Kirkland Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Kirkland, Washington?
Arrest records are public documents in Kirkland, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including those created by law enforcement entities such as the Kirkland Police Department, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability in the criminal justice system by allowing citizens to monitor arrest activities within their communities.
The City of Kirkland maintains compliance with state regulations regarding the disclosure of arrest information. Under RCW 42.56.070, public agencies are required to make records available for inspection and copying unless specifically exempted by statute. While certain sensitive information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as outlined in RCW 42.56.240, the fundamental details of arrests remain accessible to interested parties.
Requesters should note that while arrest records are public, certain limitations may apply to juvenile records or cases under active investigation. Additionally, pursuant to RCW 10.97, the Washington State Criminal Records Privacy Act governs the dissemination of criminal history record information and may impact the scope of available arrest data.
How to Look Up Kirkland Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Kirkland provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Each method offers varying levels of convenience and response times in accordance with RCW 42.56.520, which requires agencies to respond to public records requests within five business days.
In-Person Requests:
- Individuals may submit requests directly at the Kirkland Police Department Records Division
- Photo identification must be presented when requesting records in person
- Staff will assist requesters in completing the necessary forms
- Records may be reviewed on-site or copies provided for a nominal fee as permitted under RCW 42.56.120
Kirkland Police Department Records Division
123 Fifth Avenue
Kirkland, WA 98033
(425) 587-3400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests:
- Submit a completed Public Records Request Form via postal mail
- Include specific information about the desired records (date, names, case numbers)
- Provide contact information for correspondence regarding the request
- Allow additional processing time for mailed requests
Online Portal Access:
- The City of Kirkland maintains a dedicated public records portal
- Users must create an account to submit and track requests
- Electronic delivery of records is available through this system
- The portal operates 24 hours per day, facilitating requests outside of business hours
Third-Party Commercial Services:
- Several authorized commercial vendors maintain databases that include Kirkland arrest information
- These services may charge fees beyond those assessed by government agencies
- Information provided by third parties should be verified through official sources
- Commercial providers must comply with RCW 10.97 regarding dissemination of criminal history data
Pursuant to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 44-14-040, the Kirkland Police Department maintains a records index to facilitate efficient location of arrest records. Requesters are encouraged to provide as much specific information as possible to expedite the fulfillment of their requests.
Contents of a Kirkland Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Kirkland Police Department contain standardized information as required by Washington State law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include the following components:
Biographical 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 as provided at booking
- Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and precise location of the apprehension
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Agency case number and incident report references
- Statutory authority under which the arrest was executed
- Miranda warning documentation
Criminal Charges:
- Complete enumeration of all charges filed
- Citation of applicable Revised Code of Washington (RCW) or Kirkland Municipal Code sections
- Classification of offenses (felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor)
- Presence of aggravating factors or special allegations
- Weapon involvement, if applicable
Judicial Processing Information:
- Bail determination and amount
- Court of jurisdiction for the case
- Docket or cause number assigned by the court
- Initial appearance date and time
- Temporary protection or no-contact orders issued
Additional Documentation:
- Property seized during the arrest process
- Vehicle information if relevant to the case
- Witness statements (with appropriate redactions)
- Officer narrative describing the circumstances of the arrest
- Photographic evidence when available
The comprehensiveness of arrest records facilitates their utility for various legitimate purposes, including background checks, criminal justice proceedings, and statistical analysis of law enforcement activities. All information contained within these records is subject to the accuracy requirements of RCW 10.97.080, which provides mechanisms for individuals to challenge and correct erroneous information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Kirkland
The State of Washington provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by agencies including the Kirkland Police Department. This process, formally known as "vacating" a record under RCW 9.96.060 and RCW 9.94A.640, removes eligible arrests from public accessibility while maintaining the information for limited law enforcement purposes.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Completion of all sentencing requirements, including financial obligations
- Absence of pending criminal charges in any jurisdiction
- Satisfaction of waiting periods (typically 3-5 years for misdemeanors, 5-10 years for felonies)
- No subsequent convictions during the waiting period
- Compliance with restrictions regarding certain offense categories ineligible for expungement
Application Procedure:
- Submission of a Petition for Vacation of Conviction to the King County Superior Court or Kirkland Municipal Court, depending on the original jurisdiction
- Filing of supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility
- Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for indigent petitioners)
- Notification to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office or Kirkland City Attorney
King County Superior Court
516 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 477-1400
Kirkland Municipal Court
11740 NE 118th Street
Kirkland, WA 98034
(425) 587-3160
Legal Effect of Expungement:
- Pursuant to RCW 9.96.060(3), a vacated conviction shall not be included in the defendant's criminal history
- Individuals may legally state they have not been convicted of the vacated offense
- Records become unavailable through standard public records requests
- Certain government agencies retain limited access for specific purposes
Limitations and Exceptions:
- Expunged records may still be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings
- Certain professional licensing boards maintain statutory authority to access vacated records
- Federal immigration authorities may still consider expunged convictions
- DUI and sex offenses are subject to specialized restrictions under RCW 9.96.060(2)(c-e)
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process requires strict adherence to statutory requirements. The Washington Courts provide standardized forms for vacation petitions, accessible through the Administrative Office of the Courts website. While legal representation is not mandatory, petitioners may benefit from consultation with qualified legal counsel familiar with King County expungement procedures.
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