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Corvallis Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Corvallis, Oregon?

Arrest records are public in Corvallis, Oregon, pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made within city limits. The Oregon Public Records Law operates under the presumption that all government records are public unless specifically exempted by statute or court order. This framework ensures governmental transparency and accountability while allowing citizens to obtain information about law enforcement activities within their community.

Under ORS § 192.311 to 192.478, public bodies must make non-exempt records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Corvallis Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation, and these records are generally accessible to members of the public through established procedures. Certain sensitive information may be redacted to protect privacy rights or ongoing investigations as permitted by law.

How to Look Up Corvallis Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Corvallis have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The Corvallis Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several methods for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Police Records Unit to submit formal requests for arrest records. Staff members can assist with completing necessary paperwork and identifying specific records.
Online Access: The department maintains a Daily Activity Log that includes recent arrest information. This resource provides a preliminary overview of law enforcement activities within the city.
Written Requests: Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records via mail or email. These requests should include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers if available.
Benton County Circuit Court: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be available through the Benton County Circuit Court located at 120 NW 4th Street, Corvallis, OR 97330. The court maintains records of criminal proceedings that follow arrests within the county.

Corvallis Police Department
180 NW 5th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330
(541) 766-6924
Official Website

Benton County Circuit Court
120 NW 4th Street
Corvallis, OR 97330
(541) 766-6828
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contents of a Corvallis Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Corvallis Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard components of these records include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical description
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
Custody status and bail/bond information if applicable
Case number and incident report references
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Initial appearance information and preliminary hearing schedules

The Police Records Unit processes and maintains these documents in accordance with departmental policies and state recordkeeping requirements. Pursuant to ORS § 192.345, certain information within arrest records may be exempt from disclosure if release would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.

Legal Framework for Arrest Record Access

The accessibility of arrest records in Corvallis is governed by a multi-layered legal framework that balances public transparency with individual privacy rights. Oregon's Public Records Law establishes the foundational right of access, while various statutes and administrative rules define specific exemptions and procedures.

Under ORS § 192.355, certain information may be redacted from arrest records prior to public disclosure, including:

Social Security numbers and driver license information
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information pertaining to juveniles (governed by separate statutes)
Details that might compromise ongoing investigations
Information that would reveal the identity of crime victims in certain cases

The Corvallis Municipal Court handles violations of city ordinances and maintains records related to these proceedings. For more serious offenses, the Benton County Circuit Court maintains the official court record following an arrest.

Requestors seeking arrest records must comply with established procedures, which may include completing a formal request form and paying applicable fees. The fee schedule for record reproduction is established pursuant to ORS § 192.324(4) and Corvallis Municipal Code provisions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Corvallis

Oregon law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement, also referred to as "setting aside" a record, effectively seals the record from public view. The process is governed by ORS § 137.225, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may qualify for expungement in Corvallis if:

The arrest did not lead to a conviction (case was dismissed or resulted in acquittal)
Sufficient time has elapsed since completion of sentence for qualifying convictions
No pending criminal proceedings exist at the time of application
The offense in question is eligible for expungement under state law

The expungement process typically involves:

Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case
Submitting fingerprints for a current criminal history check
Providing notice to the District Attorney's office
Attending a hearing if the petition is contested
Obtaining a court order directing all agencies to seal relevant records

Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain governmental entities for specific purposes. Individuals who have obtained an expungement may legally respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred, with limited exceptions.

The Benton County Circuit Court provides forms and information for individuals seeking expungement of records within its jurisdiction. Legal assistance is recommended but not required for navigating this process.

Limitations on Use of Arrest Record Information

Oregon law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest record information may be used, particularly in employment and housing contexts. These limitations aim to prevent discrimination against individuals with arrest histories while still allowing appropriate public access to records.

Under ORS § 659A.030, employers are prohibited from discriminating against job applicants based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction. Additionally, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) imposes federal requirements on background check companies that compile and distribute arrest record information.

The Corvallis Municipal Code contains provisions that align with state law regarding the appropriate use of criminal history information. These local regulations work in conjunction with state and federal protections to ensure that arrest records, while public, are not misused in ways that create unfair barriers to housing, employment, or other opportunities.

Individuals who believe their arrest records have been improperly accessed or used may file complaints with the appropriate regulatory agencies, including the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for FCRA violations.