Thurston County Public Records /Thurston County Criminal Records

Thurston County Criminal Records

What Is Thurston County Criminal Records

Thurston County criminal records are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Thurston County, Washington. These records are maintained pursuant to Washington State Public Records Act § 42.56, which establishes the public's right to access government information.

Criminal records in Thurston County encompass several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Thurston County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in a guilty verdict or plea, establishing legal culpability for specific offenses.
Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year and/or substantial fines.
Misdemeanor Records: Records of less severe offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or smaller fines.

Adult and juvenile records are handled differently under Washington law. While adult records are generally accessible to the public, juvenile records receive special protections under RCW § 13.50.050, which provides for sealing and confidentiality in many circumstances.

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Thurston County:

Thurston County Sheriff's Office
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5500
Thurston County Sheriff's Office

Thurston County Superior Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5560
Thurston County Superior Court

Washington State Patrol
Criminal Records Division
PO Box 42633
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 534-2000
Washington State Patrol

The comprehensive nature of criminal records means they typically document the entire criminal justice process, including:

Initial arrests and bookings
Formal charges filed by prosecutors
Arraignment proceedings
Plea agreements
Trial proceedings and outcomes
Sentencing information
Probation and parole details

Are Criminal Records Public In Thurston County

Criminal records in Thurston County are generally public documents accessible to citizens under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA) § 42.56. This statute establishes the fundamental principle that public records shall be available for inspection and copying by members of the public.

The Washington PRA specifically states: "The people of this state do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies that serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know."

However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Washington law establishes several important exceptions:

Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily exempt from disclosure under RCW § 42.56.240.
Sealed Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order are not available to the public.
Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to juvenile offenders receive special protections under Washington law, with many being confidential or eligible for sealing.
Expunged Records: Criminal records that have been legally expunged are removed from public access.
Certain Personal Information: Information such as Social Security numbers, medical records, and certain personal identifiers may be redacted from otherwise public records.

Adult conviction records are generally the most accessible type of criminal record. Court proceedings, including hearings, trials, and sentencing, are typically open to public observation unless specifically closed by a judge for compelling reasons.

The Washington State Court Rules, specifically General Rule 31, provides additional guidance on public access to court records, establishing a presumption of openness while recognizing certain privacy interests.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Thurston County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Thurston County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval:

In-Person Requests at the Thurston County Courthouse:

Thurston County Clerk's Office
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5430
Thurston County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

The procedure for in-person requests includes:

Completing a public records request form available at the clerk's counter
Providing the subject's full name and, if possible, date of birth
Paying applicable copy fees ($0.25 per page for standard copies)
Presenting valid photo identification

Written Requests by Mail:

Written requests must include:

The requestor's complete contact information
Specific information about the records being sought
The subject's full name and, if known, date of birth
A check or money order for applicable fees

Mail completed requests to:

Thurston County Public Records Officer
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502

Email Requests:

Email requests may be submitted to the designated public records officer at publicrecords@co.thurston.wa.us. The email should contain:

A clear subject line indicating "Criminal Records Request"
All information required for written requests
Acknowledgment that electronic delivery may incur fees

Requests for Specific Record Types:

For arrest records and jail booking information:

Thurston County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5500
Thurston County Sheriff's Office Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

For court case records:

Thurston County Superior Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5560
Thurston County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Pursuant to RCW § 42.56.520, agencies must respond to public records requests within five business days by either:

Providing the requested records
Acknowledging receipt and providing an estimated timeframe for response
Requesting clarification
Denying the request with specific citation to relevant exemptions

How To Find Criminal Records in Thurston County Online?

Thurston County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records online. These resources offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests:

Thurston County Superior Court Odyssey Portal
The primary online system for accessing court case information is the Odyssey Portal, which contains:

Case numbers and filing dates
Party information
Hearing schedules
Case dispositions
Document indexes (though not all documents are viewable online)

Access the portal at: Thurston County Superior Court Records Search

Search functionality includes:

Case number search
Party name search
Attorney name search
Hearing date search

Washington Courts Search
The statewide court records search provides access to cases across Washington jurisdictions: Washington Courts Search

This system allows users to:

Search by name across multiple counties
View case types and filing dates
Access limited case history information
Determine which court holds complete records

Thurston County Jail Roster
Current inmate information is available through the online jail roster: Thurston County Corrections Inmate Lookup

The roster provides:

Current inmates' names
Booking dates
Charges
Bond information
Scheduled release dates (when available)

Washington State Patrol Criminal History Records
For official criminal history background checks: Washington State Patrol WATCH System

This system requires:

Registration and account creation
Payment of statutory fees ($11 per name-based search)
Acceptance of terms and conditions

Washington Courts JIS-Link
For professional users requiring comprehensive access: JIS-Link

This subscription-based service:

Requires application and approval
Involves monthly subscription fees
Provides more detailed case information
Is primarily designed for legal professionals

When using online systems, users should note:

Not all records are available electronically
Some documents require in-person viewing due to privacy concerns
Older records may not be fully digitized
Name-based searches should include variations and possible aliases
Date of birth information improves search accuracy

Can You Search Thurston County Criminal Records for Free?

