Klamath County Public Records /Klamath County Criminal Records

Klamath County Criminal Records

What Is Klamath County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Klamath County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.345, which establishes the framework for public records in the state, including those of a criminal nature.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories of documentation:

Arrest Records: Documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody on suspicion of criminal activity
Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
Court Records: Comprehensive case files maintained by the Klamath County Circuit Court
Incarceration Records: Documentation of time served in the Klamath County Jail or state correctional facilities

The Klamath County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records, booking information, and jail records. The Sheriff's Records Unit processes and maintains all reports generated by deputies during criminal investigations and arrests.

Klamath County Sheriff's Office
3300 Vandenberg Road
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: 541-883-5130
Klamath County Sheriff's Office

Court records, including case filings, hearing schedules, and case dispositions, are maintained by the Klamath County Circuit Court, which operates as part of Oregon's unified court system under the Oregon Judicial Department.

Klamath County Circuit Court
316 Main Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: 541-883-5503
Oregon Judicial Department

Criminal records typically contain information about:

Arrests and bookings
Formal charges filed by the District Attorney
Arraignments and plea entries
Trial proceedings and outcomes
Sentencing information
Probation and parole status
Warrant information

It is important to note the distinction between adult and juvenile records. Under Oregon Revised Statutes § 419A.255, juvenile records are generally confidential and subject to stricter access limitations than adult records. The Klamath County Juvenile Department serves as the releasing authority for juvenile records in cases that may involve court appearances.

Are Criminal Records Public In Klamath County

Criminal records in Klamath County are generally considered public information under Oregon's Public Records Law, codified in Oregon Revised Statutes § 192.311-192.478. This law establishes the presumption that government records, including criminal records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Oregon Public Records Law states: "Every person has a right to inspect any public record of a public body in this state, except as otherwise expressly provided by ORS 192.338, 192.345 and 192.355." This provision creates a legal framework supporting public access to criminal records maintained by Klamath County agencies.

However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. Several important exceptions exist:

Active Investigations: Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations may be temporarily withheld under ORS 192.345(3)
Juvenile Records: As maintained by the Klamath County Juvenile Department, these records are generally confidential with limited exceptions
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been legally sealed or expunged by court order are not publicly accessible
Certain Personal Information: Information such as Social Security numbers, medical information, and other sensitive personal data may be redacted from otherwise public records

The Klamath County Sheriff's Office Records Unit processes public records requests for police reports and other law enforcement documents. When requesting such records, members of the public should be aware that certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations.

Adult conviction records, court proceedings, and basic arrest information are typically available to the public through various county resources. The Klamath County Circuit Court maintains publicly accessible case records, while the Sheriff's Office provides access to certain law enforcement records in accordance with state law.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Klamath County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Klamath County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for different types of criminal records, each with specific procedures.

For law enforcement records, individuals may submit requests to the Klamath County Sheriff's Office Records Unit:

Complete the official public records request form available through the Sheriff's Office Records Unit
Submit the completed form in person, by mail, or electronically as specified on the form
Provide sufficient information to identify the specific record(s) sought, including names, dates, and case numbers if available
Pay any applicable fees for document reproduction or certified copies
Allow processing time as required by Oregon law (typically 5-15 business days)

For court records, the Klamath County Circuit Court provides access through the following methods:

Visit the court clerk's office during regular business hours to request records in person
Use the Oregon Judicial Department's online case information system to search for case information
Submit a written request to the court clerk for copies of specific case documents
Pay applicable fees for document reproduction or certified copies

Klamath County Circuit Court
316 Main Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: 541-883-5503
Oregon Judicial Department

For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may request records from the Oregon State Police:

Complete the Oregon State Police Open Records Request form
Submit fingerprints if required for positive identification
Pay the required fee for record search and processing
Allow processing time as specified by the Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Division

When requesting copies of police reports, individuals should note that reports involving juveniles with potential court appearances are handled by the Klamath County Juvenile Department as the releasing authority, not the Sheriff's Office.

How To Find Criminal Records in Klamath County Online?

Klamath County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information varies by system.

The Oregon Judicial Department maintains the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN), which includes Klamath County court records. This system provides:

Case register information for criminal cases
Party names and attorney information
Hearing schedules and case status updates
Judgment information and case dispositions

To access OJCIN:

Visit the Oregon Judicial Department's website
Register for an account if accessing non-public information
Select the appropriate search parameters (name, case number, etc.)
Pay any applicable search or document fees

The Klamath County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that provides current information about individuals in custody at the county jail. This resource includes:

Names of current inmates
Booking dates and charges
Scheduled release dates when available
Bond information

For police reports and incident documentation, the Klamath County Sheriff's Records Unit provides an online request portal. While the actual reports are not immediately viewable online, requests can be submitted electronically for processing.

