Lincoln County Criminal Court Records
Lincoln County criminal court records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk in Davenport, Washington. The county handles felony prosecutions, misdemeanor cases, and all related criminal proceedings for residents of eastern Washington's Lincoln County. You can search Lincoln County case records online through the Washington Courts Case Search portal or visit the Davenport courthouse to request copies in person. Most criminal court records in Lincoln County are public under Washington law, with limited exceptions set out by statute.
Lincoln County Overview
Lincoln County Superior Court Records
The Lincoln County Superior Court sits in Davenport and serves as the court of general jurisdiction for the county. It handles all felony criminal cases, civil matters, family law proceedings, and juvenile cases. The Superior Court hears appeals from District Court decisions and has full authority over serious criminal matters brought by the Lincoln County Prosecutor's Office.
The Lincoln County Clerk of Superior Court is the official record keeper for the court. The Clerk stores all court files, dockets, charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and final judgments. Criminal case files created in Lincoln County Superior Court are open to the public under Washington's Public Records Act at RCW 42.56. You can request records in person at the courthouse or by mail. Mail requests should include the case number or party names and a description of the documents you need.
Lincoln County Superior Court uses the Odyssey case management system, which connects to statewide search tools. This allows case data to flow into the public search portals maintained by Washington's Administrative Office of the Courts. The Clerk can issue certified copies of court orders, judgments, and other case documents for an applicable fee.
The court coordinates with the Washington State Patrol on criminal disposition reporting. When a felony case is resolved in Lincoln County, the outcome is reported to WSP's statewide criminal history database. This ensures records of convictions and acquittals are captured at the state level.
| Office | Lincoln County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Location | Davenport, Washington |
| Case System | Odyssey |
| State Directory | courts.wa.gov/court_dir |
Searching Lincoln County Criminal Cases Online
The primary way to search Lincoln County criminal court records online is through the Washington Courts Case Search portal. This statewide system is free to use and covers Superior Court and District Court records for counties across Washington. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Results show case status, hearing information, and disposition details.
Lincoln County uses the Odyssey system, so many current cases are also accessible through the Odyssey Portal. This portal provides more detailed case data and tends to be more current than the primary Washington Courts search. If you are looking for a specific case, try both search tools. The statewide portal gives a broad view while Odyssey shows detailed docket entries for cases in the system.
Online searches are free and give you basic case information. They do not give you full documents or certified records. If you need the actual court file, you must contact the Lincoln County Clerk's office in Davenport. Bring specific details like a case number or the full name of the party. This speeds up the search and helps staff locate the correct file quickly.
Note: Online results are a summary view only. For complete case files or certified copies, contact the Lincoln County Clerk's office directly in Davenport.
District Court and Misdemeanor Cases in Lincoln County
Misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases in Lincoln County are handled at the District Court level, not Superior Court. Lincoln County District Court has jurisdiction over lower-level criminal matters, traffic infractions, and small civil claims. These cases do not go through the Superior Court Clerk but are still part of the public record.
District Court records can be searched through the Washington Courts statewide portal. Cases that appear in Odyssey are also findable through the statewide Odyssey interface. For any case not found online, contact the Lincoln County District Court directly. The court is located in Davenport alongside the Superior Court. Staff can look up cases by name or case number and tell you what records are available.
Gross misdemeanors carry penalties of up to 364 days in jail. These cases are prosecuted at the District Court level in Lincoln County. If a District Court decision is appealed, the case moves to Superior Court, where a new record is created and maintained by the Superior Court Clerk.
Note: District Court records are separate from Superior Court records. Search both systems if you are not sure which court handled a specific case.
Lincoln County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services across Lincoln County and maintains arrest records and incident reports for matters occurring in unincorporated areas. When an arrest is made, the Sheriff's Office submits fingerprint-based information to the Washington State Patrol for entry into the Washington State Identification System (WASIS).
Arrest records and court records are two different things. An arrest record shows that someone was taken into custody. A court record shows what charges were filed and how the case was resolved. Both types are generally available to the public, though active investigation records may be temporarily withheld under exemptions in RCW 42.56.
To request an incident report or arrest record from the Lincoln County Sheriff, submit a written public records request. Include the date and location of the incident, names of involved parties, and any case or report number you have. Copy fees may apply. The Sheriff's Office follows Washington State retention schedules, so older records may not always be available.
Washington State Criminal History Records
The Washington State Patrol Criminal History section maintains the statewide criminal history database, which draws from fingerprint submissions made by law enforcement agencies across all 39 counties, including Lincoln County. This is the most complete source for a full criminal history record in Washington State.
WSP criminal history records include arrests, charges, convictions, and final dispositions reported from any jurisdiction in the state. You can request your own record directly from WSP. Third-party requests require proper legal authority. Under RCW 10.97, Washington's Criminal Records Privacy Act, the state sets limits on how criminal history can be shared. If you find an error in your record, you have the right to request a correction through WSP's established process.
The WSP database is separate from county court case search systems. A court search shows what happened in a specific courthouse. A WSP record shows activity across all of Washington. For a complete picture, use both resources.
Public Records Law and Court Access
Washington's Public Records Act under RCW 42.56 gives the public broad access to government records. Most criminal court records in Lincoln County are open. The Clerk cannot deny a request without a legal basis tied to a specific statutory exemption.
Some records have limited access. Juvenile court records fall under RCW 13.50, which restricts access to records involving minors. Sealed records require a court order to view. Records from active investigations may be withheld while an inquiry is ongoing. Mental health and certain medical records in court files may also be protected.
Washington's criminal offenses are defined under RCW Title 9A, and criminal procedure is governed by RCW Title 10. These statutes set out the charges and procedures that create the records you access through the courts. The complete text of Washington law is available at the Revised Code of Washington website run by the state legislature.
Legal Help in Lincoln County
If you need legal advice about a criminal matter in Lincoln County, the Washington State Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service. You can search their public directory by location and practice area to find an attorney licensed in Washington who handles criminal cases. The WSBA also has general guidance on what to look for when choosing a lawyer.
For those who represent themselves, the Washington Courts website offers plain-language guides on navigating the court system. Court staff in Lincoln County can help you file documents and find forms, but they cannot give you legal advice. The Revised Code of Washington is publicly available and contains the full text of every Washington state statute relevant to criminal court matters.
The Washington Courts Case Search portal is the primary public tool for searching Lincoln County criminal court records. The screenshot below shows the statewide portal interface used for Lincoln County lookups.
Use this portal to search Lincoln County Superior Court and District Court criminal cases by name or case number at no cost.
The Washington State Patrol Criminal History section is a separate statewide resource that covers criminal history records across all Washington counties, including Lincoln County.
WSP's criminal history database compiles arrest and conviction data reported by Lincoln County and every other jurisdiction in Washington.
Cities in Lincoln County
Davenport is the county seat and location of the Lincoln County Superior Court and District Court. Other communities in the county include Creston, Harrington, Odessa, Reardan, Sprague, and Wilbur. None of these cities currently exceed the population threshold for a dedicated city records page. All criminal cases from Lincoln County communities are handled at the courthouse in Davenport.
Nearby Counties
Lincoln County borders several other eastern Washington counties. Each has its own Superior Court and maintains separate criminal court records.