Chelan County Criminal Records Search
Chelan County criminal court records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Wenatchee and the District Court serving central Washington. Felony cases, misdemeanor prosecutions, and related court filings are all accessible to the public. You can search Chelan County criminal records online through the Washington Courts Case Search or the Odyssey Portal. In-person access is available at the Clerk's Office in Wenatchee during regular business hours.
Chelan County Overview
Chelan County Superior Court Records
Chelan County Superior Court sits in Wenatchee and serves as the county's court of general jurisdiction. It handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $75,000, family law proceedings, and juvenile cases. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all official case files at the Wenatchee courthouse. Public access to those files is available during business hours, and the Clerk processes in-person, mail, and online requests.
Felony criminal records in Superior Court contain the charging documents, arraignment records, motions filed by both sides, plea or trial records, and the final judgment and sentence. These are public records under RCW 42.56 unless sealed by court order. Chelan County uses the Odyssey case management system for electronic record keeping, which makes case data available through the statewide search portals. The court also hears appeals from the Chelan County District Court and municipal courts within the county.
Chelan County participates in therapeutic court programs including drug court and mental health court. Cases handled through these programs still result in court records, though outcomes may vary from standard criminal sentencing. The Superior Court coordinates with the Washington State Patrol to report dispositions for all felony cases, keeping the statewide criminal history database up to date.
| Office | Chelan County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 350 Orondo Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801 |
| Phone | (509) 667-6380 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.chelan.wa.us |
The Chelan County website at co.chelan.wa.us provides direct access to the Clerk's Office contact page and related court services. The site is the official source for courthouse addresses and department contacts.
This page from the Chelan County government site shows the Superior Court and Clerk's Office information, including links to online records access and filing procedures.
Search Chelan County Cases Online
Two free online portals cover Chelan County criminal court records. The Washington Courts Case Search provides a statewide search covering all participating courts. Enter a name or case number to find Chelan County cases filed in both Superior Court and District Court. The Odyssey Portal offers more detailed and more current information pulled directly from Chelan County's case management system.
Online searches return basic case information: the names of parties, the case number, the charges filed, the court date, and the current status or final disposition. These results are informational. They are not certified copies and cannot be used in legal proceedings without verification from the Clerk's Office. To get a certified copy of any document, contact the Clerk in Wenatchee at (509) 667-6380 or visit in person between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM on weekdays. Mail requests are also accepted with a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment enclosed.
The Washington Courts Case Search portal covers Chelan County along with all other Washington counties in a single searchable database.
This statewide portal is the quickest free tool for finding Chelan County criminal case records without a trip to the Wenatchee courthouse.
Note: The Clerk's Office at 350 Orondo Ave also has public access computers available for in-office case searches at no charge.
District Court and Misdemeanor Records
Chelan County District Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and civil matters under $75,000. This court processes most of the day-to-day criminal filings in the county. DUI cases, domestic violence charges, theft, and similar offenses are filed at the District Court level unless they rise to a felony.
District Court records include the initial citation or complaint, any motions filed, hearing records, pleas, and the final disposition. The court also maintains warrant information for individuals with outstanding arrest warrants issued by the court. Records requests can be submitted at the courthouse, and fees apply for copies. The clerk can verify whether a specific case exists and provide document copies upon request with appropriate identification and payment.
Arrest Records and the Chelan County Jail
The Chelan County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail located in Wenatchee and handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county. When an arrest is made, the Sheriff's Office creates a booking record and submits it to the Washington State Patrol for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database. This means Chelan County arrests are reflected in WSP records, not just local databases.
The Chelan County Jail maintains an online roster of current inmates, including their names, booking dates, charges, bail amounts, and scheduled release dates when available. Booking records also include photographs and physical descriptors. This roster is publicly accessible and updated regularly. For historical booking records or detailed incident reports, you must submit a records request to the Sheriff's Office. Requests should include the full name of the individual, the approximate date of the incident, and any other identifying details. Fees apply per page for copies of law enforcement records.
Active investigation records may be withheld under the Public Records Act if releasing them would compromise an ongoing case. Under RCW 42.56, agencies must tell you that a record exists even if they cannot release it yet. Once a case is charged in court, most related records become public.
Washington Laws Governing Criminal Records
Access to criminal court records in Chelan County is governed by several Washington statutes. The Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, sets the baseline right to access government records. It covers court records, law enforcement reports, and agency documents. Courts and agencies must respond within five business days and cannot withhold records except under specific statutory exemptions.
Criminal history records are specifically addressed in RCW 10.97, which requires that dispositions be reported and attached to arrest records so that criminal histories are accurate and complete. Juvenile criminal records in Chelan County are governed by RCW 13.50, which limits public access and requires that most juvenile records be sealed when the person reaches adulthood. The Clerk's Office processes sealing orders for both juvenile records and adult records when a court grants a petition for record sealing or vacating a conviction.
Washington's criminal code is found in RCW 9A. This is where the definitions of felonies and misdemeanors come from, and understanding it helps when reading criminal case files. Criminal procedure is covered in RCW 10. The Washington State Bar Association can connect you with a licensed attorney if you need help with a record sealing petition or interpreting a court file.
Statewide Resources for Criminal History
The Washington State Courts site is a key resource for finding court contacts, understanding procedures, and accessing court forms. The Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the court directory, which lists contact information for all Chelan County courts including addresses, phone numbers, and hours.
For a full background check across all Washington counties, the Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section offers official criminal history record services. The WSP database includes Chelan County arrests and dispositions submitted by the Sheriff's Office and courts. This is the most comprehensive source for statewide criminal history, as it captures records from all 39 counties in a single system.
Cities in Chelan County
Chelan County's largest city is Wenatchee, which has its own criminal court records page on this site. All criminal cases in Wenatchee are handled through Chelan County courts.
Nearby Counties
Chelan County borders Douglas, Okanogan, and Kittitas counties in Washington State. Criminal court records for each neighboring county are maintained by their respective court clerks.