Criminal records in Benton County, Washington, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. BentonWACourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Washington State Courts case search portal, the Washington State Patrol criminal history repository, and the Benton County Clerk's Office at the Justice Center in Kennewick.
How to Search Criminal Records in Benton County
There are multiple ways to look up criminal records in Benton County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- BentonWACourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases in Benton County.
- Washington Courts Case Search — This statewide tool, maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts, covers cases filed in municipal, district, and superior courts, including Benton County Superior Court. Data is updated within 24 hours.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — Search by person name or case number. Note that the official court record is maintained by the court of record, and copies of documents are not available through the search site.
- Washington State Patrol Criminal History — For fingerprint-based background checks and statewide criminal history records, submit a request through WSP. This is the state criminal history repository.
- Department of Corrections Warrant Search — Search active DOC warrants by name, DOC number, crime, or county.
- DOC Incarcerated Individual Search — Look up individuals currently incarcerated in Washington State facilities.
In Person
Visit the Benton County Clerk's Office at the Justice Center in Kennewick. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records. You can also request copies of court documents directly from the clerk.
By Mail or Written Request
Submit a written request to the Benton County Clerk's Office at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). For statewide criminal history checks, submit a request directly to the Washington State Patrol.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if searching by case)
- Court location (Superior Court, District Court, or Municipal Court)
Search Benton County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Washington case numbers follow a standard format used across the state court system:
- Example format: 24-1-00123-03
- First two digits (24): The year the case was filed
- Next digit (1): The case type code — "1" typically indicates a criminal felony case, while "2" often indicates a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor
- Five-digit sequence (00123): The sequential filing number assigned by the court
- Final two digits (03): The county code — Benton County's code is 03
Enter the full case number into the state case search portal to pull up the specific case. If you are unsure of the case type code, try searching by the defendant's name instead.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Benton County
Criminal case records in Benton County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) section the defendant is charged under (e.g., RCW 9A.36.021 for Assault 2nd Degree) |
| Severity | Felony (most serious), gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The original charge may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations — the amended charge replaces or supplements the original |
| Count Number | Cases with multiple charges list each as a separate count |
Case Status
- Pending: The case is open and awaiting resolution
- Active: Court proceedings are underway
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed: All matters including sentencing, fines, and probation are complete
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant's first court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary Hearing: Used in felony cases to determine if there is probable cause to proceed
- Pre-Trial: A hearing to address motions, discovery, and potential plea agreements
- Trial: The case is presented before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: The court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review: A follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with court orders or probation
Court Results
- Guilty: The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty: The defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: The case was dropped by the court or the prosecution
- Dismissed with Prejudice: The case cannot be refiled
- Dismissed without Prejudice: The case may potentially be refiled
- Deferred Sentence: Sentencing is postponed, often contingent on completing conditions
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Benton County
Certified copies of criminal case records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. The Benton County Clerk's Office is the custodian of Superior Court records.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk's Office at the Benton County Justice Center. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk's Office with the defendant's name, case number, date of birth, and a description of the documents needed. Include payment by check or money order made payable to the Benton County Clerk.
- Through the Odyssey Portal: Some court documents may be accessible through the Odyssey Portal. Contact the Benton County Clerk's Office to request elevated access if needed.
For Statewide Criminal History Records
Fingerprint-based criminal history checks are handled by the Washington State Patrol. Requests can be submitted online or by mail through the WSP Criminal History page. These records include arrest and disposition information from law enforcement agencies and courts across Washington.
Contact Information
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Benton County
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks in Benton County and Washington State are set by statute and local fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Authority/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Per RCW 36.18.016(4) |
| Certified copies | $5.00 first page, $1.00 each additional page | Per RCW 36.18.016(4) |
| WSP name-based criminal history check | $11.00 | Washington State Patrol |
| WSP fingerprint-based criminal history check | $30.00+ | Washington State Patrol; FBI check additional |
| Document search fee | $5.00 per name | Benton County Clerk's Office |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request
- Mail requests: Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing
- WSP background checks: Name-based checks are typically returned within 5–10 business days; fingerprint-based checks may take longer
Contact the Benton County Clerk's Office to confirm current fees and accepted payment methods before submitting your request.