Spokane County Criminal History Records
Spokane County criminal history records are spread across three main offices in Spokane: the Superior Court Clerk handles felony cases, the District Court handles misdemeanors, and the Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs and jail bookings. The county also provides an online inmate roster and a court records portal for quick lookups. This guide covers each office, what records they hold, how to request copies, and how to run a statewide background check through the Washington State Patrol for anyone connected to Spokane County.
Spokane County Overview
Spokane County Superior Court Criminal Records
The Spokane County Clerk of Superior Court is the primary keeper of felony criminal case records. This office handles charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final judgments for all felony cases filed in the county. It also holds records for family law, civil cases over $100,000, and probate matters. All of these records are public under Washington Court General Rule 31 unless a judge has ordered them sealed.
The courthouse is at 1116 W. Broadway Avenue, 3rd Floor, Spokane, WA 99260. Phone: (509) 477-2211. In-person access is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you need a case record, bring the full name of the party or a case number to speed up the search. Paper copies cost $0.15 per page. Color copies run $0.30 per page. Certified copies are $0.50 per page for court documents, which is lower than the statewide standard fee at some other counties.
The Spokane County Court Records portal also lets you look up case summaries online. Case information includes party names, charges, hearing dates, and disposition data. Full court documents must still be ordered from the clerk's office. The Washington Courts Odyssey Portal supplements this with statewide access to basic case data for recent filings.
The Spokane County Superior Court criminal records portal is one of the more detailed county court search tools in eastern Washington.
Use the portal to confirm a case number before contacting the clerk's office for certified copies or full documents.
Spokane District Court Case Lookup
The Spokane County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic infractions, and civil matters under $100,000. Common criminal cases here include first-offense DUI, simple assault, disorderly conduct, and theft under $750. These records are public and searchable through both the county portal and the statewide Odyssey system.
The District Court operates at multiple locations, including the Spokane County Courthouse and the Public Safety Building. Court records are available in person during standard business hours. For records not available online, you can visit in person or mail a written request with relevant case details and applicable copy fees. The court also provides forms and guides for people who are representing themselves in criminal matters.
The Spokane County District Court records portal shows misdemeanor case data alongside the Superior Court search tool.
District Court records cover misdemeanor-level offenses; for felony cases, check the Superior Court Clerk on the third floor of the same courthouse building.
Note: Spokane Municipal Court handles misdemeanor cases arising within the city of Spokane. County District Court covers unincorporated areas and smaller cities in the county.
Spokane County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county and operates two jail facilities: the Spokane County Jail and the Geiger Corrections Center. The Records Division maintains arrest logs, incident reports, and booking information. These records are public under the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW, though active investigation files are exempt until the case closes.
Conviction records are available to the public. Non-conviction data, meaning arrests that did not end in a conviction and where the case is no longer active, is restricted under RCW 10.97. Under RCW 10.97.080, non-conviction data can only go to criminal justice agencies or to the person whose record it is. If your search returns an arrest with no conviction, the agency will redact that part before releasing anything to you.
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office Records Division handles all arrest and incident report requests for unincorporated county areas.
For full statewide conviction data, the Sheriff's Office will refer you to the Washington State Patrol WATCH system.
Spokane County Jail Records and Inmate Roster
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office publishes an online inmate roster at Spokane County Inmate Roster. The roster shows current jail inmates, including names, booking numbers, charges, and bail information. It is updated regularly as new bookings come in and releases happen.
Detailed jail records are handled differently from standard public records. Under RCW 70.48.100, jail records are held in confidence. To get specific inmate records beyond what the public roster shows, you need a signed waiver from the inmate or a court order signed by a judge. The Sheriff's Office processes these requests through its Records Division, and you can submit requests through the Spokane County Public Records portal.
The Spokane County Inmate Roster gives the public a live view of current jail bookings without requiring a formal records request.
Check the roster first before submitting a formal records request if you only need to confirm whether someone is currently in custody.
For detailed jail records, including release dates and booking charges beyond the public roster, use the Spokane County Jail Records Release process.
The jail records process requires either a signed inmate waiver or a court order for records beyond the public booking summary.
Statewide Background Checks Through WSP WATCH
The most reliable way to get an official conviction record for a Spokane County resident is through the Washington State Patrol. The WATCH system (Washington Access to Criminal History) delivers results online right away for $11.00 per search. You pay by credit or debit card and get results immediately. WATCH pulls from a fingerprint-linked statewide database, making it more accurate than a simple name search run locally.
Mail requests are also accepted. The fee is $32.00 for a name-based mail request, or $58.00 if you submit a fingerprint card for a more precise match. Mail processing takes about 7 to 10 business days. More details on the process are at the WSP Criminal History Records page. If you want to review your own complete record, including non-conviction data, you can do so in person at the WSP Olympia office at 106 11th Ave SW, Suite 1300, at no charge for up to thirty minutes. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
Note: WATCH shows conviction records and arrests under one year old with pending dispositions. It does not include non-conviction data older than one year for public searches.
Spokane County Public Records Requests
For county agency records that are not court documents, use the Spokane County Public Records system. The Public Records Office is at 824 N. Adams Street, Spokane, WA 99260. Phone: (509) 477-2211. You can submit requests online, by mail, or in person. Court records must be requested separately from the Superior Court Clerk, not through this portal.
Under RCW 42.56.520, Spokane County must respond to any public records request within five business days. The response may provide the records, give a production estimate, or deny the request with a specific statutory reason. You do not need to explain why you want the records. Fees cover only actual reproduction costs: paper copies $0.15 per page, color copies $0.30 per page, oversized documents $0.30 to $2.00 per page. Electronic delivery costs less and is preferred when possible.
Conviction vs. Non-Conviction Data in Spokane County
Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, governs what gets released from any Spokane County record. Conviction records, meaning cases ending in a guilty plea, verdict, or other adverse disposition, can be released under RCW 10.97.050. Anyone can request them.
Non-conviction data is different. Under RCW 10.97.030, this covers records from cases that did not result in a conviction and where the case is no longer active. These records can only go to criminal justice agencies, to the person themselves, or to those allowed by law. If a report mixes conviction and non-conviction data, the agency must redact the non-conviction parts before release.
If your record contains errors, you can submit 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. Deleting old non-conviction records is covered under RCW 10.97.060, which sets specific waiting periods and conditions including no prior convictions.
DOC Inmate Search and Sex Offender Registry
If someone from Spokane County is currently incarcerated in a Washington state prison, find them through the Department of Corrections Incarcerated Search. The database shows name, DOC number, age, and current facility. For federal inmates, check the Federal Bureau of Prisons website separately.
For registered sex offenders, the statewide registry is at WASPC Sex Offender Information. Adults convicted of Class A sex offenses must register for life. Class B offenses carry a fifteen-year registration period. Class C offenses require ten years. Offenders register in person at the Spokane County Sheriff's Office under RCW 9A.44.130.
Historical Court Records
For older Spokane County criminal cases that predate the online portals, the Washington State Digital Archives may have what you need. The Eastern regional branch in Cheney is close to Spokane and serves eastern Washington counties. Some records go back to the territorial period, though what is available varies by case type and time frame. The MRSC Criminal History and Arrest Records guide is also useful for understanding which records are public across all Washington counties.
Cities in Spokane County
All felony criminal cases in Spokane County are processed through the Superior Court. Misdemeanor cases filed within incorporated city limits go to the relevant municipal court, while county District Court covers unincorporated areas.
Nearby Counties
Spokane County borders several eastern Washington counties, each with their own criminal record offices.