>Skamania County Arrest Records Online

Skamania County, Washington Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Skamania County, Washington?

Arrest records in Skamania County, Washington are classified as public documents pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The public nature of these records serves to maintain transparency within the criminal justice system and enables citizens to exercise their right to information regarding law enforcement activities within their community.

The Washington State Public Records Act mandates that public agencies make records available for inspection and copying during normal business hours. Requestors may access arrest records by submitting formal requests to the appropriate custodial agency. The Skamania County Sheriff's Office maintains the majority of arrest records for the county and processes requests in accordance with state law requirements.

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld if it falls under statutory exemptions, such as information that would compromise an active investigation or violate privacy rights as defined in RCW 42.56.240. Juvenile records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Washington state law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Skamania County?

Skamania County provides limited online access to arrest records through several official digital platforms. The county's commitment to technological advancement has resulted in the implementation of systems that allow for remote access to certain public safety information. These digital resources enhance public accessibility while maintaining compliance with state regulations regarding record disclosure.

The Skamania County Digital Research Room provides an online portal where members of the public may search for various county records. While this system primarily focuses on property and other civil records, it may contain information related to certain court cases that originated from arrests.

Additionally, the Washington State Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database that includes warrant information and incarceration status for individuals throughout the state, including those arrested in Skamania County.

It should be noted that comprehensive arrest records may not be available through online platforms due to privacy considerations and technical limitations. Records containing sensitive information or those subject to specific exemptions under RCW 42.56 may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency.

How to Look Up Skamania County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Skamania County arrest records may utilize several established methods to obtain this information. The county has implemented multiple access points to accommodate various needs while ensuring compliance with state public records laws.

In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:

Skamania County Sheriff's Office
200 Vancouver Avenue
Stevenson, WA 98648
(509) 427-9490
Skamania County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Skamania County Superior Court
240 Vancouver Avenue
Stevenson, WA 98648-6447
(509) 427-3765
Washington State Court Directory: Skamania County
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

For online searches, individuals may access:

The Washington State Department of Corrections Warrant Search for information on active warrants and incarceration status.
The Skamania County Digital Research Room for court records related to arrests.

Written requests may be submitted via mail to either agency listed above. 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 Skamania County Arrest Record

Skamania County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Washington State law enforcement protocols. These documents serve as official accounts of law enforcement actions and typically include the following elements:

Subject identification information, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and, when available, fingerprint classification
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Skamania County Sheriff's Office, Washington State Patrol)
Statutory citation and description of alleged offense(s)
Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
Custody status information, including bail determination and conditions
Case number and court assignment information
Preliminary hearing date, if applicable

The Skamania County Superior Court maintains records of subsequent court proceedings related to arrests, including arraignments, pretrial hearings, and case dispositions. These records follow the format prescribed by the Local Court Rules for the Superior Court for Klickitat/Skamania Counties.

It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure in accordance with exemptions provided in RCW 42.56.240, particularly information that would compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy protections established by statute.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Skamania County

Washington State law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. In Skamania County, this process is administered through the Superior Court in accordance with RCW 10.97 (Criminal Records Privacy Act) and RCW 9.94A (Sentencing Reform Act).

Individuals may petition for expungement if they meet statutory eligibility requirements, which generally include:

Completion of all sentencing requirements
Expiration of specified waiting periods based on offense classification
Absence of pending criminal charges
No subsequent criminal convictions during the waiting period
Demonstration that the record creates barriers to housing, employment, or other opportunities

The petition process requires submission of standardized forms to the Skamania County Superior Court located at:

Skamania County Superior Court
240 Vancouver Avenue
Stevenson, WA 98648-6447
(509) 427-3765
Washington State Court Directory: Skamania County

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that the statutory requirements for expungement have been satisfied. If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal or expunge the specified records from public access. This process does not necessarily result in the physical destruction of records but rather restricts their accessibility to the public.

The Skamania County District Court, which operates the Stevenson Municipal Court under an interlocal agreement, follows similar procedures for cases within its jurisdiction.

Pursuant to RCW 10.97.060, agencies maintaining criminal history record information must comply with court orders for expungement or sealing within a reasonable timeframe. The Skamania County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county coordinate with the courts to ensure proper implementation of these orders.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access in Skamania County

Access to arrest records in Skamania County is subject to various statutory limitations designed to balance public transparency with individual privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system. These restrictions are codified in Washington State law and implemented consistently throughout the county.

RCW 42.56.240 establishes specific exemptions from public disclosure for certain law enforcement records, including:

Information compiled in ongoing investigations where disclosure would compromise effective law enforcement
Information that would reveal the identity of witnesses, victims of crimes, or persons who file complaints with investigative agencies if disclosure would endanger their safety
Information revealing the identity of child victims of sexual assault
Personal information of law enforcement personnel

Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under RCW 13.50, which restricts public access to records involving individuals under 18 years of age except under specific circumstances.

The Skamania County Sheriff's Office and the Skamania County Superior Court implement these restrictions through established review procedures for all public records requests. Records custodians examine requested documents to identify information subject to exemption and apply appropriate redactions before release.

Interagency agreements, such as the Interlocal Agreement between Clark County and Skamania County for Jail Services, may also impact the maintenance and accessibility of certain arrest records, particularly for individuals transferred between jurisdictions for detention purposes.