Clark County, Washington Arrest Records
Clark County arrest records are basic booking logs that summarize the essential details of an arrest, including the arrestee's identifying information, charges, and the time and location of the detention. These records often contribute to a person's criminal history record information (or Criminal Offender Record Information), which is regulated by the Criminal Records Privacy Act (RCW 10.97.030). As Clark County arrest records are reported to state and federal criminal justice databases, they are frequently used to build a person's Record of Arrests and Prosecutions (RAP Sheet).
In Clark County, arrest records are maintained by local law enforcement agencies, such as the Clark County Sheriff's Office and the Vancouver Police Department. While county-wide arrest records are available through the sheriff's office, individuals may obtain city- or municipality-specific records from the appropriate police department.
Are Arrest Records Public Information in Clark County, Washington?
Yes. Clark County arrest records are open to the public under the Washington Public Records Act, encoded in Chapter 42.56 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Per RCW 42.56.010, public records include information relating to the performance of any governmental function prepared, maintained, or used by a government agency. Requesters do not need to provide identification to access public arrest records, as they are not required to verify their identity when making such requests. However, a record custodian may ask about the purpose of a request to assess whether it falls within the scope of the Public Records Act.
That said, requests must be made for identifiable records, as required under RCW 42.56.080. This means that each record request must be specific enough and include known details, such as the subject's name and date of birth, to ensure it can be fully fulfilled.
What Do Public Clark County Arrest Records Contain?
Public arrest records in Clark County are composed of the following:
- Booking number: A unique identification number created for each stay in detention
- Arrestee's full name
- Arrest data (booking date and location of arrest)
- Charge information (number of charges, class of offense, description of charges)
- Bail information (bail type and bail amount)
Arrest records are generally subject to public access, except to the extent they include exempted information, as highlighted in the list of disclosure exceptions. For example, the following information is not accessible to the public:
- Driver's license numbers
- Non-conviction data
- Juvenile arrest records
- Sealed records
Clark County, Washington Arrest Search
Clark County arrest records can be found with the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Where an arrest resulted in a conviction, interested persons may request the record online from the WSP via their Washington Access to Criminal History (WATCH) system. However, non-conviction data is confidential under RCW 10.97.050 and can only be accessed by limited authorized parties such as the subject of the record and some criminal justice agencies.
Public information obtainable from the WATCH system includes conviction records, arrests not up to 1 year with pending depositions, and information about registered sex and kidnap offenders. Requesters can run a background check from the database using a name and date of birth, and receive instant results for an $11 fee per search.
Individuals may also conduct a criminal background check through the WSP by submitting a completed Request for Conviction Criminal History Form via mail to
Washington State Police
Identification and Background Search Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
In-person requests for conviction records can be made at the address below.
106 11th Avenue Southwest
Suite 1300
Olympia, Washington 98501
More information on the requirements for conducting background checks through the above platforms is available on the WSP's Criminal History page.
Clark County Inmate Locator
To find Clark County arrest information locally, individuals can search the Clark County Jail Services Roster, scrolling down the list of names until they find the subject of interest. For a faster result, one may search by the specific inmate's name or filter by book date. The jail roster is continuously updated throughout the day, and interested parties may search Recent Releases for information on the most recently discharged inmates.
An arrest record request can also be made to the responsible agency. For example, the Clark County Sheriff's Office operates a Public Disclosure Unit dedicated to handling public record requests for information from the sheriff's office. Individuals can submit a request for arrest records to the Unit online, via phone at (564) 397-2101, and by email at ccso.pdr@clark.wa.gov.
Mail can be sent to the Public Disclosure Unit at
P.O. Box 410
Vancouver, WA 98666
Individuals may also visit the Sheriff's Office Public Disclosure Unit in person at the location below.
707 West 13th Street
Vancouver, WA 98660
Active Warrant Search in Clark County
An arrest warrant, per Washington Court Rule, CrR 2.2, is a court-issued order for the apprehension of an individual based on an indictment or information establishing probable cause that the person committed a crime. An arrest warrant's primary purpose is to enable the progression of the criminal justice process by securing the suspect's appearance in court. Valid arrest warrants must
- Be in writing, and issued in the name of the state
- Signed by the clerk, with the title of the office
- State the date of issuance
- Specify the defendant's name or describe the defendant with reasonable certainty
- State the alleged offense
- Command the defendant's arrest and presence in court
- Stipulate bail or release conditions (for bailable offenses)
Requesters may obtain arrest warrant information from local police departments within the county, the court that issued the warrant, or by using the Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) Warrant Search tool (for outstanding secretary's warrants related to state probation or parole violations).
