Lewis County Public Records /Lewis County Criminal Records

Lewis County Criminal Records

What Is Lewis County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Lewis County, Washington, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies operating at the county, state, and federal levels.

Understanding the distinctions among record types is essential for accurate interpretation:

Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest does not constitute a conviction, and individuals may have arrest records without any resulting conviction.
Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses carrying potential sentences of more than one year in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically resulting in fines or incarceration of up to one year in a county jail.
Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public under applicable law. Juvenile adjudication records are presumptively sealed under Washington State law and are not available for routine public inspection.
Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest. Historical records document past charges, proceedings, and dispositions that have been resolved.

The principal agencies maintaining Lewis County criminal records include the Lewis County Sheriff's Office (arrests, bookings, and jail records), the Lewis County Superior Court and District Court (case filings, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing), and the Washington State Patrol (statewide criminal history). Records encompass charges filed, arraignments, pleas entered, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and probation or parole conditions. Under Chapter 10.97 RCW, Washington State defines criminal history record information as data identifying individuals and describing arrests, detentions, indictments, informations, or other formal criminal charges, as well as any dispositions arising therefrom.

Are Criminal Records Public In Lewis County

Criminal records in Lewis County are presumptively public under Washington State law, subject to specific statutory exemptions. The Washington Public Records Act, codified at RCW § 42.56, establishes that all government records are open to public inspection and copying unless a specific exemption applies. This framework reflects the legislature's declaration that the public's right to access government information is a fundamental principle of democratic governance.

Records that are currently available for public inspection include:

Adult conviction records and court dispositions
Booking and arrest logs maintained by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office
Court case filings, cause numbers, and hearing schedules in Superior and District Court
Sentencing orders and judgment documents

Records that are restricted or exempt from routine public disclosure include:

Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed by operation of law
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would jeopardize law enforcement operations
Vacated convictions that have been ordered sealed by a court
Certain victim information and confidential informant identities

The Lewis County Public Records department administers disclosure requests for county executive branch agencies. Members of the public should note that the County Clerk's Office, as part of the judiciary, operates under separate rules and is not subject to the Public Records Act in the same manner as executive branch agencies.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Lewis County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Lewis County criminal records through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required.

Step 1 – Identify the appropriate agency. Arrest and jail records are held by the Sheriff's Office. Court case records, including charges, pleas, and dispositions, are maintained by the Lewis County Clerk's Office. Statewide criminal history background checks are processed through the Washington State Patrol.

Step 2 – Submit a public records request to the Sheriff's Office. Requests for law enforcement records, including incident reports and arrest records, may be submitted through the Sheriff's Office records request portal. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or electronically. The appointed Public Records Officer for the Lewis County Sheriff's Office is the Lewis County Public Records Manager.

Lewis County Sheriff's Office 345 W. Main Street, Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 748-9286 Lewis County Sheriff's Office

Step 3 – Request court records from the Clerk's Office. The Lewis County Clerk's Office dockets, maintains, and archives all documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court. Members of the public may submit court records requests in person or by mail.

Lewis County Clerk's Office 351 NW North Street, Chehalis, WA 98532 (360) 740-1220 Court Records/Records Requests – Lewis County Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Step 4 – Request a statewide background check. For comprehensive criminal history background checks, members of the public may submit fingerprint-based requests through the Washington State Patrol's criminal history records unit. Fingerprint-based checks provide the most complete and accurate record of an individual's criminal history statewide.

Washington State Patrol – Identification and Criminal History Section PO Box 42633, Olympia, WA 98504 (360) 534-2000 Washington State Patrol Criminal History

How To Find Criminal Records in Lewis County Online?

Several official online portals currently provide access to Lewis County criminal records and related information without requiring an in-person visit.

