Deschutes County Court Records
What Is Deschutes County Court Records
Deschutes County court records are official documents created and maintained by the county's judicial system that document legal proceedings within the jurisdiction. These records are generated and preserved pursuant to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) Chapter 7, which governs court records management throughout the state. Court records serve as the official documentation of actions taken by the courts and include a variety of documents related to civil, criminal, family, probate, and other legal matters.
The Deschutes County Circuit Court is the primary custodian of court records within the county. As part of the Oregon Judicial Department, the court maintains records in accordance with state retention schedules and public access laws. These records document the activities of the court system and provide a historical account of legal proceedings that have occurred within the county.
Deschutes County Circuit Court 1100 NW Bond Street Bend, OR 97703 541-388-5300 Deschutes County Circuit Court
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding legal holidays.
Are Court Records Public In Deschutes County
Court records in Deschutes County are generally considered public documents in accordance with Oregon's Public Records Law (ORS Chapter 192) and the Oregon Constitution. The presumption of openness applies to most court records, allowing members of the public to access and inspect these documents. This transparency promotes accountability within the judicial system and enables citizens to monitor court activities.
However, certain exceptions to public access exist under Oregon law. Records that may be restricted include:
- Juvenile proceedings (ORS 419A.255)
- Adoption records (ORS 109.319)
- Mental health commitment proceedings (ORS 426.160)
- Certain family law matters involving sensitive information
- Records sealed by court order pursuant to ORS 137.225
- Cases involving vulnerable individuals where disclosure would create risk of harm
The Oregon Judicial Department has established specific rules governing public access to court records through the Uniform Trial Court Rules (UTCR) and Supplementary Local Rules (SLR). Individuals seeking access to court records in Deschutes County must comply with these regulations, which balance the public's right to information with privacy concerns and safety considerations.
Requests for public court records may be submitted to the Deschutes County Circuit Court Records Department either in person, by mail, or through the court's online records request system.
How To Find Court Records in Deschutes County in 2025
Members of the public seeking court records in Deschutes County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Oregon Judicial Department has continued to enhance its digital infrastructure to improve public access while maintaining appropriate security measures.
To obtain court records in Deschutes County, individuals may:
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Visit the Deschutes County Circuit Court in person at the courthouse located at 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703. The Records Department is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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Submit a written request to the court by mail, including case number (if known), names of parties involved, approximate date of filing, and specific documents requested.
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Access the Oregon Judicial Department's online records portal, which provides electronic access to non-confidential court records.
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Submit a public records request through the Deschutes County government website for certain county-maintained judicial records.
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Contact the court by telephone at 541-388-5300 to inquire about record availability and retrieval procedures.
Pursuant to ORS 21.245, fees may apply for searching and copying court records. Current fee schedules are available at the courthouse or on the Oregon Judicial Department website. Certified copies of court documents require additional fees as established by state statute.
How To Look Up Court Records in Deschutes County Online?
The Oregon Judicial Department provides electronic access to Deschutes County court records through its Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system. This online platform allows users to search for case information and access certain court documents remotely. To utilize this service, individuals should:
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Navigate to the Oregon Judicial Department's public access portal.
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Register for an account or log in as a guest user (guest access provides limited information).
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Select Deschutes County from the jurisdiction menu.
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Enter search criteria such as case number, party name, or filing date.
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Review search results and select specific cases to view available information.
The OECI system provides access to:
- Case registers (chronological listing of filings)
- Party information
- Hearing schedules
- Judgment information
- Case status updates
For complete case files or documents not available online, requestors must contact the Deschutes County Circuit Court directly. In accordance with UTCR 3.190, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still providing public access to the substance of court proceedings.
Users should note that pursuant to ORS 192.345, some records accessible through the online system may have restricted access based on case type or content. The system will indicate when such restrictions apply.
Can You Search Deschutes County Court Records for Free?
Deschutes County provides several options for free access to basic court record information. The Oregon Judicial Department maintains a commitment to public transparency while balancing the costs associated with records management.
