Astoria Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Astoria, Oregon?
Arrest records are public documents in Astoria, Oregon, pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests and law enforcement activities, shall be accessible to members of the public with certain statutory exceptions. The Oregon Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government transparency serves the public interest by enabling citizens to monitor the actions of law enforcement agencies and other governmental bodies.
Pursuant to ORS § 192.311 through § 192.478, public bodies in Oregon must make their records available for inspection and copying upon request, unless a specific exemption applies. While certain sensitive information may be redacted from arrest records to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations as provided in ORS § 192.345, the fundamental record of an arrest remains accessible to the public. This accessibility supports governmental accountability and allows citizens to remain informed about law enforcement operations within their community.
How to Look Up Astoria Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Astoria have multiple authorized channels through which such information may be accessed. The following procedures have been established for the retrieval of arrest documentation:
Astoria Police Department Records Division: Individuals may submit requests directly to the Records Division of the Astoria Police Department located at 555 30th Street, Astoria, OR 97103. The Records Division maintains office hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be contacted at (503) 325-4411. Requestors must complete a public records request form and may be required to pay applicable fees for document reproduction.
Clatsop County Circuit Court: Court records related to arrests may be obtained from the Clatsop County Circuit Court located at 749 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103. The court clerk's office operates between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM on weekdays and can be reached at (503) 325-8555. Pursuant to Oregon Judicial Department policies, certain court records may be accessed through the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN).
Oregon State Police: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may contact the Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Division at 3565 Trelstad Avenue SE, Salem, OR 97317. Requests may be submitted during business hours (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday) or through their electronic portal. The division can be reached at (503) 378-3070.
Authorized Third-Party Vendors: The City of Astoria has established agreements with certain authorized vendors to provide public records search capabilities. Users should verify that any third-party service complies with Oregon public records regulations before submitting personal information or payment.
Contents of an Astoria Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Astoria Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Clatsop County typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 166, Division 200:
- Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical description, residential address, and any documented aliases or previous names
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the arresting agency
- Criminal Charges: Complete enumeration of all charges filed at the time of arrest, including citation of applicable Oregon Revised Statutes or Astoria Municipal Code sections allegedly violated
- Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification data, and photographic identification (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
- Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including bail or bond amounts if applicable
- Court Information: Docket number, scheduled court appearances, and judicial assignments
- Custody Status: Information regarding whether the individual remains in custody or has been released, and any conditions of release imposed by the court
It should be noted that pursuant to ORS § 192.345(3), certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records if disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Astoria
The expungement of arrest records in Astoria is governed by Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 137, specifically ORS § 137.225, which establishes the legal framework for setting aside convictions and arrest records. Under this statutory authority, eligible individuals may petition the appropriate court to have their arrest records sealed from public view.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Astoria include:
Waiting Period Requirements: For most arrests not resulting in conviction, individuals must wait one year from the date of arrest before filing for expungement. For cases resulting in conviction, waiting periods range from one to twenty years depending on the offense classification.
Criminal History Limitations: Pursuant to ORS § 137.225(6), certain offenses are ineligible for expungement, including most Class A felonies, sex crimes as defined in ORS § 181A.805, child abuse offenses, and traffic crimes such as driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Subsequent Criminal Activity: Applicants must not have been convicted of any other crime (excluding minor traffic violations) during the applicable waiting period, and must not have any pending criminal charges at the time of application.
The procedural requirements for expungement include:
- Filing a petition with the Clatsop County Circuit Court located at 749 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103
- Payment of filing fees (currently $281 as of 2025)
- Submission of fingerprints for verification purposes
- Service of the petition on the Clatsop County District Attorney's Office
- Attendance at a scheduled court hearing if required by the presiding judge
Upon granting of an expungement order, all official records of the arrest, including those maintained by the Astoria Police Department, shall be sealed and treated as though the arrest never occurred. However, law enforcement agencies may retain access to sealed records for internal administrative purposes as permitted under ORS § 137.225(16).
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