Des Moines Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Des Moines, Washington?
Arrest records in Des Moines, Washington are public documents accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), which establishes the framework for public access to government records. Pursuant to this legislation, all records maintained by state and local agencies are presumed to be available for public inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by law or protected by court order.
The Washington State Public Records Act serves several key functions:
- It promotes transparency in government operations by allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities
- It ensures accountability of public officials and agencies
- It provides citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities
- It establishes specific procedures for requesting and obtaining public records
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld if they fall under statutory exemptions outlined in RCW 42.56.240, which protects specific investigative information, victim identities, and other sensitive data. Juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Washington state law.
How to Look Up Des Moines Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Des Moines have multiple avenues available for conducting searches. The Des Moines Police Department maintains these records and has established procedures for public access in accordance with state regulations. Individuals may utilize the following methods to obtain arrest information:
- Submit a public records request directly to the Des Moines Police Department at 21900 11th Avenue South, Des Moines, WA 98198. Phone: (206) 878-3301.
- Visit the Des Moines Municipal Court at 21630 11th Avenue South, Suite C, Des Moines, WA 98198. Phone: (206) 878-4597.
- Access the King County Superior Court records system for cases that have been forwarded for prosecution at 516 3rd Avenue, Room E-609, Seattle, WA 98104. Phone: (206) 477-1400.
- Utilize the Washington State Patrol Criminal History Section for statewide arrest record searches at P.O. Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633. Phone: (360) 534-2000.
- Check records at the South Correctional Entity (SCORE), a multi-jurisdictional jail facility serving Des Moines and other municipalities at 20817 17th Avenue South, Des Moines, WA 98198. Phone: (206) 257-6262.
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days by either providing the records, acknowledging receipt and providing an estimated time for response, or denying the request with specific citation to relevant exemptions.
Contents of a Des Moines Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Des Moines Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. These documents are standardized in accordance with Washington State record-keeping requirements and generally include the following elements:
- 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 specific location of the arrest
- Detailed enumeration of criminal charges filed, including applicable RCW citations
- Case number and incident report identifiers
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
- Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers
- Custody status information and bail determination
- Preliminary hearing dates and judicial assignments
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
It should be noted that pursuant to RCW 10.97.050, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or the privacy rights of victims. Additionally, records pertaining to arrests that did not result in charges or convictions may have different accessibility standards under Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Des Moines
The expungement process in Des Moines follows Washington State law regarding the vacation and sealing of criminal records. Under RCW 9.96.060 and RCW 10.97.060, individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The legal process requires filing formal documentation with the court that originally handled the case.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Des Moines include:
- Completion of all sentencing requirements including probation periods
- Payment of all fines, restitution, and court costs
- Absence of pending criminal charges in any jurisdiction
- Satisfaction of waiting periods (typically 3-10 years depending on offense classification)
- No subsequent criminal convictions during the waiting period
- Demonstration that the record creates barriers to housing, employment, or other opportunities
The expungement procedure involves several formal steps:
- Filing a petition with the Des Moines Municipal Court or King County Superior Court, depending on case jurisdiction
- Providing notice to the King County Prosecutor's Office
- Attending a scheduled hearing before a judicial officer
- Obtaining a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal or expunge records
Upon successful expungement, records are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes as outlined in RCW 10.97.050(6). Individuals should be aware that federal records, including those maintained by the FBI, may require separate expungement procedures.
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