Oregon Arrest Records

Is Oregon an Open Arrest Records State?

Oregon is an open arrest records state pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) § 192.311 to § 192.478, collectively known as the Oregon Public Records Law. This designation means that arrest records are classified as public records and are generally accessible to members of the public. The transparency framework established by Oregon law reflects the state's commitment to governmental accountability and public oversight of law enforcement activities.

Arrest records maintained by state and local agencies typically contain information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement authorities. These records document the name of the arrested individual, the nature of charges filed, date and location of arrest, and other pertinent details related to the incident. The Oregon State Police and county sheriff departments serve as primary custodians of these records.

While Oregon maintains an open records policy, certain limitations exist regarding the disclosure of arrest information. Pursuant to ORS § 192.345, some records may be exempt from disclosure if release would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation. Additionally, juvenile arrest records are subject to stricter confidentiality provisions under ORS § 419A.255.

How to Look Up Oregon Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Oregon arrest records may utilize several official channels established by state and local authorities. The Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Division serves as the central repository for criminal history information, including arrest data. Individuals may submit requests through the following methods:

In-person requests at local law enforcement agencies, including police departments and county sheriff offices
Online searches through the Oregon Judicial Department's records system, which provides access to court cases associated with arrests
Written requests to the Oregon State Police Criminal History Record Section for official criminal history information
County clerk offices in the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred
Oregon State Archives for historical arrest records

Oregon State Police - Criminal Justice Information Services Division
3565 Trelstad Avenue SE
Salem, OR 97317
(503) 378-3070
Oregon State Police Criminal History Records

Requestors should note that fees apply for most record searches. Pursuant to OAR 257-010-0025, the standard fee for a name-based criminal history check is $33.00, subject to periodic adjustment. Additional fees may apply for fingerprint-based searches or expedited processing.

Contents of an Oregon Arrest Record

Oregon arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by the Oregon Criminal Justice Information Standards (OCJIS). A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, and Social Security Number (when available)
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks or tattoos
Demographic data including gender, race, and ethnicity
Arrest details including date, time, location, and arresting agency
Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest, including statute citations
Case disposition information if available
Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
Fingerprint data collected during booking procedures
Arresting officer information and agency case numbers
Warrant information if the arrest was executed pursuant to a warrant

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the maintaining agency and the age of the record. Records created after the implementation of the Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) in 1971 typically contain more standardized and detailed information.

Understanding the Oregon Open Records Act

The Oregon Public Records Law, codified in ORS § 192.311 to § 192.478, establishes the framework for public access to government records, including arrest information. This legislation operates under the presumption that government records shall be available for inspection by any person, subject to certain statutory exemptions.

Key provisions of the Oregon Public Records Law include:

Presumption of openness - ORS § 192.314 establishes that every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as expressly prohibited by statute
Response timelines - Pursuant to ORS § 192.324, agencies must acknowledge receipt of records requests within five business days and complete the request within ten business days
Fee structure - ORS § 192.324(4) permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of making records available
Exemption categories - ORS § 192.345 and § 192.355 enumerate specific categories of records that may be exempt from disclosure
Appeals process - ORS § 192.401 to § 192.431 establishes procedures for appealing denied records requests

The Oregon Attorney General's Public Records and Meetings Manual serves as an authoritative guide to the interpretation and application of these laws. This manual is updated biennially to reflect legislative changes and relevant court decisions affecting public records access.

Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 378-4400
Oregon Department of Justice

Expungement of Arrest Records in Oregon

Oregon law provides mechanisms for the expungement (setting aside) of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in ORS § 137.225. The expungement process allows eligible individuals to petition the court to seal records of arrests and, in some cases, convictions.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Completion of all terms of sentence, including probation, parole, and payment of fines
Passage of a specified waiting period (typically three years for most misdemeanors and seven years for most felonies)
No pending criminal charges or proceedings
No convictions within the applicable waiting period
The offense must be eligible for expungement under ORS § 137.225(5)

Certain serious offenses, including most sex crimes, child abuse, and certain driving offenses, are statutorily ineligible for expungement.

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition in the circuit court where the arrest or conviction occurred
Payment of filing fees (approximately $281 as of 2025)
Submission of fingerprints for verification purposes
Notification to the district attorney's office
Possible court hearing if objections are raised
Judicial determination of eligibility

Upon approval, the court issues an order directing all agencies to seal the records and treat the arrest as if it never occurred. Pursuant to ORS § 137.225(3), the person may thereafter legally respond to inquiries as though the arrest never occurred.

Oregon Judicial Department
1163 State Street
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 986-5500
Oregon Judicial Department

How to Find Local Arrests in Oregon?

Information regarding recent local arrests in Oregon is available through multiple official channels maintained by state and local law enforcement agencies. Members of the public seeking current arrest data may consult the following resources:

County jail rosters - Most Oregon counties maintain publicly accessible online inmate rosters that include recent booking information
Law enforcement agency websites - Many police departments and sheriff's offices publish daily arrest logs or booking reports
Court dockets - The Oregon Judicial Department's online case information system provides access to new criminal case filings
Public information officers - Designated spokespersons for law enforcement agencies can provide information about significant arrests
Local news media - News organizations regularly report on notable arrests and maintain archives of crime reporting

For in-person inquiries, individuals may visit local law enforcement agencies during regular business hours. Many agencies maintain public terminals for accessing non-confidential arrest information.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office
501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 350
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 988-4300
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

Portland Police Bureau Records Division
1111 SW 2nd Avenue, Room 1110
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 823-0043
Portland Police Bureau