Tigard Criminal Court File Search
Tigard is a city in Washington County, just south of Portland. It has its own municipal court that hears minor criminal cases and traffic offenses. Felonies and more serious charges go to the Washington County Circuit Court in Hillsboro. Both courts keep records that are open to the public under Oregon law. This page covers the ways to search for and obtain criminal court records tied to Tigard cases.
Tigard Criminal Records Overview
Criminal cases in Tigard follow the same split seen in other Oregon cities. The Tigard Municipal Court handles violations and minor misdemeanors. It can impose fines and short jail terms. The court meets at city hall.
The Washington County Circuit Court takes all felony cases. It also hears serious misdemeanors and matters that go beyond what the municipal court can do. Both courts produce records that you can access as a member of the public.
Oregon's public records law, found at ORS 192.311, establishes the right to view court records. Sealed and restricted files are the only exceptions.
How to Find Tigard Criminal Court Records
There are several ways to search. The method you use depends on which court handled the case and how much detail you need.
For circuit court records, the Oregon Courts online search is the best starting point. It is free and covers all Oregon circuit courts. Select Washington County, enter the name, and view the results. You get case numbers, types, dates, and status.
Municipal court records require a different approach. The Tigard Municipal Court keeps its own set of files. Contact the court clerk by phone or in person. Give the name and any other details you have. The clerk can search the system and tell you what is on file.
Note: Circuit court records are in the state online system, but municipal court records usually are not.
Tigard Police Department Records
The Tigard Police Department maintains arrest reports, call logs, and incident files. These are separate from court records but often relate to the same cases. A police report can show what led to an arrest and what charges were filed.
Request records through the Tigard Police records page. You will need to provide basic details about the incident. The department reviews requests under Oregon's public records law. Most reports are releasable. Records tied to ongoing cases may be withheld until the case closes.
Simple requests tend to come back within a week. Larger or more complex requests take longer. The department will let you know the timeline.
Washington County Circuit Court
The Washington County Circuit Court in Hillsboro handles all felony cases from Tigard. It serves every city in Washington County, including Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Tualatin.
Below is a screenshot of the Washington County Circuit Court page, which has details on court hours, case access, and contact information.
You can search records online, visit the Washington County records office, or use OJCIN for detailed paid access. The courthouse records counter in Hillsboro can provide copies of any public case file.
Certified copies are available for legal use. Regular copies cost less and work for personal review. Staff at the counter can explain the options.
Tigard Municipal Court Case Types
The Tigard Municipal Court has a specific scope. It handles cases like these:
- Traffic violations and moving infractions
- City ordinance violations
- Class C misdemeanors
- Noise complaints that result in charges
- Minor criminal mischief
Each case file includes the citation, any plea, hearing records, and the final ruling. The clerk keeps these files on record. They do not expire or go away on their own. Only a judge can order a record sealed or set aside.
If you need a record from this court, the clerk is the person to ask. Have the case number or full name ready. The clerk can pull up the file and provide copies.
Note: Some municipal court sessions are held only on certain days of the week.
Expungement of Tigard Records
Oregon law allows some criminal records to be set aside. The statute is ORS 137.225. A successful motion removes the record from most public searches. The court treats the case as if it did not happen for most purposes.
You file the motion in the court that heard the case. Tigard municipal cases go through the municipal court. Circuit court cases go through Washington County. The Oregon Courts expungement page has forms and instructions for both paths.
Not all records qualify. The type of charge and the outcome of the case both matter. Misdemeanors are often eligible after a waiting period. Some felonies qualify too. Serious offenses like certain violent crimes are excluded.
Oregon State Criminal History Check
A statewide search goes beyond Tigard and Washington County. The Oregon State Police CJIS program runs criminal history checks that pull records from every jurisdiction in the state.
This is the widest search you can do within Oregon. It captures arrests, charges, and outcomes from all courts and agencies. The results show a full timeline of a person's criminal history in the state. Use this when a single-court or single-county search is not broad enough.
Tigard is close to several other cities in the Portland metro area. People may have records in multiple counties. A state-level check captures all of them in one report. It includes data from Washington County, Multnomah County, Clackamas County, and every other part of Oregon.
Washington County Criminal Court Records
Tigard is in Washington County. The county circuit court in Hillsboro handles felonies and major misdemeanors for all cities in the county. For a broader view of criminal records across Washington County, see the county page.