Criminal records in Deschutes County, Oregon, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. DeschutesCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Deschutes County Circuit Court, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, and the County Clerk's office each maintain records that may be relevant to a criminal records search.
How to Search Criminal Records in Deschutes
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Deschutes County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Through DeschutesCourt.us
Start at DeschutesCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases filed in Deschutes County. You can search by the defendant's name or case number.
Online — State and County Portals
- Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI): The OJD Records and Calendar Search provides free access to court calendars and basic case information for all Oregon circuit courts, including Deschutes County. For more detailed case records, the Oregon eCourt public access portal allows registered users to view case details.
- Sheriff's Office — Current Inmate List: The current inmate list shows individuals currently held in the Deschutes County Jail, including booking charges.
- Oregon Offender Search: The Oregon Department of Corrections offender search covers individuals sentenced to state custody, including those originally prosecuted in Deschutes County.
In Person
- Visit the Deschutes County Circuit Court records office at the courthouse in Bend. Public access terminals may be available during business hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday).
- The Sheriff's Office Records Division can assist with arrest records and incident reports.
By Mail or Written Request
- Submit a written request to the Deschutes County Circuit Court for copies of case files. The court accepts requests in person, online, or by mail.
- For arrest or incident reports, file a public records request with the Sheriff's Office.
- For a statewide criminal history check, contact the Oregon State Police, which maintains the state criminal history repository. Requests typically require fingerprint submission and a fee.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for court searches)
- Case number (if known — speeds up the process significantly)
- Approximate date range or year of the case
Search Deschutes Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Oregon circuit court case numbers follow a standard format:
- Example: 23CR12345
- First two digits: Year the case was filed (e.g., "23" = 2023)
- Two-letter code: Case type. For criminal cases, "CR" indicates a criminal matter. Other codes include "FE" (felony) in some older formats, though most Deschutes County criminal filings use "CR."
- Remaining digits: Sequential case number assigned by the court
Enter the full case number into the Oregon eCourt system or provide it to the court clerk's office for the fastest results. Having the exact case number eliminates ambiguity when multiple individuals share the same name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Deschutes
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) section cited in the charging document (e.g., ORS 163.165 for Assault III) |
| Severity | Felony (Class A, B, or C), Misdemeanor (Class A, B, or C), Violation, or Infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be amended by the Deschutes County District Attorney through plea negotiations or as the case develops |
| Count number | Each separate offense is listed as a numbered count |
Case Status
- Pending: Case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active: Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or trial scheduled
- Disposed: Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed: All obligations fulfilled; no further court action expected
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: Initial court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing: Used in some felony cases to determine probable cause
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss case resolution, motions, and trial readiness
- Trial: Bench or jury trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing: Follow-up to check compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty: Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty: Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: Charges dropped by the court or prosecution
- Acquitted: Found not guilty after trial
- Diversion: Defendant enters a program; charges may be dismissed upon completion
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Deschutes
Certified copies of criminal court records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. Several offices handle different types of records.
Deschutes County Circuit Court (Court Case Records)
The Circuit Court handles requests for certified copies of judgments, dispositions, and case file documents.
- Online: Submit a request through the court's case file copies page
- In person: Visit the courthouse during business hours
- By mail: Send a written request with the case number, your name, contact information, and payment
Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (Arrest and Incident Records)
For arrest records, booking reports, or incident reports, submit a request through the Sheriff's Office.
- Online: Use the public records request form
- By phone or in person: Contact the Records Division
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- Written authorization if requesting records on behalf of another person
- Requests under ORS Chapter 192 (Oregon Public Records Law) must be acknowledged within five business days
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Deschutes
Fees vary by agency and record type. The following are based on published schedules from the court and sheriff's office.
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (standard) | $0.25 per page | Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR) |
| Certified copy fee | $5.00 per document | ORS 21.200 / UTCR |
| Court case file search (by clerk) | $25.00 per name per year searched | ORS 21.200 |
| Sheriff's Office — public records copies | Varies; first 8 pages may be free; additional pages at cost | ORS 192.324 |
| Oregon State Police background check | Varies by type (typically $10–$33 for name-based; higher for fingerprint-based) | Oregon State Police fee schedule |
Processing Times
- Circuit Court: Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis. Simple copy requests may be fulfilled within a few business days; complex or voluminous requests may take longer.
- Sheriff's Office: Under Oregon law, agencies must acknowledge a public records request within five business days. Actual fulfillment depends on the scope of the request.
- Oregon State Police (statewide background check): Name-based checks are typically processed within 5–14 business days; fingerprint-based checks may take longer.
Payment methods accepted at the courthouse generally include cash, check, or money order. Confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office before visiting or mailing a request.