Grant County Criminal Court Records
Grant County criminal court records are held by the Superior Court Clerk in Ephrata, Washington, and cover felony cases, misdemeanors, and other criminal proceedings for this large central Washington county. You can search Grant County criminal court cases online through the statewide Washington Courts Case Search portal, or visit the Ephrata courthouse to request copies of case files, charging documents, and sentencing records. Most criminal records in Grant County are open to the public under Washington law, with a limited set of exceptions defined by statute.
Grant County Overview
Grant County Superior Court Records
Grant County Superior Court sits in Ephrata and serves as the court of general jurisdiction for the county. The court handles all felony criminal cases, civil matters over $75,000, family law proceedings, and juvenile cases. Grant County covers a large geographic area in central Washington, and the Superior Court serves communities spread across that entire area, from Moses Lake in the south to Coulee City in the north.
The Grant County Clerk of Superior Court is the official record keeper for all court files in Ephrata. The Clerk maintains dockets, charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final judgments for every case that goes through the court. All criminal records are open to the public under Washington's Public Records Act at RCW 42.56. You can look up a file using a case number or the name of a party. Grant County uses the Odyssey case management system, which connects to the statewide search portal and keeps case data current. The court also participates in therapeutic court programs for eligible defendants. Felony convictions and dispositions are reported to the Washington State Patrol for inclusion in the statewide criminal history system.
Records may be requested in person at the Ephrata courthouse or by mail. Mail requests should include the case number or party names, the document type needed, and payment for applicable fees. Certified copies carry the court seal and the clerk's certification.
| Office | Grant County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Location | Ephrata, Washington |
| Case System | Odyssey (statewide) |
| Website | grantcountywa.gov |
| State Directory | courts.wa.gov/court_dir |
Online Search for Grant County Criminal Cases
The fastest free way to search Grant County criminal court records is through the Washington Courts Case Search portal. This statewide tool covers Superior Court records and many District Court records across Washington, including Grant County. Search options include party name, case number, and attorney of record. The portal displays case status, hearing dates, and disposition summaries.
For the most detailed and current Grant County case data, the portal also links to the Odyssey Portal. Grant County uses Odyssey as its case management platform, and data in the portal updates regularly as cases move through the court system. Odyssey supports detailed lookups including docket event histories, scheduled hearing dates, and case timelines. Basic case information is free in both portals. To get the actual case file or certified copies of documents, you need to contact the Grant County Clerk in Ephrata. Court calendars are also available through the portal, which is useful if you need to confirm a hearing date.
Note: Online portals show summary case data only. For complete records or certified copies, contact the Grant County Clerk in Ephrata directly.
District Court and Misdemeanor Records in Grant County
Not all criminal cases go to Superior Court. Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases go to the Grant County District Court, which covers these lower-level criminal charges, DUI cases, domestic violence matters, traffic infractions, and civil disputes under $75,000. Because Grant County covers such a large area, the District Court serves multiple locations throughout the county to make access more practical for residents.
District Court criminal records are public records just like Superior Court files. Many District Court cases appear in the statewide Washington Courts portal. For cases not found online, submit a written request to the District Court. The court uses electronic case management and provides public access during regular courthouse hours in Ephrata. Outstanding warrants are tracked and maintained by the District Court as well. If a District Court case is appealed, it goes to Superior Court and the Superior Court Clerk becomes the record custodian. Gross misdemeanor convictions can carry up to 364 days in jail, so these records matter in many legal contexts.
Grant County Sheriff and Jail Records
The Grant County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas and operates the county jail. An online jail roster shows current inmates and booking information. When someone is arrested, the Sheriff's Office submits fingerprint-based data to the Washington State Patrol for the Washington State Identification System. The Sheriff also coordinates with the Grant County Prosecutor's Office and with municipal police in Moses Lake and other cities on regional criminal matters.
Arrest records held by the Sheriff's Office are separate from court records. An arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody. Court records track what happens after the Prosecutor's Office decides whether to file charges. Both types are generally public in Washington. Active investigation records may be temporarily withheld under exemptions in RCW 42.56. Records requests should be submitted to the Sheriff's records division in writing. Include the date of the incident, the location, and the names of parties involved to help staff locate the correct file.
The Sheriff's Office follows state record retention schedules set by Washington law. The jail roster is typically accessible online and is updated as bookings occur.
Note: Arrest records are not evidence of guilt. Court records reflect the actual outcome of any charge that was filed with the Prosecutor.
Washington State Patrol Criminal History Records
The Washington State Patrol Criminal History section manages the statewide criminal history database. This database is built from fingerprint submissions by law enforcement agencies across Washington, including the Grant County Sheriff's Office and municipal agencies like the Moses Lake Police Department. It provides the most complete picture of a person's criminal history in the state.
WSP criminal history records cover arrests, charges, convictions, and dispositions from all counties. You can request your own criminal history from WSP. Third-party requests require proper legal authorization. The WSP database is separate from the court case portals and may include data from agencies in other counties. Under RCW 10.97, Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act governs how criminal history data is shared and used, and gives individuals the right to request corrections if their record contains errors.
Public Records Law and Court Access
Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 gives the public broad rights to access government records, including Grant County criminal court files in Ephrata. The Clerk's office must provide access to records unless a specific legal exemption applies. Most criminal court records are open.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile court records in Grant County fall under RCW 13.50, which limits who can view files involving minors. Sealed records require a court order. Washington's criminal code is in RCW Title 9A, and criminal procedure is covered in RCW Title 10. The full text of Washington law is available at the Revised Code of Washington website. These statutes define both the offenses and the procedures that produce the records available for public review in Grant County.
Legal Resources in Grant County
If you need legal help with a criminal matter in Grant County, the Washington State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service and a public attorney directory. The Ephrata and Moses Lake areas have attorneys who handle criminal defense in Grant County Superior Court.
For self-represented individuals, the Washington Courts website provides guidance on court processes and forms. Court staff in Ephrata can help you find forms and explain filing procedures, but they cannot give legal advice. The Grant County official website lists courthouse hours, department phone numbers, and other details useful for records requests.
The Grant County government website provides information about the Superior Court, the Sheriff's Office, and court-related services in Ephrata. The screenshot below shows the official county portal, which is the main starting point for records access and courthouse contact information.
The Ephrata courthouse is where the Grant County Clerk maintains all Superior Court criminal records and handles in-person and mail records requests from the public.
The Washington State Patrol Criminal History page shown below covers the statewide criminal history database, which includes records reported by Grant County law enforcement agencies including the Sheriff's Office.
Use the WSP portal for a full statewide criminal history that extends beyond what you find in Grant County court searches alone.
Cities in Grant County
Grant County is a large county with several communities spread across its geography. Moses Lake is the largest city and has its own police department. Ephrata is the county seat and courthouse location.
Other communities in the county include Quincy, Royal City, Soap Lake, Warden, and Coulee City. These smaller cities and towns do not have dedicated city records pages but are all served by the Grant County court system in Ephrata.
Nearby Counties
Grant County borders several other Washington counties across central and eastern Washington. Criminal records from each are maintained by their own Superior Courts.