Yes, arrest records are public in Washington County, Oregon. This accessibility is governed by the Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192), which establishes that most records maintained by state and local government entities must be available for public inspection. Arrest records fall under this provision and are considered open records unless specifically exempted by statute or if their disclosure would interfere with an ongoing investigation pursuant to ORS 192.345(3).
The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities. Members of the public seeking arrest information may access these records through various channels established by county authorities in compliance with state transparency requirements.
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted to protect sensitive information such as social security numbers, medical information, or details that might compromise victim safety in accordance with ORS 192.355. Law enforcement agencies balance public access rights with privacy protections as mandated by Oregon statutes.
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Washington County through several official digital platforms. The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains a custody information system that is updated approximately every two hours. This system provides current information about individuals in custody at the Washington County Jail, including basic arrest details.
Additionally, the Sheriff's Office publishes a 24-Hour Arrest and Release Log that documents recent law enforcement activities. This resource is accessible to the public after completing a CAPTCHA verification to prevent automated data harvesting.
The Washington County Circuit Court also maintains an online case information system where members of the public may search for court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. These digital resources comply with Oregon's public records statutes while providing convenient access to arrest information.
Online access to these records is subject to the same statutory exemptions and privacy protections that apply to physical records. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions of arrest records in accordance with ORS 192.355.
To obtain Washington County arrest records in 2025, individuals have several official channels available:
Visit the Washington County Sheriff's Office Records Division in person at: Washington County Sheriff's Office 215 SW Adams Avenue Hillsboro, OR 97123 503-846-2700 Washington County Sheriff's Office Public counter hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Online Custody Information System maintained by the Sheriff's Office, which provides current booking information and is updated every two hours. This resource is available through the Washington County Custody Information portal.
Search Court Records at the Washington County Circuit Court: Washington County Courthouse 145 NE 2nd Avenue Hillsboro, OR 97124 503-846-8888 Washington County Circuit Court Public counter hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Submit a Public Records Request through the Sheriff's Office Public Records portal. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Use Public Access Terminals available at the Washington County Law Library located in the courthouse. These terminals provide access to court records and case information.
Pursuant to ORS 192.324, agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the actual costs of fulfilling records requests. Fee schedules are available at each agency's public counter or website.
Washington County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Oregon law and local protocols. A typical arrest record includes:
The Washington County Jail, located in Hillsboro, processes all arrests in the county and maintains these records in accordance with Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 166, which governs records retention schedules for law enforcement agencies.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public release in accordance with ORS 192.355, particularly information that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy or compromise ongoing investigations.
In Washington County, individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 137.225. Expungement, legally referred to as "setting aside a conviction" or "sealing of records," removes eligible arrests and convictions from public access.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Washington County include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Washington County Circuit Court. Petitioners must:
Pursuant to ORS 137.225(12), once an expungement is granted, the individual may legally respond to inquiries as though the arrest or conviction never occurred, with certain exceptions for specific licensing and employment situations.
Washington County arrest records frequently serve as components of background checks conducted for employment, housing, and licensing purposes. The Oregon State Police administers the state's criminal history record system, which incorporates arrest data from Washington County and other jurisdictions.
Employers and organizations conducting background checks must comply with:
Individuals concerned about the accuracy of their arrest records may request a personal criminal history report through:
Oregon State Police - Criminal Justice Information Services Division 3565 Trelstad Avenue SE Salem, OR 97317 503-378-3070 Oregon State Police Criminal History Records
Washington County residents should be aware that expunged records will not appear in standard background checks, though certain specialized checks for sensitive positions may still reveal this information pursuant to ORS 137.225(12).