Criminal Court Records for Multnomah County

Multnomah County is home to Oregon's largest and busiest circuit court. With more than 800,000 residents, the Portland metro area generates a high volume of criminal cases each year. The Multnomah County Circuit Court handles everything from minor violations to serious felonies. Criminal court records are public under Oregon law, and you can search for them online or at the courthouse. This guide covers how to access Multnomah County criminal court records, where to search, and what the process involves.

Multnomah County Circuit Court

The Multnomah County Circuit Court moved to a new building in 2020. The courthouse is at 1200 SW 1st Ave in Portland. It is one of the most modern court facilities in the state. The court handles tens of thousands of criminal cases each year. Its Records Division processes a massive number of requests from the public.

Multnomah County operates several specialized courts within its system. These include Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veteran's Court, HOPE Court, and a Domestic Violence Court. Each of these courts generates its own set of criminal case records. All records are stored by the clerk and governed by the same public access rules under ORS 192.311.

The image above shows the main page for the Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Searching Multnomah County Criminal Records Online

Online tools make it easy to search for criminal court records in Multnomah County. The Oregon Judicial Department records search is free. It shows basic case data and upcoming court dates. Enter a name or case number to start. Results cover all Oregon circuit courts, including Multnomah.

For more detail, use the OJCIN portal. This paid service gives full docket entries, party names, and case history. It is the most thorough online option for Multnomah County criminal records. Many legal professionals use this tool daily.

The state records portal for Multnomah County offers another way to search. It pulls data from multiple public sources. This can be a good starting point if you are not sure where else to look.

This page has forms, fee schedules, and instructions for both mail and in-person requests.

Note: Multnomah County records requests typically take 7 to 10 business days to process due to high volume.

Multnomah County Criminal Case Documents

Criminal court records in Multnomah County contain all the documents filed during a case. The file starts with the charging document from the district attorney. It then grows as the case moves through the system.

Common documents in a Multnomah County criminal case file include:

• The indictment or criminal information
• Arraignment records and bail orders
• Pretrial motions, hearings, and rulings
• Plea agreements when applicable
• Trial exhibits and transcripts
• Sentencing orders and final judgments

Felony cases produce the largest files. A complex case can have hundreds of pages. Misdemeanor records are smaller. Violation cases are the shortest. All are part of the public record unless a judge sealed the file. You can request copies of any open case.

Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5. Exemplified copies run $10. These fees are set by the court. Pay at the clerk's office or by mail.

In-Person Access at the Portland Courthouse

You can visit the Multnomah County Courthouse at 1200 SW 1st Ave to review criminal records in person. Bring a photo ID. The clerk's office is on the main floor. Tell the staff the name or case number you are looking for. They will pull the file so you can read it on site.

Viewing records is free. You only pay if you want copies. The courthouse is open on weekdays during normal business hours. Arrive early if you can. The Portland courthouse is busy, and wait times can be long. Plan extra time for large file requests.

Multnomah County Law Enforcement Records

Criminal records also exist outside the court system. The Multnomah County Sheriff maintains arrest logs, booking records, and incident reports. The Portland Police Bureau keeps its own records for cases within city limits. Both agencies handle records requests separately from the court.

Court records track a case through the legal process. Law enforcement records document the investigation and arrest. The two systems overlap but are not the same. For the most complete picture of a criminal matter, you may need to check both. The sheriff handles cases in unincorporated areas and county jails. Portland Police cover the city itself.

The state records portal shown above can also help you find law enforcement data for Multnomah County.

Note: The Portland Police Bureau and the Sheriff's office have their own fees and timelines for records requests.

Expungement of Multnomah County Criminal Records

Oregon allows some criminal records to be set aside through expungement. The process removes the record from public view. To start, you file a motion with the court that handled the case. For Multnomah County, file at the Circuit Court in Portland.

ORS 137.225 is the statute that governs expungement in Oregon. It lists which crimes qualify and the required waiting periods. Not all convictions can be expunged. Serious felonies and certain other offenses are excluded. The Oregon Judicial Department expungement page provides forms and instructions.

The district attorney reviews every motion. They can agree or object. A judge then decides. If the motion is granted, the Multnomah County criminal record is sealed. It will no longer show up in public searches.

Statewide Criminal History Through OSP

The Oregon State Police CJIS program runs a statewide criminal history database. It collects data from every county, including Multnomah. A statewide check shows arrests and convictions across Oregon. This is broader than a single county search but less detailed.

For a full case file with every document, use the Multnomah County Circuit Court. The OSP system is better for quick checks across multiple counties. Both tools have their place depending on what you need.

Nearby Counties

Multnomah County borders Clackamas County to the south, Washington County to the west, and Columbia County to the northwest. Clark County in Washington state lies across the Columbia River. Cases are filed where the alleged crime took place. If you are unsure which county handled a case, check the arrest location.