Search Walla Walla Criminal History

Walla Walla criminal history records come from the Walla Walla Police Department for police contacts and arrest reports, the Walla Walla Municipal Court for misdemeanor cases, and the Walla Walla County Superior Court for felony matters filed against city residents.

Walla Walla Police Department Records

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

Conviction records are public under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone can request them and there is no restriction on their use. Non-conviction data is limited. That category covers arrests and charges where no conviction resulted and the matter is no longer active. Under RCW 10.97.030 and RCW 10.97.080, non-conviction data may only go to criminal justice agencies, to the person whose record it is, or to those specifically allowed by law. If a police record mixes both types, the department will redact the non-conviction parts before release.

The city must respond to any public records request within five business days under RCW 42.56.520. That response might deliver the records, give an estimated timeline, or deny the request with a specific statutory reason. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Fees are limited to the actual cost of copying. For a full statewide conviction history, the department will refer you to the Washington State Patrol WATCH system, which draws from a more comprehensive fingerprint-linked database than any single police agency can provide.

Walla Walla Municipal Court

The Walla Walla Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, gross misdemeanors, traffic violations, and city ordinance violations occurring within Walla Walla city limits. First-offense DUI, simple assault, theft under $750, and most traffic matters are filed here. All cases heard in Municipal Court produce public records under Washington Court General Rule 31.

Court records can be accessed in person during business hours at the court. Cases are also searchable online through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal. Walla Walla County uses the Odyssey case management system, so Municipal Court cases appear in the statewide portal. The portal shows case summaries, party names, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions at no charge. Actual documents or certified copies must be ordered from the clerk's office. Copy fees follow standard Washington court rates.

The Municipal Court also offers forms and basic assistance for people who are representing themselves. If you are not sure whether a case exists in Municipal Court or was filed in Superior Court, a search in Odyssey will clarify that quickly. Anything charged as a felony goes to the Walla Walla County Superior Court. Municipal Court jurisdiction covers city misdemeanors and ordinance violations only.

Walla Walla County Superior Court Felony Cases

All felony cases involving Walla Walla residents are filed in the Walla Walla County Superior Court. The Clerk of Superior Court is at 315 W. Main Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Because Walla Walla is the county seat, the courthouse is located within the city. The clerk maintains charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgment rolls for every felony criminal matter in the county.

Recent cases are searchable through the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal at no charge. The portal shows case summaries, docket entries, party names, and charge information. For actual case documents or certified copies, contact the clerk's office directly. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 for each additional page per document. Public access terminals at the courthouse allow walk-in case searches during business hours, Monday through Friday.

For cases too old to appear in Odyssey, the Washington State Digital Archives may have older Walla Walla County criminal records. The Eastern Regional Branch in Cheney serves Walla Walla County and other eastern Washington counties. Some records date back to territorial days, though what is available varies depending on the time period and what has been digitized.

Walla Walla County District Court

The Walla Walla County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases originating in unincorporated parts of the county, along with traffic violations and small claims matters. The District Court is also at 315 W. Main Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362, in the same courthouse complex as the Superior Court. Cases are searchable through the Odyssey Portal. For document copies or older records, contact the District Court clerk directly.

The court provides forms and assistance for self-represented litigants. If you need to request specific case documents, contact the clerk with the party name, date of birth, case number if known, and approximate date of the case. The clerk will explain applicable copy fees and how to pay. Once payment is made, records are provided in the format you request.

Walla Walla County Sheriff and Jail Records

The Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county and maintains arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking information. The Sheriff's Office operates the county jail. Public records requests to the Sheriff are processed under the Washington Public Records Act and RCW 10.97. Conviction records are available to anyone. Non-conviction data is restricted to criminal justice agencies and the subject of the record.

If you need arrest records or incident reports from unincorporated Walla Walla County, submit your request to the Sheriff's Office. For incidents within Walla Walla city limits, those records go to the Walla Walla Police Department. The distinction matters. Each agency holds only the records generated by its own officers. For a comprehensive statewide picture, the Sheriff's Office will refer you to the WSP WATCH system.

City of Walla Walla Public Records

The City of Walla Walla Public Records office handles requests for city government records beyond police materials. This covers city council minutes, permit records, departmental emails, and other administrative files. Court records must be requested from the appropriate court clerk. Police records must be requested from the Police Department. The general public records office handles city administrative records only.

Under RCW 42.56.520, the city must respond to any records request within five business days. Responses may deliver the records, provide an estimate of when they will be ready, or deny the request with a cited statutory reason. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Fees are limited to actual reproduction costs.

Statewide Background Checks Through WSP WATCH

The most complete conviction record for a Walla Walla resident comes through the Washington State Patrol. The WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History) gives online results immediately for $11.00 per search. Results come right away after payment by credit or debit card. WATCH is fingerprint-linked, so records tie to biometric identity rather than just a name. This is important for people with common names or who have used multiple names.

Mail requests cost $32.00 for a name-based search or $58.00 with a fingerprint card. Mail turnaround is 7 to 10 business days. In-person service is at the WSP office at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The full process is described at the WSP Criminal History Records page. A notarized background check letter is available for an extra $10.00 if you need documentation for a specific purpose.

WATCH results cover 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 see your own complete record including non-conviction data, visit the Olympia WSP office at no charge. You get up to thirty minutes and must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Fingerprinting for identity confirmation may be required.

Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, separates criminal records into two distinct groups. Conviction records, meaning cases ending in a guilty plea, verdict, or other adverse finding, are fully public under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone can request them without explaining why.

Non-conviction data covers cases where no conviction resulted and the matter is closed. 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 the statute specifically permits. Agencies holding mixed records must redact non-conviction portions before public release. This applies to all Walla Walla records sources: WWPD, Municipal Court, county court clerks, and the Sheriff's Office.

To challenge errors in your own record, file a Request for Modification of Record Form with the Washington State Patrol. If the challenge is upheld, the Criminal History Records Section makes the correction. Rules for removing old non-conviction records are in RCW 10.97.060, which sets specific waiting periods and conditions. An attorney can help if the process is unclear.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

To find a Walla Walla 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 release dates or supervision conditions, contact DOC directly. Federal inmates do not appear here; use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for those cases.

For registered sex offenders in Walla Walla, 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 county Sheriff's Office where they live, which for Walla Walla residents means the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office.

Walla Walla County Records

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