Moses Lake Criminal History Lookup

Moses Lake criminal history records involve the Moses Lake Police Department for incident reports and local enforcement, the Moses Lake Municipal Court for misdemeanor cases, and the Grant County Superior Court for felony cases. Grant County courts are located in Ephrata, about 20 miles from Moses Lake. Grant County also maintains a District Court branch in Moses Lake for local access to misdemeanor and civil matters. For a statewide background check, the Washington State Patrol WATCH system covers all Grant County convictions in one search.

Moses Lake Police Department Records

The Moses Lake Police Department Records Division processes public records requests for police reports, incident reports, and related law enforcement documents. Requests can be submitted in person at the department or by mail. The department operates under the Washington Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, and must respond within five business days of receiving a request.

Conviction records are public. Non-conviction data, arrests that did not result in a conviction and where the case has ended, is protected under RCW 10.97. The Records Division redacts non-conviction entries from any report before giving it to a member of the public. Active investigation files are exempt until a case closes. For a specific incident, the police Records Division is the starting point.

Moses Lake Municipal Court

The Moses Lake Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and city ordinance matters within Moses Lake city limits. It maintains records of all cases including charges, hearing schedules, pleas, and final dispositions. These records are public under Washington Court General Rule 31 with limited exceptions for sealed or juvenile cases.

Most Moses Lake Municipal Court cases appear in the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal at no cost. The portal shows case summaries with party names, case numbers, charge descriptions, and outcomes. For copies of actual documents, contact 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.

If you are not sure whether a case is in the Moses Lake Municipal Court or the Grant County District Court branch, search the Odyssey Portal first by name. The portal will show which court holds the case. Cases that arose in unincorporated Grant County near Moses Lake would be in the Grant County District Court rather than the Municipal Court.

Grant County Courts in Moses Lake and Ephrata

Felony cases for Moses Lake residents are filed in the Grant County Superior Court, located at 35 C Street NW, Ephrata, WA 98823. The Grant County Clerk of Superior Court holds all felony criminal case files. The court serves all of Grant County, including Moses Lake, Ephrata, and Soap Lake. Court files include charging documents, verdicts, sentencing orders, and final judgments.

The Grant County District Court also operates in Moses Lake in addition to its Ephrata location. This gives Moses Lake residents more local access to misdemeanor case records and civil filings without having to travel to the county seat. Both locations are accessible through the Odyssey Portal. Copy fees follow standard state rates.

Most recent Grant County court cases can be searched in the Odyssey Portal for free. For older files or certified copies of specific documents, contact the clerk's office directly. The Superior Court handles the full range of felony criminal matters: drug trafficking, robbery, assault, and any other offense that rises above the misdemeanor level.

WSP WATCH Background Checks

The Washington State Patrol's WATCH system provides the most complete statewide criminal history check for $11.00 per online search. Results return immediately. WATCH uses a fingerprint-linked database covering all 39 Washington counties, including Grant County. It is more reliable than searching court portals by name alone, because it ties records to fingerprints rather than relying on name spelling.

Mail requests cost $32.00 for a name-based check or $58.00 if you include a fingerprint card. Processing by mail takes about 7 to 10 business days. In-person requests are available at the WSP Criminal History Records office at 106 11th Ave SW, Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m.). The WSP Criminal History Records page has all the forms and instructions.

WATCH results include conviction records and recent arrests with pending dispositions. They do not include older non-conviction entries for public searches. If you want to review your own complete record, including non-conviction data, visit the Olympia WSP office at no charge for up to 30 minutes with a government-issued photo ID.

City of Moses Lake Public Records

For city government records outside the police and court systems, Moses Lake provides a public records request process through its City Clerk's office. Requests can be submitted in person or by mail and cover city department records, permits, meeting minutes, and similar documents. Police reports and court files are handled separately by those departments, not through the City Clerk.

Under RCW 42.56.520, the city must respond within five business days. Fees cover only reproduction costs. You do not need to explain the reason for your request. If the city denies your request, it must give a specific statutory reason.

Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Rules

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, is clear: conviction records are public and non-conviction data is not. Non-conviction data, closed cases that did not result in a conviction, can only go to criminal justice agencies or to the subject of the record under RCW 10.97.030. Agencies must redact non-conviction entries before releasing records to third parties.

If you find errors in your own record, you can challenge them by submitting a Request for Modification of Record Form to the WSP Criminal History Records Section. If the challenge is supported by evidence, the record is corrected. RCW 10.97.060 covers the deletion of non-conviction entries that meet certain conditions, including waiting periods and no prior convictions.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

To find a Moses Lake resident currently 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 included; check the Federal Bureau of Prisons site for those.

Registered sex offenders in Moses Lake register with the Grant County Sheriff's Office under RCW 9A.44.130. The public registry is at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Class A convictions require lifetime registration, Class B requires 15 years, and Class C requires 10 years.

Historical Records

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

Grant County Criminal Records

Moses Lake is located in Grant County. All felony criminal cases and county-level filings for Moses Lake residents are processed through Grant County courts and agencies in Ephrata.

Nearby Cities

These qualifying cities in eastern Washington also have criminal history record pages.