Washington County Arrest Records

An arrest record is a formal account of a person’s arrest, including details such as their name, date of arrest, charges filed, and the arresting agency. It documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody, potentially for questioning or further investigation,  regarding a specific incident.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies are authorized to make an arrest when an individual's actions disclose an intention to commit a crime or when they observe a crime being committed.

Arrested persons are generally entitled to bail within a reasonable time, but bail may be denied for gross misdemeanors and felonies. In such cases, arrestees may be held in the Washington County Jail pending arraignment and the court's ruling on their bail application. The bail hearing and subsequent trial proceedings are court data, forming part of the Washington County Court records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

Under the Nebraska Public Records Statutes (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712), arrest records in Washington County are considered public information and are generally available for inspection and copying.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office handles requests and provides in-person access. By law, the Sheriff's Office must respond to requests within five business days. While these records are open to the public, specific details may be withheld if deemed confidential or protected by the Nebraska Public Records Statutes.

Per the Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2,712.05, the following records are typically considered confidential:

• Information about minors.
• Personal privacy records include specific medical, psychological, or employee files.
• Security or safety information, such as details about facilities or systems.
• Confidential communications are protected by statute or privilege.
• Trade secrets.

Eligible requesters include legal professionals, employers, journalists, and the record subject. To request physical copies of arrest records, visit or contact the:

Washington County Sheriff’s Office
1535 Colfax Street
Blair, NE 68008
Phone: (402) 426-6866

Washington County Arrest Statistics

The 2022 Crime in Nebraska report shows that law enforcement agencies across the state made 38,027 arrests that year. This marks a slight decline from the 38,149 arrests reported in 2021. The most frequent offenses leading to arrests in 2022 included drug-related violations (7,446), DUI offenses (4,807), simple assault (3,858), theft or larceny (3,193), and liquor law violations (2,206). These arrests contributed to Washington County’s incarceration rates, with arrestees either jailed at the county facility or temporarily held in neighboring jurisdictions, depending on capacity and case complexity.

Find Washington County Arrest Records

There are multiple outlets for accessing arrest and inmate information in Washington County:

Washington County Sheriff’s Office

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office maintains local arrest logs and booking records. Requesters may call or visit in person to check the arrest lists. The department’s website does not have online databases for arrest rosters, so residents may look up those arrested and released by the Sheriff's Office within the last 24 hours by visiting:

Washington County Sheriff’s Office
1535 Colfax Street
Blair, NE 68008
Phone: (402) 426-6866

Nebraska State Patrol

The Nebraska State Patrol provides criminal history reports, including name-based and fingerprint-based checks. Requesters may request a Nebraska criminal history:

• By requesting an Online Criminal Report for a fee of $30.00, 
• By submitting a completed Criminal History Record request form (along with payment of $15.50) in person to any Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area office.
• By mailing a completed Criminal History Record Request form along with a $15.50 payment (cashier's check, personal check , or money order) to the Criminal Identification Division.

Federal Bureau of Prisons

At the federal level, the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator allows searches for inmates housed in federal facilities since 1982. The system may be queried by an individual’s name, BOP register number, FBI number, or INS number.

Washington County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records document instances where individuals were apprehended and detained by law enforcement. An arrest record only shows that an individual was taken into custody,  without implying guilt. It usually includes the date and time of the arrest, charges, and the arresting agency. A criminal record, however, is much more comprehensive. It includes information about charges, court proceedings, convictions, and sentences. It gives a complete picture of a person’s interactions with the justice system from encounter to release. 

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Washington County, Nebraska, arrest records generally stay on file indefinitely unless expunged or sealed. Expungement is a legal remedy that allows arrestees to legally remove a record from their criminal background history. To qualify, residents must wait at least three years from the date of judgment and ensure that they haven't been convicted of any new crimes other than traffic offenses. 

Washington County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a formal court order authorizing law enforcement officers to take an individual into custody. In Washington County, a judge may issue an arrest warrant when a person fails to adhere to the conditions of their release agreement or does not appear in court as required.

Once issued, the warrant may be executed by any authorized peace officer.

 A typical arrest warrant in Washington County, Nebraska includes:

• The full name and any known aliases of the person to be arrested.
• Physical description or identifying details ensure that the correct individual is apprehended.
• A clear statement of the offense the person is accused of committing. 
• The date of issuance and the name and signature of the magistrate who authorized the warrant.
• Instructions to law enforcement officers to apprehend the person and bring them before the court.

If an individual does not comply with the conditions of their release, the court may also order the forfeiture of any posted bail. In such cases, the state or county may keep the bail amount. The court will notify both the individual and any sureties about the potential loss of bail. If the person does not appear within 30 days or provide an acceptable explanation for their absence, the court will enter a judgment for the full bail amount.

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Washington County, an arrest warrant remains active until the individual named in it appears before the court, dies, or the warrant is formally recalled or cancelled by a judge.

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

In Washington County, arrest records may be sealed or erased through expungement under Nebraska law- Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523, making them inaccessible to the public. Eligibility Requirements for Expungement Include:

• A 3-year waiting period from the date of judgment. 
• The successful completion of any probation or parole.
• No new convictions (other than traffic offenses) within the ten years before applying.

The process involves gathering relevant documents, filing a petition with the Washington County District Court, notifying the arresting agency, and possibly attending a hearing. If granted, the record is either sealed or destroyed.

Note: Some government agencies may still retain limited access even after expungement.