Free access options include:
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Basic case information searches through the Oregon Judicial Department's public access website, which provides limited information without charge.
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In-person inspection of non-confidential court records at the Deschutes County Courthouse during regular business hours. Pursuant to ORS 192.324, individuals have the right to inspect public records without charge, though fees may apply for copies.
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Court calendars and hearing schedules, which are publicly available online and posted at the courthouse.
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Self-service terminals located at the Deschutes County Law Library, which provide free access to electronic court records.
While basic searches are available without charge, fees may apply for:
- Printed copies of documents ($0.25 per page as of 2025)
- Certified copies of court records ($5.00 per document)
- Records searches requiring extensive staff time
- Archived records retrieval
The Deschutes County Circuit Court accepts fee waiver applications for individuals who demonstrate financial hardship, pursuant to ORS 21.682. Fee waiver forms are available at the court clerk's office or on the Oregon Judicial Department website.
What's Included in a Deschutes County Court Record?
Deschutes County court records typically contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings from initiation through resolution. The content of these records is governed by Oregon Revised Statutes and court rules regarding record creation and maintenance.
A complete court record generally includes:
- Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments)
- Summonses and service of process documentation
- Pleadings filed by all parties
- Motions and responses
- Court orders and judicial decisions
- Judgment documents
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Evidence logs (not necessarily the evidence itself)
- Case registers showing chronological listing of all filings
- Notices of appeal and appellate documents
For criminal cases, additional components may include:
- Charging instruments
- Bail and release information
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (access restricted)
- Sentencing documents
- Probation reports
Family law cases may contain:
- Parenting plans
- Child support calculations
- Financial disclosure statements
- Domestic violence protective orders
The completeness of court records varies by case type and age. Pursuant to ORS 7.095, the clerk of the court is responsible for maintaining these records in accordance with retention schedules established by the State Court Administrator.
How Long Does Deschutes County Keep Court Records?
Deschutes County retains court records in accordance with the Oregon Judicial Department's records retention schedule, which is established pursuant to ORS 8.125. The retention period varies based on case type, significance, and legal requirements.
Standard retention periods include:
- Felony cases: 75 years from date of final disposition
- Misdemeanor cases: 25 years from date of final disposition
- Civil cases: 10 years after final judgment
- Domestic relations cases: 30-75 years depending on case type
- Probate cases: 30 years after closing
- Small claims: 10 years after judgment
- Traffic violations: 5 years after disposition
Cases of historical significance or precedential value may be retained permanently. After the designated retention period expires, records may be:
- Transferred to the Oregon State Archives for permanent preservation
- Converted to microfilm or digital format for extended retention
- Destroyed in accordance with authorized disposition procedures
Individuals seeking older court records should note that records past their retention period may have been destroyed pursuant to state law. Records from cases prior to 1990 may be stored off-site and require additional time for retrieval. The Deschutes County Circuit Court Records Department can provide information about the availability of specific historical records.
Types of Courts In Deschutes County
Deschutes County's judicial system consists of several court types, each with distinct jurisdictions and functions within Oregon's unified court system. These courts operate under the authority granted by the Oregon Constitution and state statutes.
The primary courts operating in Deschutes County include:
Deschutes County Circuit Court 1100 NW Bond Street Bend, OR 97703 541-388-5300 Deschutes County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction handling felonies, major civil cases, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters.
Deschutes County Justice Court 700 NW Bond Street Bend, OR 97703 541-388-5596 Deschutes County Justice Court
The Justice Court handles minor offenses, small claims, traffic violations, and certain civil matters with limited monetary jurisdiction.
U.S. District Court - District of Oregon (Bend Division) 431 SW Evergreen Avenue Redmond, OR 97756 541-504-1060 U.S. District Court - Oregon
The federal court handles cases involving federal law, constitutional questions, and disputes between parties from different states with amounts in controversy exceeding $75,000.
