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Everett Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Everett, Washington?

Arrest records are public documents in Everett, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 42.56). This comprehensive legislation establishes that government-maintained records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public. The Washington State Legislature enacted this statute to ensure governmental transparency and facilitate citizen oversight of law enforcement activities and other governmental functions.

Under RCW § 42.56.070, public agencies in Everett are required to make available for public inspection and copying all public records unless specifically exempted by law. The Everett Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and provides access through established protocols that balance public access rights with privacy considerations as outlined in the Everett Police Department Policy Manual.

How to Look Up Everett Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Everett have multiple official channels through which they may obtain this information. The Everett Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several methods for record retrieval:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Everett Police Department Records Division located at 3002 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written public records requests may be directed to the Records Division by mail or through the official public records request portal.
Telephone inquiries regarding the records request process may be made to the Records Division at (425) 257-8400.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the City of Everett's online public records system, which processes requests in accordance with RCW § 42.56.520.

Pursuant to Washington state law, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days. The response will either provide the requested records, acknowledge receipt and estimate time needed for fulfillment, request clarification, or deny the request with citation to specific exemptions under law.

Contents of an Everett Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Everett Police Department typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 446-20-050:

Subject's full legal name and documented aliases
Date, time, and geographic location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of alleged criminal violations
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
Demographic information including date of birth, physical descriptors, and residential address
Unique identifiers such as fingerprint classification and Washington State Identification Number (WSIN)
Arresting agency identification, case number, and arresting officer information
Disposition information if available (e.g., charges filed, case dismissal, conviction)

The Everett Municipal Court, located at 3028 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201, maintains related judicial records that may supplement arrest information with case proceedings and outcomes. The court may be contacted at (425) 257-8270 or through their official website.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, Washington state law establishes several important exceptions and limitations to protect individual privacy and due process rights. The following restrictions apply to arrest records in Everett:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality under RCW § 13.50.050, with limited access permitted only to specified parties.
Information regarding victims of sexual offenses or domestic violence is redacted prior to public disclosure pursuant to RCW § 42.56.240.
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would impede law enforcement proceedings as provided in RCW § 42.56.240(1).
Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information is redacted in accordance with RCW § 42.56.230.

The Everett Police Department Records Division applies these statutory exemptions when processing public records requests. Requestors may appeal denial decisions through procedures outlined in Everett Municipal Code § 2.120 and may ultimately seek judicial review as provided in RCW § 42.56.550.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Everett seeking to conduct background checks using arrest records must comply with applicable state and federal regulations. The following legal frameworks govern such usage:

The Washington Fair Chance Act (RCW § 49.94) prohibits employers from inquiring about arrest records until after determining an applicant is otherwise qualified for the position.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681) requires disclosure and authorization before obtaining consumer reports that include arrest record information.
Washington state law (RCW § 10.97.050) restricts the dissemination of nonconviction data for employment purposes except in specified circumstances.

Entities conducting background checks using Everett arrest records should consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with these provisions. The Snohomish County Corrections Bureau, which operates detention facilities for Everett arrestees, maintains additional records that may be relevant for comprehensive background investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Everett

Individuals with arrest records in Everett may petition for expungement or sealing under specific circumstances as provided in Washington state law. The eligibility criteria and procedures are as follows:

Vacation of conviction records may be sought under RCW § 9.94A.640 for felonies or RCW § 9.96.060 for misdemeanors, subject to waiting periods and eligibility requirements.
Non-conviction records may be deleted from criminal history under RCW § 10.97.060 if no charges were filed within the statute of limitations period.
Sealing of court records may be requested pursuant to GR 15 of the Washington Court Rules upon showing of compelling privacy or safety concerns.

Petitions for expungement or sealing must be filed with the court of jurisdiction, typically the Everett Municipal Court for misdemeanors or Snohomish County Superior Court for felonies. The Everett Municipal Court Local Rules provide specific procedures for filing such petitions.

Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is removed from public access, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for law enforcement purposes. Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding eligibility and procedural requirements.