94A.640 (Vacation of Records), provides a legal mechanism to limit public access to certain arrest records.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Aberdeen include:
- Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of all charges
- Arrests not leading to formal charges within the statutory filing period
- Successful completion of diversion programs as specified by court order
- Meeting waiting period requirements based on offense classification:
- Misdemeanors: 3-5 years after case completion without new criminal charges
- Felonies: 5-10 years after case completion, depending on offense classification
The expungement process requires:
- Filing a petition with the court of jurisdiction (Aberdeen Municipal Court or Grays Harbor County Superior Court)
- Providing notice to the Aberdeen Police Department and Grays Harbor County Prosecutor's Office
- Attending a judicial hearing where the court will determine if expungement serves the interests of justice
- If granted, obtaining a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal or expunge the specified records
Upon successful expungement, the Aberdeen Police Department and other agencies must comply with court orders by restricting access to the specified records in accordance with RCW 10.97.060. However, certain government agencies may retain limited access to expunged records for specific administrative purposes as permitted by statute.
The Aberdeen Police Department maintains compliance with all court-ordered expungements and follows established protocols for the proper handling of sealed or expunged records.
Search Arrest Records in Aberdeen
