Cowlitz County Criminal Court Records
Cowlitz County criminal court records cover felony and misdemeanor cases heard at the Superior Court and District Court in Kelso. Both courts use the Odyssey case management system, and much of this information is available through statewide search portals at no charge. If you need to look up a case, check on a charge, or get certified copies of court documents, this page explains where to search and how to request records from the right office in Cowlitz County.
Cowlitz County Overview
Cowlitz County Superior Court
The Cowlitz County Superior Court is the court of general jurisdiction for the county. It handles felony criminal prosecutions, civil matters over $75,000, family law, and juvenile proceedings. The court sits in Kelso at the county courthouse. The Superior Court Clerk maintains all official case files and is the right office to contact when you need certified copies of criminal records or want to review a case file in full.
Felony cases make up the bulk of the criminal docket here. Charges like assault in the first or second degree, drug distribution, robbery, and other serious offenses under RCW Title 9A are prosecuted in Superior Court. The Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney brings these cases forward, and the Superior Court maintains the official record from arraignment through sentencing. Felony records are kept permanently under state retention schedules. You can visit the Clerk's office in person or submit a written request by mail to get copies.
The court also hears appeals from the Cowlitz County District Court and from Longview Municipal Court. If a misdemeanor case was appealed, that appeal record lives at the Superior Court as well.
| Office | Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 312 SW First Avenue, Kelso, WA 98626 |
| Phone | (360) 577-3016 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | co.cowlitz.wa.us |
Searching Cowlitz County Criminal Records Online
Washington State provides two main online tools for searching criminal court records. The first is the Washington Courts Case Search portal, which covers Superior and District Court cases statewide. You can search by party name or case number and get basic case information at no cost. Cowlitz County cases are included in this system.
The second tool is the Odyssey Portal. Cowlitz County Superior Court uses the Odyssey case management system, and the portal gives you direct access to case details, docket entries, and hearing dates. Both systems are free to use. They show party names, charge descriptions, filing dates, and case status. For full documents or certified copies, you still need to contact the Clerk's office directly.
The Washington Courts website also has resources for understanding court procedures and locating contact information for each county. It is a good starting point if you are not sure which court handled a specific case.
Note: Online case search results show basic information only. Full case documents and certified copies must be requested from the Cowlitz County Clerk's office directly.
Cowlitz County District Court Records
The Cowlitz County District Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and DUI cases. It also handles civil claims under $75,000. The District Court serves Kelso, Longview, and the surrounding parts of the county. Misdemeanor criminal cases include things like simple assault, petty theft, possession of small amounts of controlled substances, and domestic violence charges at the misdemeanor level.
District Court records are part of the statewide case search system. You can look up misdemeanor cases through the Washington Courts Case Search portal the same way you would search Superior Court cases. The court also maintains warrant information for outstanding arrests. If you need to know whether someone has an active warrant in Cowlitz County, the District Court is one place to check.
Records requests for District Court documents can be submitted at the courthouse. Bring specific details about the case, such as the party name and approximate filing date. The court charges fees for copies. Public access terminals may be available during business hours for in-person research.
Public Records Law and Criminal Record Access
Washington State's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, gives the public the right to access government records, including most court records. Court records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. The main exemption affecting criminal records is the Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97. This law limits what information can be shared about arrests that did not lead to a conviction. If a charge was dismissed or a defendant was acquitted, certain identifying information may be restricted.
Juvenile criminal records have their own rules under RCW 13.50. Most juvenile records are not open to the public. Exceptions exist for serious violent offenses where the juvenile was tried as an adult. If you are researching a case involving a minor, expect limited access compared to adult criminal records.
The Revised Code of Washington is the full body of state law. You can search it online to find the specific statute behind any charge you see in a case record. This is helpful when trying to understand the seriousness of an offense or what elements the prosecution had to prove.
Cowlitz County Sheriff and Criminal History
The Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office submits arrest data to the Washington State Patrol, which maintains the state criminal history repository. When someone is booked into the county jail, that booking information feeds into state and federal databases.
The Washington State Patrol's Criminal History division is the place to go for an official background check or a full criminal history report on an individual. WSP maintains fingerprint-based criminal history records for the entire state. A standard background check through WSP costs a fee and requires submitting the right request form. This is separate from looking up a specific court case.
The Sheriff's Office also handles records requests for arrest reports and incident records from the unincorporated county. You can contact the records division directly. Active investigation records may be withheld. Once a case is closed, most records become available under the Public Records Act. The Longview Police Department handles similar requests for incidents that occurred within the city limits of Longview.
Cowlitz County also participates in therapeutic court programs. These programs offer alternatives to incarceration for eligible defendants, and case records from those proceedings are also maintained by the Superior Court Clerk.
Note: Arrest reports from the Sheriff's Office are separate from court records and require a separate request process through the Sheriff's records division.
Washington Criminal Law Framework
Washington's criminal statutes are organized under RCW Title 9A, which covers the state's criminal code. This is where you find definitions for offenses like assault, theft, robbery, and other crimes. The severity of a charge determines which court handles the case. Felonies go to Superior Court. Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors go to District Court or Municipal Court. Criminal procedure rules are set out under RCW Title 10, covering everything from how charges are filed to how appeals work.
If you need legal help understanding a Cowlitz County criminal court record or navigating the court system, the Washington State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with an attorney who handles criminal defense or records matters. The WSBA website also has a directory of licensed attorneys in Washington. Northwest Justice Project may also offer help for those who qualify based on income.
The Washington Courts website has plain-language guides on the court system, how to file records requests, and what to expect during court proceedings. It is a useful resource whether you are a party to a case or just doing research.
Cities in Cowlitz County
Cowlitz County includes several communities. All criminal cases from within the county are handled at the courthouse in Kelso, regardless of where the offense occurred.
Other communities in Cowlitz County include Castle Rock, Kalama, Woodland, and Ryderwood. These cities do not have separate pages but all use Cowlitz County Superior Court for felony matters.
Nearby Counties
Cowlitz County shares borders with several other Washington counties. If you are not sure which county to search, check where the offense or case originated.