Hermiston Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Hermiston, Oregon?
Arrest records are public in Hermiston, Oregon, pursuant to Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192). This statute establishes that records created, maintained, or possessed by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, are generally accessible to the public. The Oregon Public Records Law operates under the presumption of transparency, with certain statutory exemptions that may apply to specific information contained within arrest records.
Members of the public should be aware that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with ORS 192.355, which outlines specific exemptions to disclosure. These exemptions may include personal privacy information, ongoing investigation details, or information that might compromise law enforcement activities if released.
The Hermiston Police Department maintains these records in compliance with state retention schedules as established by the Oregon State Archives under OAR 166-200-0100. Individuals seeking arrest records must submit their requests through proper channels and may be subject to reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and duplication services as permitted under ORS 192.324.
How to Look Up Hermiston Arrest Records in 2025
The Hermiston Police Department provides multiple methods for obtaining arrest records. Interested parties may utilize any of the following procedures to access these public documents:
Submit a public records request through the official City of Hermiston website. Requestors must complete the designated form specifying the information sought.
Visit the Hermiston Police Department Records Division in person during regular business hours to submit a written request:
Hermiston Police Department
330 S 1st Street
Hermiston, OR 97838
(541) 567-5519
Hermiston Police Department Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMCheck case status information through the Hermiston Municipal Court for cases that have been filed with the court:
Hermiston Municipal Court
180 NE 2nd Street
Hermiston, OR 97838
(541) 567-5521
Municipal Court Official WebsiteMail a written request with specific information about the desired records to the Hermiston Police Department Records Division at the address listed above.
Pursuant to ORS 192.324, the Hermiston Police Department will acknowledge receipt of all public records requests within five business days and will provide an estimated completion date. Fees for record retrieval and copying are assessed in accordance with the department's established fee schedule as authorized by Hermiston City Ordinance §34.15.
Contents of a Hermiston Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Hermiston Police Department typically contain the following categories of information as required by Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR 166-150-0135) governing law enforcement record retention:
Subject identification information, including:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Known aliases or alternative names
- Date of birth
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification data
Arrest circumstance details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
- Case number and incident report reference
- Arresting officer(s) identification
- Probable cause statement or arrest narrative
- Property seized during arrest
Post-arrest processing information:
- Booking date and time
- Detention facility information
- Bail or bond amount determination
- Initial appearance court date
- Custody status
The completeness of records may vary based on case status and applicable exemptions under ORS 192.345 and 192.355. Certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, juvenile records, or other statutorily protected information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Hermiston
Oregon law provides a mechanism for the expungement (setting aside) of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in ORS 137.225. The expungement process in Hermiston follows state statutory requirements and involves judicial review of eligibility criteria.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records must meet the following statutory eligibility requirements:
- Completion of all court-mandated requirements related to the arrest
- Satisfaction of applicable waiting periods (typically 1-3 years depending on offense classification)
- No pending criminal charges in any jurisdiction
- No other convictions within the specified waiting period
- Offense must qualify for expungement under ORS 137.225
The formal expungement procedure requires:
- Filing a petition with the Umatilla County Circuit Court
- Payment of filing fees (approximately $281 as of 2023)
- Submission of fingerprints for background verification
- Service of petition copies to the Hermiston Police Department and Umatilla County District Attorney
- Attendance at a scheduled court hearing if required by the presiding judge
Upon court approval of an expungement petition, the Hermiston Police Department and other relevant agencies are ordered to seal the specified arrest records pursuant to the court order. The legal effect of expungement under ORS 137.225(3) is that "the conviction, arrest or other proceeding shall be deemed not to have occurred, and the person may answer accordingly any questions relating to their occurrence."
Individuals considering expungement may wish to consult with legal counsel regarding eligibility and procedural requirements. The Hermiston Municipal Court can provide general information about the expungement process but cannot offer legal advice.
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