Lincoln County Criminal Records

Lincoln County criminal history records are split between two courts in Davenport: the Superior Court handles felony cases and the District Court handles misdemeanors. The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs and jail booking records for unincorporated parts of the county. For a full statewide background check tied to fingerprints, the Washington State Patrol WATCH system is the right starting point. This guide explains where each type of record is held, how to request copies, and what state law says about what can and cannot be released to the public.

Lincoln County Superior Court Criminal Records

The Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court holds official records for all felony criminal cases filed in Lincoln County. These include charging documents, plea agreements, judgment rolls, sentencing orders, and any probation conditions attached to a case. The clerk's office is at 450 Logan Street, Davenport, WA 99122. You can walk in during business hours Monday through Friday to view records or ask for copies.

Non-certified copies typically cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $1.00 for each page after that. If you know the defendant's name or case number, have it ready when you arrive. That will speed up the search considerably. For cases filed in recent years, the free online portal is often faster than a phone call.

Many Lincoln County Superior Court cases are searchable online. The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal gives free access to case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions without a fee. The portal shows who was charged, what the charges were, and how the case ended. Actual documents are not posted online and must be ordered from the clerk.

Lincoln County District Court Misdemeanor Cases

The Lincoln County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, small claims, and civil matters under $100,000. Criminal cases that fall below felony level, such as first-offense DUI, simple assault, or petty theft, are filed here. District Court locations include Davenport and Odessa, serving different parts of the county.

Records from the District Court are also searchable through the Odyssey Portal. In-person requests or written requests by mail are both accepted. Include the party name, approximate date of the case, and any case number you have. The court clerk can confirm fees at the time of your request.

Lincoln County Sheriff Arrest and Jail Records

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for unincorporated parts of the county. The records division keeps arrest logs, incident reports, and jail booking data. These are public records under Chapter 42.56 RCW, with some limits. Active investigation files are generally exempt until a case is closed or no longer active.

Conviction records held by the Sheriff can be released to the public without restriction. Non-conviction data is different. Under RCW 10.97, non-conviction information, meaning arrests that did not lead to a conviction and where the case is closed, may only go to criminal justice agencies or to the person the record belongs to. If a rap sheet has both types, the agency must redact the non-conviction parts before handing it over.

The Sheriff's Office is also at 450 Logan Street in Davenport. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted. For a full statewide picture, the office will point you toward the WSP WATCH system, which links records through fingerprints rather than just names.

WSP WATCH Statewide Background Checks

The Washington State Patrol runs the WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History), which is the most complete way to get an official criminal history for a Lincoln County subject. WATCH searches a fingerprint-linked statewide database, not just court records, so it catches cases from all Washington counties. The online fee is $11.00, payable by credit or debit card. Results come back right away.

Mail requests use the official Request for Conviction Criminal History Form. The fee is $32.00 for a name-based search or $58.00 if you include a full fingerprint card. Mail processing runs 7 to 10 business days. In-person service is available at the WSP office at 106 11th Ave SW Suite 1300, Olympia, WA 98501, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The WSP Criminal History page explains all request methods in detail. If you want to review your own complete record, including non-conviction data, you can do that in person in Olympia at no charge for up to thirty minutes. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. You may be fingerprinted for identity confirmation before the review begins.

Lincoln County Public Records Requests

For county agency records other than court documents, use the Lincoln County Public Records portal. This covers Sheriff's Office incident reports, county department emails, meeting minutes, and similar records. Court records are handled by the court clerks under Washington Court General Rule 31, not the Public Records Act.

Under RCW 42.56.520, Lincoln County must respond to any public records request within five business days of receipt. The response might hand over the actual records, give an estimated delivery date, or deny the request with a specific legal reason. You do not need to say why you want the records. The county cannot ask, except in rare cases. Fees cover only actual copy costs, not staff time.

Electronic copies are cheaper than paper. If a request is denied, you can appeal to the superior court in the county where the record is held. The agency bears the burden of proving the exemption applies, not the requestor.

Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Records in Lincoln County

Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, draws a clear line between conviction records and non-conviction data. Conviction records, meaning cases that ended in a guilty plea, a verdict of guilty, or another adverse disposition, can be released to anyone under RCW 10.97.050. There is no restriction on public access to these records.

Non-conviction data is different. This covers arrests that did not lead to a conviction, where the case is no longer active. Under RCW 10.97.080, these records may not be copied or given to the general public. They can go to criminal justice agencies, to the subject of the record, or to others specifically permitted by statute. If a record mixes conviction and non-conviction data, the agency must redact the non-conviction parts before release.

If you think your own record has mistakes, you can send a Request for Modification of Record Form to the Washington State Patrol. If the challenge holds up, the Criminal History Records Section makes the correction. Procedures for deleting old non-conviction records are set out in RCW 10.97.060, which specifies conditions like no prior convictions and waiting periods that must be met first.

DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry

If someone from Lincoln County is currently in a Washington state prison, the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search will show their name, DOC number, age, and current facility. For more detail like release dates or supervision conditions, contact DOC directly. The DOC search does not include federal inmates; use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for those.

For sex offenders, the statewide registry is run by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. The public registry is at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Adults convicted of Class A sex offenses must register for life; Class B offenses carry fifteen years; Class C carries ten. Offenders register in person at the Sheriff's Office in their county of residence under RCW 9A.44.130. Lincoln County residents register at the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office in Davenport.

Historical Lincoln County Court Records

Older Lincoln County criminal cases that predate the Odyssey Portal may be available through the Washington State Digital Archives. The archives hold Superior Court records from many counties, including older criminal case files, judgment rolls, and court proceedings. Lincoln County falls within the Eastern regional service area. Some records date back decades, though availability depends on when the records were digitized.

The MRSC provides a helpful overview at Criminal History and Arrest Records explaining the statewide rules that apply in every Washington county, including Lincoln. This is a good reference if you are not sure whether a specific type of record is public or restricted before you submit a formal request.

Cities in Lincoln County

All criminal cases in Lincoln County, whether filed in Davenport, Odessa, Harrington, or other smaller towns, are processed through the Lincoln County Superior or District Court. No cities in Lincoln County meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site.

Nearby Counties

Lincoln County shares borders with six other Washington counties, each with their own criminal history offices.