Criminal records in Chelan County, Washington, are maintained by the courts, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. ChelanCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Chelan County. You can also access records through the Washington State Courts online portal, the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk, the Washington State Patrol criminal history repository, and the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. The sections below explain each method in detail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chelan
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- ChelanCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available Chelan County criminal court case information by name or case number.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — The statewide Judicial Information System (JIS) allows you to look up case records from Superior, District, and Municipal courts across Washington, including Chelan County. You can search by party name or case number. Note: the official court record is maintained by the court of record, and document copies must be ordered directly from the clerk.
- Chelan County Jail Inmate List — View current inmates at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center. This list is updated regularly under RCW 70.48.100.
- DOC Warrant Search — Search for active Secretary's Warrants issued by the Washington State Department of Corrections, filterable by county including Chelan.
- DOC Incarcerated Individual Search — Look up individuals currently incarcerated in Washington State Department of Corrections facilities.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name (first and last name at minimum)
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
- Case number (if known)
In-Person Search
Visit the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk's office in the county courthouse. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records. Staff can assist with locating specific criminal case files.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for court records to the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, case number if available, and a description of the records you need. For formal criminal history background checks, submit a request to the Washington State Patrol, which maintains the state's fingerprint-based criminal history repository.
Search Chelan Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, you can pull up the exact case record without sifting through name-based results. Washington State uses a standardized case number format across its courts.
Washington Case Number Format
A typical case number looks like this: 24-1-00123-04
- 24 — The two-digit filing year (2024)
- 1 — The case type code. For criminal cases: 1 = felony, 2 = misdemeanor/gross misdemeanor in Superior Court
- 00123 — The sequential case number assigned by the clerk
- 04 — The county code. Chelan County's code is 04 in the Superior Court system
Enter the full case number exactly as formatted when searching through the statewide JIS portal or at the clerk's office. Partial numbers may return no results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chelan
Criminal case records in Chelan County contain several data points. Here is what each one means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The RCW (Revised Code of Washington) section the defendant is charged under, e.g., RCW 9A.56.040 for Theft in the Second Degree |
| Severity | Felony, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court has jurisdiction and potential penalties |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be amended by the prosecutor before or during trial, often to a lesser offense as part of a plea agreement |
| Count Number | If multiple charges are filed, each is assigned a separate count |
Case Status
- Pending — Case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are underway
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All proceedings and obligations (sentencing, probation) are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary Hearing — Court determines whether probable cause exists (less common in Washington, where prosecutors typically file by information)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss case status, plea negotiations, and trial readiness
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Court checks compliance with conditions such as probation or treatment
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecutor
- Dismissed with Prejudice — Charges cannot be refiled
- Dismissed without Prejudice — Charges could potentially be refiled
- Deferred Sentence — Sentencing postponed; charges may be dismissed upon compliance with conditions
- Stipulated Order of Continuance (SOC) — Common in Washington; case is continued and may be dismissed if the defendant meets specified conditions
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chelan
From the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk
Certified copies of criminal case documents — including judgments, sentences, and orders — are available from the clerk's office. You can request them in person or by mail.
- Identify the case number and specific documents you need.
- Visit the clerk's office or send a written request to the address below.
- Pay the applicable copy and certification fees (see fee section below).
- Provide a valid photo ID if requesting records in person.
From the Washington State Patrol (Formal Background Checks)
For a comprehensive criminal history record, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) processes fingerprint-based and name-based background checks. These include arrest and disposition data submitted by law enforcement agencies and courts statewide.
- Self-request (personal review): Submit a fingerprint card or use an approved fingerprint vendor along with the required form and fee.
- Employer/agency request: Must comply with applicable RCW provisions governing who may receive criminal history information.
Historical Court Records
Older Chelan County Superior Court case files, including criminal cases, are available through the Washington State Digital Archives. Access to these records is governed by Washington State Court Rules, and some records may be restricted.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chelan
Fees for court record copies in Washington are established by statute and local court rules. The following table reflects standard charges under RCW 36.18.016 and related provisions.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court record (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy — first page | $5.00 |
| Certified copy — each additional page | $1.00 |
| WSP name-based criminal history check | $32.00 |
| WSP fingerprint-based criminal history check | $32.00–$52.00 (varies by purpose and whether FBI check is included) |
Processing Times
- In-person clerk requests: Often available the same day for standard copies. Certified copies may take 1–3 business days depending on volume.
- Mail requests: Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing.
- WSP background checks: Name-based checks typically take 5–10 business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take longer depending on processing volume.
Contact the Chelan County Superior Court Clerk at (509) 667-6210 to confirm current fees and processing times before submitting a request. Fees are subject to change based on statutory updates.