>Yakima County Arrest Records Online

Yakima County, Washington Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Yakima County, Washington?

Arrest records are public documents in Yakima County, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest documentation, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Washington State Public Records Act serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability to the citizenry by ensuring access to public records. Under RCW 42.56.070, public agencies are required to make records available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours.

The Yakima County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law. Certain information may be redacted from arrest records to protect privacy interests as outlined in RCW 42.56.240, which provides exemptions for certain investigative records. However, basic arrest information including the name of the arrested individual, date of arrest, and charges filed typically remains accessible to the public.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Yakima County?

Yakima County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official county platforms. The Yakima County Jail Roster contains inmate information that is available for public release pursuant to RCW 70.48.100. Citizens may access this information through the county's Inmate Lookup portal, which is updated regularly to reflect current incarcerations.

The online availability of arrest records facilitates public access while reducing administrative burden on county offices. Users should note that while basic arrest information is accessible online, comprehensive records may require formal requests through established channels. Digital records typically include current incarcerations and may not contain historical arrest data or detailed case information.

Third-party aggregators may also compile and present arrest record information online, though the accuracy and currency of such information cannot be guaranteed by Yakima County authorities. Members of the public seeking official arrest record information are advised to utilize county-maintained resources.

How to Look Up Yakima County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining Yakima County arrest records in 2025. The Yakima County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within the jurisdiction. Individuals seeking arrest records may pursue the following options:

Submit a request through the Public Records Request Portal maintained by Yakima County. When making requests, specificity is essential to facilitate thorough and accurate searches.
Visit the Yakima County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a records request: Yakima County Sheriff's Office 1822 S 1st Street Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 574-2500 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Official Website
Mail a written public records request to the Sheriff's Office at the address above, including specific information about the records sought.
Access the Washington Courts Case Search for information about criminal cases processed through the Yakima County court system.

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days. The response will either provide the record, acknowledge receipt and provide an estimated time for response, or deny the request with citation to relevant exemption statutes.

Contents of a Yakima County Arrest Record

Yakima County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Washington State law. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of alleged offense(s)
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing information
Custody status and bail information, if applicable
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Case disposition information, if available

The Clerk of Superior Court maintains records of court proceedings related to arrests. These records may contain additional information regarding court appearances, plea entries, and case outcomes. The level of detail available in publicly accessible arrest records may vary based on case status and applicable exemptions under RCW 42.56.240.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Yakima County

Washington State law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to RCW 10.97.060, individuals may petition for the deletion of arrest records if no charges were filed within the statute of limitations, charges were dismissed, or the person was acquitted at trial. The process requires filing a petition with the Yakima County Courts.

The legal standard for expungement in Yakima County requires demonstration that:

The arrest was the result of mistaken identity, or
Charges were never filed or were dismissed, or
The individual was acquitted at trial, or
The conviction was vacated or pardoned

Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the court that originally handled the case or would have had jurisdiction. The petition must include:

Complete identification information
Date of arrest and law enforcement agency involved
The offense for which the person was arrested
The date the prosecution declined to file charges, charges were dismissed, or acquittal occurred

The Yakima Municipal Court handles expungement petitions for cases within city jurisdiction at:

Yakima Municipal Court 129 North 2nd Street Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 575-3050 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

For cases handled by Yakima County Superior Court, petitions should be filed at:

Yakima County Superior Court 128 North 2nd Street, Room 314 Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 574-2700 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Upon approval by a judge, the court will issue an order directing all agencies to seal or expunge the records in question. This process removes the records from public access, though they may remain available to law enforcement agencies under certain circumstances as specified in RCW 10.97.