Jefferson County Felony Records

Jefferson County felony records are kept by the Superior Court Clerk in Port Townsend and are available to the public through in-person access, written requests, and the Washington State Digital Archives for cases from 2010 onward. This page explains how to search and obtain those records, what fees apply, and how state online tools can help you research felony cases tied to Jefferson County, Washington.

Jefferson County Superior Court Clerk

The Jefferson County Superior Court Clerk is located at 1820 Jefferson Street, Room 210, Port Townsend, WA 98368. The office phone is (360) 385-9125. The clerk holds all official felony case records for Jefferson County, including charging documents, motions, orders, plea records, and sentencing documents for every felony prosecution filed in the county. Staff processes in-person and written copy requests during regular business hours.

For in-person visits, have the case number or the defendant's full name ready. Staff can pull case files during your visit. For written requests by mail, send the request to 1820 Jefferson Street, Room 210, and include the defendant's full name and date of birth, the approximate filing year, and the case number if you have it. Specify certified or non-certified copies and include payment for the estimated fee.

The Jefferson County Clerk page shows the office address, phone number, and hours for the Port Townsend courthouse.

Confirm current office hours on the clerk's page before making a trip to Port Townsend, as hours can change seasonally.

Searching Jefferson County Felony Records Online

Jefferson County court records from January 1, 2010 forward are available through the Washington State Digital Archives. This is the primary online access point for Jefferson County felony cases that have been digitized. Records before 2010 are available by appointment at the courthouse in Port Townsend. Contact the clerk's office in advance to schedule a time to view older files.

The Odyssey Portal also covers Jefferson County and supports name-based public searches at no cost. Run a name search to confirm whether a case exists and to get the case number before requesting copies from the clerk. Anonymous searches return basic docket information including charge types and filing dates, though not scanned documents.

The Washington Courts name and case search is a free statewide alternative. It covers Jefferson County cases and is useful as a backup when the Odyssey Portal or Digital Archives does not return what you need.

Jefferson County Superior Court

Jefferson County Superior Court is presided over by Judge Brandon Mack. The court phone is (360) 385-9395. The court handles all felony matters in Jefferson County, including arraignments, pre-trial hearings, trials, and sentencing. Remote appearances through Zoom are available for some proceedings, which is useful given Jefferson County's relatively remote location on the Olympic Peninsula.

Under RCW 10.97, felony conviction records are public in Washington. The law limits disclosure of records for arrests that did not result in conviction. When you search Jefferson County felony records, conviction data is more accessible than data on dismissed or acquitted cases. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and certain other restricted matters are not available through standard public searches.

Washington classifies felonies as Class A, B, or C. Class A carries the most severe penalties, up to life in prison. Class B felonies carry a maximum of ten years. Class C carries up to five years. Judges follow the Sentencing Reform Act at RCW 9.94A.640, using an offender score and standard sentencing ranges based on the charge and the defendant's criminal history.

The Jefferson County Superior Court page shows current judge information, contact details, and how the court handles remote appearances for felony proceedings.

Check the Superior Court page for the current case schedule and any procedural updates that may affect in-person access to the Port Townsend courthouse.

Jefferson County District Court

Felony charges in Jefferson County begin in District Court. Judge Mindy Walker presides over the Jefferson County District Court, which can be reached at (360) 385-9135. The District Court handles initial appearances, bail hearings, and preliminary probable cause determinations for all felony charges. Once probable cause is confirmed, the case transfers to Superior Court.

District Court records for the preliminary phase of a felony case can provide useful context about how a charge originated and what happened at the initial hearing stage. These records are separate from the Superior Court file but are linked by case number. If you need preliminary hearing information, contact the District Court directly in addition to the clerk's office.

The Jefferson County District Court page shows Judge Walker's contact information and explains the court's role in the preliminary felony hearing process.

If you need information about the earliest stages of a Jefferson County felony case, start with the District Court before contacting the Superior Court clerk.

Jefferson County Sheriff Arrest and Jail Records

Sheriff Andy Pernsteiner heads the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The non-emergency line is (360) 344-9779 and the jail can be reached at (360) 385-3831 ext. 2. The sheriff's office makes arrests and runs the county jail. Arrest records and incident reports are separate from court records but link to felony cases by case number once charges are filed.

To request arrest records or incident reports, contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Submit a written public disclosure request that includes 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.

For state prison incarceration data on people convicted of Class A or B felonies in Jefferson County, the Washington DOC inmate and warrant search is the right tool. The DOC covers current and recently released inmates from state facilities, not county jail. The DOC also offers broader search resources for tracking people through the state corrections system.

Jefferson County Public Records Process

Ken Hugoniot serves as the Jefferson County Public Records Officer and can be reached at (360) 385-9174. The Public Records page handles non-court document requests for county agency records. Court records go directly to the Superior Court Clerk at 1820 Jefferson Street. Both offices handle requests under Washington's Public Records Act.

For court copy requests, state your request clearly. Specify the case number or defendant name, the type of document, whether you want certified or non-certified copies, and enclose the estimated fee. The clerk's standard fees are $0.50 per page for non-certified paper copies and $5.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified copies.

The Jefferson County court records page explains the availability of digitized records and how to access older files by appointment.

Review this page before submitting a records request so you know whether your case is in the Digital Archives or requires an in-person appointment at Port Townsend.

Washington WATCH and State Criminal History Records

The Washington WATCH system charges $11 per name search and returns felony conviction records from all Washington counties, including Jefferson. This is a useful tool if you want to check whether someone has convictions in Jefferson County or anywhere else in the state without running separate searches in each county. WATCH does not show arrests without convictions.

The Washington State Patrol's Criminal History Records division handles fingerprint-based background checks for formal verification. Fingerprint checks are more accurate than name searches and are the standard for official background verification needs. The WSP website has current fees and instructions for submitting a fingerprint check request.

For Jefferson County felony convictions that resulted in state prison sentences, the Washington Courts directory can point you to the right contacts if you need to track case records across the state system. The DOC inmate search and the WATCH system together cover most needs for researching people with Jefferson County felony histories.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County is located on the Olympic Peninsula and includes Port Townsend as the county seat along with smaller communities. No cities in Jefferson County currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Felony records for all Jefferson County residents are filed with the Superior Court Clerk at 1820 Jefferson Street, Room 210, Port Townsend.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County is bordered by Clallam County and is accessible by ferry to Kitsap and Mason counties. Each maintains its own Superior Court and felony records system.