Washington County Arrest Records

Arrests in Washington County usually occur after a court issues arrest warrants, if an officer witnesses a crime, or if the officer has probable cause to believe that an individual committed a felony or other crimes like protective order violation and DUIs. As per Oklahoma Arrest Laws, the arresting officer may detain arrestees in a police holding cell or book them in a local correctional facility, i.e., the Washington County Jail operated by the Sheriff’s Office.

Different agencies may keep records relating to an arrest incident. The arresting agencies generate arrest records, the county jail holds booking details, and warrant or case information may be available in Washington County court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Washington County. The Oklahoma Open Records Act specifically deems arrest records to be public information. Hence, interested persons may access, inspect, or duplicate these documents upon proper request to the record custodian. However, these custodians may deny access to certain records exempted from public disclosure due to privacy laws, safety risks, or threats to the agency’s operations. These exemptions include:

• Records identifying minors (under 16) or victims of domestic violence or sex crimes
• Records protected by privilege, i.e. attorney-client privilege
• Recordings depicting severe violence, death, or nudity
• Personal information within drivers’ records
• Motor vehicle reports by the Department of Public Safety
• Government-issued identification numbers like social security numbers, addresses, and other private information
• Confidential medical information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Information in Washington County arrest records that is available to the public includes:

• Arrestee’s name, birth date
• Arrestee’s physical description
• Offense date, time, and location
• Initial offense charge
• Summary of arrest facts like the arresting officer’s name and the cause of arrest (warrants, witnessing offense, etc.)
• Holding facility’s name and booking details (if any).

Washington County Arrest Statistics

The FBI Crime Data Explorer provides arrest statistics submitted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). According to this portal, the WCSO had 63 reported arrests from 2021 to 2023. During this period, the offenses with the most arrests included simple assault, aggravated assault, driving under the influence, and vandalism.

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Arrest records are available from the arresting agency or from an individual’s criminal history records. However, persons who do not know the agency’s name or do not want to conduct background checks may get relevant information from the correctional facility where the arrestee was booked.

To find information on persons in federal or state-run facilities, interested persons may perform online searches with tools provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons or the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. Users may do this by inputting the inmate’s details, such as name, inmate number, date of birth, or other description.

Free Arrest Record Search in Washington County

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) provides an online roster of inmates currently booked in the county jail. Users may conduct free searches by name and select an inmate to view the profile, which contains the inmate’s name and description, mugshot, booking date, and charge(s).

To access records of persons arrested by the WCSO or booked into the county jail, interested persons should contact:

Washington County Sheriff's Office
611 SW Adams Boulevard,
Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74003
Phone: (918) 332-4000 (Office)
Phone: (918) 332-4011 (Jail)
Fax: (918) 332-4090

However, if an individual was arrested by another agency in the county or state, record seekers should direct requests to the specific agency. Generally, inspecting records in person is mostly free, but the office will charge requesters for duplicating a document. Alternatively, interested persons may conduct free arrest record searches on third-party sites.

Washington County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Washington County arrest and criminal records are two types of law enforcement documents. While the former provides a summary of an arrest incident, the latter contains extensive information on an individual’s criminal activities, such as arrest, citation, prosecution, and disposition.

However, an arrest record is the basis of an individual’s criminal history. This is because a rap sheet or criminal record is generated once an individual is arrested and fingerprinted, and this record is submitted to a central database (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation). This record gets updated with more information every time the record subject commits an offense and as each case progresses.

In summary, information in arrest records is limited to an incident, whereas criminal records provide further details on charges and disposition. Therefore, record seekers may obtain conviction details in Washington County criminal records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Washington County, an arrest will stay on one’s record forever and may be publicly available unless expunged either automatically or following an expungement petition filed by the record subject. However, the automatic expungement of eligible arrest records under Oklahoma’s Clean Slate Bill will not begin until November 1, 2025. Therefore, persons who want to expunge their records before this date will need to file a petition for expungement

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

Expunging an arrest record in Washington County places it under seal, making it unavailable to the public. As per state laws, arrests without charge and most cases resulting in non-conviction (dismissals, acquittals, not-guilty verdicts) are eligible for expunction. However, this will not be automatic until Oklahoma’s Clean Slate Bill commences on November 1, 2025.

Therefore, individuals who meet any of the 16 statutory conditions listed in 22 OK Stat § 18(A) may send a Petition for Expungement to the Washington County District Court if the arrest and case occurred in the county. Eligible categories include:

• Arrests and charges resulting from identity theft
• Acquittals
• Juvenile offenders who received a full pardon
• Persons deemed innocent after conviction as a result of DNA evidence
• Reversed conviction to dismissal in appellate courts
• A dismissed misdemeanor charge after completing a delayed sentence or deferred judgment (one-year waiting period if there are no pending cases or prior convictions)
• A dismissed non-violent felony charge after completing a delayed sentence or deferred judgment (five-year waiting period if there are no pending cases or prior convictions)
• A minor misdemeanor conviction without jail term and fines not exceeding $500
• A misdemeanor conviction with jail term and fines not exceeding $500 (five-year waiting period)
• Certain felony convictions of a non-sexual nature with a seven or ten years waiting period.

To apply for expungement, eligible persons - with the aid of an attorney - may draft a petition containing specific arrest/case details and stating the law under which the record qualifies for expunction or may visit the Court Clerk’s Office to get a form. Upon filing, the clerk shall set a hearing date and give 30 days hearing notice to agencies that may maintain records relating to the case, such as the arresting agency, OSBI, or prosecuting agency.

After the hearing, the court shall decide if the record should be sealed or remain public. The record subject, arresting agency, and other involved agencies/parties may appeal the court decision at the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

Washington County arrest warrants are legal papers issued by a magistrate or judge in the county for the arrest, detainment, and arraignment of persons charged with a crime. These documents are issued after an officer files a criminal complaint and provides proof showing probable cause that the accused person committed a specific crime. Generally, arrest warrants in Washington County contain the following information:

• The defendant’s name or identifiable descriptions
• Offense description
• Warrant issuance date
• County, town, or city where issued
• Judge’s signature and title/office.
• Any special execution details, like the time of day when officers can apprehend the defendant.

Arrest warrants issued in Washington County may be served in other counties and states in line with Oklahoma Statutes and the other state’s laws. Similarly, warrants from other counties and states may also be actionable in Washington County.

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Washington County arrest warrants do not expire and remain active until an officer serves the warrant in compliance with state laws. Arrest warrants only become inactive if the issuing body, District Attorney's office, or Governor recalls or quashes the warrant.