Lake Stevens Arrest Records
Lake Stevens arrest records are public documents held by the Lake Stevens Police Department and the City Clerk's office under Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. The city uses a NextRequest online portal for submitting and tracking public records requests. The Police Records Division handles law enforcement records separately from general city documents, with its own email and phone line. Requests receive an initial response within five business days. This page explains how to find and request arrest records, police reports, and related documents in Lake Stevens.
Lake Stevens Overview
Lake Stevens Police Department Records
The Lake Stevens Police Department is located at 1825 S. Lake Stevens Road, Lake Stevens, WA 98258. The main phone number is 425-622-9401. The fax is 425-334-9842. The Police Records Division can be reached by email at pdrecords@lakestevenswa.gov. Business office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The department provides online access to police and collision reports through its public records portal. Annual police reports are also posted online and do not require a formal request. For specific incident reports, arrest records, or documents tied to a named case, you need to submit a public records request through the city's NextRequest system.
The Lake Stevens Police Department information page covers what types of records the department holds, how to access them, and contact details for the records division.
Body-worn camera footage became part of the city's records inventory in July 2022. Redaction fees for BWC footage are $0.84 per minute. The first dollar of any redaction fee is waived. Large requests may require a 10% deposit before processing begins.
How to Submit a Public Records Request
Lake Stevens accepts public records requests through its online NextRequest portal, by mail, and in person. The online portal is the fastest method and lets you track the status of your request without calling the office. The city assigns a tracking number when you submit online and sends email updates as the request moves through the process.
The Lake Stevens Public Records Request page links to the NextRequest portal and lists contact information for both the Police Records Division and the City Clerk's office.
For non-police records handled by the City Clerk, the office is at 1812 Main Street, PO Box 257, Lake Stevens, WA 98258, with a direct line at (425) 622-9412. Police records use the records division contact at the police department address. Make sure you send your request to the right office. Sending a police records request to the City Clerk adds time to the process.
One thing worth knowing about Lake Stevens: the city notes that public records requests themselves become public records. If someone asks to see all records requests filed with the city, your request may appear in that search. Requests can be submitted anonymously to avoid this, but anonymous requests sometimes receive lower processing priority at some agencies.
| Police Records Email | pdrecords@lakestevenswa.gov |
|---|---|
| Police Phone | (425) 622-9401 |
| Police Fax | 425-334-9842 |
| Police Address | 1825 S. Lake Stevens Road, Lake Stevens WA 98258 |
| Business Office Hours | Mon-Fri 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm |
| City Clerk Address | 1812 Main Street, PO Box 257, Lake Stevens WA 98258 |
| City Clerk Phone | (425) 622-9412 |
| Mail Address | City of Lake Stevens, Attn: Public Records Officer, PO Box 257, Lake Stevens WA 98258 |
| BWC Redaction Fee | $0.84/minute (first dollar waived) |
| Large Request Deposit | 10% required |
| Response Window | 5 business days |
What Lake Stevens Arrest Records Include
Arrest records in Lake Stevens can cover police incident reports, booking data from the Snohomish County jail, officer supplemental notes, collision reports, body-worn camera footage, and evidence photos. Under RCW 70.48.100, three pieces of booking data are always public: the person's name, the booking date, and the cause of arrest. Other materials may be withheld in whole or in part.
The city applies exemptions under RCW 42.56 to protect ongoing investigations, victim identities, juvenile records, and sensitive investigative details. When something is withheld, the city must tell you what was withheld and state the legal basis for the decision in writing. You can challenge the denial through the city or in court.
Exemptions for withheld records under RCW 42.56 are listed in sections 42.56.230 through 42.56.480. These cover law enforcement records, personal privacy, attorney-client privilege, and other categories. The range of possible exemptions is broad, so it helps to be specific in your request to avoid triggering unnecessary review of portions you don't need.
Non-conviction records fall under RCW 10.97.050. If charges were not filed, were dropped, or the person was acquitted, access to those records is more limited. You may be able to inspect them but not always get copies. Ask the records division about the specific file if you are unsure of its status.
Note: An arrest record documents that a person was arrested. It does not indicate guilt or a conviction for any offense.
Statewide Records Tools
Lake Stevens Police records cover incidents within city limits. For a statewide picture, the Washington State Patrol runs the WATCH system, which provides a name-based criminal history check for $11. Results come back within minutes. This is the most direct way to find prior convictions across Washington without filing separate public records requests with each agency.
Court records are available through the Washington Courts case search portal. It shows filed cases, charges, and dispositions across District, Superior, and Municipal Courts statewide. Lake Stevens misdemeanor cases go through Lake Stevens Municipal Court. Felony cases tied to Lake Stevens arrests are handled by Snohomish County Superior Court.
To check whether someone is currently in custody at the Snohomish County jail or another facility in Washington, VINELink offers free custody status lookups and alert notifications. The service works for most county jails across the state.
Snohomish County Arrest Records
Lake Stevens is in Snohomish County. For county-level jail records and broader arrest records information, visit the county records page.
Nearby Cities
Other cities in Snohomish County also maintain public records portals for arrest records and police documents.