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  1. Whatcom County Court
  2. Whatcom County Arrest Records

Whatcom County, Washington Arrest Records

Whatcom County arrest records are information kept either on file in the records division, in the computerized files of the Sheriff’s Office, or from Washington State Access or other computer terminals regarding the apprehension or detention of a crime suspect. In such areas as interrogation, arrest or detention, searches, seizures, use of informants and collection and preservation of evidence, county law enforcement are required to maintain records that show compliance with lawful practices. While these records may be reviewed, certain legal frameworks such as the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), Chapter 42.56 RCW and  the Washington Criminal Records Privacy Act (CRPA), RCW 10.97 regulate retention and the preconditions for release.

Most Whatcom County arrest records are created and maintained by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, and city law enforcement agencies such as the Bellingham Police Department and the Lynden Police Department.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Whatcom, Washington?

Whatcom County arrest records are public information under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA), which requires custodians to promptly make records available to members of the public upon request. While there is no official format for making requests, agencies may recommend that individuals submit requests using an agency provided form or webpage.

However, not all records are open for public inspection or copying under the law. State law permits custodians to withhold or redact certain sensitive or confidential records or information if disclosure would violate personal privacy and vital government interests. 

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

The public-facing elements of a Whatcom County arrest record typically include:

  • The full name of the arrested individual
  • Booking information: booking date, booking number, booking type 
  • Arresting agency
  • Arrest type
  • Bail information
  • Offense description
  • The court where the case is being heard
  • Disposition
  • Detention location

Because state law considers certain details confidential, access to arrest records are typically granted within a defined parameter which prohibits the disclosure of sensitive records. These records include:

  • Records of arrest sealed by the court
  • Portions of an arrest record pertaining to an ongoing investigation
  • Inventory of personal items found on the accused at the time of arrest

These records are typically withheld to protect against the risk of breach of personal privacy or to protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation or other government interests. 

Whatcom County,  Washington Arrest Search

Keep it simple and provide the general pathways for locating arrest information through state law enforcement and federal resources. Don't cover searchers using the county. The next section should discuss county-level options.

The Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section (WASIS) website is the state’s official internet resource for looking up criminal history conviction records submitted by criminal justice agencies and the courts throughout the state of Washington, including Whatcom County. Records that may be found on this platform include conviction records, arrest records, and information regarding registered sex and kidnap offenders. 

Arrest records are not fully public in the same way as conviction records; however, the Criminal Records Privacy Act RCW 10.97 which specifies the guidelines for criminal history dissemination allows the public to retrieve conviction information, as well as information on recent arrests under 1 year old only if dispositions are still pending. 

To find arrest records:

  • Individuals may perform a search and receive records immediately using WATCH (Washington Access Criminal History).
  • Records may also be requested by mail by completing a Request for Conviction Criminal History Form and submitting it along with applicable fees to the Identification and Background Check Section.
  • Requests for conviction CHRI may also be made based on an individual’s name by completing a Request for Conviction Criminal History Form and submitting it in person at the office location.

The search fee is $11.00 for each name searched regardless of the search outcome. The agency accepts payment by debit and credit cards or by billing an existing account.

For federal arrests, searches for criminal case files, including records of arrests and final dispositions of individuals who were detained by federal law enforcement in Whatcom County can be conducted through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) System, which is federal designated online platform that allows registered users to search for arrest-related criminal case files by name or case number for a fee. 

If the inmate has already been convicted, individuals may use the BOP Inmate Locator Tool to search files containing details of arrest by name or file case number.

Whatcom County Inmate Locator

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency and the controller of the Whatcom County jail, making the Sheriff’s Office the first stop for inmate records, arrest, and booking information in the county. The Sheriff’s Office maintains an online Jail Roster available on the county website for conducting web-based searches for arrested individuals currently held in custody by name. To conduct a search:

  • Visit the Whatcom County website
  • Click click on the navigation button and select “Your Government”
  • Click on Department
  • Click on the “Sheriff”
  • Click on “Open the Sheriff’s page”
  • Scroll down and click on “View All Links”
  • Select “Current jail roster” from the list of quick links
  • The researcher will be prompted with a catalogue of all inmates in jail; they may opt to search more specifically by entering the inmate’s name in the name search area provided at the top of the page
  • The system will narrow down the list to the name entered if available.

To find more recent arrest and booking information:

  • Tap the “the go back button” to visit the previous page
  • Proceed by clicking on “Updated jail bookings” from the list of quick links
  • The researcher will be prompted with a list of all booking incidents within the last 24 hours
  • Individuals may also search more specifically for older booking records by the date of booking. Booking data is available up until 1992.

While online records typically provide summaries of arrest records, more comprehensive records can be obtained by contacting the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office or visiting them in person at:

Public Safety Building

(Enter off Prospect St.)

