Washington D.C. Criminal Records

Are Criminal Records Public in Washington DC?

Yes. Criminal records in Washington DC, are generally public unless prevented by a court order or statutory restriction. The Washington DC Freedom of Information Act preserves access to such records. Residents and non-residents can obtain such records by submitting mail or in-person requests to official custodians, such as the Metropolitan Police Department.

What is Considered a Criminal Record in Washington DC?

A criminal record, also known as a rap sheet, is an official document that records a person’s criminal history. The information is assembled and updated from trial courts, courts of appeals, and DC correctional facilities. While the standard for criminal record collection and storage varies from county to county, a large percentage of criminal records in Washington, D.C., are stored in public online record depositories.

What Shows Up on a Criminal Record in Washington DC?

Although the exact information contained in a criminal record varies with the subject, most records provide the following general details:

• The subject’s name and other personal information
• Contact information (physical address and county of residence)
• Descriptors such as height, weight, race, body tattoos, and piercings
• Offense information
• Disposition for every offense
• Judgment for the listed offenses
• Incarceration details
• Conviction status
• Post-conviction status

How to Obtain Criminal Records in Washington DC?

The Metropolitan Police Department outlines the procedure for accessing criminal records in the District of Columbia. Generally, requesters wishing to access criminal records in Washington DC, must write a notarized letter requesting a criminal background check on the interest.

Next, the requester must attach a government-issued photo ID and payment for the request. Then, the requester must enclose the request in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Requesters living in Washington DC, may drop off the letter in person, while out-of-state requesters may send the request via US mail to:

Metropolitan Police Department
Criminal History Section
300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 1075
Washington DC 20001

Generally, it takes six weeks to process this request. However, requesters who need criminal history information on persons of interest have other alternatives. Free public criminal records are not usually available from the Metropolitan Police Department. However, the record custodian may waive the nominal fees if releasing the criminal records serves the public’s interests. Otherwise, a requester may perform a free criminal record check on private databases that aggregate criminal information. These private databases also provide access to other police records, e.g., arrest records. However, the completeness of information from such free websites is not guaranteed. Many of the free criminal records from such private websites are grossly inaccurate.

Criminal records, considered public in the United States, are also made available through some third-party aggregate sites. Searching with third-party websites is often easier as the information is not limited to geographic record availability.

Information on third-party websites can serve as a jumping-off point for parties searching for specific or multiple records. Typically, requesters must provide the following information to gain access to these records:

• The record subject’s name, unless the subject is a juvenile.
• The record subjects’ last known location, including cities, counties, and states.

Third-party websites offer these search services, but they are not government-sponsored. Availability of records may vary.

Washington DC Arrest Records

Washington DC arrest records are official documents providing information about a person being questioned, apprehended, taken into custody, or placed in detention. You may also be held for investigation and/or charged with, indicted, or tried for any felony, misdemeanor, or other offense by any law enforcement or military authority. In the District of Columbia, a person is arrested once there are reasonable grounds to believe they committed a crime. Arrest records are one of the several components of police records in Washington DC. Police records also include incident reports and logs that track police activity in a particular case.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington DC?

Yes. Arrest and related police records are public information in Washington DC unless sealed by court order or restricted by statute. Interested persons must visit the arresting agency and request the public arrest record of the person of interest. Generally, the record custodian will require the requester to pay a small fee for the arrest search that covers the costs of copying the documents. Free arrest records are not usually available - the record custodian may waive the nominal fees if releasing the arrest records serves public interests.

What are Arrest Warrants in Washington DC?

A D.C. arrest warrant is an official document that is issued by a judge or magistrate on behalf of the local and state jurisdictions, which authorizes a police officer to arrest or detain the person or people named on the warrant or to search and seize the individual’s property. In the District of Columbia, the police can arrest a person for committing a crime without an arrest warrant, 23–581. Arrests without a warrant by law enforcement officers. This might happen only when a person commits a crime in an officer’s presence. The District of Columbia publishes a publicly available list of active warrants in the District. Concerned community residents may conduct an active warrant search using the arrest warrant's name, issue number, and year.

