Criminal records in Grant County, Washington, can be accessed through online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. GrantWACourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Grant County. Additional access points include the Grant County Superior Court and District Court, the Grant County Sheriff's Office, and the Washington State Patrol's criminal history repository. Under Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), most criminal records are generally public unless sealed or otherwise restricted by court order.
How to Search Criminal Records in Grant County
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Grant County. What you need to begin depends on the method, but having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or a case number will produce the most accurate results.
Online Search Options
- GrantWACourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to Grant County criminal cases.
- Washington Courts Case Search — The statewide portal maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts lets you search Grant County Superior Court records by name or case number. Results are for reference and point you to the official court record.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — Another statewide tool for looking up case information. Note that results here are not the official court record.
- Grant County Jail Inmate Roster — View current inmates at the Grant County Jail, including names, booking dates, and charges.
- Washington DOC Warrant Search — Search active Department of Corrections warrants by name, DOC number, crime, or county.
In Person
Visit the Grant County Courthouse in Ephrata to use public access terminals or request assistance from the clerk's office. The Superior Court Clerk handles felony case records, while the Grant County District Court manages misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases. You can also review court docket information for upcoming criminal hearings.
By Mail or Written Request
- Court records: Contact the Superior Court Clerk or District Court directly. Grant County's Public Records office does not process court record requests. For District Court records, call 509-754-2011, ext. 3101.
- Police reports: Submit a public records request through the Sheriff's Office Records Unit. Be specific — include the case number (e.g., 24GS01234) and the type of report.
- Statewide criminal history: The Washington State Patrol (WSP) maintains the state criminal history repository. You can request a WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) check through the WSP website. A criminal history background check through the Grant County Sheriff's Office will only return information from Grant County Sheriff's Office records.
What You Need to Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
- Specific report or case number for law enforcement records
Search Grant County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Washington courts use a standardized case number format. Understanding it helps you locate the right record quickly.
A typical Grant County Superior Court criminal case number looks like this: 24-1-00123-13
- 24 — The two-digit filing year (2024)
- 1 — The case type code. In Washington Superior Courts, "1" indicates a criminal felony case. Other codes include "2" for civil, "3" for domestic, and so on.
- 00123 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk
- 13 — The county code. Grant County's code is 13.
District Court case numbers follow a similar pattern but may use different type codes (e.g., "C" for criminal misdemeanor cases). When searching the statewide case search portal, enter the full case number exactly as formatted, including dashes, to pull up the correct record.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Grant County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The RCW (Revised Code of Washington) section the defendant is charged under, e.g., RCW 9A.56.300 for theft. |
| Severity | Felony (Class A, B, or C), gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or infraction. Felonies are handled in Superior Court; misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors in District Court. |
| Amended Charges | The prosecution may amend charges during the case. Amended charges replace or modify the original filing and appear in the case docket. |
Case Status
- Pending: The case is open and awaiting resolution.
- Active: Proceedings are underway — hearings scheduled, motions filed.
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal).
- Closed: All proceedings and obligations (such as sentencing conditions) are complete.
Hearings
- Arraignment: The defendant's first court appearance, where charges are read and a plea is entered.
- Preliminary Hearing: A hearing to determine whether probable cause exists (primarily in felony cases).
- Pre-Trial: A conference to address motions, evidence issues, and potential plea negotiations. Grant County schedules criminal pre-trial hearings regularly.
- Sentencing: The court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea.
- Review: A follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with court orders or probation conditions.
Court Results
- Guilty: The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict.
- Not Guilty: The defendant was acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed: The court or prosecution dropped the charges. May be with or without prejudice.
- Deferred/Withheld Judgment: The court delays entering a judgment, often contingent on the defendant meeting certain conditions.
- Acquitted: A formal finding of not guilty, typically after a bench or jury trial.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Grant County
Certified copies carry the court's official seal and signature, making them suitable for legal proceedings, background checks, and employment verification.
Court Records (Superior Court)
Request certified copies of felony criminal case documents from the Grant County Superior Court Clerk's Office.
You can request records in person or by mail. Include the full case number, the specific documents needed, and a return address. Government-issued photo ID may be required for in-person requests.
Court Records (District Court)
For misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor case records, contact the Grant County District Court.
Law Enforcement Records
Police reports, incident reports, and local criminal history checks are handled by the Grant County Sheriff's Office Records Unit. Submit requests through the county's Public Records request process. Clearly identify the record — for example, "Requesting a copy of the Grant County Sheriff's Office police report for case number 24GS01234."
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive Washington criminal history, submit a WATCH request to the Washington State Patrol. This can be done online through the WSP's WATCH portal. A fingerprint-based background check provides the most complete results and is required for certain employment and licensing purposes.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Grant County
Fees in Washington are guided by RCW 36.18.016 (clerk's fees) and the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). Actual amounts may vary; confirm with the relevant office before submitting payment.
| Service | Estimated Fee | Source/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.15 | Per RCW 42.56.120 (public records copies) |
| Certified copy — court document (first page) | $5.00 | Per RCW 36.18.016(4) |
| Certified copy — each additional page | $1.00 | Per RCW 36.18.016(4) |
| Sheriff's Office criminal history check (local only) | Varies — contact Records Unit | Covers Grant County Sheriff's Office records only |
| WSP WATCH criminal history check | $11.00 (non-fingerprint) / $30.00+ (fingerprint) | Washington State Patrol; fees subject to change |
Processing Times
- Online court case searches: Immediate results for indexed records.
- Public records requests (Sheriff's Office): Washington law requires an initial response within five business days. The agency must provide records or an estimated timeline for production.
- Certified court copies: Typically available within a few business days if requested in person. Mail requests may take one to two weeks.
- WSP WATCH checks: Online non-fingerprint results are usually available within minutes. Fingerprint-based checks may take several weeks.
Payment methods vary by office. Contact the relevant clerk or records unit to confirm accepted forms of payment before submitting a request.