University Place Criminal History Records

University Place criminal history records are held by three agencies: the University Place Police Department for arrest and incident reports, the University Place Municipal Court for misdemeanor cases, and the Pierce County Superior Court for all felony matters filed against city residents.

University Place Police Department Records

The University Place Police Department Records Division handles public records requests for police reports, incident reports, arrest logs, and other law enforcement records created by UPPD officers. You can submit a request online, by mail, or in person at the Police Department. The department processes requests under the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW, and the Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97.

Conviction records are fully public. Anyone can request them. Non-conviction data is a different matter. Under RCW 10.97.030, non-conviction data covers arrests and charges that did not result in a conviction and where the case is no longer active. That type of record may only go to criminal justice agencies or to the person whose record it is. If a file mixes both conviction and non-conviction data, the department must redact the non-conviction portions before release.

Traffic collision reports are not held by UPPD. Those go to the Washington State Patrol as the central statewide repository. If you need a crash report from University Place, contact the WSP Records office rather than the city police department. For all other police records, the UPPD Records Division is your first stop. The city must respond to any request within five business days as required by state law, though they may send an interim notice if more time is needed to gather records.

University Place Municipal Court

The University Place Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, gross misdemeanors, traffic violations, and city ordinance violations within University Place city limits. First-offense DUI, simple assault, theft under $750, and most traffic matters are handled here. Every case heard in Municipal Court produces a public record under Washington Court General Rule 31.

Court records can be accessed in person during business hours at the court. Pierce County uses the LINX case management system rather than the statewide Odyssey Portal. You can search Municipal Court cases at LINX Online at no cost. The system shows basic case summaries, party names, charges filed, and case dispositions. To get actual documents or certified copies, contact the court directly. Copy fees apply and vary based on the type of copy requested.

The Municipal Court also provides forms and basic assistance for self-represented parties. If you are not sure whether a case exists or which documents are on file, call the clerk's office before you visit. Cases that were appealed to or originated in Pierce County Superior Court are held there, not at Municipal Court. When in doubt, a search in LINX will show you which court holds the relevant file.

Pierce County Superior Court Felony Cases

All felony cases involving University Place residents are filed in the Pierce County Superior Court. The Superior Court Clerk maintains charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgment rolls for every felony criminal matter in Pierce County. The courthouse is at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110, Tacoma, WA 98402. Public access terminals are in the clerk's office for self-service case searches.

Pierce County uses LINX rather than the statewide Odyssey Portal. Search Superior Court records at LINX Online at no charge. The system covers cases from January 2002 to present. It shows case summaries, docket entries, party names, and charge information. Non-certified copies from the Superior Court cost $0.50 per page for physical copies. Certified copies run $5.00 per document. Contact the Pierce County Clerk at (253) 798-7455 or CLKpublicrecords@piercecountywa.gov with questions.

For older cases not in LINX, the Washington State Digital Archives may have older Pierce County criminal records going back many decades. The Western Regional Branch serves Pierce County. Availability varies based on what has been digitized for a given time period. If you know the approximate case date and party names, that is usually enough to start a search at the archives.

Pierce County District Court

The Pierce County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases originating in unincorporated parts of the county, as well as some matters transferred from other courts. The District Court Public Records Officer is at 930 Tacoma Ave S, Rm 239, Tacoma, WA 98402. You can also submit requests by email to PCDCRecords@piercecountywa.gov. District Court records are searchable through LINX Online just like Superior Court cases.

To request specific case documents, send your request by mail, email, or through the court's online form. Include the party name, date of birth, case number if you have it, and the date of the incident. List which specific documents you need. The court will respond with the applicable fees and payment instructions. Once payment is received, records are mailed, emailed, or available for pickup based on your preference.

City of University Place Public Records

The City of University Place Public Records office handles requests for all city government records beyond police materials. This includes city council minutes, departmental correspondence, permits, and similar administrative files. Court records are handled separately and must be requested directly from the court clerks. Court files are governed by court rules, not the Public Records Act.

Under RCW 42.56.520, the city must respond to any public records request within five business days. The response may deliver the records, provide an estimate of when they will be ready, or deny the request with a specific statutory reason. You do not need to give a reason for your request. Fees cover only the actual cost of copying or transmission. The city prefers electronic delivery when possible, which also costs less than paper copies.

Statewide Background Checks Through WSP WATCH

The most reliable way to get a complete conviction record for a University Place resident is through the Washington State Patrol. The WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History) delivers online results immediately for $11.00 per search. You pay by credit or debit card. WATCH is fingerprint-linked, so records connect through biometric data rather than just names. This prevents false matches for people who share common names.

Mail requests cost $32.00 for a name-based search. If you submit a fingerprint card for a more precise match, the fee is $58.00. Mail turnaround takes 7 to 10 business days. You can also visit the WSP office in person at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Full details are at the WSP Criminal History Records page. A notarized background check letter is available for an extra $10.00 on top of the standard search fee.

WATCH shows conviction records and arrests under one year old with pending dispositions. Non-conviction data older than one year does not appear in public searches. To review your own complete record, including non-conviction data, visit the Olympia WSP office at no charge. You are allowed up to thirty minutes and must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You may also be fingerprinted for identity confirmation.

Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, draws a clear line between two types of records. Conviction records, meaning cases that ended in a guilty plea, verdict, or other adverse finding, are fully public under RCW 10.97.050. No one needs to explain why they want them. There is no restriction on their use.

Non-conviction data covers cases that did not lead to a conviction and where the case is no longer active. Under RCW 10.97.030 and RCW 10.97.080, these records may only go to criminal justice agencies, to the person whose record it is, or to those specifically permitted by law. Any agency holding a record that mixes both types must redact the non-conviction parts before release. This rule applies equally to UPPD records, Municipal Court files, and Pierce County court documents.

If you believe your own record has errors, file a Request for Modification of Record Form with the Washington State Patrol. If the challenge succeeds, the Criminal History Records Section corrects the record. Procedures for removing old non-conviction records are found in RCW 10.97.060. That statute sets waiting periods and requires no prior convictions. An attorney familiar with Washington record law can help you work through the process.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

To find a University Place resident currently in a Washington state prison, use the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The database shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. For details like release dates or supervision conditions, contact DOC directly. Federal inmates do not appear in this database; check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for those cases.

For registered sex offenders, the statewide registry is run by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. Access it at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Class A sex offense convictions require lifetime registration. Class B requires fifteen years. Class C requires ten years. Under RCW 9A.44.130, offenders register in person at the Sheriff's Office in their county of residence. For University Place residents, that means the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.

Pierce County Records

All University Place felony cases and county-level records are managed through Pierce County. Visit the Pierce County Criminal History page for details on the Superior Court, District Court, Sheriff, jail records, and the LINX case search system.

Nearby Cities

Other qualifying cities near University Place with dedicated criminal history pages include: