Portland Oregon Felony Records
Portland felony records are held at the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Portland is the largest city in Oregon with about 650,000 residents. The city does not have its own municipal court for criminal cases. All felony charges in Portland go through the county court system. The Portland Police Bureau works with county prosecutors on these cases. You can search Portland felony records online or at four court locations across the county.
Portland Quick Facts
Portland Police Felony Records
The Portland Police Bureau handles felony cases in the city. Their mission is to reduce crime and the fear of crime. The bureau is based at 1111 SW 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97201. You can reach them at 503-823-0000 for general calls. For non-emergency matters, call 503-823-3333. In an emergency, dial 911.
Portland police take reports for crimes that happen in the city. They file charges and work with the district attorney on felony cases. You can file some reports online through the Portland Police Bureau website. Not all crimes qualify for online reporting. Serious felony cases require an officer to come to the scene. The police keep their own records of arrests, reports, and case files separate from the court records in Portland.
When police make a felony arrest in Portland, the case goes to the Multnomah County District Attorney. The DA decides what charges to file. Once charges are filed, the case enters the court system. Court records then become the main source of Portland felony records. Police records can also be requested through public records laws.
Note: Portland does not have its own municipal court, so all felony cases go through the Multnomah County Circuit Court system.
Search Portland Felony Records
There are three main ways to search for felony records in Portland. Each method has its own cost and level of detail. Free searches give basic case data. Paid searches offer more complete results. In-person visits let you see the full case file for Portland felony records.
The first option is the free Oregon Judicial Department case search. Go to courts.oregon.gov to look up cases by name or case number. This tool covers all Oregon courts, including Multnomah County. You can find case dates, charges, and status. It does not show full documents, but it is a good starting point for Portland felony records.
The second option is OJCIN, the Oregon Judicial Case Information Network. This paid service gives more detail than the free search. You can access it at courts.oregon.gov. OJCIN shows party names, filing dates, and case outcomes. It covers all circuit courts in the state. Many people use OJCIN to search Portland felony records when they need more than basic case data.
The third option is to visit the court in person. The Multnomah County Circuit Court has four locations that serve Portland. You can ask the clerk to pull case files and make copies. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5 each. Call the records office at 971-274-0570 before your visit.
Note: You can also email the court records office at mul.records@ojd.state.or.us to request copies of Portland felony records.
Portland Felony Court Locations
Multnomah County operates four court locations that handle Portland felony cases. The Central Courthouse is the main location for most criminal matters. Each courthouse handles different types of cases or serves different parts of the county.
| Central Courthouse | 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR |
|---|---|
| Justice Center | 1120 SW Third Ave, Portland, OR |
| Juvenile Court | 1401 NE 68th Ave, Portland, OR |
| East County | 18480 SE Stark St, Portland, OR |
| Records Phone | 971-274-0570 |
| Website | courts.oregon.gov/courts/multnomah |
Most Portland felony cases are heard at the Central Courthouse or Justice Center. Juvenile felony cases go to the Juvenile Court on NE 68th Ave. The East County location serves the eastern part of Multnomah County. All four locations are part of the same court system and share records. You can request felony records from Portland cases at any of these offices.
Portland Criminal History Checks
Beyond court records, you can get a full criminal history check through the Oregon State Police. The OSP runs the Computerized Criminal History system. This search is fingerprint-based and costs $33. It covers all of Oregon, not just Portland. You can request this through the OSP Criminal History page.
The OSP criminal history check shows arrests, charges, and dispositions from across the state. It includes Portland felony records along with records from every other city and county in Oregon. This is the most complete way to check someone's criminal background in the state. The process takes a few weeks to get results back.
You can also search the Oregon DOC Offender Search at docpub.state.or.us for free. This tool shows people who are currently or were previously in state prison. It includes felony offenders from Portland who received prison sentences. The search is free and does not require a fee or account.
Portland Felony Expungement
Oregon law allows some felony records to be expunged. Under ORS 137.225, certain convictions can be set aside after a waiting period. Senate Bill 397 expanded the types of crimes eligible for expungement. Not all felonies qualify. Violent crimes and sex offenses cannot be expunged in most cases.
To expunge a Portland felony record, you file a motion with the Multnomah County Circuit Court. The court reviews your case and decides if you meet the requirements. You must show that enough time has passed and that you have no new charges. The district attorney can object to the motion. If the court grants it, the felony record is sealed from public view.
Portland residents who want to check if their record qualifies can review the statute or talk to a lawyer. Legal aid groups in Portland may help with expungement cases at no cost. The process takes several months from filing to a final decision.
Note: Under ORS 181A.220, criminal records held by law enforcement are treated as confidential and have separate rules for access and release.
Access Portland Felony Records
Portland felony records are public under Oregon law. Anyone can request them from the court. You do not need to be a party to the case. The Multnomah County records page explains what is available and how to get copies.
Records requests can be made in person, by mail, by phone, or by email. The records office handles requests for all case types, including felony cases from Portland. Standard copy fees apply. Plain copies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies are $5 each. Large requests may take longer to fill. The court staff will tell you the total cost before they make copies.
Some Portland felony records may be sealed or restricted. Juvenile cases, expunged records, and certain protected cases are not available to the public. If a record has been sealed by court order, you will not find it in a standard search. The clerk can tell you if a record exists but is restricted when you search for Portland felony records.
Multnomah County Felony Records
Portland is in Multnomah County. All felony cases from Portland go through the Multnomah County Circuit Court. The county court also handles cases from other cities in the county. For more details on the county court system, fees, and how to get records, visit the Multnomah County felony records page.