Ketchikan Gateway Borough Criminal Court Records Search
Ketchikan Gateway Borough criminal court records are on file at the Ketchikan Superior and District Court on Main Street in the First Judicial District. Search cases for free online through CourtView, or submit a records request by fax or email to the clerk's office.
Ketchikan Gateway Borough Overview
Ketchikan Courts and Clerk's Office
The Ketchikan Superior and District Court is at 415 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901. The main court phone number is (907) 225-3195. For records requests by fax, use (907) 225-7849. Clerk office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This court handles both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases for Ketchikan Gateway Borough. The Superior Court level handles all felony matters, while the District Court handles misdemeanors, DUI charges, and local ordinance violations.
The Ketchikan court is part of the First Judicial District, the district covering all of Southeast Alaska. It is one of the more active courts in the district and serves not only the borough but also acts as a regional hub for some surrounding areas. The clerk's office at 415 Main Street handles public record requests, copy orders, and in-person lookups for all criminal cases filed at this location.
For cases involving defendants from nearby communities like Metlakatla or the Saxman area, records may be filed in Ketchikan depending on the nature of the offense and how the case was referred. The Alaska State Troopers and local police both file cases through this court. The clerk can help you determine whether a specific case is in the Ketchikan system or whether it may have been transferred or referred elsewhere in the First Judicial District.
| Office | Ketchikan Superior and District Court - Clerk's Office |
|---|---|
| Address | 415 Main Street, Ketchikan, AK 99901 |
| Phone | (907) 225-3195 |
| Records Fax | (907) 225-7849 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Request Form | TF-311 KE |
The Ketchikan Superior and District Court at 415 Main Street handles all criminal case filings for Ketchikan Gateway Borough in the First Judicial District.
Search Ketchikan Criminal Court Records Online
CourtView at records.courts.alaska.gov is the free public search system for Alaska court records. It covers all criminal cases filed at the Ketchikan Superior and District Court. No account or login is needed. The system is available any time and does not charge for searches. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or ticket and citation number.
The court code for Ketchikan in the CourtView system is "1KE." This appears in case numbers filed at the Ketchikan courthouse. Partial name searches work well when you are not sure of the exact spelling. Entering the first few letters of a last name returns all matches. Search results show charges filed, court dates, case status, and docket entries. Most cases go back to around 1990 in the online system.
CourtView does not display juvenile records, sealed cases, or records restricted by court order. These are not available through the online system or through standard records requests. For appeal-level cases, use the Appellate Courts Case Management System at appellate-records.courts.alaska.gov. If a case does not appear in CourtView but you believe it was filed, contact the clerk at (907) 225-3195 for help.
CourtView provides free public access to Ketchikan criminal court records, showing charges, docket entries, hearing dates, and case outcomes for cases at the Main Street courthouse.
How to Request Ketchikan Court Records
To get copies of documents from a Ketchikan criminal case, use Form TF-311 KE. This is the official records request form for the Ketchikan court. You can get it from the Alaska Court System website or pick it up at the clerk's counter. Fill it out completely. Include the full name of the party involved, the case number if you have it, the approximate filing year, and a description of the specific documents you need.
Submit the completed form by fax to (907) 225-7849 or in person at the clerk's counter at 415 Main Street during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID for in-person requests. If you do not have a case number and need the clerk to run a name search, a research fee of $30 per hour applies for staff time spent locating the records. Having a case number eliminates this fee in most situations.
Copy fees are standard across Alaska courts. Plain copies cost $5 for the first document and $3 for each additional document. Certified copies are $10 for the first document and $3 for each one after that. A certified copy includes the court seal and a clerk's attestation confirming the document is a true and accurate reproduction of the original. These are often required for legal proceedings, immigration applications, and employment background checks.
Standard processing time is five to seven business days. Larger or more complex requests involving multiple case files or archived records may take longer. Audio recordings of court hearings can be requested through the clerk's office. Transcript services are not provided directly by the court. Search warrant records require a separate form, CR-714, and follow their own request process. Ask the clerk about that process if you need those records.
The Alaska Court System's trial courts information page provides procedural details and contact guidance for submitting records requests at the Ketchikan courthouse.
What Criminal Records Are Available in Ketchikan
Most criminal case records at the Ketchikan courts are public under AS 40.25.110, the Alaska Public Records Act, and Alaska Court Rule 37. Public records include criminal complaints, charging documents, indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, probation conditions, and final judgments. Both misdemeanor cases at the District Court level and felony cases at the Superior Court level are covered.
Some records are not publicly accessible. Juvenile criminal case files are sealed under Alaska law and are not available through standard requests or CourtView. Records sealed by court order are also off-limits. Victim information is often redacted before documents are released. Some domestic violence case files have restricted access. For police reports and arrest records, contact the Ketchikan Police Department or Alaska State Troopers. Those records fall under AS 12.62.160, a separate legal framework from court record access rules.
Alaska allows expungement of certain records under AS 12.62.180. This applies to arrests without charges, dismissed cases, and acquittals in some circumstances. Expunged records do not appear in CourtView and are not released through standard records requests. If you believe a case was expunged but are not finding it, ask the clerk to confirm the case status directly.
The Alaska Court System serves as the repository for all criminal court records in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, with public access governed by the Alaska Public Records Act and Alaska Court Rule 37.
Legal Framework for Ketchikan Criminal Court Records
Criminal proceedings in Ketchikan Gateway Borough follow Alaska state law and Alaska Court System rules. The Alaska Public Records Act at AS 40.25.110 establishes the right of public access to government records, including court filings. Alaska Court Rule 37 and Rule 37.5 set specific standards for court record access. Under these rules, filed documents are presumed public unless a specific statute or court order restricts them.
Probation orders are part of the public case record. Under AS 12.55.085, probation terms and conditions are filed with the court and are accessible to the public. These can include requirements like substance abuse treatment, no-contact orders with specific individuals, and restrictions on travel or residency. Sentencing records including these probation terms are visible in CourtView and can also be obtained through a records request to the clerk.
Liquor license violations can generate criminal records that appear in the court file. Under AS 04.21.078, certain violations tied to alcohol-related businesses create criminal records handled through the court system. These appear in CourtView like other criminal cases. The full Alaska statute database is at akleg.gov.
If your records request is denied, you can appeal through the court system or contact the Office of the Attorney General for guidance on your rights under the Public Records Act.
Cities in Ketchikan Gateway Borough
The city of Ketchikan is the main population center of the borough and the location of the courthouse where all criminal cases for the area are filed.
Nearby Boroughs
These boroughs border or are near Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Criminal court records for each are searchable through CourtView.