Home › Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

This policy describes the information collected when someone visits Douglas County Criminal History, why it is used, and the limited situations in which another party may receive it. Continued use of the website indicates acceptance of these practices.

Data You Give Us Directly

Search Queries

Names, places, or other terms entered in a search tool are sent to the outside provider that operates that tool. The provider processes the query and supplies its result. Douglas County Criminal History does not keep or log those search terms on its own systems.

Messages and Contact Submissions

If you email us, the message may be retained long enough to review and answer it. It is kept within the organization unless disclosure is required by a valid legal obligation.

Data We Gather Automatically

Standard technical details may be recorded when a page loads:

  • Page-view dates and times
  • Browser type and version
  • Device type and operating system
  • Internet Protocol address
  • Pages viewed and approximate time spent
  • The referring website, when available

Cookies and Analytics

Cookies are small files stored on a device. They can help measure which pages receive traffic, how the website performs, and where visitors leave. Analytics providers may combine those events into general usage reports. A browser can reject cookies, although some website functions may then act differently.

What We Do With This Data

  • Diagnose errors and other technical problems
  • Operate the website and improve load speed
  • Understand which pages are useful to visitors
  • Route a search request to the provider running the tool
  • Display advertising that may reflect visitor interests

No Criminal-Record Data on File

This website does not compile, maintain, or sell a database of personal criminal records. It publishes general information about official Douglas County, Washington, record channels, including the Sheriff, court clerks, Washington State Patrol, and Washington Sex Offender Public Registry. Visitor data is not assembled into third-party dossiers or consumer reports. The site is not a consumer reporting agency under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Third-Party Search Partners

Outside companies power the search boxes. Information submitted to one of those tools is handled under that company's privacy policy and retention rules. We do not control how a partner processes or shares the query. Read the provider's current policy before entering information.

Links to Other Websites

Links may lead to Douglas County offices, Washington courts, state agencies, legal resources, or outside search providers. Once a visitor follows one, the destination's privacy terms apply. Review them before providing personal data.

Advertising providers may also use their own systems to measure activity across websites and select ads. That processing is controlled by the provider.

Who Might See Your Data

Personal information is not sold. Limited data may be available to:

  • Advertising networks that serve ads
  • Analytics vendors that measure traffic and performance
  • Search providers processing a query submitted through their tool
  • Government authorities or law enforcement acting under a valid legal order

How We Protect Your Data

Reasonable, commonly used security practices protect the data handled by this website. No internet service can guarantee perfect security or promise that a breach will never occur.

Users Under 18

The website is intended for adults and does not knowingly collect personal data from a person under 18. If such information is identified, a request may be made for its deletion.

Your Data Rights

Rights can depend on where a visitor lives. The Washington Public Records Act, chapter 42.56 RCW, governs records held by public agencies rather than data held by this private website. Chapter 10.97 RCW separately controls dissemination of Washington criminal-history information. Subject to the law that applies, a visitor may be able to:

  • Request access to personal data held about them
  • Ask that inaccurate information be corrected
  • Seek deletion of eligible personal information
  • Object to or opt out of some types of processing

Updates to This Policy

This privacy policy may be revised as practices or legal duties change. A revised version takes effect when posted here with its new date.

Effective date: August 10, 2026