Jackson County Arrest Records

Breaking any law in Jackson County, Oregon, can result in the offender's capture and subsequent transportation to the Jackson County Jail or another designated facility in the case of a juvenile arrest. Nonetheless, each arrestee typically undergoes a booking process, which notes pertinent details about the suspect and alleged crime, such as the offender's personal data, fingerprints, mugshots, etc. Booking is where the arrest record is created.

An arrest record essentially narrates the incident of an arrest. It encompasses details like the person apprehended, the time/place of the arrest, and the offense that prompted one's capture. However, an arrest record alone is not sufficient to determine if a suspect was convicted of or sentenced for a crime. To obtain conviction information, an individual may need to review the Jackson County court records, inmate files, or other publicly available criminal records in Jackson.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jackson County?

Yes. Under Oregon's Public Records Law (codified in Chapter 192 of Oregon's Revised Statutes), members of the public can see or retrieve all non-exempt records of public bodies in Oregon. This includes arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Jackson County. An individual's citizenship or intended use of a record is not considered a barrier to access.

Some restrictions that apply to the general public's access include:

• Where disclosure would obstruct or interfere with criminal investigations or prosecutions
• Where disclosure would unreasonably invade a person's privacy
• Where disclosure would jeopardize a defendant's right to a fair trial
• Where disclosure would threaten an individual's life or personal safety
• Where disclosure would expose the identity of a confidential source or confidential information provided by such a source
• Where disclosure would reveal investigative techniques or procedures
• Where disclosure is expressly prohibited by a federal law or regulation

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Not all portions or sections of an arrest record/report created in Jackson County can be reviewed by the public. However, under ORS 192.345, the following details are disclosable:

• An arrestee's biographical information, including their full name, age, race, marital status, residence, and employment
• The arrestee's physical characteristics, including height, weight, eye color, and hair color
• The alleged offense(s)
• The complaining party and victim's identity and biographical information
• The circumstances of an arrest, including place, time, type, pursuit, resistance, and weapons used
• The conditions under which the arrested person was released from police custody, as per ORS 135.230 to 135.290
• The identity of the investigating/arresting agency, as well as the length of the investigation

Note that this is not an exhaustive list.

Jackson County Crime Rate

The Oregon State Police (OSP) oversees the annual compilation and release of comprehensive crime statistics for Oregon's counties, including Jackson County. Based on data submitted by local law enforcement agencies, Jackson County recorded 16,597 offenses in 2023.

Of the total, the county recorded 8,014 crimes against property (48.29%), 5,945 crimes against society (35.82%), and 2,192 crimes against persons (13.21%). (Seedefinitions of the crime categories.) The remaining 446 offenses (2.69%) were classified as "other" offenses, which included traffic offenses and Part 3 crimes (illegal alien, warrants, protective custody, detoxification, failure to register as a sex offender).

Simple assault was the most prevalent offense in the Crime Against Persons category in 2023, with 1,178 occurrences. It was followed by aggravated assault (398 offenses) and intimidation (313 offenses).

Larceny/theft topped the Crimes Against Property category, with 4,524 incidents. Fraud cases (1,008) and vandalism (943) were the next common crimes in the property offense category.

Finally, drug/narcotic violations were Jackson County's most recurrent crimes against society, with 1,282 offenses. Driving under the influence (1,056) and disorderly conduct (581) ranked second and third in this category.

Jackson County Arrest Statistics

Figures pulled from the Oregon State Police's Uniform Crime Reporting Dashboard reveal 8,779 arrests reported in Jackson County in 2023. Of the arrest total, 1,159 were arrests made for crimes against persons, 2,256 for crimes against property, 5,201 for crimes against society, and 367 were "other" arrests.

According to the report, no weapons were seized in 99.3% of arrests made in Jackson (i.e., the suspects were unarmed). However, for arrests that involved weapons, a lethal cutting instrument was the most common choice (38 incidents), followed by handguns (11 incidents).

Furthermore, the age groups having a higher number of arrestees in Jackson were 30 to 34-year-olds (1,747 arrests) and 35 to 39-year-olds (1,512 arrests), and among gender distribution, more males (71.19% or 6,250) were arrested than females (28.81% or 2,529 arrests).

Simple assault, larceny/theft, and driving under the influence were the county's most prevalent arrests, resulting in 664, 1,548, and 1,054 arrests, respectively.

Find Jackson County Arrest Records

Law enforcement departments maintain records of arrests in Jackson County. Anyone seeking these records can stop by an arresting agency during regular business hours to complete and submit a Public Records Request. An arrestee's name and incident date may be required to process an application, and an agency may collect fees to duplicate a record.

