Criminal records in Spokane County, Washington, are available through several channels. SpokaneCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases by name or case number. Additionally, data can be obtained through the state's official court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the clerk of court's office — in person, by mail, or online.
How to Search Criminal Records in Spokane
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following: the person's full name, date of birth, or case number.
Online Search
- SpokaneCourt.us — enter the name or case number to view publicly available information about criminal proceedings in the county.
- Search Local Spokane County Courts — this tool covers records from the District Court, Superior Court, and Municipal Court. Searches can be conducted by name, case number, and hearing dates.
- Washington State Courts — Name and Case Search — a statewide portal that updates daily at 3:00 AM. It allows you to find a case in any court in the state, including Spokane County Superior Court.
- Inmate Search through the Washington State Department of Corrections — shows individuals currently in custody at the state level.
- County Inmate Roster — a list of individuals in Spokane County Jail and Geiger Corrections Facility.
In-Person Visit
The Superior Court Clerk's Office accepts visitors during business hours. There are public terminals available for court case searches. Copies of criminal case documents can be obtained directly at the clerk's office.
Written Request
A request can be submitted by mail to the court clerk's office or to the Washington State Patrol — the latter maintains the official state criminal history record. WSP processes fingerprint-based checks and provides conviction data from all Washington jurisdictions. For county-level requests, use the District Court records request form.
Search Spokane Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in Washington courts have a standard format consisting of several parts:
- Court Code — a two-digit numerical identifier for a specific court (e.g., Superior Court or District Court of the county).
- Case Type — a letter code indicating the category of the proceeding. For criminal cases in Superior Court, the code "1" is typically used (felony criminal proceeding), while District Court denotes misdemeanor with a separate code.
- Sequential Number — a unique numerical identifier assigned upon case registration.
- Year Filed — the last two digits of the year the case was opened.
Example: a number like 24-1-00123-32 indicates a 2024 case, criminal by type, registered in a specific county court. If you only know part of the number, try searching by name through one of the portals mentioned above — the system will return all related cases.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Spokane
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code (RCW) | Reference to the Revised Code of Washington under which charges are filed |
| Severity | Felony, Gross Misdemeanor, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — the new wording is reflected in the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet.
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings are scheduled.
- Disposed — the court has rendered a final decision.
- Closed — the case is fully completed, no further action is expected.
Types of Hearings
Criminal hearings in Spokane County are held in Superior Court (felony) or District Court (misdemeanor). Court Viewer allows you to check the schedule.
- Arraignment — the first official presentation of charges; the defendant states whether they plead guilty.
- Preliminary hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.
- Pre-trial — procedural matters, motions by parties, possibility of a plea deal.
- Sentencing — imposition of punishment after a guilty plea or verdict.
- Review hearing — checking compliance with the terms of punishment (e.g., probation).
Court Results
| Result | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty — by court verdict or plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted by jury or judge decision |
| Dismissed | The case is closed — the prosecutor dropped the charges or the court found insufficient grounds |
| Deferred / Withheld Judgment | The court postponed the sentence; upon meeting conditions, the charge may be dismissed |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after substantive review |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Spokane
Certified copies are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by employers, licensing agencies, and other institutions.
Where to Submit a Request
- Clerk of the Superior Court — issues certified copies of felony-level criminal case documents. Requests can be made in person or by mail through the clerk's office.
- District Court — handles requests for misdemeanor cases. Instructions and forms are available on the records request page.
- Washington State Patrol (WATCH) — for official state-level criminal history checks. Requests are submitted online or by mail through the Criminal History section on the WSP website.
What You Need for a Request
- The person's full name and date of birth.
- Case number (if known).
- Valid photo ID — for in-person requests.
- Payment of applicable fees.
Contact Information
Spokane County Clerk of the Superior Court
Spokane County Public Records Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Spokane
Fees are set according to RCW 36.18.016 and local rules. Below are approximate rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| WATCH — criminal history check through WSP (by name) | $11.00 |
| Fingerprint-based check through WSP | $30.00+ |
Processing Times
- Online search through WATCH — results are usually available within minutes.
- Document copies at the clerk's office — issued the same day for in-person requests, by mail — 5 to 10 business days.
- Requests through the Public Records Office — according to the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), a response must be provided within five business days, although complex requests may take longer.
Exact fee amounts should be confirmed directly with the office, as they may change. For mail requests, include a self-addressed, prepaid postage envelope.