Washington County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Washington County, Utah may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and aggregator platforms such as WashingtonUTRecords.us. Washington County maintains criminal record data across several agencies, and the type of information accessible depends on the source consulted and the nature of the record requested.
Records that may be found through these channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Inmate and jail roster information
- Warrant records
- Sex offender registration data
- Probation and sentencing information
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to the public.
1. County Court Records
The Fifth District Court in Washington County handles criminal case filings and maintains official court records for the jurisdiction.
Fifth District Court – Washington County
220 N 200 E
St. George, UT 84770
Phone: (435) 656-6500
Utah State Courts – Fifth District
Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full name of the subject and an approximate case filing date. Public access terminals are available on-site for self-service case lookups at no charge.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Washington County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and current inmate information for the county jail.
Washington County Sheriff's Office
750 S 5300 W
Hurricane, UT 84737
Phone: (435) 634-5730
Washington County Sheriff's Office
Arrest and booking records may be requested in person or by written request. The Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster online. Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), Utah Code § 63G-2-203.
3. Online Court Search
The Utah State Courts provide a public case search portal that allows users to search criminal case records statewide, including Washington County.
Users may access the Utah Courts Case Search portal and enter a party name, case number, or attorney name to retrieve case information. Search results include case type, filing date, charges, and disposition. Note that sealed, expunged, or juvenile records do not appear in public search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) serves as the state's official criminal history repository and processes formal background check requests.
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 W 5400 S
Taylorsville, UT 84129
Phone: (801) 965-4445
Utah BCI
Formal criminal history requests require submission of a completed request form, applicable fees, and in some cases fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type. The BCI portal provides access to the Utah Criminal History Background Check system for authorized requestors.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written records requests by mail to the Fifth District Court Clerk or the Washington County Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-204, agencies are required to respond to records requests within ten business days of receipt.
What Is Washington County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Washington County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Utah law, criminal records encompass arrest records, charging documents, court case files, conviction records, sentencing information, and related justice system data.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification and carry potential sentences exceeding one year of incarceration. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court and law enforcement records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records involving individuals under age 18 at the time of the offense are classified as juvenile records and are typically sealed from public access under Utah Code § 78A-6-209.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest, while historical records document past proceedings regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Washington County include:
- Washington County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, jail records, booking information
- Fifth District Court – court case files, charging documents, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification – statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments (St. George Police Department, Hurricane City Police, etc.) – incident and arrest reports
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, plea proceedings, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment dates, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Washington County
Criminal records in Washington County are subject to public disclosure under the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), Utah Code § 63G-2-301, which classifies certain government records as public and available for inspection by any person upon request. Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and filed charging documents are among the categories of records that are presently classified as public.
As stated in the Utah GRAMA framework, "a person has the right to inspect a public record free of charge, and the right to take a copy of a public record during normal working hours, subject to Utah Code § 63G-2-203."
Records that are restricted from public access include:
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal histories
- Juvenile records
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to protective orders
The Utah Attorney General's Office provides guidance on public records access and the scope of GRAMA exemptions through the Utah State Records Committee. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI or federal courts operate under separate disclosure rules and are not subject to Utah's GRAMA statute.
How To Find Criminal Records in Washington County Online
Official County Resources
The primary online portals for Washington County criminal records include:
- Utah Courts Case Search – Search by name or case number for Fifth District Court criminal filings, dispositions, and case status.
- Washington County Sheriff's Inmate Roster – Current jail population and booking information updated regularly.
Each portal provides different data. The court case search contains case-level information including charges and outcomes. The jail roster reflects current custody status only and does not include historical booking records.
State-Level Resources
- Utah Courts Statewide Case Search – Covers all Utah district courts, including Washington County.
- Utah BCI Background Check Portal – Formal criminal history requests processed by the state repository.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases.
- Case number searches return the most precise results.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all record types.
- Understand that sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results.
- Older records predating digital systems may require in-person requests.
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks. Historical records predating electronic filing systems are not fully digitized and may require in-person or written requests. Online searches do not substitute for official certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or legal proceedings.
Can You Search Washington County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
Utah law mandates that members of the public may inspect public records free of charge. Under Utah Code § 63G-2-201, any person has the right to inspect a public record at no cost during normal business hours. Copying fees apply when physical or electronic copies are requested. Free in-person inspection is available at:
- Fifth District Court Clerk's Office, 220 N 200 E, St. George, UT 84770
- Washington County Sheriff's Office, 750 S 5300 W, Hurricane, UT 84737
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | Cost | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Courts Case Search | Free | Case filings, charges, dispositions |
| WCSO Inmate Roster | Free | Current jail bookings |
| Utah Sex Offender Registry | Free | Registered offenders |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports are available through the Washington County Sheriff's Office website at no charge and reflect recent custody activity.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court records: fees set per page by the Utah State Courts
- Official state criminal history background checks (BCI): fee schedule available at the Utah BCI fee page
- Staff-assisted record searches beyond standard public access
- Expedited processing requests
State Fee Law
Fee schedules for government records are governed by Utah Code § 63G-2-203, which limits fees to the actual cost of duplicating records and prohibits agencies from charging for the time spent locating records in most circumstances. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the responding agency.
What's Included in a Washington County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Washington County criminal record at present may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, charges as formally filed (including felony or misdemeanor classification and applicable statute), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Types
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective and restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the Utah Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI and serious traffic offense records
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudication records (sealed by statute)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records where sealing has occurred
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain errors resulting from data entry, name similarities, or incomplete updates following case resolution. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their records may seek correction through the originating agency or through the Utah BCI's record challenge process available at the Utah BCI website.
How Long Does Washington County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Utah's records retention schedules, administered by the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service, establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records. State mandates govern how long courts, law enforcement agencies, and the state repository must retain various record types.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Varies by agency; subject to expungement eligibility |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted; subject to expungement |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 18 or case closure; destruction timelines per Utah Code § 78A-6-209 |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County courts: Court records are retained permanently per Utah State Courts retention rules.
- Sheriff and jail records: Booking and arrest records are retained according to the Utah Division of Archives schedule, with active records maintained electronically.
- State repository (BCI): Conviction records are retained permanently; the BCI maintains the authoritative statewide criminal history database.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Physical documents may be destroyed after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic record persists in agency databases.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing removes a record from public access while preserving it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement under Utah law results in the legal removal of eligible records from public repositories. Eligibility, procedures, and applicable statutes are detailed through the Utah Courts expungement resources. Even following expungement, records may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for authorized purposes.
Old Records Access
Records predating electronic filing systems may require special requests to the court clerk or the Utah Division of Archives. Some historical records are held in state archive collections and require written requests for retrieval.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules. These records are not subject to Utah's GRAMA statute and are not accessible through state or county public records channels.
Practical Implications
Permanent conviction records appear on background checks regardless of the time elapsed since the offense. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act at present cover criminal history for seven to ten years in most contexts, though professional licensing boards and certain employers may require full disclosure of all convictions. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.