Warrants are public records in Kennewick, Washington, pursuant to the Washington State Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). This legislation establishes that government records, including warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The public nature of warrant records serves to maintain transparency and accountability within the judicial system of Benton County and the City of Kennewick.
Access to warrant information enables citizens to:
The Washington State Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle that court records, including warrants, are presumptively open to public inspection. This presumption of openness is fundamental to maintaining public trust in the judicial process and law enforcement operations throughout Kennewick and surrounding areas.
Several official resources are available for locating warrant information online in Kennewick. The Washington State Department of Corrections maintains a searchable database that allows members of the public to access warrant information for individuals under DOC jurisdiction. Additionally, the Washington State Courts Name and Case Search provides access to court records that may include warrant information.
Local resources for warrant searches include:
Kennewick Police Department
211 W 6th Ave
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 585-4208
www.kennewickwa.gov/police
Benton County Sheriff's Office
7122 W Okanogan Pl, Building A
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 735-6555
www.co.benton.wa.us/sheriff
Benton County District Court
7122 W Okanogan Pl, Building A
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 735-8476
www.co.benton.wa.us/district-court
Pursuant to RCW 10.31.030, warrant information is maintained by the issuing court and law enforcement agencies responsible for execution. Members of the public seeking warrant information should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full name and date of birth to facilitate accurate search results.
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Kennewick may utilize several official channels. The most direct method is to check the Washington Courts warrant search system, which provides information on outstanding warrants throughout the state.
Additional verification methods include:
Individuals should be aware that pursuant to RCW 10.31.100, law enforcement officers are authorized to execute warrants upon contact with the named individual. Therefore, addressing known warrants promptly through proper legal channels is advisable.
The verification process for outstanding warrants in Kennewick follows established protocols under Washington state law. Members of the public may conduct searches through multiple official channels to determine if warrants exist.
The primary methods for checking outstanding warrants include:
In-Person Verification:
Electronic Verification:
Telephone Verification:
Pursuant to Washington Court Rule GR 31, court records are presumptively open for public inspection unless sealed by court order. Individuals conducting warrant searches should be prepared to provide full legal name, date of birth, and other identifying information to ensure accurate results.
Warrant records in Kennewick contain specific information as prescribed by Washington Criminal Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (CrRLJ) 2.2 and Superior Court Criminal Rules (CrR) 2.2. These documents typically include comprehensive details about the warrant and the individual named therein.
Standard components of Kennewick warrant records include:
For bench warrants issued due to failure to appear, the record will additionally contain information regarding the missed court appearance, including the original scheduled date and the nature of the proceeding. Pursuant to RCW 10.31.020, all warrants must be signed by the issuing magistrate or judge to be considered valid and executable.