Deschutes County Court Records
Deschutes County court records consist of all documents filed with or by the clerk or court administrator in any action, suit, or proceeding, including those filed before a judge. The clerk or court administrator of the Deschutes County Circuit Court serves as the official custodian of Deschutes County court records, ensuring they are maintained in accordance with state laws, such as Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 7 and ORS Chapter 192.
Court records are created and preserved to meet the legal, administrative, and historical needs of the state and its citizens. While court records focus on litigation and adjudications, they are distinct from vital records (like marriage licenses) handled by the County Clerk, arrest information managed by the Sheriff’s Office, and federal case files maintained by the U.S. District Court. Together, these records may provide a comprehensive account of legal activity within the county.
Are Deschutes County Court Records Public?
Yes. According to ORS § 192.314 (Oregon’s Public Records Law), every person has a right to inspect public records, except those specifically exempted by statute. Most Deschutes County court records, including civil, small claims, tax, and criminal cases (both misdemeanors and felonies), are generally available for public review. Public access is facilitated through online portals, courthouse kiosks, and mail requests.
However, significant restrictions apply to protect privacy and sensitive information. Records involving adoptions, juvenile matters, mental health adjudications, and cases falling under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) are strictly protected and typically excluded from public search services. Additionally, specific information within public files, such as Social Security numbers, medical data, and sealed records, is restricted from disclosure. Access to confidential files or information usually requires a court order or specific legal authorization.
What Information is Available in Deschutes County Court Records?
Deschutes County court records, which detail the history of a case, are primarily housed in two formats: the Registers of Action and the case files.
Registers of Action function as a summary timeline, listing key events such as document filing dates, hearings and trials, notices, and the entry of orders or judgments. The actual case files contain the original documents submitted to the clerk’s office or court.
Standard information available in court records includes party names (sometimes limited to first and last names on an online portal), case numbers, filing dates, and case dispositions. Additionally, for many case types (excluding traffic and small claims), the court preserves audio recordings and transcripts of proceedings. The jury register is also maintained as part of court records, capturing the names and earned mileage for grand and trial jurors. Finally, exhibits and trial notes are part of court records until they are authorized for destruction or returned following the conclusion of the case.
Deschutes County Court Records Search
Interested individuals may search Deschutes County court records using the following avenues:
- Online Access: The Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) offers a free online search for basic case information and court calendars across circuit courts. For more extensive register details and judgment dockets, qualified users may subscribe to OJCIN OnLine, which includes the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system.
- In-Person Access: The public can visit the Deschutes County Circuit Court at 1100 North West Bond Street in Bend to search circuit court records. Free public access terminals are available in the courthouse to look up information for most non-confidential cases. Other courthouses within the county may also be visited for physical access to cases.
- Mail and Phone Requests: To request copies of circuit court records by mail, individuals may send a letter detailing the parties’ names, the case number, and the specific documents requested. Each mail request must also include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) and a check payable to the State of Oregon (NTE checks up to $30 are accepted if the exact fee is unknown). Phone requests to court staff can provide limited information but may not include case documents.
To determine the availability of mail or phone requests for other courts in Deschutes, one may contact the relevant clerk’s office.
Fees for Court Records in Deschutes County
Obtaining copies of court records in Deschutes County involves several potential costs. The local Justice Court charges 25 cents per page for copies of documents and files, with a $9 fee for the certification of a judgment. For Circuit Court records, fees for paper copies and certifications are set by state law to be
- Photocopy: 25 cents per page
- Certified Copy: $5, plus the standard copy charge
- Exemplified Copy: $10, plus the standard copy charge
Transcripts are significantly more expensive, with state law allowing fees up to $4.25 per page for the original, paid directly to a private transcriber.
The court may waive or reduce fees if the disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
Deschutes County Courthouse Locations
The Deschutes County judicial system includes a state-funded Circuit Court, a Justice Court, and a Municipal Court. Circuit Courts hold general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal proceedings, including felonies, capital murder, and general civil claims without financial limits. These courts also handle specialized matters, such as dissolution of marriage, child custody, probate, and guardianships. Municipal Courts handle city ordinance violations and minor traffic cases. The Justice Court hears traffic and ordinance violations, small claims, and certain civil matters.
Deschutes County Circuit Court
Deschutes County Courthouse
1100 Northwest Bond Street
Bend, OR 97703
Phone: (541) 388-5300
Deschutes County Juvenile Court
Dennis Maloney Community Justice Center
63360 Britta Street
Building 1
PO Box 6005
Bend, OR 97708
Phone: (541) 388-6671
Deschutes County Justice Court
Redmond City Hall
411 Southwest 9th Street
Room 230
Redmond, OR 97756
Phone: (541) 617-4758
Bend Municipal Court
555 Northeast 15th Street
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 388-5572 ext. 9
Criminal Records Access in Deschutes County
Official state-level criminal history checks in Oregon are not handled by the Deschutes County Courts. Instead, the official custodian for these fingerprint-based background checks is the Oregon State Police (OSP), Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. To obtain a personal criminal record, an individual must submit a properly rolled set of fingerprints using an applicant fingerprint card (FD258), a completed request form, and a $33 fee to the OSPCJIS Division in Portland. Fingerprinting services are also available at the OSP General Headquarters in Salem. Requests for criminal records on another individual likewise require a written request and a $33 fee per person searched.
Local criminal case records for Deschutes County can be accessed through the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) online portals. A free records search provides basic case information and dispositions, though OJD warns that this system should not be relied upon for official background checks due to limited identifying information. More extensive details are available via a paid subscription to OJCIN OnLine. Furthermore, the public may use free public access terminals located within the Deschutes County Circuit Court or other courthouses to search registers for non-confidential cases.
Deschutes County Probate Records
Deschutes County probate records encompass a variety of legal documents, mainly covering estate administration, wills, and trusts. Additionally, they include protective proceedings such as conservatorships and guardianships, which are established to manage the affairs of persons who are unable to care for themselves.
While recent, non-confidential filings may be available through the OJD online portal or the paid OJCIN OnLine system, accessing older or more detailed files often requires an in-person visit to the circuit court. Some documents found in estate records include wills, estate inventories, and guardianship reports.
Users should be aware that some probate matters are legally restricted or confidential. For example, records concerning mental health adjudications are generally excluded from public searches to safeguard the privacy of the parties involved. Deschutes County, established in 1916, maintains its historical inventories locally rather than at the State Archives.
Deschutes County Family Court Records
Access to family law cases in Deschutes County includes matters such as divorce (dissolution), custody, child support, and adoption. Basic case information and court calendars are generally available through the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) portal. However, full document registers for most non-confidential cases are best accessed via public access terminals located at the courthouse in Bend.
However, specific case types, such as adoptions and juvenile matters, are statutorily protected and are not available through free online search services. To obtain certified copies of family law documents, individuals must follow guidelines on the local Circuit Court’s website.
Federal Court Records in Deschutes County
The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon maintains federal case jurisdiction over Deschutes County. While the court has primary divisions in cities like Portland and Eugene, it also conducts federal hearings in Bend at the Dennis Maloney Community Justice Center. The public can search and access most federal cases and docket information through the internet-based PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) service. PACER users typically pay 10 cents per page, though fees are waived if charges total less than $30 in a quarterly billing cycle.
Alternatively, individuals may visit the federal clerk’s office to use free public access terminals for viewing records, though printing from these terminals costs 10 cents per page. Paper files for older cases created before 1999 must generally be requested from the specific court or the Federal Records Center. Sealed or restricted documents remain inaccessible to the general public through the federal courts.
