Kennewick Felony Records Lookup
Kennewick is the largest city in Benton County, Washington, with a population of around 84,000, and all felony records for Kennewick residents are held by Benton County Superior Court. This guide walks through how to search those records using the Odyssey online portal, how to request police and public records through the city, where the Benton County District Court fits for lower-level charges, and what statewide tools like WATCH give you access to conviction history across Washington. Kennewick is a major regional hub in the Tri-Cities area, and its court records reflect a full range of criminal case types.
Kennewick Overview
Benton County Superior Court and Kennewick Felony Cases
Kennewick felony cases are filed with Benton County Superior Court. The court handles all serious criminal charges including Class A, B, and C felonies under Washington law. Drug trafficking, assault, robbery, and property crimes above the misdemeanor threshold all go through Superior Court. Kennewick has no separate felony court of its own. The county handles the case from arraignment through final judgment.
Benton County Superior Court uses the Odyssey public portal for case searches. The Odyssey Portal lets you search by name or case number and view charge details, hearing dates, and case status. The search is free. This is the primary online tool for finding Kennewick felony records. The portal is statewide and covers Benton County's Superior Court docket among other courts that use the Odyssey system.
The Benton County Court Records page provides information about fees, record retention schedules, and how to request certified copies or other court documents. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. For records not available online, the clerk's office handles mail and in-person requests.
The image below shows the Benton County Superior Court page. Visit Benton County Court Records for detailed information on accessing Kennewick felony case documents and certified copies.
Benton County Superior Court is the official repository for all Kennewick felony records. The clerk maintains the case files and can provide certified copies for legal or official use.
Benton County District Court in Kennewick
Benton County District Court is located at 7000 West Grandridge Boulevard in Kennewick. The phone number is (509) 735-8476. District Court handles gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and some civil matters. It does not handle felony cases. If you are looking for felony records, the Odyssey Portal or the Superior Court clerk is the right place to go.
The Benton County District Court page provides information about the court's location, hours, and services. It is useful if you are dealing with a misdemeanor charge or a traffic matter connected to someone in Kennewick.
The image below shows the Benton County District Court page. Visit Benton County District Court for location details and court procedures for lower-level criminal and civil matters in Kennewick.
District Court handles the large volume of lower-level cases in the Kennewick area. Felony matters are always handled at the Superior Court level.
Kennewick Police Records and Public Records Requests
The Kennewick Police Department maintains arrest records and incident reports for activity within city limits. Arrest records are separate from court records. An arrest shows that someone was detained by law enforcement. The court record, held at Benton County Superior Court, shows what happened after that arrest.
You can file a police report online for non-emergency incidents through the Kennewick online reporting portal. This covers incidents like minor thefts, vandalism, and other non-emergency situations where no immediate police response is needed. The police department also takes in-person reports at the station.
The image below shows the Kennewick police report page. Visit Kennewick Police Report for online reporting options and contact information for the department.
For requests to obtain existing police records, Kennewick uses a JustFOIA portal. The Kennewick JustFOIA portal lets you submit a public records request online for incident reports, arrest records, and other city records.
The image below shows the JustFOIA public portal for Kennewick. Use the Kennewick JustFOIA page to request police and city records under the Washington Public Records Act.
Requests through JustFOIA are processed under the Washington Public Records Act. Certain records, such as those tied to active investigations, may be withheld or redacted under RCW 10.97.
WATCH System for Kennewick Conviction Records
Washington's WATCH system, run by the State Patrol, is the main statewide tool for checking felony conviction history. The WATCH portal covers convictions from all Washington counties, including Benton County cases for Kennewick residents. A name search costs $11.00 and is paid by credit card online.
WATCH draws from the WSP criminal history database. Results include felony and serious misdemeanor convictions. Pending charges and arrests that did not lead to conviction are not shown. If you want to check whether someone has a felony record in Washington without knowing which county to search, WATCH searches the whole state at once.
For more detailed or certified requests, the WSP Criminal History Records division handles formal background check requests. This is useful when you need official documentation rather than just an online search result. WSP is the central repository for Washington criminal history and both services draw from the same database.
Under RCW 10.97, Washington limits access to non-conviction data and sets rules about how criminal history records can be used. Conviction records are generally public. Arrest records that did not result in charges or conviction have more restricted access. WATCH only returns information that is legally releasable to the public under this framework.
Vacating Kennewick Felony Convictions
Washington law allows some people to vacate felony convictions under RCW 9.94A.640. A vacated conviction is removed from public view in court records and in the WATCH system. Not all felonies qualify. Class A felonies, sex offenses, and most violent crimes cannot be vacated. Class B and C felonies may qualify after the person completes the full sentence, pays all fines and restitution, and waits the required period without any new convictions.
For Kennewick cases, you file the vacation motion at Benton County Superior Court. The court notifies the prosecutor, holds a hearing, and rules on the motion. If granted, the clerk updates the record. WATCH is updated to reflect the vacation after the court order is entered, though there can be a delay.
Legal aid may be available in Benton County for those who cannot afford an attorney. The Washington Courts website has general information about the vacation process. Contacting the Benton County Superior Court Clerk directly is the best way to get specific guidance on a particular Kennewick case.
DOC Warrant Search and Active Warrants in Kennewick
The Department of Corrections provides a public warrant search tool. The DOC warrant search lets you check for active warrants tied to DOC supervision. It is free and does not require an account. If someone in Kennewick under DOC supervision has an active warrant, it would appear in this tool.
Active warrants tied to Kennewick felony cases would also show up in the Benton County Superior Court case record on the Odyssey Portal. If a warrant was issued as part of a case, it is part of the court file. The DOC tool covers the supervision side of the corrections process specifically.
The WA Courts statewide name search is a free tool that checks for cases across multiple courts. If you are not sure whether a Kennewick case was filed in Benton County or a nearby county, this search covers multiple jurisdictions at once.
Benton County Felony Records
Kennewick felony records are part of the Benton County court system. Visit the county page for the courthouse address, clerk contact details, and all county-level resources for Benton County.
Nearby Cities
Other Tri-Cities area cities have their own pages with local court and records information.