Stevens County Criminal Court Records
Stevens County criminal court records cover felony and misdemeanor cases heard at the Superior Court and District Court in Colville. Both courts use the Odyssey case management system, and basic case information is available through statewide search portals at no charge. This page explains where to search Stevens County criminal records online, what each court handles, and how to request certified copies or full case documents from the county clerk.
Stevens County Overview
Stevens County Superior Court
Stevens County Superior Court is the court of general jurisdiction for the county and sits in Colville. It handles felony criminal prosecutions, civil matters over $75,000, family law cases, and juvenile proceedings. The Stevens County Clerk of Superior Court manages all official case files and is the right office to contact when you need certified copies of criminal records or want to review a file in full.
Felony charges in Stevens County are classified and defined under RCW Title 9A. Drug offenses, assault, theft, robbery, and other serious crimes are prosecuted in Superior Court. The Prosecuting Attorney brings these cases forward, and the court maintains the full record from arraignment through sentencing and any post-conviction proceedings. Felony records are kept permanently under state retention schedules. You can visit the Clerk's office in person or submit a written mail request to get copies. Include a case number or full name and approximate filing date to help staff locate the record quickly.
The Superior Court hears appeals from the Stevens County District Court. Stevens County also participates in regional therapeutic court programs, and cases diverted through those programs are also on file with the Clerk. The court coordinates with the Washington State Patrol to report criminal dispositions to the statewide criminal history system.
The Stevens County government website provides court contact information and public services for residents throughout the county.
| Office | Stevens County Superior Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 South Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 |
| Website | stevenscountywa.gov |
Searching Stevens County Criminal Records Online
The Washington Courts Case Search portal is the main free tool for looking up Stevens County criminal records online. It covers Superior and District Court cases statewide, and Stevens County cases are fully included. You can search by party name or case number and view basic case information including charge descriptions, filing dates, and case dispositions.
The Odyssey Portal provides direct access to Stevens County's case management database. You can view docket entries, upcoming hearing dates, and current case status. Both portals are free. They are useful for initial research and tracking cases, but they do not provide certified copies or actual scanned court documents. For those, you need to contact the Stevens County Clerk's Office in Colville directly. Mail requests work, but include enough identifying information to help staff locate the right file.
The statewide case search at dw.courts.wa.gov is the easiest starting point for free Stevens County criminal case lookups.
Note: Online case search results are informational only. Verify details with the Stevens County Clerk before using them for any legal or official purpose.
Stevens County District Court
Stevens County District Court handles misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, traffic infractions, DUI cases, and civil matters under $75,000. The court serves Colville and surrounding areas throughout the county. Misdemeanor criminal cases include simple assault, petty theft, minor drug charges, and domestic violence matters at the misdemeanor level.
District Court records in Stevens County are part of the statewide case search system, so you can look them up through the Washington Courts Case Search portal just as you would Superior Court cases. The court maintains warrant information, so checking for active bench warrants in Stevens County is also possible through the clerk's office. Public access terminals at the courthouse let you view basic case information during business hours at no charge.
When submitting a records request at the District Court, bring or include specific details about the case. A full name and approximate filing date are usually enough to locate a file. Fees apply for copies of court documents.
Public Records Law and Criminal Record Access
Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, gives the public the right to access government records, including most court files. Courts and agencies in Stevens County must respond to public records requests and can only deny access under specific statutory exemptions. The key exemption for criminal records is the Criminal Records Privacy Act, RCW 10.97. This limits sharing of arrest records where no conviction resulted. If a case was dismissed or the defendant was acquitted, some identifying information may be restricted.
Juvenile criminal records in Stevens County are governed by RCW 13.50. Most juvenile records are sealed and not open to the public. Exceptions apply where a juvenile was charged as an adult for a serious violent offense. If you are searching for a case involving a minor, expect limited access compared to adult criminal records.
The full text of all relevant Washington statutes is available through the Revised Code of Washington online. Looking up the statute number linked to a charge in a Stevens County court record can help you understand what crime was alleged and how it was classified under state law.
Stevens County Sheriff and Arrest Records
The Stevens County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the county, covering unincorporated areas and coordinating with smaller municipal departments. The Sheriff's Office submits arrest data to the Washington State Patrol for inclusion in the statewide criminal history database. Booking information from the county jail feeds into state and federal systems when someone is arrested and processed.
Arrest reports and incident records can be requested through the Sheriff's Office records division. Submit requests in writing with as much identifying information as possible, including the full name, incident date, and type of offense. 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. The Washington State Patrol Criminal History division maintains the central criminal history repository for the entire state, including all arrests and dispositions from Stevens County.
For a full background check that spans all Washington counties, a WSP criminal history request is the most thorough option available. Individuals can request their own record. Authorized entities may request records on others subject to WSP guidelines.
Note: Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office are separate from court case files and require a separate written request through the Sheriff's records division.
Criminal Law and Legal Resources for Stevens County
Washington criminal law is organized under RCW Title 9A. This is where you find how offenses are defined and classified, from class A felonies with very serious consequences down to misdemeanors. The classification of a charge determines where in the court system it is heard and what penalties apply. Criminal procedure, covering how cases are charged, how hearings work, and how appeals are handled, is set out under RCW Title 10.
The Washington State Courts website has plain-language guides on how the court system works, how to file records requests, and how to locate court contacts for Stevens County and every other county in the state. It is a good starting point if you are trying to understand how a case was handled or what step it is currently at in the process.
If you need legal assistance with a Stevens County criminal matter, the Washington State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a licensed criminal defense attorney. Northwest Justice Project may offer free legal help for those who meet income eligibility requirements. Legal aid resources in Eastern Washington may also be able to assist with certain types of cases.
Cities in Stevens County
Stevens County is a rural county in northeastern Washington. No cities in the county meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All criminal cases from throughout the county are filed at the courthouse in Colville.
Communities in Stevens County include Colville, Chewelah, Kettle Falls, and Springdale. All felony matters for these communities go through Stevens County Superior Court.
Nearby Counties
Stevens County is in northeastern Washington and shares borders with several other counties. Check where a case originated if you are unsure which county's court system to search.