Clackamas County Criminal Records
What Is Clackamas County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Clackamas County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records serve as the official history of arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions maintained by various law enforcement and judicial agencies throughout Clackamas County, Oregon.
Criminal records typically include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office or local police departments
- Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings in the Clackamas County Circuit Court
- Correctional Records: Information regarding incarceration in the Clackamas County Jail or state correctional facilities
- Probation/Parole Records: Documentation of supervision following release or as an alternative to incarceration
The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document that an individual was taken into custody on suspicion of criminal activity, while conviction records confirm that the individual was found guilty of a criminal offense through either a trial or plea agreement. Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.345, arrest records for cases that did not lead to conviction may have different disclosure standards than conviction records.
Criminal offenses in Clackamas County are categorized as either felonies or misdemeanors:
- Felonies: More serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail
Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public, while juvenile records (individuals under 18) are typically sealed pursuant to ORS § 419A.255 and require court orders for access.
The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Clackamas County include:
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
2223 Kaen Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
503-655-8218
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Clackamas County Circuit Court
807 Main Street
Oregon City, OR 97045
503-655-8447
Clackamas County Circuit Court
Oregon State Police - Criminal Justice Information Services
3565 Trelstad Ave SE
Salem, OR 97317
503-378-3070
Oregon State Police
Are Criminal Records Public In Clackamas County
Criminal records in Clackamas County are generally considered public information under Oregon's Public Records Law, codified in Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.311-192.478. This law establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, should be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.
ORS § 192.314(1) states: "Every person has a right to inspect any public record of a public body in this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by ORS 192.338, 192.345 and 192.355." This provision creates the legal foundation for public access to criminal records maintained by Clackamas County agencies.
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Several important exceptions exist:
- Active Investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily exempt from disclosure under ORS § 192.345(3)
- Sealed Records: Records that have been sealed by court order are not publicly accessible
- Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to ORS § 137.225 are removed from public view
- Juvenile Records: Most juvenile records are confidential under ORS § 419A.255, with limited exceptions
- Certain Personal Information: Information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and certain personal details may be redacted from otherwise public records
Adult conviction records are generally the most accessible type of criminal record. These include information about charges, court proceedings, verdicts, and sentences for individuals convicted of crimes in Clackamas County. Court proceedings, including hearings and trials, are typically open to the public unless specifically closed by a judge.
The Clackamas County District Attorney's Office plays a key role in determining what investigative records may be released to the public:
Clackamas County District Attorney's Office
807 Main Street, Room 7
Oregon City, OR 97045
503-655-8431
Clackamas County District Attorney
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clackamas County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Clackamas County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple systems that allow for both in-person and remote searches of criminal history information.
To conduct an in-person search at the Clackamas County Circuit Court:
- Visit the Clackamas County Circuit Court during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Proceed to the Records Department on the first floor
- Complete a public records request form, specifying the information sought
- Provide the full name and, if possible, date of birth of the individual
- Pay applicable search and copy fees
- Wait for staff to retrieve the requested records
For records maintained by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office:
- Visit the Sheriff's Office Records Division during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM)
- Complete a public records request form
- Provide identifying information for the subject of the search
- Pay the required search fee
- Records staff will conduct the search and provide available information
To request records by mail:
- Download the appropriate public records request form from the county website
- Complete the form with all required information
- Include a check or money order for applicable fees
- Mail the request to the appropriate agency:
Clackamas County Circuit Court Records
807 Main Street
Oregon City, OR 97045
Clackamas County Sheriff's Records Unit
2223 Kaen Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
For certified copies of court records, requestors must specifically indicate this requirement on their application and pay additional certification fees. The Oregon Judicial Department provides guidance on obtaining certified court documents.
How To Find Criminal Records in Clackamas County Online?
Clackamas County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person searches, though they may have certain limitations regarding the scope and depth of available information.
The primary online resources include:
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Oregon Judicial Department's Online Records Search: The Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN) provides access to court case information, including criminal cases filed in Clackamas County Circuit Court. Users can search by name, case number, or citation number. This system requires registration and payment of subscription fees for full access, though limited information is available without subscription.
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Clackamas County Sheriff's Inmate Information System: The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that provides information on currently incarcerated individuals, including charges, booking dates, and scheduled release dates. This service is free and requires no registration.
