Franklin County Criminal History Records

Franklin County criminal history records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk, the District Court, and the Sheriff's Office at 1016 N. 4th Street in Pasco. Franklin County is part of the Tri-Cities area and shares its Superior Court jurisdiction with Benton County. Pasco is the county seat and the largest city in Franklin County. All felony and misdemeanor cases for Franklin County residents run through the Pasco courthouse regardless of where the incident took place. This guide covers how to find records, request copies, and use the Washington State Patrol WATCH system for a statewide check.

Franklin County Superior Court Criminal Records

The Franklin County Superior Court shares its judicial district with Benton County. It handles all felony criminal cases filed in Franklin County, along with civil matters over $300, family law, probate, and juvenile proceedings. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps official case files at 1016 N. 4th Street, Pasco, WA 99301. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Felony case records include charging documents, arraignment orders, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and judgment rolls. All are public records under Washington Court General Rule 31 unless sealed by a judge. Non-certified copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies run $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. The court serves Pasco, Connell, Kahlotus, and all unincorporated areas of Franklin County.

Recent cases are searchable for free on the Washington Courts Odyssey Portal. The portal shows party names, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. It does not post actual documents. For copies of filings or orders, contact the clerk's office directly. Franklin County has been growing fast in recent years, and the court handles a higher volume of cases than many similarly sized Washington counties. Having the case number or defendant name ready will speed up any request.

The shared judicial district with Benton County means some judges may hear cases in both counties. However, case records are maintained separately by each county's clerk. A Franklin County case will be at the Franklin County Clerk, not the Benton County Clerk, regardless of which judge presided.

Franklin County District Court Misdemeanor Records

The Franklin County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil matters under $100,000, and small claims. The court is at 1016 N. 4th Street, Pasco, WA 99301. Cases at this level include first-offense DUI, simple assault, fourth-degree theft, and traffic offenses.

District Court records are public and most recent cases appear on the Odyssey Portal. For document copies or older records not available online, contact the clerk in person or submit a written request with case details and applicable fees. The court also provides standard forms for self-represented litigants in small claims and civil matters. For comprehensive criminal history, the District Court refers individuals to the Washington State Patrol.

Pasco also has a municipal court that handles city ordinance violations. City of Pasco municipal court records are separate from the Franklin County District Court records. If a case involved a city ordinance, contact the Pasco Municipal Court. If it was a state law misdemeanor, the District Court has the record. When in doubt, try the Odyssey Portal first to identify which court has the file.

Franklin County Sheriff Arrest Records and Jail Logs

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county and operates the Franklin County Jail. The records division handles public requests for arrest logs, incident reports, and jail booking data under the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW. The office is at 1016 N. 4th Street, Pasco, WA 99301.

Conviction records are available to the public without restriction under RCW 10.97.050. Non-conviction data is restricted. Under RCW 10.97.080, records from arrests that did not lead to a conviction and where the case is no longer active can only go to criminal justice agencies or the subject of the record. The Sheriff will redact those portions from any public release. Active investigation files are exempt until the case closes.

The Pasco Police Department handles law enforcement within Pasco city limits and maintains its own arrest records. Connell has its own police department as well. Arrests made by city police departments are still prosecuted through the Franklin County courts, but the initial arrest records are held by the arresting agency, not the Sheriff. For a full arrest history across multiple jurisdictions, the Washington State Patrol WATCH system is the most complete source.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office handles public records requests for arrest and incident data not found in court records.

Contact the records division at 1016 N. 4th Street in Pasco for arrest logs, incident reports, and jail booking information.

Franklin County Public Records Requests

For county agency records that are not court documents, submit a request through the Franklin County public records system. Requests can be submitted online or in person. This covers Sheriff's Office incident reports, county correspondence, meeting minutes, and other county government records. Under RCW 42.56.520, Franklin County must respond within five business days. The response may provide records, acknowledge receipt with a timeline, or deny the request with the specific statutory basis for denial.

Court records are handled separately by the court clerks under Washington Court General Rule 31 rather than the Public Records Act. You do not need to explain why you want records from a county agency. Fees cover only actual copy costs. Electronic delivery is available and generally cheaper than paper. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the superior court in the county where the record is held, and the agency bears the burden of proving the exemption applies.

WSP WATCH Statewide Background Check

For an official conviction record on a Franklin County resident, use the Washington State Patrol's WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History). Online searches cost $11.00 and return results immediately. WATCH is fingerprint-linked through WASIS and covers all Washington counties, making it more reliable than a local name-only search, especially in a county with a large and diverse population like Franklin.

Mail requests cost $32.00 for a name-based check or $58.00 with a fingerprint card for a definitive biometric match. Mail processing takes 7 to 10 business days. Send requests to: Identification and Background Check Section, PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504-2633. In-person service is at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To review your own complete record, including non-conviction data, visit the Olympia office in person at no charge for up to 30 minutes. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You may be fingerprinted for identity verification. Full details are at the WSP Criminal History Records page. WATCH results include conviction records and recent pending arrests, but do not include non-conviction data older than one year for public searches.

Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data Rules

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, applies in Franklin County the same as everywhere in the state. Conviction records, cases ending in a guilty plea, verdict, or adverse disposition, are public under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone can get them. Non-conviction data covers arrests where no conviction followed and the case is no longer pending. Under RCW 10.97.030 and 10.97.080, that data is restricted to criminal justice agencies and the subject of the record.

When a record contains both conviction and non-conviction entries, the releasing agency must redact the non-conviction portions before handing anything to the public. If you believe your own record has errors, file a Request for Modification of Record Form with the Washington State Patrol. RCW 10.97.060 sets conditions for removing old non-conviction records, including waiting periods and no prior conviction history.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

If a Franklin County resident is in a Washington state prison, search the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. It shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. Contact DOC directly for release dates and supervision conditions. The database does not include federal inmates; use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for those.

Registered sex offenders in Franklin County are listed in the statewide registry at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Class A sex offense convictions require lifetime registration. Class B requires 15 years. Class C requires 10 years. Offenders register in person at the Sheriff's Office in their county of residence under RCW 9A.44.130. Risk level determines the scope of community notification.

Historical Records and Digital Archives

Older Franklin County criminal cases that predate the Odyssey system may be available through the Washington State Digital Archives. The archives hold Superior Court records from multiple Washington counties, including older criminal case files and judgment rolls. The Eastern regional branch in Cheney covers Franklin County. Availability varies by time period. Some records have been scanned and indexed while others remain in paper form at the courthouse.

For a general overview of Washington's criminal records disclosure rules, the MRSC Criminal History and Arrest Records page covers what agencies must release, what they can withhold, and how the Public Records Act and RCW 10.97 interact. This is a useful starting point if you are unsure which record type is public and which is restricted.

Cities in Franklin County

Pasco is the largest city in Franklin County and has a population large enough for a dedicated page on this site. Connell, Kahlotus, and other smaller communities in the county are served by the same Franklin County Superior and District Court system in Pasco.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County is in southeastern Washington and is part of the Tri-Cities region along with Benton County.