How to Lookup Inmate Records in Washington DC

Washington DC inmate records are official documents of information about a person’s current and sometimes past inmate status. These records often include the inmate’s name, incarceration date, expected release date, convicted offense, and sometimes photos. Interested persons may conduct an inmate search by calling the Washington Department of Corrections Records Office at (202) 523-7060.

How Do I Find Sex Offenders in Washington DC?

The Washington DC Sex offender registry is a public database of persons convicted of sex crimes in the District of Columbia. In most cases, jurisdictions compile their laws into sections, such as traffic, assault, and sexual. Judges are given discretion as to whether sex offenders must register for crimes besides the charges listed under the sex offender registration law.

The District of Columbia created the publicly available sex offender registry following the enactment of Megan's Law. This law requires states and municipalities to provide information on registered sex offenders to the residents of that jurisdiction. The first Megan's Law appeared after the rape and murder of 7-year-old New Jersey resident Megan Kanka by a sex offender who lived in the girl's own neighborhood.

The District of Columbia requires any person convicted or found guilty of committing a sexually violent offense to register within three days. Also, the law sets the time for sex registration, a 10-year registration after conviction and release into the community for nonviolent crimes against a minor victim. Lifetime registration applies to persons convicted of sexually violent offenses or habitual sex offenders.

Understanding DUI Laws in Washington DC

The terms DWI and DUI in the District of Columbia are used to refer to drunk driving offenses. However, the legal descriptions of these offenses are different based on the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). On one hand, DWI refers to driving and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or substances that impair a driver’s physical or mental coordination.

Indictment for drunk driving follows a field sobriety test to determine the impairment level of a driver’s perception and coordination skills. Officers may also administer a chemical test on the suspected driver’s breath, blood, or urine sample. A driver with a BAC of 0.08 or higher will lose driving privileges and face DWI charges. Meanwhile, DUI is the less serious drunk driving offense and refers to driving or operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.07 or lower.

The reading result is generally admissible in court and used in determining penalties for drunk driving offenses. Pending a court hearing, however, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) shall suspend the driver’s license. Generally, the penalties for DUI and DWI in the District of Columbia include license suspension, jail time, and court fines. The court may also order the driver to install an ignition interlock device and complete a substance treatment program at personal expense. Furthermore, the conviction for alcohol-related drunk driving stays on the driver’s record for life.

Washington DC Misdemeanors Laws: Offenses and Penalties

A misdemeanor is a non-indictable offense and is generally less severe than felonies. However, like felonies, a misdemeanor charge is categorized into classes. This system describes the alleged crime's severity. In the District of Columbia, misdemeanors are specified as Class A, B, C, or D; or they are unclassified. Penalties can vary from 30 days for Class D misdemeanors to one year for a Class A misdemeanor.

Washington DC Felony Laws: Offenses and Penalties

Felony offenses in the District of Columbia refer to criminal convictions with a maximum sentence of more than one (1) year. Inmates serve this conviction in a county jail or state prison. In some cases, a felony conviction can even be punished by death. Felonies are capital felonies, or Class A, B, C, or D felonies; or they are unclassified, 18 U.S. Code § 3559 - Sentencing classification of offenses.

If a felony is specified, the sentence will be specified in the criminal statute. Different sentencing laws apply for crimes committed in D.C. before July 1, 1981, but unclassified felonies are judged according to the seriousness of the crime and its cost.

What Information is Provided in Washington DC Parole Records?

Parole records are official documents that include information about the release of a prisoner who agreed to certain conditions before completion of their maximum sentence. While the prisoner is on supervised parole, the board shall need the parole to pay a monthly supervision fee of not less than $30. This is If the board agrees to accept a lower fee after determining the inability of the prisoner to pay. The board may also impose any conditions of parole it deems right. The board ensures the interests of the prisoners and citizens of Washington DC are served.

Are Probation Records Public in Washington DC?

Probation records are official documents that show when a person receives probation as an alternative to prison. Probation allows people convicted of a crime in the District of Columbia to serve their sentences out of custody as long as they follow probation conditions imposed by the judge and probation officer.

Generally, the length and nature of probation differ (sometimes drastically) from case to case. Probation typically falls into three categories: minimally supervised, supervised, and intensive. Intense probation is a very strict probation with conditions that vary from state to state but that emphasize punishment and control of the offender within the community.

