My question involves criminal records for the state of: Washington
As you see in the title, I was accused and investigated, but never arrested or charged, prosecutor declined to file (lack of evidence/witnesses). For background, this was in the early '90s when the investigation took place, and the crime was allegedly committed several years earlier (when I was 17, incidentally). So everything is pre-arrest info. However, the record of the investigation is available as a public record from the county in Washington where the investigation happened; I obtained the record from the Sheriff's Office. Despite not being arrested/charged, reading the account is still potentially damaging to my reputation, and I would understandably like to have it removed.
The Washington State Patrol has an expungement form, and according to RCW 10.97.060 non-conviction records should be destroyed at my request. However, their form asks for info that simply doesn't exist: arrest number being an example, and court dates (there are no court dates or any sort of court record, just the sheriff's investigation). I'm still waiting to verify that WSP has no record, but they shouldn't, as all their stuff relies on fingerprints and arrest records from the arresting agency, which don't exist.
Anyway, feels like I'm in a catch-22. I believe (and am verifying) that the only record that exists is in the Sheriff's Office/County. They had a little difficulty finding it, but it's there. My case doesn't fit any of the 'normal' slots; obviously I am grateful that I wasn't arrested, but I'd really like it removed. It's the single police contact of my entire life (excluding a couple small speeding tickets), which is decent considering I'm now well into middle age!
Thanks in advance for your advice.
As you see in the title, I was accused and investigated, but never arrested or charged, prosecutor declined to file (lack of evidence/witnesses). For background, this was in the early '90s when the investigation took place, and the crime was allegedly committed several years earlier (when I was 17, incidentally). So everything is pre-arrest info. However, the record of the investigation is available as a public record from the county in Washington where the investigation happened; I obtained the record from the Sheriff's Office. Despite not being arrested/charged, reading the account is still potentially damaging to my reputation, and I would understandably like to have it removed.
The Washington State Patrol has an expungement form, and according to RCW 10.97.060 non-conviction records should be destroyed at my request. However, their form asks for info that simply doesn't exist: arrest number being an example, and court dates (there are no court dates or any sort of court record, just the sheriff's investigation). I'm still waiting to verify that WSP has no record, but they shouldn't, as all their stuff relies on fingerprints and arrest records from the arresting agency, which don't exist.
Anyway, feels like I'm in a catch-22. I believe (and am verifying) that the only record that exists is in the Sheriff's Office/County. They had a little difficulty finding it, but it's there. My case doesn't fit any of the 'normal' slots; obviously I am grateful that I wasn't arrested, but I'd really like it removed. It's the single police contact of my entire life (excluding a couple small speeding tickets), which is decent considering I'm now well into middle age!
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Expungement and Sealing: No Arrest, Declined to File, but Still Record of Investigation. Can It Be Expunged
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