>Polk County Arrest Records Online

Polk County, Oregon Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Polk County, Oregon?

Arrest records in Polk County, Oregon are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192). This legislation establishes that government records, including those documenting arrests and law enforcement activities, shall be maintained as open records except where specifically exempted by statute. The Oregon Public Records Law serves to promote transparency in governmental operations and accountability of public officials by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement actions within their communities.

The Polk County Sheriff's Records Division maintains these public records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established procedures, subject to applicable processing fees as authorized under ORS 192.324. Certain sensitive information within arrest records may be redacted in compliance with privacy protections outlined in ORS 192.355, which establishes exemptions for personal information such as social security numbers, medical information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Polk County Sheriff's Office
850 Main Street
Dallas, OR 97338
503-623-9251
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Polk County?

Polk County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official county platforms. The Polk County Jail Roster offers current information about individuals in custody, including names, booking dates, and charges. This online resource is updated regularly to reflect the current inmate population and recent arrests.

Digital access to arrest records is governed by ORS 192.345, which balances public transparency with privacy considerations. The online availability of these records facilitates public access while reducing administrative burden on county staff. Users should note that online records may not contain complete arrest histories, as certain older records may only be available through direct request to the Records Division.

For comprehensive criminal history information beyond Polk County, interested parties must contact the Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Division, which maintains the statewide repository of criminal history records pursuant to ORS 181A.230.

How to Look Up Polk County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Polk County, each with specific procedures established under Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 166-200-0025 governing law enforcement records retention and access. The following options are available to members of the public:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Polk County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Requestors must complete a standard records request form and provide identification. Fees apply in accordance with the established fee schedule.
Online access to current inmate information is available through the Polk County Jail's online inmate roster. This resource provides basic arrest information for individuals currently in custody.
Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Polk County Circuit Court, which maintains records of criminal proceedings resulting from arrests. The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN) provides online access to certain court records for registered users.
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Records Division. All requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific information being sought, and applicable fees as outlined in ORS 192.324(4).

Polk County Sheriff's Records Division
850 Main Street
Dallas, OR 97338
503-623-9251
Official Website

Contents of a Polk County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Polk County law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by ORS 181A.560 and OAR 166-200-0025. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of booking
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected pursuant to ORS 181A.160
Demographic information including date of birth, physical description, and last known address
Case numbers and incident report references
Custody status and bail information where applicable

The Polk County Jail Division processes approximately 2,500 bookings annually, creating and maintaining these records in accordance with state standards. All arrest records are subject to retention schedules established by the Oregon State Archives under OAR 166-150-0135, which requires permanent retention of felony arrest records and minimum 75-year retention for misdemeanor arrests.

Certain elements within arrest records may be exempt from disclosure under ORS 192.345 and 192.355, including information that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy or compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Polk County

Oregon law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records through a process formally known as "setting aside" a record under ORS 137.225. Individuals may petition the Polk County Circuit Court to have arrest records sealed if they meet statutory eligibility requirements.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Completion of all court-mandated requirements related to the arrest
Passage of specified waiting periods (typically 1-3 years for most misdemeanors, 3-7 years for felonies)
No pending criminal charges or proceedings
No convictions within the applicable waiting period
Statutory exclusions for certain serious offenses as enumerated in ORS 137.225(5)

The expungement process requires filing a formal petition with the court where the case was adjudicated, payment of filing fees, and submission of fingerprints for verification purposes. Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all agencies to seal records related to the arrest. Pursuant to ORS 137.225(3), once an expungement order is issued, the person may legally respond to inquiries as though the arrest never occurred, with limited exceptions for certain licensing and employment situations.

Polk County Circuit Court
850 Main Street
Dallas, OR 97338
503-623-3154
Official Website