Westport Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Westport, Washington?
Arrest records are public documents in Westport, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Washington State Legislature enacted this law to ensure governmental transparency and accountability. Members of the public may request and obtain arrest information that typically includes the arrestee's name, the nature of charges filed, arrest date, and booking information. Law enforcement agencies in Grays Harbor County, where Westport is located, maintain these records as part of their official documentation of police activities. Public access to these records serves multiple civic purposes, including community awareness and the constitutional right to information about governmental proceedings.
How to Look Up Westport Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Westport, Washington:
Westport Police Department: Individuals may submit a public records request in person at the department headquarters. Records staff process these requests during regular business hours in accordance with RCW 42.56.520, which requires agencies to respond within five business days.
Westport Police Department
710 W Dock Street
Westport, WA 98595
(360) 268-9197
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMGrays Harbor County Sheriff's Office: As the county-level law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over Westport, the Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records for the entire county.
Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office
100 W Broadway Avenue, Suite 3
Montesano, WA 98563
(360) 249-3711
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMWashington State Patrol: For statewide criminal history information that may include Westport arrests, the Washington State Patrol maintains the central repository accessible through their Identification and Criminal History Section.
Washington State Patrol
Criminal Records Division
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 534-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMWestport Municipal Court: Court records related to arrests within Westport city limits may be obtained through the clerk's office.
Westport Municipal Court
604 N Montesano Street
Westport, WA 98595
(360) 268-0151
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Requestors should note that pursuant to RCW 42.56.240, certain investigative records may be temporarily exempt from disclosure if release would compromise an active investigation.
Contents of a Westport Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by Westport law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as mandated by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 446-20-050. These records typically include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations (RCW or municipal code references)
- Arresting agency identification and officer information
- Booking number and facility information
- Fingerprint classification data
- Photographic identification (mugshot)
- Property inventory taken during booking process
- Detention status and bail determination
- Case disposition information, when available
- Warrant information, if applicable
The Washington Criminal Records Privacy Act (RCW 10.97) governs the dissemination of this information, establishing parameters for what details may be released to the public versus what may be restricted to authorized criminal justice agencies. Fingerprint data and certain medical information collected during booking may have restricted access under state and federal privacy regulations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Westport
Washington state law provides mechanisms for the expungement or vacation of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to RCW 10.97.060 and RCW 9.96.060, individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Westport through the following process:
Eligibility Requirements: Petitioners must demonstrate that:
- The arrest did not lead to charges within the applicable statute of limitations
- Charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
- The conviction was subsequently vacated by court order
- The requisite waiting period has elapsed (varies by offense classification)
Petition Process: Eligible individuals must file a petition with the court of jurisdiction, typically the Grays Harbor County Superior Court for felony matters or Westport Municipal Court for misdemeanors occurring within city limits.
Grays Harbor County Superior Court
102 W Broadway Avenue, Room 202
Montesano, WA 98563
(360) 249-3842
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMLegal Standards: Courts evaluate expungement petitions based on criteria established in State v. Breazeale and subsequent case law, considering:
- Nature and severity of the original offense
- Criminal history of the petitioner
- Length of time since the arrest or conviction
- Evidence of rehabilitation
- Public safety considerations
Effect of Expungement: When granted, expungement orders require:
- Sealing of court records pursuant to GR 15
- Restriction of public access to arrest data
- Removal from public-facing databases
- Notification to the Washington State Patrol Identification Section
Individuals should note that federal agencies may retain access to expunged records, and certain expungements may not remove all traces of an arrest from all databases. Professional legal counsel is advisable when navigating the expungement process due to its procedural complexity.
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