Are Juvenile Criminal Records Public in Washington DC?

A juvenile criminal record is an official record of information about criminal activity committed by children or adolescents who are not yet of legal adult age. Juveniles are not convicted of a crime like adults but instead are found “adjudicated delinquent”. These criminal records are often mistakenly erased or expunged once a person becomes of legal adult age, but in fact, the record remains unless the person petitions to have it expunged. If a person was found adjudicated delinquent to a criminal offense, they do not have to respond “yes” if asked whether they have ever been convicted of a crime unless the question specifically asks if they were ever adjudicated delinquent as well.

What are Conviction Records in Washington DC?

A conviction record is an official document providing information that a person was found guilty, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest against criminal charges in a civilian or military court. These criminal charges may be classified as a felony, misdemeanor, or other offense. Conviction includes a person judged as a delinquent or less than honorably discharged or placed on probation, fined, imprisoned, or paroled. A criminal conviction is rendered by a jury of peers or a judge in a court of law. A conviction does not include a final judgment by a pardon, set aside, reversed, or otherwise rendered inoperative.

District of Columbia History and Accuracy of Criminal Records

The accuracy of the data of criminal records depends on the recordkeeping and technological capabilities of the jurisdiction where the record was assembled and later digitized. District of Columbia criminal records archives usually go back as far as the 1970s. Criminal and arrest data started to centralize and be compiled into an organized database, much like we use today. Accuracy was more commonly affected by human error in the past. In the 1990s, the quality and accuracy of record-keeping improved exponentially due to computers, so the information provided on StateRecords.org will vary from person to person.

Find District of Columbia Criminal History Record for Free

Criminal history records are subject to the Washington DC Public Records Act. Hence, anyone may obtain criminal history records in the state. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC) is the state custodian for criminal history records and other criminal justice information. The MPDC is D.C.’s state police department. A record seeker can submit a criminal history request on a subject through this agency.

The MPDC accepts both in-person and mail requests for criminal histories. A record seeker must schedule an appointment through the MPDC online booking system to submit an in-person request. Record seekers will fill out a Criminal History Request form (PD Form 70) on the day of their appointment (PD Form 70). The PD form 70 will be issued to the record seeker on the appointment day when they visit the MPDC Arrest and Criminal History Section on the third floor of Police Headquarters at

Henry J. Daly Building
MPDC Headquarters
300 Indiana Avenue, NW, Room 1075
Washington DC 20001
Phone: (202) 727-4245

After completing the form, the requester must submit it with a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or an original birth certificate and social security card, to the section’s clerk.

Alternatively, a record seeker can write a letter requesting the record. The letter must be notarized, include a $7 money order payable to D.C’s Treasurer, and sent in a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Police Headquarters address.

Are Police Records Public in the District of Columbia?

Yes, to some extent, police records in Washington DC, are public. Washington DC police records are subject to the state Public Record Act. Hence, they may be requested and inspected by the general public. Police records provide information about crimes, arrests, and criminal activities in Washington DC. These include criminal justice information such as investigation reports, arrest logs, criminal records, incident reports, and arrest records.

However, per the codes of the District of Columbia § 2–534, certain types and parts of police records are exempted from being publicly disclosed. These include and are not limited to:

• Information whose disclosure constitutes an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
• Body camera footage recorded by the Metropolitan Police Department
• Records related to domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault incidents
• Records whose disclosure may interfere with
  • Enforcement proceedings
  • Council investigations
  • Ongoing office or police complaints investigations
• Disclosure of records that can deprive a person of their right to a fair trial or impartial adjudication
• Information that can disclose the identity of confidential sources in criminal and national security intelligence investigations.
• Records whose disclosure can expose investigative techniques and procedures that are not public or may endanger law enforcement personnel's life or physical safety.

How to Obtain Police Records in the District of Columbia

Provided a police record does not fall under any of Washington DC’s disclosure limitations, interested persons can obtain them from the state Metropolitan Police Department’s Arrest and Criminal History Section. To request a desired record, record seekers must contact the MPDC Arrest and Criminal History section at (202) 727-4245 or visit the section in person to make inquiries.

