Linn County, located in the western part of Oregon, is home to over 128,000 people. Established in 1847, the county covers an area of about 2,297 square miles and has its county seat in Albany. Linn County is known for its agricultural heritage due to its fertile soil and favorable climates.

Courts in Linn County

Linn County Courts comprises  Circuit, Municipal, and Justice Courts. The Linn County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases, such as felonies, civil cases for monetary compensations without limit, and family law matters, such as divorce and child custody cases. The Circuit Court also presides over probate cases such as wills, estates, guardianship of minors, and juvenile matters, including emancipation, juvenile delinquencies, and foster care.

Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over traffic and ordinance violation cases. The courts hear traffic violations, municipal ordinance violations, drug and liquor violations, and vehicle impoundment cases.

The Justice Court in Linn County handles felony preliminary hearings and misdemeanor criminal cases. The court deals with traffic violations, civil claims for lesser monetary value, and small claims up to $10,000.

Where to Find Public Court Records in Linn County

Public court records are documents and papers from the courts that are publicly accessible. Interested persons can access Linn County court records online using the Online Records Search tool. The Clerk of Court is the record custodian for court records in the county. Record seekers may visit the courthouses during official hours to view and obtain copies of public court records. The record custodian also permits mail requests for public court documents.

Types of Public Court Records in Linn County

Granting the public access to court records ensures that the judicial process remains just and fair, deterring judicial misconduct. The following types of court records are accessible by the public in Linn County:

• Civil Court Records: Property disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, contract breaches, and business litigations
• Criminal Court Records: Felonies and misdemeanors, including arson, homicide, petty theft, and disorderly conduct
• Family Court Records: Divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, and child and spousal support
• Probate Records: Wills, estates, conservatorships, guardianships, and trust
• Traffic Records: Speeding violations, illegal parking, failure to signal, driving under the influence, and running a red light

Confidential Court Records in Linn County

Confidential court records in Linn County refer to documents and information from the courts exempted from the public. Confidential records contain sensitive information and are sealed by the courts to maintain the privacy, safety, and security of the individual named on the court document. Examples of confidential court records include:

• Juvenile court records
• Mental health records
• Grand jury proceedings
• Trade secrets
• Adoption records

Court records contain personal data that are confidential and restricted from the public's view. Personal identifiers on court documents are removed to prevent misuse of personal information, minimize fraud, and comply with legal requirements. Personal identifying information redacted from public court records includes:

• Financial account numbers
• Health insurance identification numbers
• Driver’s license numbers
• Social Security numbers
• Home address and phone numbers

Juvenile Delinquency in Linn, OR

Unfortunately, in many areas of the Linn County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Oregon often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 814 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Linn County. Of that total, 42% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 343 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, Linn County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Linn County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of Linn County, OR

http://oregon.gov/

County Seat:	Albany
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1847
Total Square Miles:	2,309
2019 Population:	125,047
Persons/Square Mile:	0.02

Linn County, OR Courts