Jefferson County Felony Records
Jefferson County felony records are stored at the Circuit Court in Madras, the county seat. This Central Oregon county sits near the Warm Springs Reservation and covers a wide stretch of high desert and farmland. The Jefferson County Circuit Court handles all criminal cases filed in the county. Court staff can help you find felony case records and get copies of filed documents. Jefferson County felony records date back many years and are kept at the courthouse on SW E Street in Madras.
Jefferson County Quick Facts
Jefferson County Circuit Court
The Jefferson County Circuit Court is the main court for all felony cases in this county. Katie Slattery serves as Court Administration. The court is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. You can call 541-475-3317 to ask about felony records or court procedures.
The Jefferson County Courthouse sits at 129 SW E Street in Madras, Oregon 97741. Mailing goes to Suite 101 at that same address. In July 2016, this became the first courthouse in Oregon completed with funding from the Oregon Courthouse Capital Construction and Improvement Fund. The state put in $6.5 million. Jefferson County added $8.5 million. The City of Madras donated the land for the new building. This modern facility now holds all Jefferson County felony records and court files.
| Court |
Jefferson County Circuit Court Jefferson County Courthouse 129 SW E Street Madras, OR 97741 Phone: 541-475-3317 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | courts.oregon.gov/courts/jefferson |
Search Jefferson County Felony Records
There are two main ways to find felony records in Jefferson County. You can search online or visit the courthouse in person. Each method has its own strengths. Online tools work well for quick lookups. In-person visits let you review full case files and get copies on the spot.
Oregon eCourt Case Information gives you access to circuit court records from all Oregon counties. This includes Jefferson County felony cases. You can search by name or case number. The system shows basic case details and hearing dates. For full documents, you will need to contact the court clerk. Visit courts.oregon.gov to start your search for Jefferson County felony records online.
Public kiosk computers in the Jefferson County courthouse lobby let you look up newer cases yourself. These free terminals connect to the court database. You can search and view case details without staff help. Older cases that have not been put into the digital system can still be found. Court staff will retrieve those non-digitized files by request. Just ask at the clerk window and give them the case name or number.
Note: Adoption and juvenile cases in Jefferson County are kept confidential and are not open to the public.
Jefferson County Court Records
Getting copies of felony records from Jefferson County is a simple process. The Jefferson County court records page has a Copy Request Form you can use. This form is available online and can be printed out. Fill it in and bring it to the court or mail it to the clerk at Suite 101, 129 SW E Street, Madras, Oregon 97741.
Court staff calculates the cost of your copies once they pull the files. Fees depend on the number of pages. If you want copies mailed to you, postage is added to the total. All fees must be paid before copies are made. This applies to all Jefferson County felony records and other court documents.
Under Oregon law, most felony case records are public. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not need to be part of the case. The Oregon court system website can help you find the right court for your search. Jefferson County felony records include charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and other filings.
Felony Records in Jefferson County
A felony case in Jefferson County starts when the district attorney files charges. The case moves through arraignment, pretrial hearings, and either a plea or trial. Each step creates records that stay in the court file. These records are kept at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Madras.
Jefferson County felony records may contain:
- Indictment or charging document
- Arrest warrants and probable cause statements
- Plea agreements entered by the defendant
- Sentencing orders from the judge
- Motions and court rulings
Oregon tracks criminal history through a state database. The Oregon State Police run the Computerized Criminal History system. This lets you check for felony convictions across the whole state, not just Jefferson County. A state background check may show records from multiple counties. You can also search the Oregon offender search tool for people under state supervision.
Note: The 2013 Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Courthouse Capital Construction and Improvement Fund, which helped build the new Jefferson County Courthouse where these records are now stored.
Jefferson County Record Expungement
Some felony records in Jefferson County can be set aside under Oregon law. This is often called expungement. Under ORS 137.225, certain convictions may be eligible after a waiting period. Not all felonies qualify. Serious crimes like murder and sex offenses cannot be expunged.
To start the process, you file a motion with the Jefferson County Circuit Court. The court reviews your case and criminal history. The district attorney can object. If the court grants your motion, the felony record is sealed from public view. It will no longer show up in most searches of Jefferson County felony records.
Oregon has expanded its expungement rules in recent years. More people now qualify to have old records cleared. Talk to a lawyer or legal aid group if you want to know if your Jefferson County felony record can be set aside. The court clerk can tell you what forms you need to file.
Oregon Criminal Records Access
Beyond the Jefferson County court, state resources give you more ways to find felony records. The Oregon Judicial Department maintains the OJCIN online system for case lookups. This covers all 36 Oregon counties. You can check for felony cases filed anywhere in the state from one place.
Under ORS 181A.220, the Oregon State Police maintain criminal records for the entire state. A statewide check can show you felony charges and convictions from Jefferson County and beyond. This is helpful when you need a full picture of someone's criminal history in Oregon.
About Jefferson County
Jefferson County is in Central Oregon with Madras as its county seat. The Warm Springs Reservation borders the county to the west. The area is known for its open desert views, farming, and outdoor recreation. Lake Billy Chinook draws visitors from across the state.
The county has a small but growing population. Most services center around Madras. The Circuit Court serves the entire county from one courthouse. All felony cases for Jefferson County residents go through this single court location. If you live in or were charged in Jefferson County, your felony records are filed here.
Nearby Counties
Jefferson County borders Deschutes County, Crook County, Wasco County, and Marion County. If you are not sure which county handled a felony case, check the location where the crime took place. Felony cases are filed in the county where the offense occurred. Each county keeps its own court records at its own courthouse.