However, it should be noted that not every police record is open to the public. Thus, only certain police records, such as arrest records, are made available to the public. Regardless, to make a record request, one would need to provide one of the following forms of identification:

• Driver's License
• Non-Driver ID
• Original Birth Certificate, and Social Security Card

Are Police Reports Public Records?

A police record is an official document containing information about an occurrence, incident, or crime reported to a law enforcement agency. Police reports typically contain basic information about the identities of the parties involved, the event’s timeline, and other facts surrounding the reported incident. Depending on the type of police report, additional information may also be available. In Washington DC, police reports are mainly categorized as accident reports (PD-10s) and incident/offense reports (PD-251s).

Although both incident/offense reports and accident reports are considered public records, in Washington DC, third-party record seekers are usually charged a fee to obtain these reports. Only first-party requests are exempt from paying fees for furnished copies of these records. First-party request refers to police record requests submitted by the parties involved, their attorney, attorney staff, and investigators.

How to File a Police Report with District of Columbia Law Enforcement

There are several ways to file a police report in Washington, D.C. Capital residents can use the citizen online reporting tool (CORT) maintained by the state Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC), call 911, or visit their nearest police district. The type of incident one wants to report would determine the means one will use. Generally, if the incident falls under any of the following categories, it may be reported online using CORT:

• Lost property
• Lost vehicle tags
• Theft/auto theft
• Destruction of property
• Damage to property

Note that credit card fraud and/or identity theft are characterized by stolen checkbooks, debit cards, credit cards, social security cards, social security numbers, etc., used in making unauthorized purchases should not be filed online. Additionally, an incident must also meet all of the following requirements before it can be reported online:

• It must take place in Washington DC and not on a Metrorail, Metrobus, or metro property.
• The suspect must be unknown to the individual filing the report
• The suspect has left the scene.
• No party involved has sustained any injury
• The incident is not a traffic crash
• There are no witnesses
• There is no apparent need for investigation at the incident’s scene, such as video surveillance recordings.
• There is no obvious physical evidence at the incident scene.
• The incident must be less than six months old.

Police reports on incidents that do not meet the aforementioned requirements must be filed by either calling 911 or reporting in person at the nearest police district. Contrary to popular belief, using different methods of filing reports to make multiple reports on the same event would not result in a faster response. Rather, it may lead to confusion, slowing down response.

One can follow the following steps to file a police report in Washington DC online:

• Navigate the Online Reporting Tool on the Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC) website. Choose an incident type and click on the “Continue” button. One would need to provide their name and email address.
• Select the relevant options that best describe the incident being reported.
• Complete the online form and submit it for it to be reviewed by the MPDC. The MPDC would a temporary case number to the email provided

It takes approximately two (2) business days for an online report to be reviewed by the MPDC. If additional questions are needed, the MPDC will contact the reporter. Once the report is fully approved, the MPDC will send the final case number and a link to print it.

To inquire how to use other methods to file a police report, call 911 or visit the nearest police district. It is important to note that making a false or fictitious police report is a crime. Per D.C. Official Code § 5-117.05, persons convicted of such a crime may be subject to a maximum fine of $300 or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.

Where to Find Free Public Police Records

Under D.C. Code § 2-532, public bodies are allowed to charge a fee for searching and making copies of requested public records. Hence, the metropolitan police department usually charges record seekers a fee for furnishing copies of public police records. Fortunately, the MPDC also provides certain police records statistics for free on DC’s Crime Cards online through the department website. These include arrests, homicides, and firearm recovery records in Washington DC.

How to Find Mugshots in the District of Columbia

There is no dedicated online database maintained by the state government that inquirers can use to find mugshots in Washington DC. However, inquirers can inspect an individual’s Washington DC criminal records, such as their arrest records, through the Metropolitan Police Department (MPDC) to find the subject's mugshot.

State residents may also find mugshots through free-to-use online registries the government maintains. For instance, Washington DC’s sex offenders registry provides offenders' mugshots and basic information. Alternatively, interested persons can use third-party websites offering Washington DC background check services.

By performing a background check on a subject, one can inspect their Washington DC criminal records, which typically include mugshots.