Washoe County Arrest Records

Arrests in Washoe County occur when individuals are taken into custody by law enforcement agencies due to probable cause that they have committed a crime or violated the law. Arrests become necessary when:

• A crime is witnessed by the law enforcement officer
• an arrest warrant has been issued, OR
• an individual poses an immediate threat to public safety.

Once arrested, individuals are typically detained at the Washoe County Detention Facility, which serves as the primary holding center for inmates within the county. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) generates and maintains arrest records. These records are necessary for documenting arrests, charges, and related proceedings. Following an arrest, a suspect is booked by documenting certain information about the suspect and the arrest details. This information includes:

• Suspect’s name
• Physical characteristics
• Gender
• Age
• Offense arrested for
• Bail bond (if applicable)
• Law enforcement agency in charge of the arrest
• Mugshot

Arrest records are often linked to other Public records, such as Washoe County Court Records, which provide detailed information on Court cases.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washoe County?

Arrest records under Nevada law are generally public, meaning that members of the public may access them unless certain exceptions apply. However, records involving the following are generally exempt from public disclosure:

• Juvenile cases,
• Ongoing investigations OR
• Cases related to sensitive matters like domestic abuse or mental health issues.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Washoe County typically contain the following:

• Full name of the individual arrested
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Arresting agency
• Charges filed at arrest
• Booking information and bail status
• Mugshots (if available)

Washoe County Arrest Statistics

According to Nevada crime statistics, in Washoe County, Nevada, in 2023, 9,534 persons were arrested for property crime, 6,807 for violent crime, and 28,000 cases of domestic violence. The incarceration rate for Nevada is 610 per 100,000 persons. As of 2023, 20,000 people from Nevada are in various states, local, and federal jails.

Find Washoe County Arrest Records

Individuals may search for Washoe County arrest records through state and federal databases.

• Nevada’s Department of Public Safety offers criminal history checks that include arrest records.
• Also, the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) offers an offender search from which inmates may be found.
• The Washoe County Sheriff's Office also provides an online inmate lookup tool to find information on recent arrestees.
• For federal information, the FB1 UCR maintains a comprehensive database accessible to authorized agencies.

Free Arrest Record Search in Washoe County.

Free resources for finding arrest records include the following:

• Washoe County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup tool
• Nevada State websites that offer limited public access to arrest information
• Third-party websites may provide searchable databases for local arrest records.

Washoe County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Washoe County arrest records document instances when a person is taken into custody, regardless of whether they are charged or convicted. In contrast, criminal records provide a more comprehensive history, including charges, court proceedings, and convictions. An arrest without conviction does not create a criminal record, but both types of records may be referenced in Washoe County court Records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Nevada, arrests remain on a person's record indefinitely unless they are sealed. Even when charges are dropped, the arrest still appears on background checks unless a formal sealing process is completed. Arrests that result in convictions are typically not removable unless the conviction itself is sealed.

Expunge Washoe County Arrest Records

Washoe County does not allow the expungement of records; rather, they seal the records so that they disappear from background checks and are only available on court orders. Individuals who wish to have their arrest records sealed may apply for sealing if those records meet the following requirements as contained in the NRS chapter 179:

• Individuals may apply for immediate record sealing if the arrest did not lead to charges or were dismissed without a conviction.
• Arrest records may be sealed immediately after an individual is acquitted ( declared not guilty) or if the case resulted in a favorable outcome for the defendant.
• Arrests may be sealed if the prosecutor drops the charges, provided that the dismissal is unconditional.
• Arrests that resulted in convictions may also be sealed after an individual completes their sentence provided they satisfy specific waiting periods as follows:
• Category A felonies (e.g., violent crime): 10 years after sentence completion.
• Category B and C felonies (5 years)
• Gross misdemeanor: 2 years
• Misdemeanor 1 year.
• Arrests may also be sealed if, during the waiting period, the individual has not committed any new offenses.
• Individuals must have completed all sentence conditions, including probation, fines, or community service.

Individuals who meet the requirements above will proceed to the process of sealing by doing the following:

• Request for a current, verified copy of the applicant's arrest record from the Washoe County Sheriff's office or the arresting agency. Where applicable, additional court records may be obtained from the Washoe County Court.
• Draft a petition to seal the arrest record including personal information, date of arrest, agency involved and the reason for the request. The petition will then be filed in the Washoe County District Court or the court where the case was handled.
• Copies of the petition will then be served to the Washoe County Sheriff's office, the District Attorney’s office and other involved agencies in case they wish to object to the petition.
• Law Enforcement or prosecution agencies have the right to object to or oppose the petition if they believe the sealing is inappropriate. In cases where they object, the case will proceed to a court hearing.
• At the scheduled hearing in the court (if the law enforcement agencies object to the petition), the petitioner or their attorney will have to demonstrate to the judge why the record should be sealed. The judge may grant the petition without a hearing if no objections are raised.

If the petition is approved, the court will order to seal the arrest record. This order instructs all agencies to remove the record from public databases. The individual will then follow up with law enforcement agencies and courts to confirm that the record has been sealed and is no longer publicly accessible. Individuals may then move about their business without having an implicating arrest record.

Washoe County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Washoe County authorizes law enforcement officers to detain a person suspected of a crime. Warrants are issued by a judge based on probable cause, typically following a police investigation. Arrest warrants contain the following information.

• Name of the individual to be arrested
• Description of the alleged offense
• Issuing court, judge’s name and signature
• Instructions regarding the suspect’s arrests

Do Washoe County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Washoe County generally do not expire. They remain active until the individual is arrested, the charges are dismissed, or the court revokes the warrant. However, a few circumstances, such as changes in the statute of limitations for specific offenses, may affect the validity and enforceability of the warrant.