311 Grand Avenue, B1

Bellingham, WA 98225

Jail: 360-778-6500

Records: 360-778-6670

(CPLs and police reports)

The office is open from Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Active Warrant Search in Whatcom County

Arrest warrants are documents issued by the court to authorize the arrest of a crime suspect. These documents typically issued when subsequent investigation has provided sufficient evidence to believe that an individual is responsible for a crime.

In Whatcom County, the Sheriff’s Office and other city law enforcement agencies are responsible for executing and maintaining active arrest warrants. These agencies may provide limited warrant information upon request. Therefore, individuals may visit these agencies in person to submit warrant inquiries at their office location or view arrests that were executed based on a warrant using the search option available on the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office page. 

For in-person inquiries, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is located at:

Public Safety Building

(Enter off Prospect St.)

311 Grand Avenue, B1

Bellingham, WA 98225

Since warrants are usually issued by local courts, inquiries may also be made at the Whatcom County Superior Court or at District and Municipal Courts within the county.

Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk

Address: 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301, 

Bellingham, WA 98225 

Phone: (360) 778-5560

Operation 

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Before making inquiries, it is vital for inquirers to acquaint themselves with an arrest warrant typically contains, which includes:

  • The name of the suspect
  • The command of the judge ordering the suspect's arrest
  • The charge
  • The law enforcement agency to whom it is addressed
  • The name of the issuing court
  • The signature of the judge

The implication of an active arrest warrant is that, once issued, the individual may be arrested anywhere within state borders.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Whatcom County

While records are typically disseminated for a fee, arrest and booking information are available for free at the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and online through current jail roster on the Whatcom County website. Anyone may visit the website and search for arrest and booking case files by name or make requests in person by submitting a completed request form. 

Although there are no fees for inspection or making records available for copying, a reasonable fee may be imposed for providing copies of public arrest records in accordance with the RCW 42.56.070.

Whatcom County Arrest Report

This isn't necessarily the same as an arrest record, as it applies to the county. Please differentiate clearly between an “arrest record” (which is typically a summary entry in custodial/case systems). It's not exactly the same as an “arrest report”, which would be the narrative prepared by the arresting officer in the aftermath of an arrest.

Although an arrest report and an arrest record are usually used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. An arrest report is a comprehensive narration relating to the taking of a person into custody. It is usually created by an arresting officer to document occurring events at the time of arrest; including the arresting officer’s observation, the arrestee’s conduct, and the weapons recovered from them if any. Its primary purpose is to serve as the basis for prosecution and evidence of compliance with the lawful process in the execution of an arrest.

Most arrest report typically contain the following detail:

  • Events leading to the arrest
  • Probable cause
  • The time, date, and location of the arrest
  • The weapon used
  • The arrested individual's conduct; and 
  • other relevant information

By contrast, arrest records are less comprehensive than an arrest report. They are summary information entered in a custodial or judicial case system in cognizance of the arrest incident that led to the present justice administration phase. Whatcom County arrest records typically contain the following information:

  • The full name of the arrested individual
  • Booking information: booking date, booking number, booking type 
  • Arresting agency
  • Arrest type
  • Bail information
  • Offense description
  • The court where the case is being heard
  • Disposition
  • Detention location

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Whatcom County

Explain, in detail, the options for getting arrest records expunged in Whatcom. Be sure to confirm: Does the county actually permit expungement, or does it offer an alternative like sealing? This will typically be in line with the state's laws. But do some research to confirm there aren't alternative pathways for expunging or sealing records. 

Expungement is the permanent destruction of a record so that it no longer exists. Washington law does not allow for the total destruction of records; instead, the law provides for sealing, which refers to the restriction of the public's right to inspect or make copies of a record. 

By state law, arrest records are generally sealable, but records of arrests resulting in a conviction may not be sealed unless:

  • The court vacates the conviction; vacating a conviction means the court determines that the individual has met certain conditions that allows for their initial guilty verdict to be annulled
  • The court determines that compelling privacy or safety concerns outweighs the public interest in access to the record

Misdemeanor convicts may apply to the sentencing court for a vacation of their conviction record, which typically includes records of arrest, if:

  • They have completed all terms of the sentence, including payment of all fines and restitutions, and three years have passed.
  • The offender has no new criminal charges pending or has not been convicted of any new crime in any state or federal court
  • The offender is not currently being restrained by any domestic violence restraining order or harassment or civil restraining order

In addition to this, the offense must not relate to a violent offense as defined under RCW 9.94A.030, control of a vehicle under the influence, or obscenity and pornography.

How Do You Remove Whatcom County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Once a conviction is vacated and the record is sealed, law enforcement, the courts, are legally obligated to remove these records from all electronic databases where the record was previously published.