Franklin County Arrest Records Search
Franklin County arrest records are managed by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and Corrections Center in Pasco, Washington. The county's 320-bed facility processes arrests from Pasco and surrounding communities, and most booking data is public under RCW 70.48.100. You can request arrest reports and other public records through the county's GovQA portal or contact the Corrections Center directly. This page covers the jail, the 72-hour hold process, public records access, and statewide resources.
Franklin County Overview
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office operates under the motto "To Serve and Protect" with core values of honor, integrity, and trust. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement across all of Franklin County, including patrol, investigations, civil process, and corrections. The department has a budget of approximately $18.4 million and employs 96 people.
The Sheriff's Office oversees the Franklin County Corrections Center, which received WASPC accreditation in 2021. Accreditation means the facility meets professional standards for inmate care, safety, and records management. The accreditation is renewed on a regular cycle and requires the facility to pass an independent review of its policies and operations.
| Office | Franklin County Sheriff's Office |
|---|---|
| Website | franklincountywa.gov/sheriff |
The Franklin County Sheriff's page covers department programs, staff directory, and general contact information for the office.
The Sheriff's Office is the primary point of contact for arrest records, civil process questions, and law enforcement matters across Franklin County.
Franklin County Corrections Center
The Franklin County Corrections Center is located at 1016 N 4th Ave, Suite D-102 in Pasco. The facility has a rated capacity of 300 beds and expanded to 320 beds to handle peak population. On a typical day, the daily average population runs around 200 inmates. The facility holds people awaiting trial, those serving local sentences, and those on holds from other agencies.
The Corrections Center is staffed by a Chief, one Captain, two Lieutenants, five Sergeants, five Corporals, 36 Officers, and five Records Clerks. The Records Clerk staff specifically handle booking documentation, inmate files, and public records requests related to the jail. This level of staffing allows the facility to process records requests efficiently compared to smaller county jails.
| Facility | Franklin County Corrections Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 1016 N 4th Ave, D-102, Pasco, WA 99301 |
| Website | franklincountywa.gov/386/Corrections |
| Accreditation | WASPC Accredited (2021) |
The Franklin County Corrections page provides facility details, inmate services, and information on visitation and communication options.
Inmate information and booking records are public under RCW 70.48.100 and can be requested through the Corrections Center's records staff.
Note: VINE victim notification is available for Franklin County Corrections. Register at VINELink to receive alerts when an inmate's custody status changes.
72-Hour Hold Process in Franklin County
When someone is arrested in Franklin County, police may hold them for up to 72 hours without formal charges being filed. This is called a 72-hour hold. During that window, the prosecutor reviews the case and decides whether to file charges. If charges are filed, the person has a Preliminary Appearance hearing, where the charges are read, bail is set, and a public defender is appointed if needed.
The Franklin County 72-Hour Hold Information page explains the full process, including what happens at each stage, what rights a person has during the hold, and how to get legal help. The Public Defense Hotline is available at (509) 543-2989. Hotline hours are Monday 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Wednesday 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, and Thursday 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
The Franklin County 72-hour hold page outlines the arrest and booking process from initial detention through first court appearance.
If you have questions about charges or case documents, contact the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office at 509-545-3543. That office handles discovery requests for criminal cases.
Note: If someone has been held more than 72 hours without formal charges, contact the Public Defense Hotline at (509) 543-2989 for assistance.
Franklin County Public Records Requests
Public records requests for Franklin County are handled through a dedicated online portal at franklincountywa.gov/PublicRecords. The GovQA portal operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You don't need to call during business hours or visit in person to submit a request.
Two public records officers handle requests for the county. Gray Blair is the county's primary Public Records Officer, reachable at 509-546-5854. Joy Gibson serves as the Sheriff's Office Public Records Officer and handles requests specific to law enforcement and jail records. If you're not sure which officer handles your specific request, submit through the portal and it will be routed appropriately.
For discovery documents in a criminal case, contact the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney at 509-545-3543 rather than the Public Records Officer. Discovery is handled through a separate process and is typically provided to defense counsel directly.
Under RCW 42.56.520, the county must respond to your request within five business days. The response will either provide the records or give you an estimated completion date. Being specific in your request speeds things up. Include case numbers, dates, and names whenever possible.
The Franklin County public records portal provides 24/7 access to submit and track records requests online.
Records are delivered electronically through the portal when possible, reducing wait time compared to mailed copies.
Washington Law Governing Arrest Records
Washington's Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) gives the public the right to inspect and copy most government records. The law is broad. Agencies must disclose records unless a specific exemption applies. Common exemptions cover ongoing criminal investigations, personal privacy interests, and certain law enforcement intelligence materials.
Booking and jail roster information is specifically made public by RCW 70.48.100. That statute requires county jails to provide the name of anyone confined, the time and date of their booking, the cause of confinement, and discharge information. This is why basic jail roster data is available without a formal records request in most Washington counties.
Criminal history access is covered by RCW 10.97.050. Conviction records are freely shareable. Non-conviction records carry restrictions on how they can be disseminated. If you need a full statewide background check, use the Washington State Patrol's WATCH portal. Name-based checks cost $11. The system searches the statewide criminal history database and covers records from agencies across Washington.
Court case records for Franklin County are available through the Washington Courts case search, which is free. You can search by name or case number to find case status, charges filed, and hearing dates in Superior Court and District Court.
Cities in Franklin County
Arrest and booking records for all cities in Franklin County are processed through the Franklin County Corrections Center and Sheriff's Office in Pasco.
Nearby Counties
Franklin County is in southeast Washington and borders several counties in the Tri-Cities region and surrounding areas.