A summary of the primary agencies for obtaining Clark County arrest warrants is provided below.
|
Agency / Resource |
Purpose |
Search Methods |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Clark County Sheriff's Office & municipal police departments |
Execute and maintain arrest warrant information |
In Person |
Physical visits to one's nearest police station can help locate active warrants, but this method can lead to an arrest for outstanding warrants in the inquirer's name. |
|
|
Maintain and disseminate case files for the Clark County Superior Court |
In person, online, by mail |
Detailed information on accessing case information, including available warrant information, from the Clark County Clerk's Office is available on the office's Access to Records page. Requesters may also query the specific court that issued the warrant. |
How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Clark County
The Clark County Jail Services Roster is the primary free resource for finding arrest information within the county. In compliance with the Washington Public Records Act, no fee is charged for inspection of documents from the Sheriff's Office. Costs are only assessed for copying or reproducing documents, as well as the actual cost of postage or delivery.
That said, free websites only provide limited arrest data to the public. For example, the Clark County Jail Roster provides only basic booking information, and searches are limited to inmates currently in custody or those recently released. Comprehensive records, when not exempted from disclosure, often require a formal records request and payment of a fee.
Clark County Arrest Report
While Clark County arrest records document summary details of an individual's entry into custody, arresting law enforcement officers typically make more detailed entries in a separate document known as an "arrest report." Arrest reports are generally written in narrative style and aim to provide a more comprehensive account of the arrest, including the officer's observations, the basis for probable cause, and, where applicable, details about witnesses and victims.
Clark County arrest reports may be publicly disclosed under the Washington Public Records Act. Individuals can request open records from the Clark County Sheriff's Office Public Disclosure Unit. However, reports that are part of an active investigative file are not subject to public disclosure under RCW 42.56.240(1).
How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Clark County
In the legal context, "expungement" refers to the formal destruction or removal of criminal history record information from public view. In Washington State, only non-conviction records are eligible for expunction upon meeting the requirements set forth in RCW 10.97.060. Individuals can check the WSP's Expungement Checklist to verify their eligibility for expunction.
Eligible parties can simply request that the criminal justice agency remove such records from their files, in accordance with the agency's established procedures. For example, the WSP requires qualified subjects to complete a Request for Expungement/Deletion of Non-Conviction Records and mail it to the address below to have their records expunged.
Washington State Patrol
Attention: Criminal History Records Section
P.O. Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504-2633
Meanwhile, records of arrests that resulted in an adult conviction can only be vacated. This means the official court record will reflect a "not guilty" plea, allowing the case to be dismissed. Subjects can then petition the appropriate court to seal the dismissed records and remove them from court files. The state's Vacating Record of Felony Convictions and Vacating Misdemeanor and Gross Misdemeanor Convictions documents are instructive on the proper procedure.
Individuals may also request expungement from the courts for eligible juvenile criminal records by submitting a completed Motion and Declaration to Seal Records to the Superior Court of Washington in Clark County.
Comprehensive information on expungement, vacation, and sealing of criminal records in Washington is available on the state's Guide to Sealing/Destroying/Vacating/Deleting Criminal History Records. Individuals can also view the Restoration of Rights page on the Clark County Law Library's website for a better understanding of the subject.
How Do You Remove Clark County Arrest Records From the Internet?
The process for deleting or removing arrest records is provided for in WAC 446-16-025. Under this provision, subjects of qualifying records may request that the WSP's Criminal Records Division delete qualifying records from its database, effectively removing such information from official WSP websites. Records sealed by a court are also removed from public access on official government platforms, including online databases and court search systems.
Per RCW 13.50.270, all juvenile records eligible for destruction are automatically destroyed within 90 days of their eligibility for destruction. Subjects whose records qualify for automatic destruction are generally not required to do anything to have such official records removed from government databases in the state.
Individuals may also contact third-party websites directly to have their records removed from those databases.