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Ellensburg Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ellensburg, Washington?

Arrest records in Ellensburg, Washington are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be available for public inspection and copying. The Washington Public Records Act operates under the premise that maintaining transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest and promotes accountability.

The Ellensburg Police Department Records Division maintains these public records in accordance with state law. Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests through established channels, with certain statutory limitations regarding ongoing investigations or protected personal information as outlined in RCW 42.56.240.

How to Look Up Ellensburg Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Ellensburg as of 2025. Pursuant to Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 44-14, government agencies must provide reasonable access to public records. The following methods are available to members of the public:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Ellensburg Police Department Records Division to submit public disclosure requests for arrest records.

Ellensburg Police Department
100 N. Pearl Street
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 962-7280
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Online Requests: The City of Ellensburg maintains an electronic public records request portal through which citizens may submit requests for arrest records and other public documents.
Written Requests: Standard mail submissions are accepted and must include the requestor's name, contact information, and specific details about the records being sought.
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county law enforcement in the Ellensburg area.

Kittitas County Sheriff's Office
307 W. Umptanum Road
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 962-7525
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

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 estimating response time, or denying the request with specific citation of exemption authority.

Contents of an Ellensburg Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Ellensburg Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Washington State law enforcement protocols. These documents generally include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation of alleged offense(s) pursuant to Ellensburg Municipal Code or RCW
Arresting officer identification and agency affiliation
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Biometric data including fingerprints collected at time of booking
Demographic information including date of birth, physical description, and last known address
Case number and incident report references
Custody status and initial bail determination
Preliminary hearing date if applicable

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the arresting agency's protocols. Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with RCW 42.56.240 which provides exemptions for certain law enforcement records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ellensburg

The process for expungement of arrest records in Ellensburg follows Washington State law as codified in RCW 9.96 and RCW 10.97. Individuals seeking to have arrest records expunged must petition the court of jurisdiction. The City Attorney's Office can provide general information regarding this process, though they cannot provide legal advice to petitioners.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Completion of all sentencing requirements
Fulfillment of applicable waiting periods (typically 3-5 years depending on offense classification)
Absence of pending criminal charges
No subsequent convictions during the waiting period
Demonstration that the record creates hardship

The formal process requires:

Filing a petition with the Kittitas County Superior Court or Lower District Court, depending on the original jurisdiction
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners)
Notification to the prosecuting attorney's office
Judicial review of the petition
Court hearing if determined necessary by the presiding judge

Kittitas County Superior Court
205 W 5th Avenue, Suite 300
Ellensburg, WA 98926
(509) 962-7520
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Upon approval, the court will issue an order directing law enforcement agencies, including the Ellensburg Police Department, to seal or expunge the specified records from public access. Pursuant to RCW 10.97.060, agencies must comply with court-ordered expungements within 30 days of receiving the order.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Washington State law establishes certain limitations on public access to arrest records. The Ellensburg Police Department adheres to these statutory restrictions when processing public disclosure requests. Pursuant to RCW 42.56.240, the following categories of information may be exempt from disclosure:

Records pertaining to active criminal investigations
Information that would compromise witness safety
Juvenile arrest records (subject to special confidentiality provisions under RCW 13.50)
Records containing personally identifiable information of victims of certain crimes
Intelligence information compiled by law enforcement agencies
Records that would endanger public safety if disclosed

Additionally, the Ellensburg Police Department Records Division must redact certain personal identifiers from arrest records prior to public release, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Financial account information
Information pertaining to child victims

Requestors seeking arrest records should be aware that processing times may be extended if extensive redaction is required to comply with these statutory exemptions.

Community Impact of Public Arrest Records

The Ellensburg Police Department recognizes the dual nature of public arrest records as both essential transparency tools and potential sources of community impact. As documented in the Ellensburg Police Department 2024 Annual Report, law enforcement agencies must balance public information access with community welfare considerations.

Public arrest records serve multiple community functions:

Enabling informed citizen awareness of local criminal activity
Providing statistical data for community safety planning
Supporting accountability in the criminal justice system
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing

The department's Community Programs include educational initiatives regarding public records and their proper use. These programs aim to promote understanding of how arrest information should be contextualized, particularly given that an arrest does not constitute proof of guilt.

Law enforcement agencies in Ellensburg work with community stakeholders to address concerns regarding the potential stigmatizing effects of arrest records, particularly in cases where charges are later dismissed or the individual is acquitted. This collaborative approach seeks to maintain both transparency and fairness in the criminal justice system.