Deschutes County Court Records

What Is Deschutes County Court Records

Deschutes County court records are official documents created and maintained by the county's court system during legal proceedings. These records document various aspects of court cases, including filings, hearings, judgments, and other legal actions that take place within Deschutes County's jurisdiction. The records are maintained by the Deschutes County Circuit Court and Justice Court, serving as the official documentation of the county's judicial activities.

The Deschutes County Circuit Court, located at 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703, is the primary repository for most court records in the county. These records are essential for maintaining transparency in the judicial system and providing the public with access to information about legal proceedings.

Are Court Records Public In Deschutes County

Yes, most court records in Deschutes County are public information. Oregon follows the state's public records laws, which generally make court records accessible to anyone who requests them. This transparency allows citizens to monitor the judicial system and access information about cases that may affect them.

However, not all court records are publicly available. Certain types of cases and information may be confidential or sealed by court order. These typically include:

• Juvenile cases
• Adoption proceedings
• Mental health commitment records
• Cases involving vulnerable individuals
• Records sealed by judicial order
• Information protected by privacy laws

The Oregon Judicial Department, with offices at 1163 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703, oversees the management and accessibility of court records throughout the state, including Deschutes County.

How To Find Court Records in Deschutes County in 2025

To find court records in Deschutes County in 2025, you have several options:

1. Visit the courthouse in person: You can go to the Deschutes County Circuit Court at 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703 to request records. The court clerk's office can assist with locating and providing copies of public records.

2. Online access: Use the Oregon Judicial Department's online case information system (Oregon eCourt Case Information) to search for cases and access basic information.

3. Submit a written request: Send a formal records request to the Deschutes County Circuit Court Records Department.

4. Contact the Justice Court: For certain types of cases, you may need to contact the Deschutes County Justice Court at 62078 SE 27th Street, Bend, OR 97701.

5. Use third-party services: Various commercial services aggregate and provide access to court records, though these may charge fees and may not have complete information.

When requesting records, be prepared to provide specific information such as case numbers, names of parties involved, and the approximate date of the case to facilitate the search process.

How To Look Up Court Records in Deschutes County Online?

Looking up court records online in Deschutes County is relatively straightforward through the Oregon Judicial Department's electronic systems:

1. Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI): This is the primary online portal for accessing court records. Visit the website at https://publicaccess.courts.oregon.gov/publicaccesslogin/login.aspx. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Basic case information is available for free, but detailed documents may require registration and fees.

2. Oregon Judicial Case Information Network (OJCIN): For more comprehensive access, you can subscribe to OJCIN Online, which provides additional features and document access. This service requires registration and subscription fees.

3. Deschutes County website: The county's official website at https://www.deschutes.org/court provides links to court resources and information about accessing records.

4. Oregon Judicial Department website: The state court system's website at https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/deschutes/records/Pages/default.aspx offers guidance on accessing Deschutes County court records.

The Oregon Judicial Department's Records Section, located at 1163 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703, can provide assistance with online access issues or more complex searches.

Can You Search Deschutes County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search basic Deschutes County court records for free, but there are limitations:

Free options include:

1. Basic case information: The Oregon eCourt Case Information system allows free searches for basic case information, including party names, case types, and filing dates.

2. In-person searches: Visiting the Deschutes County Circuit Court at 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703 allows you to search and view public records at no cost. However, if you need copies, fees will apply.

3. Public access terminals: The courthouse provides public terminals where you can search court records more extensively than through the free online portal.

Fee-based services:

1. Document copies: Obtaining physical or electronic copies of court documents typically involves fees, usually charged per page.

2. OJCIN Online subscription: For comprehensive access to court documents, a subscription to OJCIN Online is required, with various fee structures based on usage needs.

3. Certified copies: Official certified copies of court documents incur additional fees.

The Deschutes County Records Department can be contacted at 541-388-6570 for current fee information and assistance with records requests.

What's Included in a Deschutes County Court Record?

A typical Deschutes County court record contains various documents and information related to a case:

1. Case initiation documents: Complaints, petitions, indictments, or other documents that started the case.

2. Party information: Names and contact information for plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, and other involved parties.

3. Docket sheet: A chronological list of all actions and filings in the case.

4. Court filings: Motions, responses, briefs, and other documents submitted by parties.

5. Evidence: Exhibits and evidence presented during proceedings (though not all evidence may be included in the public record).

6. Court orders and judgments: Official decisions and directives issued by the judge.

7. Hearing and trial transcripts: Written records of court proceedings (these may need to be requested separately).

8. Financial information: Records of fees, fines, restitution, and other financial transactions related to the case.

9. Case disposition: The final outcome or resolution of the case.

The completeness of records may vary depending on the case type and when it was filed. The Deschutes County Circuit Court Records Division at 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703 manages these records and can provide guidance on what's available for specific cases.

How Long Does Deschutes County Keep Court Records?