Lewis County Jail Roster: The Lewis County Jail Roster provides current information on individuals held at the Lewis County Jail, including booking dates, charges, and bail status. This resource is updated regularly and does not require registration to access. Users should note that the jail provides no guarantee of absolute accuracy and that information may change rapidly.
Washington State Courts Name and Case Search: The Washington State Courts name and case search tool allows members of the public to search Superior, District, and Municipal Court records statewide by party name or case number. This portal provides case filing dates, charge descriptions, hearing schedules, and disposition information.
Washington Courts Person Search: The Washington Courts person search tool enables users to locate court dates and case information by individual name. This tool does not constitute a criminal history record and should not be used as a substitute for an official background check.
Washington State Archives Digital Archives: Historical Lewis County court and government records may be accessible through the Washington State Archives Digital Archives, which preserves electronic records of both state and local government agencies.

Records that require in-person access include sealed case files, certain law enforcement investigative reports, and documents not yet digitized by the Clerk's Office. No registration is currently required to access the jail roster or the statewide court case search portals.

Can You Search Lewis County Criminal Records for Free?

Under current Washington State law, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. RCW § 42.56.080 provides that agencies shall not charge fees for the inspection of public records; fees may only be assessed for the actual cost of copying, scanning, or transmitting records in certain formats.

The following resources are currently available at no cost:

Lewis County Jail Roster – Free online access to current inmate booking information via the jail roster portal
Washington State Courts Case Search – Free name-based and case-number-based searches through the statewide court case search system
In-person inspection at the Clerk's Office – Members of the public may inspect court records at the Lewis County Clerk's Office counter during regular business hours at no charge
In-person inspection at the Sheriff's Office – Public records available for inspection at the Sheriff's Office public counter without a copying fee

Fees are assessed when requestors seek physical or electronic copies of records. The Lewis County Sheriff's Office and Clerk's Office each maintain current fee schedules consistent with state law. Fingerprint-based criminal history background checks processed through the Washington State Patrol carry a statutory fee per subject.

What's Included in a Lewis County Criminal Record?

A complete Lewis County criminal record may contain several categories of information, depending on the originating agency and the nature of the underlying case.

Identifying Information

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID) and FBI number, where applicable

Arrest Information

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency (e.g., Lewis County Sheriff's Office, Chehalis Police Department)
Booking number and facility (Lewis County Jail)
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Bail or bond amount set

Court Case Information

Superior or District Court case number and jurisdiction
Filing date and assigned judicial officer
Charge descriptions and applicable statutes, including felony class or misdemeanor grade
Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
Attorney of record information

Disposition

Verdict or finding (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
Conviction date and sentencing details (incarceration length, fines, restitution, community service, conditions of supervision)
Appeals filed and outcomes
Probation or parole terms and supervising agency

Additional Record Elements

Active or recalled warrants
Protective or no-contact orders
Sex offender registration status
DUI or DWI adjudications
Traffic-related criminal violations
Pending charges not yet adjudicated

How Long Does Lewis County Keep Criminal Records?

Lewis County retains criminal records in accordance with Washington State retention schedules established by the Washington State Archives and applicable statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and agency.

Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the Lewis County Clerk's Office and the Washington State Patrol
Misdemeanor conviction records: Generally retained for a minimum of 10 years following case closure, subject to applicable schedules
Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a minimum of 6 years under standard law enforcement schedules, though certain records may be retained longer
Juvenile records: Retained subject to sealing provisions under Washington law; sealed records are not accessible to the general public and are destroyed upon eligibility under applicable statute
Jail booking records: Retained by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office for a minimum of 6 years
Court case files (Superior Court): Permanent retention for felony matters; District Court civil and criminal records follow schedules established by the Washington State Archives

Under Chapter 10.97 RCW, Washington State Criminal Records Privacy Act, agencies maintaining criminal history record information are required to ensure the accuracy and completeness of records and to purge or correct records that are found to be inaccurate. Historical records predating current digital systems may be accessible through the Washington State Archives Digital Archives, which preserves electronic records of local government agencies statewide.