Kittitas County Criminal Records
What Is Kittitas County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Kittitas County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies across the county and state, each responsible for a distinct segment of the criminal justice process.
Arrest records document the act of taking an individual into custody and include booking information, charges alleged at the time of arrest, and bail determinations. An arrest record does not indicate guilt; it reflects only that law enforcement had probable cause to detain the individual. Conviction records, by contrast, reflect a formal finding of guilt, either through a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or jury or bench trial verdict.
Criminal offenses in Washington State are classified as either felonies or misdemeanors. Felonies are the more serious category and are further divided into Classes A, B, and C under RCW 9A.20.021, which establishes maximum penalties for each classification. Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors carry lesser penalties and are typically adjudicated in District Court.
Juvenile records are treated differently under Washington law. Pursuant to RCW 13.50.050, many juvenile records are sealed or restricted from public access, particularly when the juvenile has not been convicted of a serious offense. Adult records, including those for individuals tried as adults, remain generally accessible. Active warrants represent current court orders for an individual's arrest and are maintained as live records, while historical records reflect closed cases and completed sentences.
The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in Kittitas County include:
- Kittitas County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking logs, jail records, and incident reports
- Kittitas County Superior Court — maintains felony case files, dispositions, and sentencing records
- Kittitas County District Court — maintains misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor case files
- Washington State Patrol Identification Section — maintains statewide criminal history records compiled from all reporting agencies
- Ellensburg Police Department — maintains arrest and incident records for the City of Ellensburg
Criminal records encompass the full arc of a case, including charges filed, arraignment proceedings, pleas entered, trial records, sentencing orders, and any subsequent probation or parole conditions imposed by the court.
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office 411 N. Main St., Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 962-7523 Kittitas County Sheriff's Office
Kittitas County Superior Court 205 W. 5th Ave., Suite 301, Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 962-7531 Kittitas County Superior Court
Are Criminal Records Public In Kittitas County
Criminal records in Kittitas County are presumptively public under Washington State's Public Records Act. The Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, establishes that all government records are open to public inspection and copying unless a specific statutory exemption applies. This law reflects the legislature's declaration that the public's right to access government information is fundamental to a democratic society.
Under current law, the following categories of criminal records are generally available to members of the public:
- Adult conviction records, including felony and misdemeanor dispositions
- Court case filings, hearing records, and sentencing documents
- Booking logs and jail rosters maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information as required by state law
- Arrest records for adults, subject to certain limitations
Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records — sealed or restricted pursuant to RCW 13.50.050 unless the juvenile was tried as an adult or the offense was a serious violent offense
- Ongoing investigations — investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes are exempt under RCW 42.56.240 when disclosure would jeopardize an active investigation
- Sealed court records — records sealed by court order following vacation of a conviction or other judicial action
- Victim information — certain identifying information for crime victims, particularly in cases involving sexual offenses or domestic violence, is withheld to protect privacy
Members of the public may inspect non-exempt criminal records at the relevant county office during regular business hours without being required to state a reason for the request.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Kittitas County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Kittitas County may access them through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the correct agency. Arrest and jail records are held by the Sheriff's Records Division, which is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Court case records are held by the Superior Court Clerk or District Court, depending on the offense classification.
Step 2 — Prepare identifying information. Requesters should have the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and, if known, a case number or booking number. This information expedites record retrieval and reduces the likelihood of returning records for an incorrect individual.
Step 3 — Submit a public records request. Requests may be submitted in person at the relevant office, by mail, or through the county's online public records portal where available. The Sheriff's Office accepts written public records requests directed to its Records Division. Requests should specify the type of record sought, the time period covered, and the subject's identifying information.
Step 4 — Pay applicable fees. Washington law permits agencies to charge for the actual cost of copying records. Standard per-page fees apply to paper copies. Electronic records may be provided at no cost or at a reduced fee depending on the format requested.
Step 5 — Await response. Under RCW 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days, either by providing the records, acknowledging the request and providing an estimated timeline, or denying the request with a written explanation citing the applicable exemption.
Step 6 — Request statewide criminal history. For a comprehensive background check, members of the public may submit a request to the Washington State Patrol's WATCH system, which provides statewide conviction history for a fee.
Kittitas County District Court 205 W. 5th Ave., Suite 101, Ellensburg, WA 98926 (509) 962-7535 Kittitas County District Court
How To Find Criminal Records in Kittitas County Online?