Several police departments also provide other methods to retrieve Jackson arrest records, including through an online database or system, an email/mail request, or a phone or fax inquiry. Each agency utilizes unique records request procedures, so it is prudent to contact the agency directly or check its website for precise information, including the relevant forms or fees.

It should be noted that local police agencies may be unable to provide information about those arrested by federal agencies in Jackson County and transferred to federal custody. For such inquiries, it is best to reach out to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at (202) 307-3198 or via other recommended means. Individuals can also search the BOP's Federal Inmate Locator if seeking a federal suspect's present location.

In some cases, it may be necessary to query the federal agency that made an arrest for related records. Individuals can accomplish this by submitting a Public Records Request through methods approved by the respective agency. Certain agencies also provide online records or databases to help people quickly find arrest information. For example, persons looking for those taken into custody by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can search the agency's Online Detainee Locator.

Free Arrest Record Search in Jackson County

Different police divisions provide searchable databases that the public can utilize to look up arrest records in Jackson County. These databases can be searched with specific criteria—usually a person's name—to find responsive documents. Examples include the Jackson County Sheriff's Office Jail Inmate Search and Ashland Police Department's Report and Arrest Log. Typically, these digital systems do not charge a fee to retrieve arrest information, and no confidential records are disseminated.

Additionally, several reputable third-party websites offer arrest records to interested parties. These websites can be searched with a person's first and last name, and some offer other public records matching the requester's query. However, fees may be charged for supplementary features or services.

Get Jackson County Criminal Records

Jackson County criminal records detail arrests, charges, and convictions that occurred within county limits. The initial custodian to approach for these records is usually a local police department or court, specifically one with jurisdiction over the area where a person was arrested or charged. However, a police agency can only disclose records of arrests made by its officers, and a court will only have records of cases it adjudicated.

A criminal records check at a local police department often involves submitting a request form or letter, valid photo ID, and fee to the agency's records unit/division. Processing times and copy fees differ across departments, and certain records cannot be released unless to the subject of the record or parties authorized by law.

Those requesting criminal records from the judicial system can visit the court that heard a criminal case or contact its clerk's department. Online portals may also be available to view case records at no cost. An example is the Oregon Judicial Department's Online Records Search, which can be used to review circuit court case records.

Those who do not wish to make multiple applications to different custodians in Jackson County can request a statewide criminal record check from the Oregon State Police. Criminal records maintained by the State Police include information submitted by Jackson and other state/local criminal justice agencies.

The OSP's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division provides name-based Oregon criminal record checks ("open record requests") to the public, as well as fingerprint-based checks to subjects of records for employment, licensing, and other legal purposes.

Name-based checks are processed electronically through the Oregon Computerized Criminal History Repository or by submitting an Open Records Request by mail to the CJIS. Each public criminal records check costs $33 and reveals information like the arrest date, offense/charge, arresting agency, presiding court, and court disposition.

Meanwhile, subjects of records must complete and submit a Criminal Records Request Form, their fingerprints, and a $33 fee by mail to the CJIS to conduct a fingerprint-based background check. The results are mailed to the requester, and subjects can pay an additional $5 to notarize a copy of their record.

Public fingerprinting is provided at the Jackson County Sheriff's Office during normal business hours for $49 for the first card and $5 per additional card. The OSP also offers public fingerprinting services at its Salem Headquarters at 3565 Trelstad Avenue, Southeast, Salem, OR 97317, for $30. Some private businesses provide these services for a fee as well.

The OSP's website has more information on criminal record checks in Oregon.

Jackson County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records are often misjudged as the same document. In reality, an arrest record serves to note the circumstances leading to a person's apprehension or capture. It includes the initial charges that prompted someone's loss of freedom, but it will not mention the crime for which the individual was ultimately convicted or sentenced.

Conversely, criminal records extend beyond the arrest incident to provide an account of the legal proceedings that ensued, including the formal charges filed against the offender, sentences imposed by the court, and any parole/probation information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An arrest can remain indefinitely on an individual's record, able to be seen or reviewed by any member of the public unless the record is confidential by law. However, subjects of records can pursue an expungement order from the court system, which removes the information from the public domain and restricts access to authorized parties.

Expunge Jackson County Arrest Records

The State of Oregon refers to the process of an expungement/expunction as a "motion to set aside". This legal procedure seals all official records of an arrest or conviction. This means the record will not appear during background checks, and the subject can claim that the arrest/conviction did not occur and the record does not exist.