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Oregon State Police Sex Offender Registry: The Oregon Sex Offender Inquiry System allows searches for registered sex offenders residing in Clackamas County. This free service provides information on offenders' names, addresses, and offense details.
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Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI): This statewide system provides access to court records, including criminal cases. Users can search by name or case number. Basic case information is available without registration, but detailed documents require subscription.
To effectively use these online systems:
- Enter the full legal name of the individual (last name, first name)
- Include middle names or initials if known
- Use date of birth information when available to distinguish between individuals with similar names
- For case searches, enter the complete case number in the proper format (e.g., 23CR12345)
It's important to note that online systems may not contain complete historical records. Older cases, especially those predating digital record-keeping, may only be available through in-person requests. Additionally, sealed or expunged records will not appear in online searches.
Can You Search Clackamas County Criminal Records for Free?
Clackamas County provides several options for free access to criminal records, though certain limitations apply. Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.324, public bodies may establish reasonable fees to recover the actual cost of making public records available. However, the law also provides for free inspection of records in many circumstances.
Free in-person inspection options include:
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Clackamas County Circuit Court: Members of the public may visit the courthouse during regular business hours to inspect publicly available court records at no charge. While inspection is free, obtaining copies typically incurs fees ($0.25 per page for standard copies).
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Clackamas County Law Library:
821 Main Street
Oregon City, OR 97045
503-655-8248
Clackamas County Law Library
The law library provides public access terminals for searching court records at no charge.
Free online resources include:
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Clackamas County Sheriff's Inmate Roster: This free online database provides information about currently incarcerated individuals, including charges and booking information.
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Oregon eCourt Case Information: Basic case information is available without charge, though accessing detailed documents requires a subscription.
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Oregon State Police Sex Offender Registry: The public sex offender registry is available at no cost and includes information about registered sex offenders residing in Clackamas County.
While these free options provide access to basic criminal record information, comprehensive searches may require payment of fees, particularly for:
- Certified copies of court documents
- Background checks conducted by law enforcement agencies
- Extensive document reproduction
- Searches requiring significant staff time or resources
The Oregon Judicial Department offers subscription-based access to more detailed court records through its Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN), with fees ranging from $35 to $190 depending on the subscription level and duration.
What's Included in a Clackamas County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Clackamas County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content may vary depending on the case and maintaining agency, but generally includes several key categories of information.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Initial charges filed
- Bail amount and status
- Detention facility information
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Formal charges filed
- Statutory citations
- Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
- Plea entered
- Attorney information (both prosecution and defense)
- Judge assigned to the case
- Court appearance dates
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or outcome (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration period
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and conditions
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges
- Probation/parole violations
The level of detail in criminal records may vary based on the age of the case, the maintaining agency, and whether the record has been subject to any sealing or expungement orders. Records maintained by the court system typically focus on case proceedings and outcomes, while law enforcement records may contain more detailed information about arrests and investigations.
How Long Does Clackamas County Keep Criminal Records?
Clackamas County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Oregon State Archives under the authority of Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.105. These schedules determine how long different types of criminal records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or transferred to archives.
The retention periods for common criminal record types include:
- Felony Case Files: Permanently retained for Class A and B felonies; 75 years for Class C felonies
- Misdemeanor Case Files: Retained for 25 years after case closure
- Traffic Violation Cases: Retained for 5 years after final disposition
- Arrest Records (no charges filed): Typically retained for 5 years
- Jail Records: Booking and custody records retained for 10 years after release
- Probation Records: Retained for 10 years after completion of probation
- Search Warrant Records: Retained for 10 years after issuance
- Grand Jury Records: Permanently retained
It's important to note that retention of a record does not necessarily mean it remains publicly accessible throughout the retention period. Records that have been sealed by court order or expunged pursuant to ORS § 137.225 are removed from public access even though the physical or digital record may still exist in secured archives.
The Clackamas County Circuit Court follows the Oregon Judicial Department's retention schedule, which may differ slightly from the general county retention policies. Court records of significant historical value may be transferred to the State Archives for permanent preservation rather than being destroyed after their retention period expires.
Digital records systems have extended the practical retention of many criminal records beyond their required retention periods. However, the quality and completeness of older records, particularly those predating digital record-keeping systems, may be limited.