Kent Felony Records and Court Case Search
Kent, Washington is one of the largest cities in King County with a population of approximately 136,000, and all felony records for Kent are handled by King County Superior Court. This guide covers how to search Kent felony cases online, how to locate someone in the Kent Correctional Facility using the JILS jail lookup system, where to find police records through the Kent Police Department, and how the WATCH statewide system lets you check conviction history across Washington. Kent is also home to its own correctional facility, which adds another layer to how jail and incarceration records work for this city.
Kent Overview
King County Superior Court and Kent Felony Cases
All felony charges in Kent go through King County Superior Court. This includes Class A, B, and C felonies under Washington law such as assault, burglary, drug trafficking, and serious theft. Kent does not have its own superior court. The cases are filed and heard at the King County level, with the courthouse located in Seattle.
You can search Kent felony records through the King County Records Access system. The King County records access page explains how to look up cases online using the KC Script portal, how to request certified copies from the clerk, and what information is available to the public. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are available for an additional fee.
The WA Courts statewide name search is also free and lets you check for Kent cases across multiple counties. If you are not certain a case was filed in King County, this tool searches several jurisdictions at once. The statewide portal links back to county systems for full case details.
The image below shows the King County Superior Court page. Visit King County Superior Court to access the KC Script case search and find Kent felony records.
King County handles a large volume of felony cases from Kent each year. The Superior Court is the authoritative record for all serious criminal cases in the city.
Kent Correctional Facility and JILS Jail Lookup
Kent operates its own correctional facility at 1230 Central Avenue South. The Kent Correctional Facility holds people arrested in Kent who are awaiting court proceedings or serving short sentences on misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor charges. People held on felony charges are typically transferred to King County Jail facilities.
Kent provides a Jail Inmate Lookup Service, known as JILS. The JILS Kent portal lets you search for people currently held at the Kent Correctional Facility by name. This is a free public tool and does not require an account. It is the fastest way to check whether someone is currently in custody at the Kent facility.
The image below shows the JILS Kent jail inmate lookup page. Visit JILS Kent to search for current detainees at the Kent Correctional Facility by name.
JILS shows current custody status only. For booking history or past custody records, you would need to contact the Kent Police Department or request records through official channels.
For people held at King County Jail facilities rather than the Kent Correctional Facility, the King County jail locator covers the Seattle and Kent King County facilities. King County Jail holds people on more serious charges including felony cases awaiting trial.
Kent Police Department Records
The Kent Police Department maintains arrest records, incident reports, and related records for activity within the city. These are separate from court records. A court record at King County Superior Court shows what happened after an arrest; a police record shows the circumstances of the original arrest or incident.
The Kent Police Department page provides information about how to reach the department, with online reporting available for certain non-emergency incidents. The department's main line is (425) 257-8500. For records requests, you can contact the Kent Police records unit directly through the department's website.
Under RCW 10.97, Washington's Privacy Act for criminal records, arrest data that did not result in conviction is considered non-conviction data and has restricted public access. Conviction records are generally public. The police department follows these rules when responding to records requests. If a case went to court, the court file at King County Superior Court is the public record of what happened.
The image below shows the King County District Court page. The King County District Court handles Kent misdemeanor cases and is a separate system from Superior Court. District Court records are searchable through the King County case systems.
The Kent location of King County District Court handles local misdemeanor and traffic matters. Felony records remain with Superior Court regardless of which level initially processed the case.
WATCH System and Statewide Kent Conviction Records
The WATCH portal run by the Washington State Patrol is the primary statewide tool for checking felony conviction records. WATCH covers all Washington counties, including King County cases for Kent residents. A name search costs $11.00, paid by credit card. Results include felony and serious misdemeanor convictions from across the state.
WATCH draws from the WSP criminal history database, which is built from court records, fingerprint submissions, and law enforcement reporting from all counties. Pending cases and arrests without conviction are not shown. WATCH is the right tool when you want to check the full Washington conviction history without searching county by county.
For certified or detailed requests, the WSP Criminal History Records division handles formal background check requests. Both WATCH and WSP draw from the same central database. WSP is the official repository for Washington criminal history information.
The image below shows the WSP criminal history records page. The WSP records site explains all options for accessing Washington felony conviction records, including those tied to Kent cases in the King County system.
King County's judicial administration department oversees both Superior Court and District Court records. This page provides a starting point for all King County court record requests, including Kent felony cases.
Vacating Kent Felony Convictions Under RCW 9.94A.640
Some people with Kent felony convictions may be eligible to vacate their records under RCW 9.94A.640. A vacated conviction is removed from public view in court systems and from WATCH. Class A felonies, sex offenses, and most violent crimes are not eligible. Class B and C felonies may qualify after the person completes all sentence conditions and waits the required period without new convictions.
For Kent cases, you file the vacation motion at King County Superior Court in Seattle. The court notifies the prosecutor, holds a hearing, and rules on the petition. If the court grants the motion, the clerk updates the record. WATCH is updated afterward, though it can take some time to reflect the change.
Legal aid organizations in King County can help people who cannot afford an attorney. The Washington Courts website has general guidance on the vacation process. Contacting the King County Superior Court Clerk is the best first step for specific information about a Kent case. The clerk can confirm whether a case qualifies and explain the process.
DOC Warrants and Digital Archives for Kent Records
If you need to check for active warrants tied to DOC supervision, the DOC warrant search is a free public tool. It covers warrants issued through the corrections supervision process. Active court-issued warrants in Kent felony cases also appear in the King County Superior Court case file on the KC Script portal.
For older or historical Kent court records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds digitized government and court records. The archives are free to search. Not all records have been digitized, but the archives can be useful for cases from earlier decades or for researching historical criminal records in King County.
King County Felony Records
Kent felony records are part of the King County court system. Visit the King County page for the courthouse address, clerk contact information, and all county-level resources.
Nearby Cities
Other King County cities near Kent have their own records pages with local courthouse and records information.