Oregon Criminal Records

According to recent surveys, Oregon has a violent crime rate of approximately 3.42 incidents per 1,000 residents, with a total crime rate of 32.78 per 1,000. Oregon criminal records are official documents that contain detailed information about an individual's interactions with the state's criminal justice system. These records include, but are not limited to, arrest records, warrants, charges, court case outcomes, sentencing information, and jail/incarceration records.

The Oregon State Police (through its Criminal Justice Information Services Division) serves as the state's central repository for criminal history records and facilitates access to this information for qualified individuals, organizations, and the general public. In addition, several other local and state agencies and governmental bodies create and maintain criminal records in Oregon, including police departments, sheriff's offices, the Oregon Judicial Department (specifically the trial courts), and the Oregon Department of Corrections.

Are Criminal Records Public in Oregon?

Under Oregon's Public Records Law - Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 192, criminal records are generally considered public records and may be readily accessed by interested members of the public. However, there are certain exceptions to this public disclosure, and some information may be withheld or redacted. For instance, criminal history record information held by the Oregon State Police is deemed confidential and typically exempt from public inspection, except where specifically authorized by state law, such as ORS 181A.220.

Some other information typically exempt from public disclosure includes juvenile criminal records, sealed records, and medical/mental health-related case files. Records related to ongoing investigations or that could compromise informants or undercover operations may also be withheld from public view.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Oregon?

The Oregon State Police's Criminal Justice Information Services Division provides access to official criminal records upon request through two main options:

• Copy of Your Own Oregon Record Requests: This is a fingerprint-based background search of the state's Computerized Criminal History Repository and is available to individuals who wish to obtain a copy of their own criminal record. Requesters will be required to submit a Copy oftheirOwn Record/Clearance Letter Request form and a properly rolled set of their fingerprints taken using a blue applicant fingerprint card (FD258) to the OSP at:

  Oregon State Police - CJIS Division

  Unit 11

  P.O. Box 4395

  Portland, OR 97208-4395

  Fingerprinting can be done at any local law enforcement agency, fingerprinting service, or at the OSP's Salem office located at 3565 Trelstad Ave SE. Requests cost $33, plus fingerprinting fees (the OSP charges $30 for this); individuals who wish to get a notarized copy of the record will also be charged a separate $5 fee per copy. Requests are typically processed and sent out within 7 - 10 business days.

• Open Records Requests: This is a name-based background check and is available to the general public. These requests also cost $33 and may be made online via the OSP's Open Records Request Portal (you may need to create a user account for this) or by submitting a Request for Oregon Criminal History Information on Another Individual (Open Record) form to the agency via the mailing addresses provided on the form. You will need to provide the name, date of birth (or approximate age), and current or last known address of the record's subject. Note that the subject of the record will be notified of the request and given 14 days to challenge or correct any inaccuracies in their record.

You may contact the OSP's Criminal Justice Information Services Division at (503) 378-3070 for assistance in obtaining Oregon criminal records.

How To Search Oregon Arrest Records?

Arrest records in Oregon are primarily created and maintained by local law enforcement agencies that carry out arrests, such as city police departments or county sheriff's offices. However, state agencies like the Oregon State Police also generate and maintain arrest records. Oregon arrest records typically include information like:

• The arrestee's full name, age, and address
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The offenses which the person was arrested for
• The arresting agency
• A brief summary of the circumstances surrounding the arrest

Individuals who wish to access copies of Oregon arrest records can typically do so by contacting the specific law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest. You may be required to submit a written request - this can usually be done in person, via mail, or online (depending on the agency). Some agencies also provide online access to recent arrest logs or booking information via their official websites.

How To Search Oregon Warrants?

Oregon warrants are legal documents issued by judges, justices of the peace, and other statutorily defined magistrates that authorize law enforcement to take specific actions, like arresting a person, searching a location, or seizing personal property. Several types of warrants are issued in Oregon, including:

• Arrest Warrants: These are issued when there is probable cause that an individual has committed a crime, and they authorize law enforcement to take the individual into custody.
• Search Warrants: These are also issued based on probable cause and authorize the search and seizure of property in connection with an investigation.
• Bench Warrants: These are issued when an individual fails to appear in court or violates a court order. Unlike arrest and search warrants, which are based on probable cause for a crime, bench warrants are typically issued for procedural noncompliance; however, they also often lead to the apprehension of the individual.