Several online portals currently provide access to Kittitas County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
Kittitas County Jail Roster — The Sheriff's Office maintains a publicly accessible jail roster that lists individuals currently held in the Kittitas County Jail. The roster typically includes the inmate's name, booking date, charges, and bail status. No registration is required to view the roster, and it is updated on a regular basis.
Washington State Courts Case Search (SCOMIS) — The Washington Courts public portal at dw.courts.wa.gov allows members of the public to search Superior Court and District Court case records statewide, including Kittitas County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns case filing dates, charge descriptions, hearing schedules, and disposition information. No account registration is required for basic searches.
Washington State Patrol WATCH System — The WATCH online portal provides statewide conviction history records. A fee is required, and users must create an account. WATCH returns conviction records compiled from all Washington law enforcement and court agencies and is the most comprehensive source for statewide criminal history.
Kittitas County Sheriff's Office Civil Division — The Civil Division of the Sheriff's Office handles court-ordered processes and related records. Information about civil process service and related court orders may be obtained through this division.
Records available exclusively in person include sealed case files, certain investigative reports, and historical records predating electronic filing systems. Requesters seeking these materials must appear at the relevant office during public counter hours.
Can You Search Kittitas County Criminal Records for Free?
Washington's Public Records Act mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under RCW 42.56.080, agencies may not charge a fee for the inspection of records; fees may only be assessed for the actual cost of copying or transmitting records in a requested format.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Kittitas County Jail Roster — The Sheriff's Office jail roster is freely accessible online and provides current inmate information including charges and booking dates
- Washington Courts Case Search — The statewide SCOMIS portal at dw.courts.wa.gov provides free access to court case records, including Kittitas County Superior Court and District Court filings
- In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect criminal records in person at the Sheriff's Records Division or the court clerk's office at no charge during regular business hours
- Sheriff's Office directory — The Sheriff's Office directory provides contact information for all divisions, enabling requesters to identify the appropriate point of contact before visiting in person
Fees apply when copies are requested. The Washington State Patrol WATCH system charges a fee for statewide criminal history reports regardless of the inspection method, as it is a separate background check service rather than a direct public records inspection.
What's Included in a Kittitas County Criminal Record?
A complete criminal record in Kittitas County may contain information drawn from multiple agencies and compiled across the full duration of a case. The specific contents vary depending on the source of the record and the nature of the underlying offense.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) assigned by the Washington State Patrol
- FBI Number, if the individual's fingerprints have been submitted to the federal system
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and facility (Kittitas County Jail)
- Charges alleged at the time of arrest
- Bail amount set and bond status
Court Case Information
- Case number and assigned court (Superior or District)
- Filing date and jurisdiction
- Charges as formally filed, including applicable statutes and offense classifications (felony class or misdemeanor grade)
- Plea entered by the defendant
- Attorney of record for prosecution and defense
- Hearing dates and continuances
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or dismissed)
- Conviction date if applicable
- Sentencing details, including type of sentence (incarceration, community supervision, fines, restitution, or a combination)
- Length of sentence and any suspended portions
- Conditions of probation or community custody
- Appeals filed and outcomes
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or no-contact orders
- Sex offender registration status under RCW 9A.44.130
- DUI or DWI convictions
- Pending charges not yet adjudicated
How Long Does Kittitas County Keep Criminal Records?
Kittitas County agencies retain criminal records in accordance with the Washington State Archives' General Records Retention Schedule and agency-specific schedules approved by the Local Records Committee. Retention periods vary by record type and the severity of the underlying offense.
Current retention periods for principal record categories include:
- Felony conviction records — retained permanently by the court clerk and the Washington State Patrol
- Misdemeanor conviction records — retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of disposition under the Washington State court records retention schedule
- Arrest records without conviction — retained for a minimum of six years, though records of arrests for serious offenses may be retained longer
- Booking and jail records — generally retained for six years following release, subject to the agency's approved schedule
- Juvenile records — retention periods are governed by RCW 13.50.050, which also governs sealing; many juvenile records are sealed upon the individual reaching adulthood or upon petition to the court
- Incident and investigation reports — retained for a minimum of six years for non-felony matters; felony investigation files are retained for longer periods consistent with the statute of limitations and post-conviction review rights
The Washington State Archives publishes the authoritative Local Government General Records Retention Schedule, which governs all county agencies. Records that have met their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with approved destruction procedures, meaning older records may not be available for all requests.