Arrest records are public in Jefferson County, Oregon, pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192). This statute establishes that records created, maintained, or possessed by governmental bodies, including law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their official duties in documenting arrests within the jurisdiction. Public access to these records serves the legislative intent of promoting governmental transparency and accountability.
Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with ORS § 192.355, which protects personal privacy and sensitive information. Such redactions typically include Social Security numbers, medical information, and information pertaining to juveniles or victims of certain crimes.
Jefferson County arrest records are available online through several official platforms. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database that allows for remote access to arrest information as part of the county's commitment to public information accessibility under ORS § 192.318, which encourages governmental bodies to make public records available electronically when feasible.
The Oregon Judicial Department also provides electronic access to court records related to arrests through their Oregon eCourt Case Information system. This system operates pursuant to Uniform Trial Court Rule (UTCR) 22.010, which governs electronic court records. Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require additional requests or in-person visits to the appropriate county offices.
Online access to these records is subject to system maintenance schedules and may occasionally be unavailable. The county regularly updates these systems to ensure compliance with state regulations regarding public records accessibility.
Jefferson County provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records in 2025, in accordance with ORS § 192.324 regarding requests for public records. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:
Visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a records request: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office 675 NW Cherry Lane Madras, OR 97741 Phone: (541) 475-6520 Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a request to the Jefferson County Circuit Court for arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings: Jefferson County Circuit Court 129 SW E Street Madras, OR 97741 Phone: (541) 475-3317 Jefferson County Circuit Court Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Jefferson County online inmate lookup system for current detention information
Utilize the Oregon Judicial Department's online case information system for arrest records that have proceeded to court
Submit a written request via mail or email to the Records Division, as permitted under ORS § 192.324(1)
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and date of birth when available. Pursuant to ORS § 192.324(4)(a), agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the actual costs of fulfilling records requests.
Jefferson County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 166-150-0135 governing law enforcement record retention. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
Arrest details:
Processing information:
Procedural documentation:
These records are maintained in accordance with state-mandated retention schedules as specified in OAR 166-150-0135, which requires law enforcement agencies to preserve arrest records for a minimum of 75 years from the date of creation.
Jefferson County follows Oregon state law regarding the expungement of arrest records, as codified in ORS § 137.225. This statute provides a legal mechanism for eligible individuals to have arrest records sealed from public view under specific circumstances. The expungement process effectively removes arrest information from public access, though the records remain available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Jefferson County include:
The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:
Upon court approval, the Jefferson County Circuit Court issues an order directing all agencies to seal the specified records. Pursuant to ORS § 137.225(3), once an expungement order is granted, the individual may legally respond to inquiries as though the arrest never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain professional licensing and law enforcement contexts.