Grants Pass Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Grants Pass, Oregon?
Arrest records are public documents in Grants Pass, 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 accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. Exemptions may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy as defined in ORS 192.355.
The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest information should be aware that while the records are generally available, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as required by law. The public availability of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining governmental transparency and ensuring accountability within the criminal justice system.
How to Look Up Grants Pass Arrest Records in 2025
The Grants Pass Department of Public Safety provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests by visiting the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety Records Division located at 101 NW A Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526. The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Online Portal Access: The Grants Pass Police Department maintains an electronic records request system through which the public may submit requests for arrest records. This service is available 24 hours per day.
Written Requests: Individuals may submit written requests via postal mail to: Records Division, Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, 101 NW A Street, Grants Pass, OR 97526. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information and specific details about the record being sought.
Telephone Inquiries: Preliminary information may be obtained by calling the Records Division at (541) 450-6260 during regular business hours.
Pursuant to ORS 192.324, all requests must reasonably identify the record being sought. The Department may assess fees for record retrieval and duplication in accordance with the fee schedule established by City Ordinance 5.99.020. Current fees include $10.00 for standard police reports and $6.00 for incident call notes as outlined in the Police Report Request guidelines.
Contents of a Grants Pass Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety contain standardized information as required by Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 166-200-0100). These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color), and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the agency case number assigned to the incident.
Criminal Charges: All charges filed at the time of arrest, including the Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) citation for each alleged violation.
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification data, and photographic identification (commonly referred to as a "mugshot").
Custody Status: Information regarding bail amount (if applicable), court appearance dates, and current detention status.
Property Inventory: Itemized list of personal property in the arrestee's possession at the time of booking.
Medical Screening Notes: Non-confidential results of initial health screening conducted during the booking process.
The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including proper identification of individuals within the criminal justice system, facilitation of investigations, and maintenance of statistical data for law enforcement purposes. Members of the public should note that certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records in accordance with ORS 192.355.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Grants Pass
Oregon law provides a legal mechanism through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by agencies within Grants Pass. This process, formally known as "setting aside a record of arrest," is governed by ORS 137.225. When granted, an expungement order requires all official records of the arrest to be sealed from public view.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Grants Pass include:
- The arrest did not lead to a formal charging document being filed within the applicable statute of limitations.
- The case was dismissed or resulted in an acquittal.
- The conviction qualifies under ORS 137.225(5) and the required waiting period has elapsed.
- The petitioner has not been convicted of any other crime (excluding minor traffic violations) within the waiting period.
- There are no criminal proceedings pending against the petitioner.
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Josephine County Circuit Court located at:
Josephine County Courthouse
510 NW 5th Street
Grants Pass, OR 97526
(541) 476-2309
Josephine County Circuit Court
Petitioners must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check and pay applicable filing fees. The District Attorney's Office has the right to object to the petition within 120 days. If no objection is filed or if the court overrules an objection, the court may issue an order setting aside the conviction or arrest record.
Upon issuance of an expungement order, all Grants Pass agencies maintaining records of the arrest must seal those records and respond to inquiries as if the arrest never occurred, pursuant to ORS 137.225(3). However, the record remains available to criminal justice agencies for specific purposes enumerated in ORS 137.225(8).
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