The Oregon State Police offers online access to criminal history record checks through their Criminal Justice Information Services Division. This system allows:

Individuals to request their own criminal history
Authorized agencies to conduct background checks
Verification of criminal record information

It is important to note that while many records are available online, certain documents may only be accessible through in-person requests. Additionally, some online systems require registration, user fees, or have specific access restrictions based on the type of information sought.

Can You Search Klamath County Criminal Records for Free?

Klamath County provides several options for free access to criminal records, though certain limitations and exceptions apply. Under Oregon's Public Records Law, specifically ORS 192.324, public bodies may establish reasonable fees to recover actual costs associated with making records available.

Free inspection options include:

In-person review of non-confidential court records at the Klamath County Circuit Court during regular business hours. The public may examine case files without charge, though fees apply for copies or certified documents.

Klamath County Circuit Court
316 Main Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
Phone: 541-883-5503
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)

Basic case information through the Oregon Judicial Department's public access terminal located at the courthouse. This service provides limited case register information at no cost.
Current inmate roster information through the Klamath County Sheriff's Office website, which is available without charge and updated regularly.
Basic property records related to criminal forfeitures or liens through the Klamath County Clerk's Recording Division, which maintains public terminals for free searches.

For more comprehensive criminal history information, fees typically apply. The Oregon State Police Criminal Justice Information Services Division charges statutory fees for criminal history record checks, and the Klamath County Sheriff's Office assesses fees for copies of police reports based on document length and processing requirements.

While initial inspection of many records may be free, reproduction costs, certification fees, and staff research time may incur charges in accordance with the county's established fee schedule. Additionally, records that require substantial redaction or special processing may involve cost recovery fees as permitted by Oregon law.

What's Included in a Klamath County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Klamath County agencies typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the record type and maintaining agency, but generally includes several key categories of information.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
Photograph/mugshot when available
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking number and facility
Initial charges filed
Bail or bond information
Detention status

Court Case Information:

Case number and court of jurisdiction
Filing date and case type
Formal charges filed by the District Attorney
Statutory citations and offense classification (felony/misdemeanor)
Attorney information (prosecution and defense)
Hearing dates and proceedings

Disposition Information:

Plea entered
Trial outcome (if applicable)
Conviction date and specific charges
Sentencing details (incarceration, probation, fines)
Restitution requirements
Special conditions imposed by the court
Appeal information (if applicable)

Additional Elements:

Active warrant information
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration status
Probation or parole status
Prior criminal history within the jurisdiction
Related case references

The Klamath County Sheriff's Office Records Unit maintains law enforcement records including arrest reports, while the Klamath County Circuit Court maintains case files with court proceedings and dispositions. For comprehensive criminal history information spanning multiple jurisdictions, the Oregon State Police maintains the central repository of criminal records for the state.

It should be noted that juvenile records contain similar information but are subject to different confidentiality standards under Oregon law, with the Klamath County Juvenile Department serving as the releasing authority for such records.

How Long Does Klamath County Keep Criminal Records?

Klamath County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under Oregon law, specifically the Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 166, Division 150, which governs county records retention. These schedules vary by record type and significance.

Law enforcement records maintained by the Klamath County Sheriff's Office follow these general retention periods:

Arrest reports and incident documentation: Minimum of 75 years for felonies; 25 years for most misdemeanors
Investigative reports: 10-75 years depending on case type and outcome
Booking records and jail logs: 10 years after release from custody
Sex offender registration records: 100 years from date of creation
Domestic violence reports: 50 years from date of creation

Court records maintained by the Klamath County Circuit Court adhere to the following retention guidelines:

Felony case files: 75 years from date of final disposition
Misdemeanor case files: 25 years from date of final disposition
Traffic violations: 5-10 years depending on violation type
Probation records: 10 years after termination of probation
Court dockets and indexes: Permanent retention

The Klamath County Clerk's Office maintains certain criminal-related property records, such as forfeiture documents, according to the following schedule:

Property forfeiture records: 10 years after final disposition
Criminal judgment liens: Until satisfied or expired plus 1 year

These retention periods represent minimum requirements under Oregon law. In practice, many records are maintained for longer periods, particularly those with historical significance or those that have been digitized. Additionally, certain records designated as having archival value may be transferred to the State Archives for permanent preservation after their active retention period expires.

It is important to note that even after the official retention period expires, information about criminal cases may continue to exist in various databases, third-party systems, and background check services that have previously accessed the records.