Washington County Criminal Court Records
Washington County is home to the second busiest court system in Oregon. The Circuit Court in Hillsboro handles a high volume of criminal cases each year from communities like Beaverton, Tigard, and the broader Portland suburbs. You can search for criminal court records through state online tools, at the courthouse, or through the county law library. This page walks through every option and gives you what you need to find criminal case records in Washington County.
Washington County Circuit Court Records
The Washington County Circuit Court sits at 150 North 1st Avenue in Hillsboro. Originally known as Tuality County when it was formed in 1846, the county was renamed Washington County in 1849. Today it is one of the most populated counties in Oregon. The court processes thousands of criminal cases each year.
Below is the Washington County Circuit Court page with court contact details.
Visit the Washington County Circuit Court page for directions and phone numbers.
The court handles felonies, misdemeanors, and violations from Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, and every other city in the county. It also runs specialty programs like Drug Court and Mental Health Court. These programs handle specific types of criminal cases and create their own records within the system. All criminal case files are maintained by the court clerk and fall under Oregon's public records law, ORS 192.311.
The Public Records Review Room is in Room 110J at the courthouse. This is where you can view case files in person. The room is set up for public use with space to read through documents at your own pace.
How to Search Washington County Criminal Records
Online search is the fastest route. The Oregon Judicial Department search tool is free and covers all Oregon courts. Enter a name or case number to see basic case data and hearing dates. For Washington County's high volume of cases, this is a good starting point.
The OJCIN system gives more depth. It is a paid service run through the Oregon Judicial Information Network. You get full docket entries, charge details, and dispositions for Washington County criminal cases. Researchers and legal professionals use this tool often because of the level of detail it provides.
Walk-in access works well too. Go to the courthouse at 150 N 1st Ave in Hillsboro. Head to Room 110J. Show your ID and ask for the case you need. Staff will pull the file. You can read it in the review room. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5. Exemplified copies run $10 each.
Note: Due to high case volumes, the Washington County courthouse may have longer wait times than smaller county courts.
Washington County Court Records Page
The court posts a records page that explains the full request process. It covers fees, forms, and turnaround times. The image below shows this resource.
Visit the Washington County court records page for forms and instructions.
Mail requests go to 150 N 1st Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Include the person's name, date of birth, and any case numbers you have. Pay by check or money order. Most requests take 5 to 7 business days to process after payment is received.
Washington County Criminal Case Documents
Every criminal case in Washington County generates a file. The size depends on the charge and how the case moved through the system. A felony case tried before a jury will produce a thick file. A simple violation may be just a page or two.
Standard documents in a Washington County criminal court record include:
- The indictment or information from the district attorney
- Arraignment and plea entries
- Bail and release orders
- Pretrial motions from both prosecution and defense
- Trial records and jury instructions if applicable
- Sentencing orders and the final judgment
Drug Court and Mental Health Court cases may contain additional documents related to treatment programs and compliance reports. These specialty court records are part of the criminal case file and subject to the same access rules.
Washington County Sheriff Records
The Washington County Sheriff operates a Records Section at 215 SW Adams Avenue in Hillsboro. This office is open around the clock, every day of the year. You can reach them at 503-846-2524. Sheriff records include arrest reports, incident logs, and booking data.
The image below shows the sheriff's public records page.
Visit the Washington County Sheriff records page for request forms and contact details.
Sheriff records and court records serve different purposes. An arrest report shows who was taken into custody and what charges were filed at the time. A court record tracks what happened after that. You may need both to get the complete picture. The sheriff handles Hillsboro and all unincorporated parts of the county. City police departments in Beaverton, Tigard, and other towns keep their own records.
Washington County Law Library
The Washington County Law Library is at 111 NE Lincoln Street, Suite 250-L, in Hillsboro. It offers a free terminal for the Oregon eCourt Case Information system. You can search for criminal records at no cost using this terminal. If you need prints, they charge $0.10 per page.
Visit the Washington County Law Library page for hours and services.
The law library is a useful resource for people who want to do their own research. Staff can point you to the right databases and forms. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find what you need in the system. This is a good option if you want free access to Washington County criminal records without paying for OJCIN.
Note: The law library has set hours that differ from the courthouse, so check before you go.
Washington County Justice Court
Washington County has a Justice Court at 3700 SW Murray Boulevard, Room 2400, in Beaverton. It is the last of four Justice Courts that were originally created in the county in 1915. This court handles certain types of violations and minor offenses. Records from Justice Court are separate from Circuit Court files. If a case was heard in Justice Court rather than Circuit Court, you need to contact that office directly.
The Justice Court processes traffic violations and other low-level matters. Its records are public like Circuit Court records. But the two courts operate independently. Check where the case was filed before you request records.
Expungement of Washington County Records
Oregon law under ORS 137.225 allows some criminal records to be set aside. You file a motion with the Washington County Circuit Court. The district attorney reviews it. A judge rules on the request. If granted, the record is sealed from public searches.
Not all crimes qualify. Serious felonies, certain violent offenses, and sex crimes cannot be expunged. The Oregon expungement page has forms and a guide to the process. Given the volume of cases in Washington County, it is wise to file early and allow extra time for processing.
Nearby Counties
Washington County borders Multnomah County to the east, Clackamas County to the southeast, and Yamhill County to the south. Columbia County lies to the north. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the alleged crime took place. If a case was handled outside Washington County, contact the appropriate county court.