Deschutes County follows Oregon's statewide retention schedules for court records, which vary by case type:

Criminal cases:

• Felony cases: Typically kept permanently
• Misdemeanor cases: Generally retained for 25-75 years, depending on the offense
• Violations: Usually kept for 5-10 years

Civil cases:

• Major civil cases: Often retained for 10-30 years
• Small claims: Typically kept for 10 years
• Domestic relations (divorce, custody): Generally kept for 30-75 years

Probate and guardianship cases:

• Often retained permanently or for very extended periods (75+ years)

Mental health proceedings:

• Typically kept for 75 years

These retention periods are subject to change based on Oregon Judicial Department policies. Additionally, many older records may be archived rather than destroyed. The Oregon State Archives, located at 800 Summer Street NE, Salem, OR 97310, maintains historical court records that have been transferred from county courts.

For specific information about record retention for a particular case type, contact the Deschutes County Circuit Court Records Division at 541-388-5300.

Types of Courts In Deschutes County

Deschutes County has several types of courts that handle different kinds of cases:

1. Deschutes County Circuit Court: The primary court in the county, handling most civil and criminal matters. Located at 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703.

2. Deschutes County Justice Court: Handles minor offenses, small claims, and certain civil matters. Located at 62078 SE 27th Street, Bend, OR 97701.

3. Municipal Courts: Cities within Deschutes County may have their own municipal courts for city ordinance violations and minor offenses:

   • Bend Municipal Court: 555 NE 15th Street, Bend, OR 97701
   • Redmond Municipal Court: 777 SW Deschutes Avenue, Redmond, OR 97756

4. Specialty Courts: Deschutes County also operates several specialty courts that focus on specific issues:

   • Drug Court
   • Mental Health Court
   • Veterans Treatment Court
   • Family Treatment Court

These specialty courts typically operate within the Circuit Court structure but use alternative approaches focused on treatment and rehabilitation rather than traditional punishment.

What Types of Cases Do Deschutes County Courts Hear?

Deschutes County courts hear a wide variety of cases:

Deschutes County Circuit Court handles:

• Felony criminal cases
• Major civil litigation (cases over $10,000)
• Domestic relations (divorce, custody, support)
• Probate and estate matters
• Guardianships and conservatorships
• Juvenile delinquency and dependency
• Mental health commitments
• Protection orders
• Appeals from lower courts

Deschutes County Justice Court handles:

• Traffic violations
• Minor misdemeanors
• Small claims (up to $10,000)
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Civil cases under $10,000
• Violations of county ordinances

Municipal Courts handle:

• City ordinance violations
• Traffic infractions within city limits
• Minor misdemeanors occurring within city boundaries

The Oregon Tax Court, while not located in Deschutes County (it's based in Salem at 1163 State Street, Salem, OR 97301), also hears tax-related cases from Deschutes County residents.

How To Find a Court Docket In Deschutes County

Finding a court docket in Deschutes County can be done through several methods:

1. Online access: The Oregon eCourt Case Information system (https://publicaccess.courts.oregon.gov/publicaccesslogin/login.aspx) provides access to docket information. Search by case number or party name to view the docket sheet.

2. In-person request: Visit the Deschutes County Circuit Court at 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703 and request docket information from the clerk's office.

3. OJCIN Online: Subscribers to this service have more comprehensive access to docket information and can view more detailed records.

4. Contact the court clerk: Call the Deschutes County Circuit Court clerk's office at 541-388-5300 to inquire about docket information for specific cases.

5. Daily court calendars: The court publishes daily calendars showing scheduled hearings, which are available online or at the courthouse.

For Justice Court dockets, contact the Deschutes County Justice Court at 62078 SE 27th Street, Bend, OR 97701 or call 541-388-5570.

Which Courts in Deschutes County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Deschutes County, the following courts are generally not considered courts of record:

1. Small Claims Division of the Justice Court: Proceedings in small claims cases are typically less formal and not recorded verbatim.

2. Violations Bureau: This administrative division handles minor infractions and violations without formal court proceedings.

3. Some Municipal Court proceedings: Depending on the municipality, certain minor offense proceedings may not be courts of record.

A "court of record" maintains official verbatim transcripts or recordings of proceedings that can be used for appeals and as official documentation. Courts that are not courts of record typically don't maintain such detailed records, and appeals from these courts often result in a completely new trial (trial de novo) rather than a review of the record.

For specific information about whether a particular proceeding is considered a court of record, contact the Deschutes County Circuit Court Administration at 1100 NW Bond Street, Bend, OR 97703 or call 541-388-5300.

Lookup Court Records in Deschutes County

• Oregon Judicial Department: Court Records - Home - Access court records information within Deschutes County, including audio copies, case file copies, and transcripts.

• Oregon Judicial Department: Deschutes Home - The home page for the Deschutes County Circuit Court, with links to court records, going to court, jury duty, and other court resources.

• How to Find a Case or Court Record - Oregon Courts Home - Guidance on how to find a case or court record in Oregon, including free records search and OJCIN Online.

• Justice Court Home | Deschutes County Oregon - Information about the Deschutes County Justice Court, including court appearances, online payments, and announcements.

• Deschutes County Circuit Court - Court Records Directory - Directory providing information about the Deschutes County Circuit Court, including contact details and online court resources.

• Oregon eCourt Case Information - The Oregon eCourt Case Information system for accessing case information for all Oregon circuit courts and the Oregon Tax Court.