Adams County Criminal Records

Adams County criminal records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk and the District Court in Ritzville. You can search case information through the statewide Washington Courts portal or visit the courthouse in person to get copies of criminal case files. Adams County covers a large area of eastern Washington. The county seat is Ritzville. Whether you need felony case records, misdemeanor court files, or arrest history from the Sheriff's Office, this guide explains your options and where to start.

Adams County Superior Court Clerk

The Adams County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all felony criminal case files for the county. The Clerk's office is the official custodian of records for Superior Court cases, which includes felony charges, felony convictions, and related court orders. If you need a copy of a judgment, a sentence order, or other felony case documents, this office is your primary source. Records go back many years and are available for public inspection.

The main courthouse sits in downtown Ritzville. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. You can request copies in person or by submitting a written request by mail. Bring a photo ID when visiting in person. Court records for civil, probate, and family matters are held here as well, but criminal case files are some of the most requested records at this office.

Note: Call ahead to confirm current hours before making a trip to Ritzville.

Adams County District Court Records

Adams County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, gross misdemeanors, and traffic violations. If you are looking for records from a DUI, reckless driving, theft under certain amounts, or other lower-level offenses, the District Court is where those case files live. The District Court also handles civil cases under $100,000 and small claims matters.

District Court records are separate from Superior Court records. Do not assume a search at the Superior Court Clerk will turn up misdemeanor cases. You need to contact the District Court directly or use the statewide Washington Courts case search to find both Superior and District Court records in one place. The Adams County District Court is located at the same courthouse address as the Superior Court.

Adams County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Adams County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county. The Sheriff maintains arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking information. If you want to know whether someone was arrested in Adams County, or if you need an incident report, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. They handle public records requests for law enforcement documents.

Arrest records at the Sheriff's Office are different from court criminal records. An arrest record shows that a person was taken into custody. Court records show what happened after the arrest, like charges filed, plea deals, and verdicts. Both types of records can be useful depending on what you need. The Sheriff's Office processes public records requests under RCW Chapter 42.56, the Washington Public Records Act, which requires agencies to respond within five business days.

Online Case Search for Adams County

The easiest way to start looking up Adams County criminal records online is through the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search. This free portal covers Superior Court and District Court case information from counties across the state, including Adams County. You can search by person name, case number, attorney name, or judicial officer.

The statewide portal shows basic case details: filing dates, party names, case status, charge information, and scheduled hearings. It does not provide document images. To get copies of actual court documents, you will need to contact the Superior Court Clerk or District Court directly. The portal is still a good first step to confirm whether a case exists and get the case number before making a formal request.

The Washington Courts website also links to a full court directory with contact information for every court in the state. You can use this to find specific clerks, administrators, and phone numbers for Adams County courts.

WATCH Background Checks for Adams County

The Washington State Patrol runs WATCH, which stands for Washington Access to Criminal History. This is the main state-level tool for running a background check on someone in Washington. WATCH pulls from the Washington State criminal history database and returns conviction information for the person you search. It covers Adams County convictions along with records from across the state.

WATCH searches cost $11 per name. You pay by debit or credit card. The search is name and date of birth based. You enter the exact name and date of birth, and the system returns one of several responses: no record found, no exact match, a list of possible candidates, or an actual criminal history record. A criminal history record from WATCH includes Washington State conviction history, arrests within the past year with pending dispositions, sex or kidnapping offender registration status, and Department of Corrections information.

One important note: WATCH only shows Washington State conviction records. It does not include out-of-state convictions, federal records, or non-conviction information. Non-conviction data is restricted to criminal justice agencies only under RCW Chapter 10.97, the Criminal Records Privacy Act. To run a WATCH check, go to watch.wsp.wa.gov.

Adams County Jail and Inmate Records

The Adams County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail. Jail records include booking information, charges at the time of booking, and current inmate status. To check if someone is currently held in the Adams County jail, contact the Sheriff's Office directly at (509) 659-1122. The Sheriff can confirm custody status and provide basic booking information that is public record.

For people who have been sentenced to a Washington State prison rather than a county jail, use the Department of Corrections inmate search at doc.wa.gov. This free tool lets you search by name or DOC number. It shows age, location, and custody status for currently incarcerated individuals.

Sex Offender Registry in Adams County

Sex offenders in Adams County must register with the Adams County Sheriff's Office. Washington law requires sex offenders to register within three business days of release from custody and to report any changes to their address or employment. This is governed by RCW 9A.44.130. Failure to register is a Class C felony for a first offense, and a Class B felony for repeat violations.

The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs manages the Washington Sex Offender Public Registry, known as WASOR. Level II and Level III offenders appear on the public registry. Level I offenders are considered lower risk and their information is shared only with law enforcement, not the public. You can search the public registry at waspc.org. The national registry at nsopw.gov also includes Washington offenders.

How to Request Adams County Criminal Records

There are three ways to get criminal records from Adams County courts: in person, by mail, or online through the statewide portal. Each method has trade-offs. In-person visits let you review full case files and get copies the same day. Mail requests take longer but work if you cannot travel to Ritzville. The online portal is free and fast but only shows basic case information, not document images.

For in-person requests, go to the courthouse at 210 W Broadway in Ritzville. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk the name and approximate year of the case, or the case number if you have it. Staff will pull the file and make copies. Copy fees are standard under Washington law. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Ask about current fee amounts when you arrive since fees can change.

For mail requests, write a letter to the Adams County Clerk at 210 W Broadway, Ritzville, WA 99169. Include the full name, approximate filing year, and case number if known. Explain what documents you need and ask about the current copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents returned by mail.

Note: Under RCW 42.56.120, agencies cannot charge a fee just for inspecting public records. Copy fees apply only when you want physical or electronic copies of documents.

Privacy Rules for Adams County Criminal Records

Washington has two main laws that govern access to criminal records. The first is RCW Chapter 10.97, the Criminal Records Privacy Act. This law establishes what criminal history information can be shared with the public and what is restricted. Conviction records can be shared freely. Non-conviction data, such as arrests that did not lead to a conviction, is restricted to criminal justice agencies only.

The second key law is RCW Chapter 42.56, the Public Records Act. This law requires all government agencies, including Adams County courts and the Sheriff's Office, to make public records available on request. Agencies must respond within five business days. They can ask for more time if the request is complex, but they must acknowledge the request within five days either way.

Some records are not public. Juvenile court records under RCW Chapter 13.50 are mostly confidential. Only the official juvenile court file is a public record. Probation files and other juvenile justice agency records are not public. Records involving child victims of sexual assault are also protected under RCW 10.97.130 and cannot be released to the press or public without permission.

If you are the subject of a criminal record in Washington, you have the right to review your own complete record, including non-conviction information, under RCW 10.97.080. You must verify your identity first. You can also request deletion of non-conviction-only records from the state database under RCW 10.97.060, provided no active proceedings are pending.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Adams County. If you need records from a different area of eastern Washington, check the links below.