Criminal records in Mason County, Washington, are available through several channels. MasonCourt.us allows quick access to publicly available information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through state court online portals, the Superior Court Clerk's office, District Court, and law enforcement agencies — including the Mason County Sheriff's Office. Below are specific steps for searching, interpreting, and obtaining certified copies of criminal records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Mason
There are several ways to find criminal records in Mason County. The choice depends on the specific information you need and how urgently you need it.
Online Search
- MasonCourt.us — start here if you need general information about criminal cases in the county. Enter the person's full name or case number.
- Washington State Courts Name and Case Search — the portal of the Administrative Office of the Courts of the state. Allows searching by name or case number in courts of all levels. Data is updated daily at 3:00 AM.
- Washington Courts Case Search — here you can select a specific court (Mason County Superior Court or Mason County District Court) and search cases by court level.
- Mason County Jail Inmate List — a PDF report listing individuals currently in custody, including charges.
- Washington Department of Corrections Inmate Search — for individuals serving sentences in state correctional facilities.
- DOC Warrant Search — allows checking for arrest warrants issued by the Department of Corrections.
In-Person Visit
You can contact the court office directly. For Superior Court cases, contact the Superior Court Clerk:
For District Court cases — fill out a request form on the District Court public records page:
Written Request
To obtain an official criminal history at the state level, contact the Washington State Patrol (WSP). WSP processes fingerprint-based checks and provides statewide conviction data. Requests can be mailed with the appropriate form and payment.
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name and surname of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
Search Mason Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Washington receives a unique number. Understanding its structure speeds up the search.
Typical format of a case number in Washington state courts:
- YY — last two digits of the year the case was filed
- -X- — letter code of the case type (e.g., 1 for criminal cases in Superior Court, C for civil)
- NNNNN — sequential case number
For example, the number 25-1-00123-22 indicates a criminal case in Superior Court filed in 2025, with a sequential number of 123 and a county code. The county code for Mason County is 22.
If you know the full case number, enter it on the state court search portal. This is the fastest way to get information about a specific case — without the need to filter results by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Mason
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Reference to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), e.g., 9A.60.040 — credit card fraud |
| Severity | Felony, Gross Misdemeanor, Misdemeanor, Infraction |
| Amended charges | The prosecutor may amend the initial charge — add, drop, or change the article |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting review
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the court has rendered a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are completed, the case is closed
Types of Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant is informed of the charges and states their plea (guilty/not guilty)
- Preliminary hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial — parties discuss procedural issues, possible agreements
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence (e.g., probation)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by court or jury |
| Deferred / Withheld judgment | The court postpones the sentence under certain conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Mason
Certified copies are official documents with a court seal. They are required for legal procedures, employment, or immigration cases.
Superior Court
All Superior Court records are maintained by the Clerk's Office. To obtain copies of documents:
- Contact the Clerk's Office in person or by phone.
- Provide the case number or full name of the party.
- Request a certified copy — the clerk will certify the document with a seal.
District Court
For District Court records, fill out the Court/Case Record Request form and deliver it in person, or send it by email. Details are on the District Court public records page.
State-Level Criminal History
An official criminal history check (background check) is conducted by the Washington State Patrol. The request is submitted with a form and payment. For fingerprint-based checks, contact an authorized fingerprinting center.
Note: According to the Public Records Act (RCW 42.56) and Chapter 10.97 RCW, some criminal records have distribution restrictions — including juvenile records, expunged convictions, and certain categories of arrests without subsequent charges.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Mason
Below are approximate fees. It is recommended to verify exact amounts directly with the relevant court office.
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.15 – $0.50 | Depends on the court; state standard per RCW 36.18.016 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document | Clerk's Office, Superior Court |
| Criminal history check (WSP, without fingerprints) | $11.00 | Washington State Patrol |
| Criminal history check (WSP, with fingerprints) | $12.00+ | Washington State Patrol; additional FBI fees may apply |
Processing Times
- Online search via state court portal — results appear instantly, data updated daily
- Request at the court office — usually 1 to 5 business days, depending on complexity
- WSP check — electronic requests processed within 7–10 business days; mail requests may take longer
For requests under the Public Records Act, Mason County is required to respond within five business days of receiving the request — either by providing the records or by notifying the estimated completion time.