Arrest records in Stevens County, Washington are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that records produced, owned, or maintained by government agencies must be available for public inspection and copying. The Stevens County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies maintain these records as part of their official duties, ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system while adhering to state disclosure requirements.
Members of the public may access these records through formal requests submitted to the appropriate agencies. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with RCW 42.56.240, which protects specific personal information and details that might compromise ongoing investigations. The custodian of records at each agency is responsible for ensuring compliance with both disclosure requirements and privacy protections under Washington state law.
Stevens County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) authorizes digital access to these records, though the extent of information available online may be more limited than records obtained through in-person requests. The Stevens County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows for basic searches of current inmate and arrest information.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the following provisions:
The Stevens County Superior Court also maintains electronic court records that may contain information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings through the Washington State Court Directory system.
Individuals seeking arrest records in Stevens County have multiple methods available for accessing this information. Each method varies in terms of comprehensiveness, processing time, and associated fees. The following procedures are established pursuant to RCW 42.56 and local administrative codes:
Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Fees for copies of records are established in accordance with RCW 42.56.120 and may vary based on the volume and format of records requested.
Stevens County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Washington State law RCW 10.97 (Criminal Records Privacy Act) and local administrative procedures. These official documents typically include the following elements:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the offense and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records related to juvenile offenders are subject to additional confidentiality provisions under RCW 13.50 and may have limited availability to the general public.
Stevens County residents may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Washington State law RCW 10.97.060 and court rules. Expungement, also referred to as "vacating" or "sealing" in Washington State, removes eligible arrest records from public view while maintaining them for limited law enforcement purposes.
Eligibility requirements for expungement in Stevens County include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Stevens County Superior Court located at 215 S. Oak Street, Room 209, Colville, WA 99114. Petitioners must provide certified copies of their criminal history, proof of completed sentencing requirements, and may need to attend a hearing before a judge. Filing fees apply, though fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals under GR 34.
Upon successful petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records from public view. However, pursuant to RCW 9.94A.640(3), these records may still be available to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings.