Find Felony Records in Franklin County

Franklin County felony records are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Pasco and are available to the public through the Odyssey Portal, in-person visits, and written requests. This page covers how to search and obtain those records, what fees to expect, and how to use state tools to round out your research on felony cases tied to Franklin County, Washington.

Franklin County Superior Court Clerk

The Franklin County Superior Court Clerk is the official custodian of all felony case records in the county. The clerk's office is in Pasco and can be reached at (509) 545-3525. Staff handles requests for certified copies, non-certified copies, and court docket information for all felony cases filed in Franklin County Superior Court. Case files include charging documents, pleas, motions, orders, and sentencing records.

The clerk uses the Odyssey case management system, which means cases are indexed electronically and searchable by name or case number. Franklin County uses a case numbering format that encodes the year and court type, making it easier to confirm you have the right file once you identify a case number in the portal. Both certified and non-certified copies are available on request.

The Franklin County Court Records page explains the request process and identifies the clerk's office as the point of contact for all court document copies.

The page also clarifies what types of records the clerk's office holds and which requests may need to go to other county offices.

Searching Franklin County Felony Cases Online

The Washington State Odyssey Portal covers Franklin County and supports public name searches at no cost. Enter a person's name to see felony cases filed in Franklin County, including case numbers, charge types, filing dates, and scheduled hearings. This is the fastest way to confirm whether a case exists before submitting a copy request to the clerk.

Anonymous public searches on the Odyssey Portal show docket information but do not display scanned court documents. If you need the actual case file contents, you must contact the clerk's office. However, the portal often provides enough detail to confirm conviction status, case disposition, and charge descriptions for most public research needs.

The Washington Courts name and case search also covers Franklin County cases and is a good fallback if the Odyssey Portal does not return results. Both tools are free and do not require an account to run a basic name search.

How Felony Cases Move Through Franklin County Courts

Felony charges in Franklin County begin at the District Court level. The Franklin County District Court in Pasco handles initial appearances, probable cause determinations, and bail hearings. Once a judge finds probable cause, the case moves to Superior Court for arraignment and the rest of the felony process.

Under RCW 10.97, the Criminal Records Privacy Act, felony conviction records are public in Washington. Non-conviction records, including arrests that were dismissed or never charged, receive greater privacy protection. This is why a search of Franklin County felony records will show conviction data more readily than data on cases that were dropped or resulted in acquittal.

Washington classifies felonies as Class A, B, or C. Class A carries the most serious penalties. Class B felonies carry a maximum of ten years. Class C carries up to five years. Sentencing in Franklin County follows the Sentencing Reform Act at RCW 9.94A.640, which uses an offender score and standard sentencing ranges. Judges calculate the range based on the charge and the defendant's prior criminal history.

The Franklin County District Court page shows how the preliminary phase of a felony case is handled before transfer to Superior Court.

District Court records for the preliminary phase of a case can provide background on how a felony charge originated before it reached Superior Court.

Franklin County Sheriff Arrest and Jail Records

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office handles arrests, bookings, and the Franklin County Jail. Arrest records and booking logs are separate from court records but are linked to felony cases by case number once charges are filed. The Sheriff's Public Records Officer is Joy Gibson, who handles public disclosure requests for sheriff records.

For incident reports tied to felony arrests, submit a public disclosure request to the sheriff's office in writing. Include the name of the person involved, the date of the incident, and any case number you have. Arrest records that did not result in a felony conviction are subject to privacy restrictions under RCW 10.97, so not all arrest data is publicly available.

For people currently serving state prison sentences, the Washington Department of Corrections warrant and inmate search can confirm incarceration status. Franklin County felony convictions that resulted in state prison time will appear in DOC records. The DOC also offers broader search resources for finding people in the corrections system.

Public Records Requests in Franklin County

Franklin County uses a centralized public records system through the GovQA portal. The county's Public Records Officer is Gray Blair. To submit a public records request for non-court records such as county agency documents, use the Franklin County Public Records page. Court records go directly to the clerk's office rather than through the general county PDR system.

When filing a public records request, be as specific as possible. Name the document type, the date range, and any identifying information. Vague or overly broad requests take longer to process. The county will notify you if the request requires clarification or if a fee estimate is needed before production begins.

The public records portal page shows how to submit requests for Franklin County documents outside the court system.

The GovQA system tracks request status and sends email updates, so you can follow your request without calling the office.

Copy Fees and Record Request Process

Franklin County Superior Court Clerk charges $0.50 per page for non-certified paper copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus $1.00 per page. Court dockets are $5.00 each. The clerk can provide electronic copies of non-certified documents for $0.25 per page, which is the most cost-effective option for larger case files. Audio recordings of hearings cost additional fees per the clerk's fee schedule.

Payment must accompany your request. For mailed requests, send a check or money order payable to the Franklin County Clerk. Include the defendant's full name and date of birth, the case number if known, and a list of the specific documents you need. The clerk will contact you if the actual fee exceeds your estimate.

Research time spent by clerk staff locating historical files is charged at an hourly rate. Calling ahead to confirm a file is available before submitting a written request can save time for older cases that may be stored off-site.

Washington WATCH System for Statewide Conviction Records

The Washington WATCH system provides statewide conviction record searches for $11 per name. Results include felony convictions from all Washington counties, not just Franklin. This is useful if you are researching someone who has lived in multiple counties. WATCH returns conviction data for felonies and gross misdemeanors. Arrests without convictions do not appear in WATCH results.

The Washington State Patrol's Criminal History Records division offers fingerprint-based checks for more formal background verification. Fingerprint checks are more accurate than name searches because they remove the possibility of mistaken identity tied to common names. The WSP site explains the process and current fees for fingerprint-based criminal history requests.

For older Franklin County felony records, the Washington State Digital Archives holds scanned court records from many counties going back decades. If the Odyssey Portal does not cover the time period you need, the Digital Archives is a good next step for historical case research.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County includes Pasco, the county seat, along with several smaller communities. Pasco is the only city in Franklin County that meets the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Felony records for residents of all Franklin County communities are filed with the Superior Court Clerk in Pasco.

Nearby Counties

Franklin County borders several counties in south-central Washington. Each county maintains its own Superior Court Clerk and felony records system.