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Medford Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Medford, Oregon?

Arrest records are public in Medford, Oregon, pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS 192.410 to 192.505). This legislation establishes that information created, maintained, or possessed by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to the public with certain exceptions. The Jackson County Sheriff's Office releases arrest information in accordance with these statutes to maintain transparency in governmental operations and ensure public accountability.

Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally available, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as specified under ORS 192.345 and ORS 192.355. The disclosure of arrest records serves multiple public interests, including community awareness of law enforcement activities and the ability to monitor the criminal justice system's functioning.

How to Look Up Medford Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Medford, Oregon:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Medford Police Department Records Division, located at 219 S Ivy Street, Medford, OR 97501. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (541) 774-2250.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and provides access at 5179 Crater Lake Highway, Central Point, OR 97502. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Telephone: (541) 774-6800.
Written requests may be submitted via mail to either agency with appropriate identification and specific information about the requested records.
The Jackson County Sheriff's police reports service provides access to basic information on arrested adults.
Electronic access is available through the Jackson County Jail inmate lookup system, which provides current custody status and booking information.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and copying services in accordance with ORS 192.324(4), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees covering actual costs of making records available.

Contents of a Medford Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Medford law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information:

Arrestee's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of booking
Case number and booking identification
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records and other biometric data
Custody status and bail information

Pursuant to ORS 181A.195, certain information in arrest records may be withheld if disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or compromise confidential sources. The Medford Police Department's Public Information Portal provides statistical information about arrests and other law enforcement activities.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Oregon

Oregon's public records laws establish the framework for access to arrest information. Key statutory provisions include:

ORS 192.311 to 192.478 constitutes the Oregon Public Records Law, establishing the presumption that government records are open to public inspection.
ORS 192.345 identifies public records conditionally exempt from disclosure, including investigatory information compiled for criminal law purposes if disclosure would interfere with proceedings or deprive a person of a fair trial.
ORS 192.355 specifies records that are exempt from disclosure, including certain personal information that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy.
ORS 181A.230 governs the dissemination of criminal history record information and establishes limitations on its use.

The Jackson County Circuit Court maintains records of court proceedings related to arrests, which may be accessed through the court clerk's office located at 100 S Oakdale Ave, Medford, OR 97501. Telephone: (541) 776-7171.

Restrictions on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records are generally public, several important restrictions apply:

Juvenile records are subject to heightened confidentiality under ORS 419A.255 and are not publicly accessible except under specific circumstances.
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under ORS 192.345(3) if disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Information about victims of certain crimes, including domestic violence and sexual offenses, receives special protection under ORS 192.345(5).
Mental health information and certain medical details may be redacted from public arrest records pursuant to federal HIPAA regulations and state privacy laws.
Records sealed by court order following expungement proceedings are removed from public access.

The Oregon eCourt information system provides electronic access to court records but restricts certain case types in accordance with these statutory limitations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Medford

Under Oregon law, individuals may petition for expungement (setting aside) of arrest records under specific circumstances:

ORS 137.225 establishes the legal framework for setting aside convictions and records of arrest.
Eligibility generally requires that the arrest did not lead to a conviction, or if convicted, the offense qualifies under statutory guidelines and sufficient time has elapsed.
Petitioners must not have other pending criminal charges and must demonstrate a period of law-abiding behavior.
The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the Jackson County Justice Court located at 4175 Crater Lake Highway, Medford, OR 97504. Telephone: (541) 774-1455.
Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all official records of the arrest to be sealed, including those held by the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and Oregon State Police.

Expunged records are not accessible to the general public, though limited access remains available to law enforcement agencies under specific circumstances as outlined in ORS 137.225(12).