Arrest records are public documents in Eugene, Oregon, pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Oregon Public Records Law operates under the principle that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest by promoting accountability and informed civic participation.
Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally available, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with ORS 192.355, which provides exemptions for personal privacy, ongoing investigations, and other protected categories of information. The Eugene Police Department maintains these records in compliance with state retention schedules as prescribed by the Oregon State Archives.
The City of Eugene provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to ORS 192.324, public bodies must respond to records requests "as soon as practicable and without unreasonable delay." The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Eugene:
Eugene Police Department Public Records Office
300 Country Club Road
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-5124
Eugene Police Public Records Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Online Requests: The Eugene Police Department maintains an electronic records request portal through which citizens may submit requests for arrest records. This system allows for secure transmission of identifying information and specific record parameters.
Lane County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county authorities within Eugene city limits, records may be requested from:
Lane County Sheriff's Office Records Division
125 E 8th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4150
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Requestors should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and duplication in accordance with ORS 192.324(4), which permits public bodies to establish reasonable fees to reimburse for actual costs in making records available.
Eugene arrest records are maintained in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 166-200-0100 and typically contain the following standardized information:
Pursuant to ORS 192.345(3), certain information within arrest records may be exempt from disclosure if release would constitute an "unreasonable invasion of privacy" or compromise an ongoing investigation. The Eugene Police Department reviews each record request to ensure compliance with applicable exemptions while maximizing public access in accordance with statutory requirements.
Oregon law provides a mechanism through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement (legally referred to as "setting aside") of arrest records under ORS 137.225. The expungement process effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes authorized by statute.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Eugene include:
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
Lane County Circuit Court
125 E 8th Avenue
Eugene, OR 97401
541-682-4020
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order directing all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to seal such records. Pursuant to ORS 137.225(3), once an expungement order is issued, the subject of the record may legally respond to inquiries as though the arrest never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain licensing and employment contexts.
While Oregon Public Records Law establishes the presumption of accessibility, several statutory provisions limit access to certain arrest record information. These restrictions serve to balance transparency with privacy interests and the integrity of the criminal justice process.
Key restrictions include:
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to ORS 419A.255, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are generally confidential and subject to heightened protection.
Ongoing Investigations: Under ORS 192.345(3), information that would interfere with an active law enforcement investigation may be temporarily withheld.
Victim Information: ORS 192.345(5) protects information that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy, particularly regarding crime victims.
Expunged Records: As provided in ORS 137.225, records that have been legally expunged are not available to the general public.
The Eugene Municipal Court and Eugene Police Department are bound by these statutory restrictions and must review record requests accordingly. Requestors seeking arrest records should be prepared to provide specific identifying information to facilitate accurate record retrieval while minimizing disclosure of exempt information.