Olympia Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Olympia, Washington?
Arrest records are public in Olympia, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW Chapter 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 Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability within law enforcement agencies operating in the jurisdiction.
The Washington State Public Records Act specifically mandates that all public records shall be available for inspection and copying by any person, unless the record falls within the specific exemptions of RCW 42.56.230 through 42.56.470. Law enforcement agencies in Olympia are required to maintain and provide access to arrest records in accordance with these statutory provisions.
Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy as permitted under RCW 42.56.240. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to different regulations under RCW 13.50, which provides greater confidentiality protections.
How to Look Up Olympia Arrest Records in 2025
The retrieval of arrest records in Olympia, Washington for the year 2025 may be accomplished through several official channels. Pursuant to Washington State law, these records are maintained by various governmental entities and are available through both electronic and in-person methods.
Members of the public seeking arrest records may utilize the following procedures:
Submit a public records request to the Olympia Police Department either in person, by mail, or through their online portal. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the individual and approximate date of arrest.
Access the Washington State Patrol Criminal History Information Section, which maintains a centralized database of arrest records statewide. Requests may be submitted online through the Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) program.
Visit the Thurston County Clerk's Office in person to review court records related to arrests that have resulted in formal charges. The office is located at the Thurston County Courthouse, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia, WA 98502.
Utilize the Olympia Municipal Court records system for arrests that have resulted in cases within their jurisdiction.
Olympia Police Department
601 4th Avenue E
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 753-8300
Official Website
Thurston County Clerk's Office
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502
Phone: (360) 786-5430
Official Website: thurstoncountywa.gov/clerk
Requestors should be prepared to pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying as established by RCW 42.56.120. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's public counter or website.
Contents of an Olympia Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Olympia, Washington typically contain standardized information as required by Washington State law and departmental policies. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in an arrest.
Standard components of an Olympia arrest record include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location where the arrest occurred
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s) for which the individual was arrested
Identity of the arresting agency and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information, including the facility where the individual was processed and any assigned identification numbers
Photographic documentation (mugshot) taken during the booking process
Biometric data, including fingerprints and, in some cases, DNA samples collected pursuant to RCW 43.43.754
Preliminary case disposition information, such as bail determination, court appearance dates, or release information
Incident report number and cross-reference to related police reports
Pursuant to RCW 10.97.030, certain information within arrest records may be classified as "nonconviction data" if the arrest did not lead to a conviction or other qualifying disposition. Access to such information may be subject to additional restrictions under Washington State law.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Olympia
The process of expungement, also referred to as vacation of records in Washington State, provides a legal mechanism through which qualifying individuals may petition for the removal of arrest records from public access. This procedure is governed by RCW 9.96.060 and RCW 10.97.060, which establish the criteria and procedures for record expungement in Olympia and throughout Washington State.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Olympia must meet the following statutory requirements:
For misdemeanor offenses, the petitioner must have completed all terms of the sentence and waited the required statutory period (typically three years for most misdemeanors and five years for certain offenses including domestic violence, driving under the influence, and sexual offenses)
For felony offenses, the petitioner must qualify under RCW 9.94A.640, which generally requires completion of all sentence requirements and a crime-free waiting period of 5-10 years depending on the classification of the offense
The petitioner must not have any pending criminal charges in any court within the United States or its territories
The petitioner must not have been convicted of a new crime in any jurisdiction during the waiting period
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court of jurisdiction where the case was adjudicated. For arrests that occurred in Olympia but were prosecuted in Thurston County Superior Court, petitions must be filed with that court. For municipal offenses, petitions are filed with the Olympia Municipal Court.
Olympia Municipal Court
900 Plum Street SE
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 753-8312
Official Website
Thurston County Superior Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Building 2
Olympia, WA 98502
Phone: (360) 786-5560
Official Website: thurstoncountywa.gov/sc
Upon successful expungement, law enforcement agencies and court clerks are directed to seal or remove the records from public access. However, pursuant to RCW 9.96.060(6), certain agencies, including law enforcement and the Washington State Bar Association, may still access expunged records for specific purposes authorized by statute.
Search Arrest Records in Olympia