Warrant information in Oregon can typically be accessed by contacting the local law enforcement agency and/or the trial courts in the municipality where the warrant was issued. Be aware that certain warrant information may be restricted, particularly in cases involving active/ongoing investigations. Note that Oregon arrest and bench warrants generally remain active until served or quashed by a court, while search warrants typically have to be executed within five days of being issued, but may be extended to 10 days, per ORS 133.565(3).

Can I Obtain an Oregon Criminal History Record of Another Person?

You may obtain copies of another person's official Oregon criminal history record (or a response stating that the person has no Oregon criminal history) by submitting a request to the Oregon State Police (OSP). You will be required to provide the person's full name, date of birth, and address (current or last known). Be aware that third-party access to criminal records in Oregon is limited to conviction information and arrests less than a year old, where no acquittals or case dismissals have been reported.

Criminal record requests may be made online via the agency's Open Records Request Portal or by mailing a Request for Oregon Criminal History Information on Another Individual (Open Record) form to:

There is a non-refundable $33 fee per request. Note that the subject of the record will be notified of the request and given a 14-day period to challenge the accuracy of the record. Requested records are typically provided after this waiting period and challenges (if any) have been resolved. For more information, contact the OSP's Criminal Justice Information Services Division at (503) 378-3070.

How To Expunge or Seal Oregon Criminal Records

Oregon provides a process for removing criminal records from public access, known as "setting aside" a record or expunction - the legal mechanism for this process is outlined in ORS 137.225. Per this law, once a record is set aside (expunged), it is sealed and removed from public databases, meaning that most individuals, including employers, landlords, and the general public, cannot view the record. However, it should be noted that expunctions in Oregon do not result in the complete destruction of the record, and certain entities, including law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities, may still access these records under specific circumstances.

Expunctions are typically available for non-conviction cases, as well as most misdemeanors, Class C felonies, and Class B non-person felonies. However, certain offenses cannot be set aside (expunged) in Oregon. These include, but are not limited to, sex offenses, violent crimes, and most traffic crimes.

Individuals who wish to get their records set aside must also meet certain eligibility criteria, such as:

• They must have served out the imposed sentence (including paying all fines)
• They must have completed a stipulated waiting period (after serving the imposed sentence). This waiting period varies by offense type and ranges from 60 days to seven years
• They must have no pending charges or new convictions during the waiting period

The process for setting aside a conviction in Oregon typically involves the following steps:

• Confirm eligibility for getting the record set aside (expunged)
• Obtain a copy of your criminal history record from the Oregon State Police
• File a Motion to Set Aside with the court that handled the case (necessary forms may be obtained from the court)
• Serve a notice to the relevant prosecuting attorney, who will be given 120 days to file an objection with the court
• Attend a court hearing (this is usually required if an objection is filed)

Once these steps are taken, the court will review the motion (and hear arguments where applicable) before making a decision. If the motion is approved, the court will issue an order sealing the record and will also send a copy of the order to the relevant agencies.

What Are the Limitations to the Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Oregon?

The Fair Chance Act prevents federal agencies and contractors operating in Oregon from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history until after extending a conditional job offer. Additionally, per the Fair Credit Reporting Act, employers and landlords are required to obtain written consent before performing background checks and to provide notice if an adverse action is based on criminal history.

At the state level, Oregon has also enacted several protections to ensure that individuals with criminal histories are not unfairly discriminated against in employment, housing, and professional licensing. These include:

• ORS 659A.360 (also referred to as the Oregon Ban-the-Box Law) prohibits most employers from asking about an applicant's criminal history before an initial interview or, if no interview is conducted, before making a conditional job offer.
• ORS 670.280 restricts professional licensing boards from denying licenses based solely on criminal history unless the conviction is substantially related to the duties of the licensed profession.

Additionally, Oregon follows federal guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which discourages blanket exclusions based on criminal convictions.

Can I Access Oregon Criminal Records for Free Online?

Many private websites offer access to Oregon criminal records; however, the information provided by some of these platforms may be outdated or inaccurate. To obtain reliable and up-to-date criminal records in Oregon, it is best to use official resources like the OSP's Open Records Request Portal and the Oregon Judicial Department's OJCIN OnLine system, or trusted platforms that aggregate data from verified sources, like OregonPublicRecords.us.