Multnomah County Court Records
Multnomah County Court records typically consist of all documents, filings, and information regarding cases filed with and resolved by the courts in the county. Court records are maintained by the Multnomah County Circuit Court Records Department along with related Multnomah County Public Records.
These records are usually generated by the courthouses and managed as crucial judicial and legal documents for various purposes. The preliminary intent of creating court records is to showcase the judiciary system's justness, brilliance, and uprightness as they are an authentic, comprehensive report of court proceedings.
Members of the public who wish to study how court processes take place or evaluate the fairness of the legal system can use court records as reference materials. Furthermore, judges and attorneys presiding over particular cases can refer to court records generated from similar cases to aid their decision-making process, thereby establishing court records as legal precedents or models suitable for resolving identical cases. Also, in cases where appeals to higher courts or rebuttals are necessary, court records can be tendered as evidence to help the judge decide a suitable ruling.
The numerous benefits associated with court records within the legal system make it a sought-after document by individuals and organizations. Fortunately, Oregon’s Public Records law (ORS 192) permits individuals, institutions, agencies, and companies to request copies or access to written and recorded court documents and materials in Multnomah County, provided they are not exempted by law. These records can be obtained online, in person, or via mail.
Are Court Records Public in Multnomah County?
Yes. Per ORS 192.324, every individual has a right to examine any public record held by a public body or government agency in the state, except as otherwise expressly stated by ORS 192.338 (Exempt and nonexempt public record to be separated), 192.345 (Public records conditionally exempt from disclosure) and 192.355 (Public records exempt from disclosure).
Thus any interested person can request to view or replicate court records kept by the circuit court in Multnomah. Notwithstanding the exemptions listed above, public records that have been generated more than 25 years ago are to be available for inspection according to ORS192.390. However, court records involving juvenile delinquency, mental ailment, minor dependence, sexual abuse of minors, and adoption are not readily available for public access.
What Do Multnomah County Court Records Contain?
Multnomah County court records contain extensive and detailed information about legal processes in the county. The data found in these records consists of:
- Information about the case, such as the full names and addresses of case parties, the status of the case (whether active or dismissed), case or docket number, date of filing, case type
- Case documents, which include manuscripts, reports, and forms filed in the course of a legal proceeding, such as rulings and verdicts, actions, pleas, and responses
- Evidential materials such as pictures, tapes, audio, written or recorded statements from witnesses, and any other documents submitted as proof in court
- Name of the presiding judge(s)
- Court name and location
- Court dockets and calendars
- Testimonials and affidavits.
The information listed above, among others, is usually enclosed within court records to make such records fit for future reference purposes, aid in researching pending or resolved cases, and help a higher court decide a case in a situation where an appeal is filed.
Where to Conduct a Multnomah County Case Lookup
The Multnomah County Circuit Court handles court records per state and provincial guidelines. Individuals who wish to find court records on a person may visit the circuit court in person or submit requests via mail. Court records generated from the courts in Multnomah can also be looked up using the Oregon Judicial Branch Records and Calendar Search portals.
How to Conduct a Multnomah County Case Records Search
Information seekers willing to find court case records on a person resident in Multnomah can make use of:
- The Online Record Search to access case information is available for public view at no cost. The inquirer must input search parameters such as party name or filing date to aid the search process.
- The OJCIN OnLine (Oregon Judicial Case Information Network) is an online repository accessed by only registered subscribers. It contains court records created by Oregon State Courts, such as the trial, appellate, and tax courts.
- The Records Request form, which is to include the party name, date of birth, and conviction date ( if it is a criminal case) and emailed to Mul.Records@ojd.state.or.us
- The telephone audio copy requests are offered by the Records Department via (503) 988-3003 from 8:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. or 1:30 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on weekdays.
- The in-person or mail request options to obtain court records.
