Arrest records in Hood River County, Oregon are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192). This statute establishes the presumption that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Oregon legislature has determined that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest by promoting accountability and informed civic participation.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Hood River County may obtain these documents through established procedures administered by the Hood River County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies. The Oregon Public Records Law stipulates that public bodies must respond to records requests "as soon as practicable and without unreasonable delay" as specified in ORS § 192.324.
Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where release would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy under ORS § 192.355. However, the burden of demonstrating that a record is exempt from disclosure rests with the public body, not the requestor.
Hood River County provides limited online access to arrest records through several official channels. The Hood River County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database that includes recent booking information and current inmate status. This resource is updated regularly in accordance with ORS § 192.318, which addresses electronic access to public records.
The Hood River County Circuit Court offers online case information through the Oregon Judicial Department's case information system. This platform allows users to search for criminal cases by name or case number, providing basic information about charges, court dates, and case status. Complete case files, however, may require in-person inspection at the courthouse.
Online access to arrest records is subject to the same statutory exemptions that apply to physical records. Additionally, pursuant to ORS § 192.345, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still providing substantive public information about arrests and subsequent proceedings.
Hood River County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through multiple channels:
Hood River County Sheriff's Office
601 State Street
Hood River, OR 97031
(541) 386-2098
Sheriff's Office Records Division
The Sheriff's Office maintains the most comprehensive collection of arrest records for unincorporated areas of the county. Requestors may submit public records requests in person during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM), by mail, or through the county's online portal. Pursuant to ORS § 192.324, requests must reasonably identify the records sought.
Hood River Police Department
207 2nd Street
Hood River, OR 97031
(541) 387-5257
City Police Records
For arrests occurring within city limits, the Hood River Police Department maintains separate records. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the department's online request system. Identification is required for certain records, and fees may apply in accordance with the department's established fee schedule.
Hood River County Circuit Court
309 State Street
Hood River, OR 97031
(541) 386-3535
Court Records Division
Court records related to arrests, including charging documents, hearing transcripts, and case dispositions, are available through the Circuit Court. Pursuant to Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rule (UTCR) 3.190, most court records are open to public inspection unless sealed by judicial order.
Arrest records maintained by Hood River County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as required by ORS § 181A.160:
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information about confidential informants, in accordance with ORS § 192.355. Additionally, records related to arrests that did not result in conviction may be subject to special handling under ORS § 137.225.
Oregon law provides mechanisms for the expungement (setting aside) of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to ORS § 137.225, individuals may petition the Hood River County Circuit Court to set aside records of arrests that did not lead to conviction or for certain convictions after specified waiting periods have elapsed.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Hood River County Circuit Court, payment of filing fees, and submission to fingerprinting for a criminal history check. If granted, expungement results in the sealing of arrest and conviction records and allows the petitioner to legally respond as though the arrest or conviction never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain licensing and employment situations.
The Hood River Municipal Court handles expungements for violations of city ordinances, while the Circuit Court processes expungements for state law violations. Petitioners are advised that expungement applies only to Oregon records and does not affect federal records or those maintained by private information vendors.