Search Snohomish County Criminal Records
Snohomish County criminal court records cover thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases filed each year at the Superior Court and District Court in Everett. The county is one of Washington's most populous, and its courts handle a high volume of criminal filings across multiple levels. Both courts use the Odyssey case management system, and much of this information is available through statewide search portals at no charge. This page explains how to find Snohomish County criminal case records, what each court handles, and where to go when you need certified copies or full case files.
Snohomish County Overview
Snohomish County Superior Court
Snohomish County Superior Court is one of the largest general jurisdiction courts in Washington State. It handles thousands of felony criminal prosecutions, civil cases over $75,000, family law matters, and juvenile proceedings each year. The court sits in Everett, and the Snohomish County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all official case files there.
Felony cases in Snohomish County span a wide range of charges under RCW Title 9A. Drug distribution, robbery, assault in the first and second degree, theft, and other serious offenses are prosecuted here. The Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney's office manages a substantial caseload, and the Superior Court Clerk maintains the official record from first appearance through sentencing and any post-conviction proceedings. Felony records are kept permanently under state retention schedules. You can request copies in person at the Clerk's office or submit a written request by mail.
Snohomish County also participates in therapeutic court programs including drug court, mental health court, and veterans court. These programs offer structured alternatives to standard prosecution for eligible defendants. Case files from therapeutic court proceedings are maintained by the Clerk just like conventional criminal cases. The Superior Court hears appeals from Snohomish County District Court and from Everett Municipal Court, Lynnwood Municipal Court, and other municipal courts in the county.
The Snohomish County government website provides court contact information, records request procedures, and other public services for residents throughout the county.
| Office | Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201 |
| Website | snohomishcountywa.gov |
Search Snohomish County Criminal Cases Online
The Washington Courts Case Search portal is the main free tool for looking up Snohomish County criminal records online. It covers Superior and District Court cases across all 39 Washington counties. You can search by party name or case number and get basic case information including charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case dispositions. Snohomish County's large caseload is fully integrated into this system.
The Odyssey Portal gives you a second point of access directly into Snohomish County's case management database. You can view docket entries, check hearing calendars, and track case progress. Both portals are free to use and are updated regularly. What they don't provide is actual court documents or certified copies. For those, you must contact the Snohomish County Clerk's Office in Everett. Staff can assist with both in-person and mail requests, but you will need to supply a case number or a full name and approximate filing date to speed up the search.
The statewide case search at dw.courts.wa.gov provides free access to Snohomish County criminal case information for both Superior Court and District Court.
Note: Online portal results are informational only. Verify details with the Snohomish County Clerk before relying on them for legal or official purposes.
Snohomish County District Court
Snohomish County District Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, DUI cases, and domestic violence charges at the misdemeanor level. It also handles civil claims under $75,000. The court serves Everett, Lynnwood, and surrounding areas of the county across multiple divisions. The District Court handles a very large caseload given Snohomish County's population.
All District Court cases in Snohomish County are included in the statewide case search system. You can look up misdemeanor records through the Washington Courts Case Search portal the same way you search Superior Court cases. The court maintains warrant information, so you can check whether someone has an active bench warrant in Snohomish County. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you view basic case information at no charge.
Records requests at District Court require identifying details such as a full name and approximate case date. Fees apply for copies. The court coordinates with Snohomish County Corrections on matters involving custody and pretrial detention, and it coordinates with the Prosecuting Attorney on domestic violence and other complex misdemeanor cases.
Public Records Law and Criminal Record Access
Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, makes most government records open to the public, including court case files. Courts in Snohomish County must respond to public records requests and can only deny access under specific statutory exemptions. The main exemption for criminal records is the Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97. This law limits sharing of arrest information where no conviction resulted. Cases that were dismissed or resulted in an acquittal may have restricted information that is not freely available.
Juvenile criminal records in Snohomish County are governed by RCW 13.50. Most juvenile records are sealed and not accessible to the general public. Exceptions apply for serious violent offenses where a juvenile was charged as an adult. If you are searching for Snohomish County records involving a minor, expect significantly more limited access than you would have with adult criminal records.
The Revised Code of Washington is searchable online. Looking up the statute number attached to a charge in a criminal case can help you understand what the offense was and what the prosecution needed to prove.
Snohomish County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas. It also contracts with some cities for police services. When someone is booked into the county jail, that booking data is submitted to the Washington State Patrol for inclusion in statewide criminal history databases. The Sheriff's Office also coordinates with the Prosecuting Attorney's office on criminal investigations and charging decisions.
An online jail roster shows current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bail status. This is updated regularly and is a good first step if you are trying to confirm whether someone was recently booked in Snohomish County. Historical booking records, arrest reports, and incident records from the Sheriff's Office can be requested through the Sheriff's records division. Be specific in your request: provide a full name, type of incident, and approximate date to help staff locate the file. Active investigation records may be withheld under the Public Records Act. Once a case is filed in court or closed by the agency, most records become accessible.
For a comprehensive background check, the Washington State Patrol Criminal History division maintains the central repository for arrest and disposition records from all Washington counties. WSP collects fingerprint-based data submitted by courts and law enforcement statewide, so it captures Snohomish County records along with records from every other county in the state.
Note: Arrest reports from the Sheriff's Office are separate from court case files and require a separate written request through the Sheriff's records division.
Washington Criminal Law and Legal Resources
Washington's criminal statutes are organized under RCW Title 9A. This is where you find definitions for offenses like assault, robbery, theft, and other crimes. The class of a felony determines things like maximum sentence length and which court handles the case. Felonies go to Superior Court. Misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors go to District or Municipal Court. Criminal procedure rules are set out in RCW Title 10, covering how charges are filed, how bail works, and how appeals proceed through the court system.
The Washington State Courts website has plain-language guides on court procedures and how to locate court contacts for any county. It is a useful resource whether you are a party to a Snohomish County case or just doing general research. The site also links to court forms and procedural guides.
If you need legal help, the Washington State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a criminal defense attorney or someone who handles records-related matters. Northwest Justice Project may offer free legal assistance for people who qualify based on income, including help with matters in Snohomish County Superior Court.
Cities in Snohomish County
Snohomish County includes many communities. All criminal cases from within the county, regardless of city, are handled at the courthouse in Everett for Superior Court proceedings.
Other communities in Snohomish County include Monroe, Mukilteo, Arlington, Stanwood, and many more. All felony matters go through Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett.
Nearby Counties
Snohomish County borders King County to the south and Skagit County to the north. If you are uncertain which county handled a case, check the address where the offense or filing originated.