Benton County Arrest Records

Benton County arrest records contain details of arrests made by law officers. These include personal information of arrestees, the reasons for the arrests, and the conditions for release. The Benton County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police (OSP), Corvallis Police Department, Philomath Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies within Benton County create these documents as evidence of arrests. Oregon laws permit law officers to make arrests with or without warrants if:

• The officers witness unlawful acts.
• There is a reasonable belief that a person has committed or is committing a crime.
• There is a violation of protective orders, probation, or parole
• There is an act of domestic violence.

Law enforcement officers must also take individuals into custody if the court issues arrest warrants. Benton County arrest records are accessible through Benton County court records if they provide evidence during criminal proceedings within Benton County Circuit and Municipal Courts.

Law enforcement agencies within Benton County incarcerate arrestees and convicts at the Benton County Jail. This facility holds pre-trial detainees, convicts serving short-term sentences, parole and probation violators, and inmates from other counties. Benton County Jail serves as a correctional facility for low-risk convicts. Individuals serving sentences for severe crimes are transferred to state correctional facilities, while federal offenders serve their terms at federal prisons.

Are Arrest Records Public in Benton County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Benton County. The Oregon Public Records Law guarantees the right of individuals to access, review, or copy government records (including Benton County arrest records) unless the law exempts access to the documents.

Notwithstanding the public rights to access government records, Benton County arrest information is not accessible to the public if it relates to:

• The arrest of minors
• Sealed or expunged records
• Active law enforcement investigations
• Victims and witnesses of sexual violence or domestic abuse
• Medical or mental health
• National security or undercover operations.

Exempted Benton County arrest records are accessible only to the subjects of the records, authorized entities, or through Judicial orders.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records contain information about arrests. This information includes:

• The name, date of birth, gender, ethnicity, and physical description of the owner of the record
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Name of the arresting agency
• Name and badge number of the arresting officer
• Charges against the record owner
• Booking number and mugshots
• Bail amount or bond details
• Court information (if applicable).

Benton County Arrest Statistics

Data from the FBI UCR arrest database show a mixed trend in Benton County arrest statistics between 2020 and 2023. Between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2023, local law enforcement agencies within Benton County reported over 9,300 arrest incidents to the Uniform Crime Reporting program, comprising over 7,000 males and 2,200 females.

Benton County law enforcement agencies reported 2,430 and 2,292 arrest incidents to the UCR database in 2023 and 2021. Also, 2,308 and 2,309 individuals were arrested for various offenses within Benton in 2021 and 2020. Within this period (2020 to 2023), larceny crimes and DUIs were the most prevalent arrestable incidents within Benton County. The table below outlines the number of arrests for different incidents within Benton County between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2023.

Data Source: FBI UCR Arrest Statistics.

Find Benton County Arrest Records

Information seekers should visit the Benton County Jail Adult in Custody Roster and click on the inmates' names to view their arrest records. Similarly, the Benton County Jail's Adult in Custody Release Report page provides arrest records of released inmates. Alternatively, inquirers may sign up to the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN), log in, and access Benton County arrest records through the county's court records. Furthermore, Interested individuals may request access to Benton County arrest information through the Benton County Sheriff's Office or other law enforcement agency offices within the county.

Free Arrest Record Search in Benton County

For free access to Benton County arrest information, record seekers should visit the Benton County Jail Adult in Custody Roster and the Adult in Custody Release Report Page to view the arrest information on Benton County's current and past inmates. Alternatively, information seekers should search online for Benton County arrest records. These documents may be accessible for free through third-party websites.

Benton County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Benton County arrests and criminal records are related but different documents. Although arrests and criminal records are crucial for crime fighting, they are distinct concerning creation, contents, and impacts on their owners.

Benton County arrest records are law enforcement documents detailing the arrest of individuals. Law enforcement agencies create these documents when they take individuals into custody. Arrest records contain the personal details, the reasons for arrests, and the conditions for releasing the arrestees. An arrest is a step in a legal process and may not imply that a person is guilty of a crime. Arrest records may not have significant impacts if they do not result in criminal convictions.

The Benton County Circuit and Municipal Courts generate Benton County criminal records during criminal trials. These records are comprehensive documentation of criminal acts and their prosecutions under the county's criminal justice system. Benton County criminal records encompass arrest records and documents relating to the trial, conviction, sentencing, and incarceration of individuals within Benton County. Unlike arrest records, criminal records are confirmation of conviction for criminal acts. Criminal records may negatively impact employment, housing opportunities, education, and social status.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records do not have time limits; they will stay permanently on records if the courts do not seal or remove them. Oregon Revised Statutes 137.225 grants record owners the right to petition the court to set aside their arrest information if they fulfill the qualifying conditions.

Expunge Benton County Arrest Records

Under ORS 137.225, eligible individuals may petition Benton County Circuit Court to set aside Benton County arrest records. Per Oregon laws, arrest records must be for non-conviction arrests, misdemeanors, non-violent felonies, or violations or infractions to qualify for expunction. Also, applicants must observe the following waiting period:

• Non-conviction arrests - 60 days after the dismissal of the case
• Class B felony convictions - 7 years from the date of completing the sentence for the crime
• Class C felony convictions - 5 years after serving the punishment for the crime
• Misdemeanor convictions - 3 years after completing the sentence for the offense
• The waiting periods for violations and traffic infractions vary with the offense. However, the waiting period ranges between 1 year and 3 years.

The following steps outline the procedures for the expunction of a Benton County arrest record:

• Verify if the arrest record is eligible under ORS 137.225
• Obtain a fingerprint card from the Benton County Sheriff's Office or any authorized agency
• Download a Criminal or Arrest Records Set Aside Pack
• Complete the form, attach the fingerprint card, and submit it with the filing fees to the Benton County Circuit Court Clerk's Office at:

120 NW 4th St,
Corvallis,
OR 97330

• Serve a copy of the petition to the Benton County District Attorney’s Office.
• Attend any court hearing scheduled to review the petition to provide answers to questions and counter any objections from the DA Office or other interested parties.
• Wait for the court to decide. If the petition is successful, the court will issue orders to set aside the arrest records.

Benton County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are court documents authorizing law enforcement to take individuals into custody. In Benton County, these documents are issued to law enforcement by judges/magistrates of the Circuit or Municipal Courts if there is evidence of criminal acts. Also, a judge/magistrate may issue an arrest warrant for several other reasons. For instance, the court may issue arrest warrants if individuals disobey orders, a person poses a danger to the public, or there is evidence that a suspect intends to flee the jurisdiction to avoid prosecution.

Generally, a valid arrest warrant must contain the following information or more:

• The name, known aliases, and physical description of the subject/defendant
• Name and seal of the issuing court
• Date of issuance of the warrant
• Charges against the subject and sections of laws allegedly violated
• Statement of probable cause or affidavit from law enforcement
• Name and signature of the authorizing judge/magistrate
• Geographical jurisdiction of the warrant
• Instructions on the executing of the warrant.

Do Benton County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Generally, arrest warrants do not have expiration dates in the United States. Once a judge or magistrate of the Benton County Circuit or Municipal Court issues an arrest warrant, it will remain active until law enforcement arrests the subject. However, arrest warrants become inactive at the demise of the subjects or if the courts cancel them.