Find Criminal Court Records in Des Moines

Des Moines criminal court records are split between the Des Moines Municipal Court and the King County court system. City violations and traffic matters go through the Municipal Court, while misdemeanor and felony cases at the county level are handled by King County District Court and King County Superior Court. You can search for Des Moines criminal cases using the free statewide tool at dw.courts.wa.gov or contact the courts directly for case documents and certified records. This page explains how each court works and where to find what you need.

Des Moines Municipal Court

The Des Moines Municipal Court operates under city authority and handles cases that fall within city limits. This includes violations of Des Moines city ordinances, traffic infractions, and low-level misdemeanor charges filed by Des Moines police officers. The court maintains records of all cases filed, and those records are public under Washington's Public Records Act.

The Des Moines city website has court contact information and links to resources for people with cases in Municipal Court. If you need to check the status of a city case or request documents, you can reach the Clerk's Office directly during business hours. Bring a case number or the full name of the person involved to speed up the search. Written records requests are also accepted and are processed under RCW 42.56.

The Des Moines Police Department submits arrest and incident data to the Washington State Patrol. Police records and court records are two separate things. If you need a police report, that request goes to the police department. Court filings and dispositions come from the Municipal Court Clerk.

King County Courts and Des Moines Cases

Felony cases involving Des Moines residents or offenses that occur in Des Moines but rise above the Municipal Court's level go to King County Superior Court. This court maintains comprehensive criminal case files including charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing records, and appeal information. The King County Superior Court uses a public case search portal at kingcounty.gov/courts.

King County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases that fall outside the Municipal Court's scope or that are filed at the county level. This includes certain matters where the city has contracted with the county or where the offense straddles jurisdictions. The District Court's online case search is accessible through the King County website and through the statewide Washington Courts search tool.

Both county courts are part of a well-integrated system. Many Des Moines cases end up in the county system depending on the charges. The statewide portal at dw.courts.wa.gov searches across both court levels in King County, so it is the most efficient starting point for researching any Des Moines criminal case.

Note: Certified copies of King County court documents require a written request and a per-page fee. In-person requests at the clerk's office in Seattle can often be fulfilled the same day.

How to Search Des Moines Criminal Records

Start with the free statewide search. The Washington Courts case search at dw.courts.wa.gov covers Superior Court and District Court records from all 39 counties. You search by name or case number. Results show the court of record, case type, current status, and key dates. You do not need to know which specific court handled the case.

The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is another search option. It provides docket-level detail for courts that use the Odyssey case management system. If you already know a case number, Odyssey can pull up hearing dates, charges, and disposition information. For Des Moines Municipal Court cases, contact the court directly since city courts do not always appear in the statewide portal.

Des Moines Court Online Resources

The Des Moines city website is the main portal for Municipal Court contact information, records request procedures, and city-level criminal case details.

The Des Moines Municipal Court Clerk's Office processes public records requests and provides case status information for city violations and misdemeanor matters handled at the municipal level.

For Des Moines cases handled at the county level, the free statewide case search at dw.courts.wa.gov allows you to search King County Superior and District Court records by name or case number.

The Washington Courts case search portal is the most efficient way to find Des Moines criminal records across all King County courts in a single search.

Washington State Criminal History Records

The Washington State Patrol Criminal Records Division maintains statewide criminal history data. This database compiles arrest and conviction information submitted by local law enforcement, including the Des Moines Police Department. If you need a comprehensive criminal history check that goes beyond a single court's records, this is the right resource.

State Patrol name-based searches provide a quick overview. Fingerprint-based searches are more thorough and are required for official background checks. The Criminal Records Division accepts both in-person and mailed requests. Des Moines Police submit arrest data to State Patrol following each booking, so the statewide records are generally current.

Washington attorneys and legal aid organizations can help interpret criminal records. The Washington State Bar Association has a referral directory if you need legal advice about a specific case or record. The Washington Courts website also has self-help resources and links to court forms.

Criminal Court Records in Des Moines - King County

Des Moines falls under King County jurisdiction. Felony cases and county-level misdemeanors are handled by King County courts. The King County page covers the Superior Court, District Court, and additional local resources for criminal records.

View King County Criminal Court Records

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Des Moines and share the King County court system for criminal cases.