Salem Criminal Records
Salem criminal records are available through several agencies in the state capital. Salem sits in Marion County and serves as both the county seat and the capital of Oregon. The Salem Police Department handles local law enforcement. Criminal cases go to the Marion County Circuit Court for prosecution. Salem also has a municipal court, but it only handles city code violations and is not a court of record. Serious criminal matters from Salem are heard at the circuit court level. This page covers how to find and access criminal records in Salem.
Salem Criminal Records Quick Facts
Salem Police Department Criminal Records
The Salem Police Department creates arrest records, police reports, and incident files for the city. These records document crimes that occur within the Salem city limits. The department is the first place to look when you need a police report from a Salem criminal case.
Visit the Salem Police Department website at cityofsalem.net/departments/police-department for information on how to request records. Police reports are not held at the court. You must go to the arresting agency to get them. For Salem cases, that is the Salem Police Department.
The department handles everything from minor incidents to major crimes. All police reports become part of the Salem criminal records system. An arrest report shows who was detained, the charges, and the facts of the case as officers saw them. These records are separate from court records, which track what happens after charges are filed.
Salem Criminal Cases at Marion County Court
Felonies and serious misdemeanors from Salem go to the Marion County Circuit Court. The courthouse is at 100 High Street NE, Salem, OR 97301. Call (503) 588-5105 for the records division. This is where criminal cases are prosecuted and where case files are kept.
Court records for Salem criminal cases include all documents filed in the case. Charging papers, motions, orders, plea records, and sentencing documents are all part of the file. You can visit the courthouse to search for records at public access terminals. You can also request records by contacting the court directly.
The Marion County Circuit Court records page has full details on how to access Salem criminal records through the court.
The Marion County Circuit Court records page explains how to search for criminal cases filed in Salem and throughout the county.
Note: The Salem Municipal Court at cityofsalem.net/government/municipal-court handles only city code violations. It is not a court of record and only keeps charging documents and judgments.
How to Search Salem Criminal Records
Oregon eCourt Case Information, known as OECI, is the best online tool for searching Salem criminal records. It covers the Marion County Circuit Court and all other circuit courts in the state. You can search by name or case number to find case details, charges, and hearing dates.
Access OECI at courts.oregon.gov. A small fee applies for detailed case searches. The system shows case type, current status, and a list of all filings. It is a fast way to look up Salem criminal records without going to the courthouse.
The Oregon Judicial Department online records system serves as the gateway to court data across the state.
This page from the Oregon Judicial Department provides access to search court records for Salem and all other Oregon jurisdictions.
OJCIN offers a deeper level of access for frequent users. It costs $150 to set up plus per-transaction charges. Most people looking for a single Salem criminal record will find OECI to be enough.
State Criminal History Checks in Salem
Salem is home to the Oregon State Police headquarters. The OSP main office is at 3565 Trelstad Ave SE, Salem, OR 97317. This is where the Criminal Justice Information Services unit, or CJIS, operates. CJIS maintains the central criminal history database for all of Oregon.
You can get a fingerprint-based criminal history check done in person at the OSP headquarters. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. The fee is $33 per check. Processing takes 7 to 10 business days. This is the most thorough type of state criminal history check available.
Under ORS 181A.220, criminal records in the state database are not open to the general public. Access is restricted to specific parties listed in ORS 181A.245. The law defines who can request these records and under what conditions. Learn more at oregon.gov/osp/programs/cjis.
The Oregon State Police CJIS page shows how to request a state criminal history check.
The OSP CJIS website explains the process for obtaining criminal history information from the state database.
Salem Municipal Court Records
Salem has a municipal court, but it is limited in scope. The Salem Municipal Court handles violations of the Salem Municipal Code only. It does not hear criminal cases. Felonies and serious misdemeanors go to the Marion County Circuit Court instead.
The municipal court is not a court of record. It only retains charging documents and judgments. It does not keep full case files the way the circuit court does. If you need a complete criminal record from a Salem case, the Marion County Circuit Court is where to look.
Visit the Salem Municipal Court page at cityofsalem.net/government/municipal-court for details on what it handles. For criminal records, go to the circuit court.
Types of Salem Criminal Records
Salem criminal records come from several sources. Each one covers a different part of the process.
- Arrest records from Salem Police Department
- Police reports and incident files
- Court case records from Marion County Circuit Court
- Sentencing orders and probation records
- State criminal history from Oregon State Police CJIS
Arrest records show that someone was taken into custody in Salem. They do not prove guilt. Court records track the legal case from start to finish. They include the charges, the plea, the trial outcome if there was one, and the sentence. State criminal history records pull data from all agencies across Oregon into one report.
Court records at the Marion County Circuit Court are generally public. Anyone can search the docket for Salem criminal cases. State-level records under ORS 181A.220 have access restrictions.
Note: Sealed and expunged records are removed from public view. Oregon allows certain records to be set aside after the person meets specific conditions.
Getting Copies of Salem Court Records
You can get copies of Salem criminal records in person at the Marion County Circuit Court. Visit the courthouse at 100 High Street NE. Use the public terminals to find the case, then ask the clerk for copies. Both plain and certified copies are available. Fees vary by document type and size.
Call the court at (503) 588-5105 before you go. Staff can tell you what you need to bring and what the current fees are. You can also ask about mailing options if you cannot visit in person.
For state criminal history, mail your request to the Oregon State Police at PO Box 4395, Portland, OR 97208-4395. Or visit the OSP office in Salem at 3565 Trelstad Ave SE for in-person fingerprinting. The cost is $33 per check.
Marion County Criminal Records
Salem is the county seat of Marion County. All criminal cases from Salem are prosecuted at the Marion County Circuit Court. The court also handles cases from Keizer, Woodburn, Stayton, and other cities in the county. For full details on the county court system and how to find criminal records across Marion County, visit the county page.