Spokane County Criminal Records Lookup
Spokane County criminal court records cover a large volume of felony and misdemeanor cases filed each year at Superior Court, District Court, and several municipal courts serving the Spokane region. As the largest court system in Eastern Washington, Spokane County handles a wide range of criminal matters from felony prosecutions down to traffic infractions. Both the Superior Court and District Court use the Odyssey case management system. This page explains how to search Spokane County criminal records online, what each court handles, and how to obtain official copies of court documents.
Spokane County Overview
Spokane County Superior Court
Spokane County Superior Court is the largest general jurisdiction court in Eastern Washington. It handles thousands of felony criminal prosecutions, civil cases over $75,000, family law matters, and juvenile proceedings each year. The court sits in Spokane, and the Spokane County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all official case files at the courthouse.
Felony prosecutions in Spokane County cover a broad range of charges under RCW Title 9A. Assault, robbery, drug offenses, theft, and other serious crimes are all handled here. The Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's office manages the caseload, and the Superior Court Clerk keeps the official record from arraignment through sentencing and any post-conviction filings. Felony records are retained permanently under state law. You can visit the Clerk's office in person or send a written mail request to get copies of documents. Bring or include a case number or full name and date of birth to help staff locate the file.
Spokane County runs therapeutic court programs including drug court, mental health court, and veterans court. These programs involve court supervision and treatment as alternatives to incarceration, and the related case records are maintained by the Superior Court Clerk. The court also hears appeals from the Spokane County District Court and from Spokane Municipal Court and other municipal courts in the county.
The Spokane County government website provides access to court information, records request procedures, and public services for residents across the county.
| Office | Spokane County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 1116 West Broadway Avenue, Spokane, WA 99260 |
| Website | spokanecounty.org |
Online Case Search for Spokane County
The Washington Courts Case Search portal is the primary free tool for looking up Spokane County criminal records. It covers Superior and District Court cases across all 39 Washington counties. Spokane County's extensive caseload is fully integrated into this system. You can search by party name or case number and see charge descriptions, filing dates, hearing information, and case dispositions at no cost.
The Odyssey Portal connects directly to Spokane County's case management database and gives you access to current docket entries, hearing calendars, and real-time case status. Spokane City also maintains its own municipal court search portal at ecourt.spokanecity.org, which covers cases heard in Spokane Municipal Court. For cases in Cheney Municipal Court, searches can be done through researchwa.tylerhost.net.
None of these portals provide certified copies or actual scanned court documents for most cases. For those, contact the Spokane County Clerk's Office directly. Staff can assist with mail requests, but you should include a case number or identifying details to make the search go faster.
Note: Online case search results are informational only. Verify details with the Spokane County Clerk before using them for legal or official purposes.
Spokane County District Court and Municipal Courts
Spokane County District Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, DUI cases, and domestic violence charges at the misdemeanor level. Civil claims under $75,000 also go through this court. The District Court serves Spokane and surrounding unincorporated county areas. It operates multiple divisions and handles a very high volume of cases given the county's large population.
Misdemeanor criminal records include DUI cases, simple assault, theft charges, domestic violence matters, and various traffic violations. Each case file contains the complaint or citation, hearing records, plea agreements or trial records, and final disposition. Warrant information is maintained by the District Court, so you can check whether someone has an active bench warrant in Spokane County. The court uses the Odyssey system, so its cases appear in the statewide search portal alongside Superior Court cases.
Spokane Municipal Court handles misdemeanor and infraction cases arising within city limits. The court operates separately from the county District Court and has its own online portal. Records requests at the District Court or municipal courts require specific identifying details. Fees apply for copies of court documents.
Public Records Law and Criminal Record Access
Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, makes most government records open to the public. Court records are presumed open unless a specific exemption applies. The Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97, is the key restriction for criminal records. It limits sharing of arrest information where no conviction resulted. If charges were dismissed or a defendant was acquitted, certain identifying information may be restricted and not available through normal public records requests.
Juvenile criminal records in Spokane County follow separate rules under RCW 13.50. Most juvenile records are sealed from public access. Exceptions exist for cases where the juvenile was charged as an adult on serious violent offenses. If you are researching a case involving a minor, expect limited access compared to adult criminal cases.
The full text of Washington State law, including all criminal statutes and public records rules, is available through the Revised Code of Washington website. Looking up a specific statute number helps you understand the nature and severity of a charge listed in a court record.
Spokane County Jail and Arrest Records
The Spokane County Sheriff's Office operates the Spokane County Jail and provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county. The Sheriff's Office submits all arrest data to the Washington State Patrol for inclusion in statewide criminal history databases. Booking information from the county jail feeds into state and federal systems. An online jail roster shows current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bail status, and it is updated regularly.
The Spokane Police Department handles law enforcement within Spokane city limits and submits its own arrest data separately. Arrest reports and incident records from either agency can be requested through the relevant records division. Provide specific details: full name of the person, type of incident, and approximate date. Active investigation records may be withheld. Once a case is filed in court or closed by the agency, most related law enforcement records become accessible under the Public Records Act.
The Washington State Patrol Criminal History division maintains the central repository for all statewide criminal records, including those from Spokane County courts and law enforcement agencies.
Note: Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office or Spokane Police are separate from court case files and require separate requests through the relevant records division.
Washington Criminal Law and Legal Help
Washington's criminal code is in RCW Title 9A. It classifies offenses by type and severity, from class A felonies with maximum life sentences down through gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors. Every charge you see in a Spokane County criminal case record corresponds to a specific statute in this title. Criminal procedure rules, including how cases are initiated, how bail is handled, and how appeals proceed, are set out under RCW Title 10.
The Washington State Courts website offers resources on court procedures, how to submit records requests, and how to locate court contacts for Spokane County and other counties statewide. It is useful whether you are a party to a case or conducting research.
If you need legal help with a Spokane County criminal case or record, the Washington State Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Spokane County Legal Services and the Spokane office of Northwest Justice Project also provide legal assistance to those who meet income eligibility requirements.
Cities in Spokane County
Spokane County includes several cities. All felony criminal cases from across the county are handled at Spokane County Superior Court in Spokane.
Other communities in Spokane County include Cheney, Medical Lake, Airway Heights, and Liberty Lake. All felony matters go through Spokane County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
Spokane County borders several Eastern Washington counties. If you are not sure which county handled a case, check where the offense or filing originated.