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Spokane Valley Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Spokane Valley, Washington?

Arrest records are public documents in Spokane Valley, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that government-held records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The statute serves to promote transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system by ensuring citizen access to these documents. Exceptions to disclosure may apply in certain circumstances as outlined in RCW 42.56.240, which provides exemptions for specific law enforcement records that would compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy rights as defined by statute.

The Spokane Valley Police Department, operating under contract with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while the records are public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as required by law.

How to Look Up Spokane Valley Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Spokane Valley. The following methods are available for obtaining this information:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may submit requests directly to the Spokane Valley Police Department or the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. The Spokane Valley Police Department is located at 12710 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA 99216. Telephone: (509) 477-3300.
Spokane County Public Records Office: This office processes requests for police reports and arrest records. Located at 1116 W. Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260. Telephone: (509) 477-1721. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online Request System: The Spokane County Public Records portal allows for electronic submission of records requests. Processing times vary based on request volume and complexity.
Spokane County Jail Inmate Roster: The online inmate roster provides information about individuals currently in custody at the Spokane County Jail and Geiger Corrections Facility.
Court Records: The Spokane Valley District Court maintains records of criminal proceedings, including arrest information. Located at 12710 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA 99216. Telephone: (509) 477-3125. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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 reasons for denial.

Contents of a Spokane Valley Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Spokane Valley law enforcement agencies contain comprehensive documentation of the arrest event and the individual involved. These records typically include the following elements as required by Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 446-20-050:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases if applicable, date of birth, physical description, and address of the arrestee.
Biometric Data: Fingerprints and booking photographs (mugshots) taken during the booking process.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; circumstances leading to the arrest; and whether force was used during apprehension.
Criminal Charges: All charges filed against the individual, including citation of applicable statutes and ordinances allegedly violated.
Arresting Agency Information: Identification of the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest and the names and badge numbers of arresting officers.
Case Identifiers: Unique booking number, case number, and other reference identifiers used for administrative tracking.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, court dates, and current detention status.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions may be included if relevant to the current case.

Pursuant to RCW 10.97.050, certain information in arrest records may be subject to redaction before public release, particularly details that could compromise ongoing investigations or infringe upon privacy rights as defined by statute.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Spokane Valley

The process of expungement, legally referred to as "vacation of records" in Washington State, provides a mechanism through which qualifying individuals may petition for the removal of arrest records from public access. This process is governed by RCW 9.96.060 and RCW 10.97.060, which establish specific eligibility criteria and procedures.

Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of charges
Arrests not leading to formal charges within the applicable statute of limitations
Successful completion of diversion programs
Certain convictions after completion of all sentencing requirements and specified waiting periods

The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal documentation with the court of original jurisdiction. For Spokane Valley residents, this typically involves:

Filing a petition with the Spokane Valley District Court (12710 E. Sprague Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA 99216) or Spokane County Superior Court (1116 W. Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260), depending on the severity of the original charge.
Submitting certified copies of disposition documents and a Washington State Patrol criminal history report.
Paying applicable filing fees (approximately $120-$240, with fee waivers available for qualifying low-income applicants).
Attending a scheduled hearing where a judge will evaluate the petition based on statutory criteria.

If granted, the court issues an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records from public view. However, pursuant to RCW 9.96.060(3), certain law enforcement agencies and the Washington State Patrol retain limited access to these records for specific authorized purposes.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Spokane Valley, Washington state law imposes specific limitations on their accessibility and use. These restrictions serve to balance transparency with privacy protections and prevention of discriminatory practices.

The Washington Criminal Records Privacy Act (RCW 10.97) establishes the following restrictions:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to RCW 13.50.050, juvenile arrest records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections and may be sealed or destroyed under certain conditions.
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been legally sealed or expunged by court order are not available for public inspection except under limited circumstances defined by statute.
Pending Investigations: Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would compromise law enforcement activities as permitted under RCW 42.56.240(1).
Employment Discrimination Protections: RCW 49.94 (Washington Fair Chance Act) prohibits employers from inquiring about arrest records before determining an applicant's qualifications for employment, with exceptions for positions with unsupervised access to vulnerable populations.
Housing Restrictions: Local ordinances in Spokane County limit the use of arrest records in rental housing decisions, requiring individualized assessments rather than blanket policies.

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil penalties as provided in RCW 10.97.110, which establishes liability for damages resulting from the unauthorized disclosure or use of criminal history record information.

Agencies Maintaining Arrest Records in Spokane Valley

Multiple governmental entities maintain and process arrest records within Spokane Valley's jurisdiction. Each agency serves distinct functions in the criminal justice system while adhering to state records management requirements.

Spokane Valley Police Department
12710 E. Sprague Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
(509) 477-3300
Official Website

The Spokane Valley Police Department, operating under contract with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, generates arrest records during law enforcement operations within city limits. The department maintains initial arrest reports and booking information before transferring records to county-level systems.

Spokane County Sheriff's Office
1100 W. Mallon Avenue
Spokane, WA 99260
(509) 477-2240
Official Website

As the contracted provider of police services for Spokane Valley, the Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records and incident reports for the jurisdiction. The Records Division processes public disclosure requests for these documents.

Spokane County Detention Services
1100 W. Mallon Avenue
Spokane, WA 99260
(509) 477-2278
Official Website

This agency manages the Spokane County Jail and maintains custody records, including booking information, detention status, and release data. The inmate roster is updated regularly and available online.

Spokane Valley District Court
12710 E. Sprague Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
(509) 477-3125
Official Website

The District Court maintains records of criminal proceedings, including arrest information for misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases. Court records may be accessed through the clerk's office or via the Washington Courts case search system.

Spokane County Clerk's Office
1116 W. Broadway Avenue
Spokane, WA 99260
(509) 477-2211
Official Website

The County Clerk serves as the official custodian of Superior Court records, including felony cases originating from arrests in Spokane Valley. These records are maintained in accordance with state retention schedules and court rules.