>Kittitas County Arrest Records Online

Kittitas County, Washington Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kittitas County, Washington?

Arrest records are public in Kittitas County, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest documentation, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Public Records Act serves to maintain transparency and accountability in governmental operations by ensuring citizens have access to information generated and maintained by public agencies. Arrest records fall under this category of accessible information, allowing residents and interested parties to obtain details regarding arrests made within Kittitas County jurisdiction.

The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state law. Individuals seeking arrest information may submit requests through established channels as outlined in Kittitas County Code 2.55, which governs the county's implementation of the state's public records requirements. The Sheriff's Records Division processes these requests during regular business hours.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Kittitas County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in Kittitas County through several official digital platforms. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office maintains an online jail roster that provides current information about individuals in custody. This digital resource is updated regularly to reflect the current inmate population and their status within the county detention system.

Online accessibility of arrest records is part of the county's commitment to public information transparency as mandated by Washington State law. The digital availability significantly enhances public access by allowing individuals to retrieve information without physically visiting county offices. Users should note that while basic arrest information is available online, comprehensive records may require formal requests through the county's established public records request process.

Digital records access is subject to the same legal restrictions and exemptions that apply to physical records under RCW 42.56.070, which outlines what information must be made available and what may be redacted or withheld.

How to Look Up Kittitas County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for obtaining Kittitas County arrest records. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following official channels:

Online Search: The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current jail rosters and basic arrest information. The county's public records portal also facilitates electronic submission of records requests.
In-Person Request: Individuals may visit the Kittitas County Sheriff's Records Division to submit requests and review available records during business hours.

Kittitas County Sheriff's Office Records Division
205 W 5th Ave, Suite 105
Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Phone: (509) 962-7525
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Mail Request: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail to the Sheriff's Records Division at the address listed above. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days.
Court Records: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Kittitas County Courts. Court records often contain arrest information as part of case files.

Kittitas County Superior Court
205 W 5th Ave, Suite 207
Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Phone: (509) 962-7533
Official Website

When requesting records, individuals must provide sufficient information to identify the specific records sought, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct records.

Contents of a Kittitas County Arrest Record

Kittitas County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these official documents are:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Detailed description of charges filed, including applicable Washington State RCW citations
Booking information including booking number and processing details
Custody status and bail information, if applicable
Fingerprint records collected during booking process
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Case disposition information if available

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the arrest and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office adhere to Washington State records retention schedules as established by the Washington State Archives under RCW 40.14.

Public access to certain elements within arrest records may be restricted in accordance with privacy provisions outlined in RCW 42.56.050 and other applicable statutes. Information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain personal identifiers may be redacted prior to public disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kittitas County

Individuals with arrest records in Kittitas County may petition for expungement under specific circumstances as provided by Washington State law. The process of expungement (also referred to as "vacating" or "sealing" records) is governed by RCW 9.96 and RCW 10.97, which establish eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Eligibility for expungement in Kittitas County typically requires:

Completion of all sentencing requirements including probation periods
Payment of all fines, restitution, and court costs
Absence of new criminal charges for a specified waiting period (varies by offense type)
Meeting statutory waiting periods since case disposition (generally 3-10 years depending on offense classification)
Demonstration that the record creates hardship or impedes rehabilitation

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Kittitas County Superior Court. Petitioners must use court-approved forms and may need to attend a hearing before a judge who will determine whether the legal standards for expungement have been met.

Kittitas County Clerk's Office
205 W 5th Ave, Suite 110
Ellensburg, WA 98926-2887
Phone: (509) 962-7525
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website

Certain serious offenses, including most violent felonies and sex offenses, are generally ineligible for expungement under Washington State law. Additionally, federal arrests and convictions follow different procedures and are not subject to state-level expungement processes.

When an expungement is granted, the record is sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for specific purposes as outlined in RCW 10.97.050. Expunged records do not appear in standard background checks conducted by employers or housing providers.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access in Kittitas County

Access to arrest records in Kittitas County is subject to specific legal limitations established by Washington State law. While the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) creates a presumption of openness, several statutory exemptions protect certain information from disclosure.

Restricted information in arrest records may include:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (governed by RCW 13.50)
Information related to ongoing investigations that would impede law enforcement if disclosed
Medical information collected during booking or incarceration
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account details
Information that would violate an individual's right to privacy as defined in RCW 42.56.050
Records sealed or expunged by court order

The Kittitas County Sheriff's Records Division is responsible for reviewing records requests and applying appropriate redactions before release. Requestors may be required to complete a public records request form that acknowledges these restrictions.

Law enforcement agencies and criminal justice entities maintain broader access to arrest records for official purposes under RCW 10.97, which governs criminal history record information. This differential access ensures that public safety needs are balanced with individual privacy rights.

Search Arrest Records in Kittitas County

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