Both adults and juveniles can expunge their arrest records in Jackson County. The set-aside process is not complex, and an attorney is not needed to complete it. However, not everyone can request such relief from a Jackson County court.

ORS 137.225 outlines the state's expungement criteria, which include where the defendant was:

• Arrested but not charged
• Arrested but was acquitted or had the charges dismissed
• Convicted of an eligible crime or violation
• Charged with an eligible crime or cited for a violation
• Found in contempt of the court
• Found guilty except for insanity

However, the defendant must have completed or fully complied with any sentence imposed by the court. Also, they must not have any pending charges or have been charged with or convicted of another crime for a specified number of years before filing the motion.

There are waiting times that a petitioner must be conversant with when filing a set-aside motion in Jackson:

• If the arrest did not result in a formal charge, the petitioner must wait at least 60 days from the date the prosecutor declined to pursue the prosecution or charge. Note that any arrest or charge for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) is ineligible if the charges were not pursued because the defendant completed a diversion program.
• If the arrest led to an acquittal or dismissal, the petitioner can file anytime after. However, DUII arrests or charges are disqualified if the charges were dropped because the defendant completed a diversion program.
• If the arrest led to a conviction, one must note the waiting periods to file, including 7 years for a Class B felony and 3 years for a Class A misdemeanor.

It is crucial to read the law (ORS 137.225) by oneself or consult an attorney to determine the relevant waiting timelines and ascertain other qualifications to have an arrest taken off a record in Jackson County.

The set-aside process in Jackson generally goes thus:

• Prepare the petition and any other form needed for the process and submit these to the court that presided over the matter. The recommended forms will vary by court, and petitioners may need to pay a filing fee. Note: If the arrest did not result in charges, one should file in the circuit court of the county where the charges would have been brought.
• Obtain a legible set of fingerprints from a police department for a fee. These fingerprints should be submitted to the Oregon State Police, which will then send the petitioner's criminal record to the prosecuting attorney. Alternatively, the fingerprint card may be submitted directly to the prosecuting attorney's office with a $33 fee payable to the Oregon State Police. The exact procedure may differ by office.
• Deliver copies of the motion to the prosecuting attorney, which may be a district or city attorney's office. The office will then have 120 days after receiving the motion to notify the court about any objection.
• If the prosecutor objects, the court will hold a hearing to determine the matter. Failure to attend this hearing may result in the motion being denied. However, if the court grants the motion to set aside, the clerk will send copies of the order to the relevant agencies.

It should be noted that an expunged arrest record can be unsealed in certain—but not many—circumstances. An example is upon the request of a prosecuting attorney to initiate a criminal case. Further, expunged information may show up on non-official websites even after the official set-aside procedure is finalized.

The above process applies only to setting aside an adult arrest record. Those seeking guidelines for juvenile expungement can find relevant information on the Jackson County Juvenile Justice's website.

Jackson County Arrest Warrants

A magistrate in Jackson County can issue an arrest warrant after receiving a complaint or information from a law enforcement officer and finding probable cause to believe someone has committed the crime specified in the complaint or information (ORS 133.110 - 133.140).

Per the law, an arrest warrant must be in writing and carry these details:

• The name of the person to be apprehended. If the name is unknown, the document will include a designation or description by which the suspect can be reasonably identified
• The alleged crime
• The issue date and county/city
• The title of the office of the issuing magistrate
• The bond amount

A Jackson County arrest warrant will also direct any officer who executes it to bring the named suspect before the court and specify whether a peace officer must give notification before entering a premises where a suspect is believed to be present.

Jackson County Arrest Warrant Search

Various circumstances necessitate an arrest warrant's issuance in Jackson County, Oregon. For example, a warrant may be issued for a person's capture when they were charged or indicted for an offense or failed to appear for a court hearing. In any case, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office tracks and executes all local arrest warrants.

Someone who wishes to confirm their own or another's wanted status in Jackson may call the Sheriff's Criminal Division at (541) 774-6800 or stop by 5179 Crater Lake Highway, Central Point, during working hours.

An arrest warrant search can also be conducted at the courthouse, which is the primary place of issue for all arrest warrants in Jackson. For faster access to the Jackson County Circuit Court records, one can utilize the Oregon Judicial Department's Online Records Search. For all other warrant records requests, visiting the courthouse or requesting court case records from a clerk's office may be necessary.

Do Jackson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants never expire in Jackson County. These orders remain pending until the police apprehend the suspect or the named subject surrenders to the authorities.