Find Criminal Records in Maple Valley

Maple Valley criminal history records come from several sources depending on the type of offense and who maintains the file. The Maple Valley Police Department handles incident reports, the Maple Valley Municipal Court holds misdemeanor case records, and felony cases go to the King County Superior Court in Seattle. For a broad background check, the Washington State Patrol WATCH system is the most reliable starting point. This page explains where each type of record lives and how to get it.

Maple Valley Police Department Records

The Maple Valley Police Department Records Division processes public records requests for police reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement documents. You can file a request online, by mail, or in person. The department responds under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, within five business days.

Conviction records held by the police are public. Non-conviction data, such as arrests that did not end in a conviction, is restricted under RCW 10.97. The Records Division redacts non-conviction portions from any report before handing it to the public. Active investigation files are exempt until a case closes. For a simple incident report, start here before checking the court system.

Maple Valley Municipal Court

The Maple Valley Municipal Court hears misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and city ordinance infractions that happen inside Maple Valley city limits. It keeps records of all cases, including charge descriptions, court dates, pleas, and final dispositions. These records are public under Washington Court General Rule 31, with limited exceptions for cases involving juveniles or sealed records.

Case summaries for Maple Valley Municipal Court cases appear in the statewide Washington Courts Odyssey Portal at no cost. The portal shows party names, case numbers, charges, and outcomes. Actual documents must be requested from the court clerk in person or by mail. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page; certified copies start at $5.00 for the first page.

Common offenses handled here include first-offense DUI, minor assault, theft under $750, and traffic matters. For anything that rises to the felony level, the case goes to King County Superior Court instead. Check the Odyssey Portal first to find out which court holds the case you are looking for before making a trip or sending a written request.

King County Superior Court Felony Records

Felony cases for Maple Valley residents are filed in the King County Superior Court in Seattle. The King County Clerk's office at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104 holds felony criminal case files including charging documents, jury verdicts, sentencing orders, and judgment rolls. The Odyssey Portal covers many of these cases, but older files may need to be requested in person.

The King County Superior Court serves a large jurisdiction, so the records office can be busy. Calling ahead to confirm availability and copy fees will save time. The clerk's office is generally open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. For felony background checks, the WATCH system described below pulls this data automatically and saves you a trip to Seattle.

WSP WATCH Background Checks

The Washington State Patrol's WATCH system is the best tool for a comprehensive criminal history check on any Maple Valley resident. WATCH costs $11.00 per online search and returns results right away. It draws from a fingerprint-linked statewide database that covers arrests and convictions across all 39 Washington counties. This is more complete than searching individual court portals by name.

Mail requests cost $32.00 for a name-only search or $58.00 with fingerprints for a higher-accuracy match. Processing by mail takes about 7 to 10 business days. In-person visits are possible at the WSP Criminal History Records office at 106 11th Ave SW, Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m.). The WSP Criminal History Records page has full instructions and forms.

WATCH only returns conviction records and recent arrests with pending dispositions for public users. Older non-conviction data does not appear in public WATCH results. If you need to review your own complete record, visit the Olympia WSP office in person at no charge. You can spend up to 30 minutes reviewing your file and must bring a government-issued photo ID.

City of Maple Valley Public Records Requests

For city government records that are not court or police documents, the City of Maple Valley Public Records process applies. Requests go to the City Clerk's office and can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. This covers city department records, permits, and similar materials.

The city must respond within five business days under RCW 42.56.520. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Fees cover only reproduction costs. Court records and police reports are handled separately by their respective departments, not through the City Clerk.

Conviction and Non-Conviction Record Rules

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, distinguishes between conviction records and non-conviction data. Conviction records are fully public. Non-conviction data, meaning closed cases that did not result in a conviction, can only go to criminal justice agencies or to the subject of the record per RCW 10.97.030.

Agencies must redact non-conviction entries from any record released to a third party. If your own record contains errors, you can challenge them by filing a Request for Modification of Record Form with the WSP Criminal History Records Section. If the challenge is supported, the agency corrects the record. RCW 10.97.060 covers the conditions under which old non-conviction entries can be deleted entirely.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

To find a Maple Valley resident currently held in a Washington state prison, use the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The database shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. Contact DOC directly for release dates or supervision status. Federal inmates are not listed here; check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for those cases.

The sex offender registry for Maple Valley is maintained statewide by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. You can search by name or location at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Offenders register with the King County Sheriff's Office under RCW 9A.44.130. Class A sex offense convictions carry lifetime registration, Class B requires 15 years, and Class C requires 10 years.

Historical Records

Older King County criminal case records that predate the Odyssey Portal may be available through the Washington State Digital Archives. The Puget Sound regional branch in Olympia serves King County. Some records go back decades. Availability varies by case type and year.

King County Criminal Records

Maple Valley falls within King County. All felony cases and county-level filings for Maple Valley residents are processed through King County courts and agencies.

Nearby Cities

These nearby qualifying cities also have criminal history record pages.