>Mason County Arrest Records Online

Mason County, Washington Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Mason County, Washington?

Arrest records are public in Mason County, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56). This legislation establishes that government-held records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Washington State Public Records Act was enacted to ensure transparency and accountability in government operations, granting citizens the right to inspect and obtain copies of records maintained by state and local agencies, including law enforcement entities within Mason County.

Members of the public may access these records through various means, including in-person requests at the Mason County Sheriff's Office or through formal public records requests submitted to the appropriate county departments. The accessibility of these records serves the public interest by allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities and maintain awareness of public safety matters within their community.

Mason County Sheriff's Office
322 North 3rd Street
Shelton, WA 98584
360-427-9670 Ext 313
Official Website
Office Hours: 10am - 4pm

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Mason County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in Mason County through several official digital platforms. The Mason County government maintains electronic databases that contain arrest information as part of its commitment to public transparency and information accessibility as mandated by RCW § 42.56.070, which requires agencies to make records available electronically when feasible.

The Mason County Sheriff's Office provides online access to current inmate information through their website, including the Current Inmate Offense List which is updated regularly. Additionally, the county's public records portal allows citizens to submit electronic requests for arrest records and other public documents.

Online accessibility eliminates geographical barriers and reduces the administrative burden on both requestors and county staff. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records in accordance with privacy protections outlined in RCW § 42.56.050, which defines invasion of privacy and establishes grounds for exemption from disclosure.

How to Look Up Mason County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Mason County arrest records in 2025, individuals may utilize several established methods in accordance with Washington State's public disclosure laws:

Online Database Access: The Mason County Sheriff's Office maintains a searchable database of arrest records. Users may query this system by entering the subject's name, date of birth, or case number to retrieve available information.
Public Records Request: Formal requests may be submitted through the Mason County Public Records portal. Pursuant to RCW § 42.56.520, the county must respond to such requests within five business days.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Mason County Sheriff's Office or the Mason County Superior Court Clerk's Office to request arrest records in person.
District Court Records: For arrests resulting in district court cases, records may be requested through the Mason County District Court.

Mason County District Court
419 N. 4th Street
Shelton, WA 98584
360-427-9670 Ext 339
Official Website

Mason County Superior Court Clerk
419 N 4th Street, Floor 2
Shelton, WA 98584
360-427-9670 Ext 346
Official Website

Contents of a Mason County Arrest Record

Mason County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Washington State law enforcement protocols and public disclosure requirements. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed enumeration of criminal charges filed, including applicable RCW statute citations
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as mugshots)
Biometric data, including fingerprints and, when applicable, DNA samples
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and identifying marks
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency identification
Booking information, including assigned inmate number if detained at the Mason County Jail
Custody status and bail information, if applicable
Case disposition information, when available

The Mason County Jail maintains these records in both electronic and physical formats, with certain elements accessible through the county's online inmate information system. The comprehensiveness of these records facilitates proper identification and case tracking throughout the criminal justice process.

Mason County Jail
411 North 5th Street
Shelton, WA 98584
360-427-9670 Ext 361
Official Website

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records in Mason County are generally public, certain legal restrictions limit access to specific information in accordance with state and federal privacy laws. RCW § 10.97.050 establishes parameters for the dissemination of criminal history record information, and several categories of information are subject to redaction or withholding:

Information pertaining to juvenile offenders (under 18 years of age) is governed by RCW § 13.50.050, which restricts public access to these records
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under RCW § 42.56.240(1)
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information is protected under RCW § 42.56.230
Information that would compromise the safety of crime victims, witnesses, or law enforcement personnel
Records sealed by court order pursuant to RCW § 10.97.060

The Mason County Superior Court maintains jurisdiction over record sealing and expungement proceedings, which may remove certain arrest records from public access. Additionally, the Shelton Municipal Court handles similar proceedings for arrests within Shelton city limits.

Shelton Municipal Court
525 West Cota Street
Shelton, WA 98584
360-426-9772
Official Website

Expungement of Arrest Records in Mason County

In Mason County, individuals meeting statutory criteria may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records through a formal legal process. Pursuant to RCW § 10.97.060 and related statutes, expungement may be granted under the following circumstances:

The arrest did not lead to a criminal conviction
The individual has completed all terms of a diversion program or deferred prosecution
The statutory waiting period has elapsed since case disposition (typically 3-10 years depending on offense classification)
The petitioner has no pending criminal charges in any jurisdiction
The offense is eligible for expungement under Washington State law

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Mason County Superior Court or the appropriate court of original jurisdiction. Upon review of the petition and verification of eligibility, the court may issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal or expunge the specified records from public access.

Expunged records are removed from public databases but may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain government entities for specific authorized purposes. The legal effect of expungement is to restore the individual to the status occupied before the arrest, as though it had never occurred.

Mason County Superior Court
419 N 4th Street
Shelton, WA 98584
360-427-9670 Ext 346
Official Website