Additionally, specialized court programs operate within these court structures, including drug court, mental health court, veterans court, and family treatment court, which provide alternative approaches to addressing specific legal issues.
What Types of Cases Do Deschutes County Courts Hear?
Deschutes County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters in accordance with their statutory jurisdiction. The types of cases heard by each court are determined by Oregon law and local court rules.
The Deschutes County Circuit Court, as a court of general jurisdiction, hears:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil actions exceeding $10,000 in damages
- Domestic relations cases (divorce, custody, support)
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Juvenile dependency and delinquency matters
- Mental health commitments
- Land use appeals
- Protective proceedings
The Deschutes County Justice Court's jurisdiction includes:
- Misdemeanors and violations occurring within the county
- Civil disputes with claims up to $10,000
- Small claims up to $5,000
- Traffic violations
- County ordinance violations
- Landlord-tenant disputes
The U.S. District Court - District of Oregon (Bend Division) adjudicates:
- Federal criminal prosecutions
- Civil actions arising under federal law
- Bankruptcy proceedings
- Patent and copyright cases
- Diversity jurisdiction cases
- Constitutional challenges
- Federal habeas corpus petitions
Case assignment within these courts follows established protocols based on case type, complexity, and judicial workload. Pursuant to ORS 3.225, the Presiding Judge of the Circuit Court has authority to establish specialized dockets and assign judges to particular case types to promote efficient administration of justice.
How To Find a Court Docket In Deschutes County
Court dockets in Deschutes County provide a chronological listing of scheduled court proceedings and filed documents in specific cases. These dockets are maintained by the clerk of the court and are generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions for confidential cases.
To access court dockets in Deschutes County, individuals may:
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Visit the Oregon Judicial Department's online calendar system, which provides real-time access to court schedules and hearing information.
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Contact the Deschutes County Circuit Court clerk's office at 541-388-5300 to inquire about specific case schedules.
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Visit the courthouse in person to view posted daily dockets, which are typically displayed in public areas of the courthouse.
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Subscribe to the Oregon Judicial Department's electronic notification service for updates on specific cases of interest.
Docket information typically includes:
- Case number and title
- Names of parties and attorneys
- Scheduled hearing dates and times
- Courtroom assignments
- Type of proceeding
- Presiding judge
Pursuant to UTCR 3.180, certain proceedings may be closed to the public, and their docket information may be restricted. These typically include juvenile proceedings, adoption hearings, and certain family law matters involving sensitive information.
For specialized dockets such as drug court or mental health court, interested parties should contact the specific program coordinator for schedule information, as these proceedings may follow different calendaring procedures.
Which Courts in Deschutes County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Deschutes County, certain judicial forums operate as non-record courts, meaning they do not maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings as required by ORS 8.225 for courts of record. These non-record courts typically handle less serious matters and provide more informal proceedings.
The primary non-record court in Deschutes County is:
Deschutes County Justice Court 700 NW Bond Street Bend, OR 97703 541-388-5596 Deschutes County Justice Court
As a non-record court, the Justice Court:
- Does not routinely create verbatim transcripts of proceedings
- Maintains case files and written records of dispositions
- Issues written judgments and orders
- Provides more informal procedures than courts of record
Other non-record judicial forums in Deschutes County include:
- Small Claims Division of the Justice Court
- County Code Enforcement Hearings
- Administrative hearings for certain county matters
Appeals from these non-record courts proceed as trials de novo (new trials) in the Circuit Court, rather than reviews of the record, pursuant to ORS 53.090. This means that when a case is appealed from a non-record court, the entire matter is reheard in Circuit Court as if the original proceeding had not occurred.
Parties appearing in non-record courts should be aware that if they anticipate appealing a decision, they may need to make their own arrangements for recording proceedings, subject to court approval and applicable rules.
Lookup Court Records in Deschutes County
Access Deschutes County Circuit Court records
Submit public records requests to Deschutes County
Search Oregon court cases online
Access Oregon eCourt calendars and case information
Find federal court records for Oregon