For in-person requests, interested persons can visit the File Room of the Multnomah Circuit Courthouse between 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. on weekdays. The courthouse is located at:
Multnomah Circuit Courthouse
1021 SW 4th Avenue
Room 131
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 988-3957
Fax: (503) 988-5773
To request court records via mail, the requester is required to download and complete the Records Request Form and send it to the address below:
Multnomah County Courthouse
Attn: Records
1021 SW 4th Avenue
Room 131
Portland, OR 97204
Multnomah County Circuit Court makes provision for members of the public to access audio recordings of court hearings on request and transmits them via CDs or verified emails to the interested individual. Such requests can be made in person at the file room or by sending a completed Audio Copy Request form using the mail address:
Multnomah County Courthouse
Attn: FTR Records
1021 SW 4th Avenue
Room 131
Portland, OR 97204
Persons wishing to obtain copies of court records in Multnomah should note that the county makes three documents available to the public: Regular, Certified, and Exemplified. The fee schedules for copies of court records in Multnomah are:
- $3 for regular copies sent via email and $3 plus $0.25 per page for printed copies
- $5 for certified copies sent via email and $5 plus $0.25 per page for printed copies
- $10 for exemplified copies sent via email and $10 plus $0.25 per page for printed copies
- $10 for audio recordings sent via email and an extra $ 1 per CD for physical copies,
Payment for copies of court records can be made using cash, money order, or debit/credit cards.
Multnomah County Civil Court Case Records
Multnomah civil court records include the records, documents, evidence, or other information and files acquired in the process of resolving legal conflicts between individuals or institutions. They are usually records of non-criminal cases.
The Multnomah County Circuit Court maintains civil court case records. Individuals can obtain these records by submitting requests to the courthouse in person or via mail. There are also portals provided by the courthouse with which civil case records can be searched online.
Multnomah County Criminal Court Case Records
Multnomah County Criminal Court Case records are generated in legal proceedings involving criminal activities. They supply information about the criminal accounts of individuals resident or incarcerated in the county. Criminal court case records typically contain the following:
- The name of the accused
- Details of the crime committed
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting officer or agency
- Arraignment date and charges
- Warrants issued during the arrest.
In Multnomah, criminal records are kept by the Oregon State Police Public Records Unit and open for public access, excluding records of ongoing criminal investigations and those sealed by law. A requester can retrieve a copy of a criminal history report by completing the Criminal History Request Form and submitting it alongside fingerprints and a fee of $33 to:
Oregon State Police – Central Records Section
3565 Trelstad Ave SE
Salem, OR 97317
Phone: (503) 378-3725 ex.44444
Fax: (503) 378-6300
Criminal record requests usually have a processing time ranging from seven to 10 working days. Also, certified copies can only be collected in person at the physical office of the Records unit.
How to Get Multnomah County Court Records Online for Free
Individuals interested in finding court records on a person online for free in Multnomah can do so via the Online Records Search. The case number, filing date, and party name can be used as search keywords.
Additionally, the Multnomah Circuit Court provides a free public access terminal where members of the public can look up case information for cases that are not protected by state and federal laws. These terminals can be accessed at no cost. However, obtaining copies of these records may have charges attached to them.
It is also important to note that the court records accessible by the public via these online portals do not include cases involving minors, adoption cases, mental health cases, or those sealed by the Violence Against Women Act.
Courts in Multnomah County
In Multnomah County, there are four Circuit Courts and one Municipal Court. The addresses of the courts are listed below:
Multnomah County Circuit Court
1021 SW 4th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 988-3957
Fax: (503) 988-5773
Multnomah County Circuit Court
Justice Center
1120 SW 3rd Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: (503) 988-3641
Multnomah County Circuit Court - East County Courthouse
18480 SE Stark Street
Portland, OR 97233
Phone: (503) 988-3199
Multnomah County Circuit Court - Juvenile Center
1401 NE 68th Avenue
Portland, OR 97213
Phone: (503) 988-3022 ext. 5
Troutdale Municipal Court
219 East Historic Columbia River Highway
Troutdale, OR 97060
Phone: (503) 665-5175
Fax: (503) 667-6403
