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1. Can I get a copy of my driving record?

A person may purchase a copy of his/her driving record from any Sheriff's Department in Iowa. A driver's license needs to be presented at the time of your request as proof of identity. There is a fee of $6.50 for the record.

2. Can I get a copy of my child’s driving record?

Sheriff's may provide a copy of the record to that person or his/her authorized designee. A signed and notarized release or affidavit from the person is required. This rule applies to family members, insurance companies, and potential employers. The release/affidavit must be the original document, not a photocopy or fax.

3. Why was my name released to the newspaper?

Calls for service, arrests, and charging information are considered public records (Iowa Code Chapters 22.1 and 22.2 ) and must be made available to the media and public. Police investigative reports are not public records (Iowa Code Chapter 22.7 ).

4. Can I make an anonymous report to the Safety Center?

Yes, you can withhold your name from the dispatcher when reporting information. Dispatchers and officers prefer knowing the source of information, but we would rather receive an anonymous report of criminal activity than no report at all.

Please be aware that caller ID and enhanced 911 do provide the dispatcher with caller information. There is a toll free TIP line that is answered around the clock by the duty dispatcher. That line can be reached by calling 800-847-7492.

5. How can I get a copy of my criminal history?

Local criminal history information can be obtained by visiting the Clerk of Court’s Office located in the Washington County Courthouse. A computer is available for your use.

To obtain a State of Iowa criminal history record, you must contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in Des Moines, IA. There is a $13 charge for each surname requested. Forms are available online, at the Clerk of Court’s office, or at our office. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Website

6. Does your office release juvenile information?

No, although our office does process juvenile paperwork. We do not release this information to the public. Any inquires can be made by contacting the juvenile probation office at 319-653-2197.

7. What is the fee to obtain a copy of an accident report?

The fee for an accident report is $4.

8. Can I get a copy of an officer's Incident Report?

When a citizen calls the safety center reporting a crime, accident, or other incident, a call for service report is completed. This call for service details the date, time, specific location, and immediate facts and circumstances surrounding a crime or incident. This information is available to the press and public upon request. Police investigative reports are not public records (Iowa Code Chapter 22.7 ) and are typically not released to the public.

9. If I have drug information, how do I provide it to an officer?

Any deputy or city police officer can take this information. Deputy Eric Weber coordinates this information. He can be reached by calling 319-653-2107. This information can also be provided through the TIP number at 800-847-7492. Contact Eric Weber

10. How do I check to see if a person is on the sex offender registry?

Please contact Mike Clark by calling 319-653-2107 during normal business hours. You can also visit the Iowa Sex Offender Registry Website.

11. What is the most common way to detect a methamphetamine lab?

Methamphetamine labs are located most generally by the strong smell of ether. This is used in the process and is a very strong and distinct odor. Stores that carry some of the items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine can tell by purchases that are being made of said items. Some of these items would include: Lithium batteries (unusual quantities), numerous cans of ether, and or numerous amounts of Pseudoephedrine pills. It is possible to smell the anhydrous ammonia however most of the time this process is actually done in a different location.

12. What happens if I am involved in a motor vehicle accident?

First of all any and all injuries are looked after. If we are unsure if there are any injuries in an accident we always have the ambulance start toward the scene. If we find that no one is injured we then collect information about the accident. This includes information about the drivers and passengers and the motor vehicles that they were driving. Information about each driver is written out and exchanged with the other driver of the other vehicles. This is done so that if the total amount of property damage exceeds $1000 each driver will have the information needed to fill out his or her form. Finally the officer will make a determination if and who is at fault in the accident. Once fault is determined a citation will be issued to the violating driver. Once that is done each driver should report the accident to his or her own insurance company.

Please remember, you must have insurance on your vehicle to drive it or at least be able to prove financial responsibility. If you have failed to supply information about anyone of the 2 you are subject to a written citation for driving a motor vehicle with out insurance. The cost of this fine is very high and is easily avoided.

13. What do I do if I am issued a ticket and I do not agree with the officer or the ticket?

You have the option to go to court on any criminal offense or traffic ticket that you are charged with. If you do not agree with the charge one way or the other, you should go to court and express your side of things.

If you wish you can hire an attorney to help you or you may go in and ask questions of the officer and state your side of the case to the judge. There is not any use arguing about the charge with the officer because he/she has made the decision and will follow through with it. Your available option is to take your complaint to court.