Criminal records in Lewis County, Washington, are available through several channels. LewisCourt.us allows quick access to public information on criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court system, county law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. Below are step-by-step instructions for each of these methods, as well as explanations regarding fees, processing times, and the types of information you may find.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lewis
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Lewis County. Start with what is most convenient for you.
Online Search
- LewisCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to view public court information on county criminal cases.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — the Judicial Information System (JIS) portal covers Superior Court and District Court cases statewide. Data is updated daily at 3:00 AM. Note: results are for reference and do not replace the official court record.
- Lewis County Jail Roster — no clerk needed: inmate lists and recent bookings are available 24/7.
- Washington State Patrol — Criminal History — to obtain an official Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) report, submit a completed request form. The WATCH system provides access to state-level conviction information.
- Warrant Search by the Department of Corrections — search for warrants by first name, last name, or county. An inmate search is also available.
In-Person Visit
The Lewis County Superior Court Clerk's Office maintains all documents filed with the Superior Court, including criminal cases. You can visit and use public access terminals.
Lewis County District Court handles misdemeanors and minor offenses. It is located on the 3rd floor of the Law & Justice Center at 345 West Main Street, Chehalis, WA 98532.
Mail or Written Request
Send a written request to the clerk's office at the address above. To obtain a complete state criminal history report, fill out the WSP request form and mail it to the Washington State Patrol. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available).
For requests to the county sheriff's office, contact the public records officer via email at publicrecords@lewiscountywa.gov or by phone at (360) 740-2674.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Search Lewis Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Washington State, court case numbers have a standard format that helps quickly identify the type and year of the case.
Typical format: XX-X-XXXXX-XX, where:
- The first two digits are the year the case was filed (e.g., 24 = 2024)
- The letter after the dash indicates the case type: 1 (criminal case in Superior Court) or C (civil)
- The sequential number is the unique case identifier
- The last two digits are the county code in the JIS system
For example, the number 24-1-00123-21 would indicate a 2024 criminal case filed in Lewis County Superior Court (code 21). Enter this number into the JIS search system on the Washington State Courts portal for an accurate result. Searching by case number provides the most accurate result — without the risk of confusion with namesakes.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lewis
Charges
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to RCW (Revised Code of Washington), e.g., RCW 9A.36.021 — second-degree assault |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, Gross Misdemeanor, Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change charges during the case — new charges are reflected in the docket |
Case Status
- Pending — the case has been filed, no decision yet
- Active — the case is under consideration
- Disposed — the court has made a decision (verdict, dismissal, etc.)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — first court appearance, charges announced
- Preliminary Hearing — determination of evidence sufficiency (for felony)
- Pre-Trial — pre-trial session, discussion of agreements
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence
- Review — review of supervision conditions or sentence execution
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed by prosecutor or court |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
| Deferred/Withheld | Sentence deferred under certain conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lewis
Certified copies are officially certified documents with the court's seal. Without them, the record has no legal force for most formal procedures.
Superior Court Clerk's Office
Lewis County Superior Court Clerk keeps records of all documents filed with this court, including criminal cases. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through an online form.
To submit a request, prepare:
- Defendant's full name
- Case number (if known)
- Valid ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment of applicable fees
Sheriff's Office
Arrest and incident records are maintained by the Lewis County Sheriff's Office. Requests can be submitted online through the GovQA system or by email.
State-Level Criminal History
Washington State Patrol maintains a centralized criminal history database. Requests are submitted through the WATCH system or by mail with a completed form. Note: according to RCW 10.97, only conviction information is publicly available. Arrest data without subsequent conviction is generally not disclosed.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lewis
Fees for copies and certification are set by state law and county internal rates. Below are approximate amounts.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 | Standard rate of the Superior Court Clerk |
| Document certification | $5.00 | Per certified document |
| WATCH report (online) | $11.00 | Through Washington State Patrol |
| WATCH report (by mail) | $32.00 | Includes processing and shipping |
| Fingerprint check | $30.00–$50.00+ | Depends on the type of check and agency |
Processing Times
- Online requests through JIS or WATCH — results usually appear within minutes
- Written requests to the clerk — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on complexity
- Requests to the sheriff's office — according to the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), the agency must respond within 5 business days, although actual document issuance may take longer
It is best to verify exact fee amounts directly with the clerk's office or on the WSP website before submitting a request, as rates are periodically reviewed.