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Newport Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Newport, Oregon?

Arrest records are public documents in Newport, Oregon, pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The law operates under the presumption of transparency, enabling citizens to monitor law enforcement activities within their jurisdiction. Under ORS § 192.314, every person has the right to inspect any public record of a public body in Oregon, subject to certain limitations outlined in ORS § 192.345 and § 192.355. The Newport Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing record retention and public accessibility.

How to Look Up Newport Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Newport arrest records may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The Newport Police Department has established the following procedures for record requests:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Newport Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit a records request. Valid government-issued identification must be presented, and applicable fees may apply in accordance with ORS § 192.324(4).

Newport Police Department
169 SW Coast Highway
Newport, OR 97365
(541) 574-3348
Newport Police Department Official Website

Written Requests: Citizens may submit written records requests via mail to the Newport Police Department. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, and specific details about the record being sought.
Online Access: The Newport Police Department maintains an online arrest log where recent arrest information is published. This database is updated regularly and allows for searches by date range and other parameters.
Lincoln County Court Records: For case disposition information following an arrest, the Lincoln County Circuit Court maintains records that may be accessed through the Oregon Judicial Department's online case information system.

Lincoln County Circuit Court
225 W Olive Street
Newport, OR 97365
(541) 265-4236
Lincoln County Circuit Court Website

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The disclosure of arrest records in Newport is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public access with privacy considerations. Key statutory provisions include:

Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192): Establishes the fundamental right of public access to government records, including those created by law enforcement agencies.
ORS § 192.345: Identifies conditionally exempt public records, which may be withheld if the public body can demonstrate that confidentiality clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.
ORS § 192.355: Specifies categories of information that are exempt from disclosure, including certain investigatory information that might interfere with law enforcement proceedings.
ORS § 181A.230: Regulates the dissemination of criminal history record information by law enforcement agencies.

The Newport Police Department must comply with these statutes when processing requests for arrest records. Pursuant to ORS § 192.324, the department must respond to records requests within a reasonable time and provide a written explanation if a request is denied.

Contents of a Newport Arrest Record

Newport arrest records typically contain standardized information as required by Oregon law enforcement protocols. These official documents generally include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking information, including unique booking identification number
Biometric data, which may include fingerprints and booking photographs
Demographic information such as date of birth, physical descriptors, and residential address
Custody status and bail information, if applicable
Case disposition information, when available

It should be noted that pursuant to ORS § 192.345(3), certain investigatory information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records if disclosure would interfere with an ongoing investigation or compromise law enforcement procedures.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Newport

Under Oregon law, individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by ORS Chapter 137, particularly ORS § 137.225, which provides the statutory framework for setting aside convictions and arrests. Eligibility criteria include:

The arrest did not lead to a conviction or the conviction qualifies for expungement
The prescribed waiting period has elapsed (typically 1-3 years for violations, 3-10 years for misdemeanors, and 7-20 years for felonies, depending on the offense)
The petitioner has no pending criminal charges or recent convictions
The offense is not among those specifically excluded from expungement eligibility

To initiate the expungement process, eligible individuals must:

File a petition with the Lincoln County Circuit Court
Pay the required filing fee (approximately $281 as of 2025)
Provide fingerprints for a background check
Serve a copy of the petition on the District Attorney
Attend a scheduled hearing if required by the court

If granted, an expungement order directs all official records of the arrest to be sealed from public access. Law enforcement agencies, including the Newport Police Department, must comply with such orders by removing the records from publicly accessible databases and restricting access to authorized personnel only.

Lincoln County Circuit Court
225 W Olive Street
Newport, OR 97365
(541) 265-4236
Oregon Judicial Department

Limitations on the Use of Arrest Records

The utilization of arrest records obtained from Newport authorities is subject to significant legal restrictions. Oregon law imposes the following limitations:

Employment Decisions: Pursuant to ORS § 659A.030, employers may not use arrest records that did not result in conviction as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions.
Housing Applications: The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601-3619) and Oregon's fair housing laws (ORS Chapter 659A) restrict the use of arrest records in housing decisions.
Credit and Financial Services: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) regulates the reporting of arrest information in consumer reports used for credit, insurance, or employment purposes.
Commercial Use: ORS § 192.345(3) prohibits the use of arrest records for commercial purposes without express authorization.

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil liability, administrative penalties, or other legal consequences. The Newport Municipal Court and Lincoln County Circuit Court maintain jurisdiction over disputes arising from the improper use of arrest records within their respective jurisdictions.

Newport Municipal Court
169 SW Coast Highway
Newport, OR 97365
(541) 574-0615
Newport Municipal Court Information