Thurston County provides several no-cost options for accessing criminal records, in accordance with the Washington Public Records Act § 42.56.120, which states that agencies shall not charge for locating public records or making them available for inspection.

Free In-Person Inspection:

Members of the public may inspect criminal records without charge at:

Thurston County Clerk's Office
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5430
Thurston County Clerk
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

The inspection process includes:

Completing a records request form
Presenting identification
Viewing records under staff supervision
Taking notes (though copying may incur fees)

Thurston County Superior Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5560
Thurston County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Free Online Resources:

Several digital platforms offer free access to criminal record information:

Thurston County Superior Court Odyssey Portal This free public access portal provides basic case information: Thurston County Superior Court Records Search
Thurston County Jail Roster Current inmate information is available at no cost: Thurston County Corrections Inmate Lookup
Washington Courts Search The statewide court case search is free to use: Washington Courts Search

Free Records with Limitations:

Users should be aware that free access has certain limitations:

Document copies typically incur fees ($0.25 per page)
Certified copies have additional charges
Extensive research assistance may not be available
Some detailed information may require paid searches
High-volume requests may incur fees for staff time

Law Library Access:

The Thurston County Law Library provides public computer terminals for legal research:

Thurston County Law Library
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Building 2
Olympia, WA 98502
(360) 786-5146
Thurston County Law Library
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

What's Included in a Thurston County Criminal Record?

Thurston County criminal records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Initial charges filed
Bail amount and status
Detention facility information
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Arrest circumstances summary

Court Case Information:

Case number and jurisdiction
Court of record (Superior, District, Municipal)
Filing date
Formal charges filed by prosecutor
Statutory citations and offense classifications
Felony or misdemeanor designation
Plea entered
Defense attorney information
Prosecutor information
Judge assigned
Hearing dates and outcomes

Disposition Information:

Final verdict or outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Dismissal information (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions imposed
Appeal information
Probation/parole status and violations
Completion of sentence documentation

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges
Diversion program participation
Treatment program requirements
Community service obligations

The comprehensiveness of records varies based on case age, disposition type, and maintaining agency. Records maintained by the courts typically focus on case proceedings and outcomes, while law enforcement records contain more detailed arrest and booking information.

How Long Does Thurston County Keep Criminal Records?

Thurston County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Washington State Archives under the authority of RCW § 40.14, which governs the preservation and destruction of public records.

Court Records Retention:

Thurston County Superior Court retains criminal records according to the following schedule:

Felony Case Files:
- Capital punishment cases: Permanent retention
- Class A felonies: 20 years after case completion
- Class B felonies: 10 years after case completion
- Class C felonies: 5 years after case completion
Misdemeanor Case Files:
- DUI/Physical Control cases: 10 years after case completion
- Domestic violence cases: 10 years after case completion
- Other misdemeanors: 3 years after case completion
Court Dockets and Indexes:
- Permanent retention for historical and reference purposes

Law Enforcement Records Retention:

The Thurston County Sheriff's Office maintains records according to these timeframes:

Arrest Reports:
- Felony arrests: 10 years minimum
- Misdemeanor arrests: 5 years minimum
- Juvenile arrests: Until subject turns 18, then according to offense type
Investigation Files:
- Homicide/serious violent crimes: Permanent retention
- Other felony investigations: 10 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor investigations: 5 years after case closure
Booking Records:
- Adult bookings: 5 years minimum
- Juvenile bookings: Until subject turns 18, then 3 years
Fingerprint Cards:
- Maintained permanently by Washington State Patrol

Prosecutor's Office Records:

The Thurston County Prosecutor's Office follows these retention guidelines:

Felony Case Files:
- Homicide/Class A felonies: 20 years after case completion
- Other felonies: 10 years after case completion
Misdemeanor Case Files:
- 5 years after case completion

Digital Records:

With the transition to digital record-keeping, many newer records are maintained in electronic format with extended or indefinite retention periods. The Washington State Archives Digital Archives serves as a repository for historically significant criminal records.

Records retention practices are subject to change based on:

Updates to state retention schedules
Court orders for specific case types
Legislative changes to records management laws
Administrative decisions regarding historical significance

Certain records, particularly those with historical significance or involving high-profile cases, may be retained permanently regardless of standard schedules.