Crook County Oregon Civil Records

Crook County civil court records are kept at the Circuit Court in Prineville. The court moved to a new location in October 2024. It now sits at 260 NW 2nd Street, Suite 300. Crook County is part of the 22nd Judicial District, which it shares with Jefferson County. Judge Michael R. McLane presides over the court. County Clerk Cheryl Seely manages property and vital records at the old courthouse building.

Crook County Circuit Court

The Crook County Circuit Court handles all civil cases in the county. This includes lawsuits, property disputes, family law, probate, and small claims. The court moved from 300 NE Third Street to its new address at 260 NW 2nd Street, Suite 300, in Prineville on October 28, 2024. All civil court records are now at the new location.

Court hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The phone number is (541) 447-6541. Judge Michael R. McLane sits as the Circuit Court Judge for Crook County. Katie Slattery handles court administration. The 22nd Judicial District covers both Crook County and Jefferson County, but each county has its own courthouse and files its own civil court records. Cases filed in Crook County stay in Crook County.

The Crook County Circuit Court page on the Oregon Judicial Department website has the new courthouse address and current contact details.

The new court building has ADA accessible entrances. Request accommodations in advance if needed.

Note: The court moved in October 2024. Do not go to the old address at 300 NE Third Street for civil court records.

How to Access Crook County Civil Records

There are several ways to get civil court records in Crook County. You can visit the courthouse, call the clerk, send a mail request, or search online. The method you pick depends on what you need and how fast you need it.

In-person visits to the Crook County courthouse let you view civil court records directly. Kiosk computers in the lobby provide free access to basic case information. Staff can help you search by name or case number. The trial court office is open from 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. Bring your ID when you visit. The clerk can make copies of any public record in the file. Photocopies cost $0.25 per page for black and white copies and $0.75 per page for color copies in Crook County.

You can also search civil court records online through the Oregon eCourt system. The free search shows basic case details. Full document access requires an OJCIN subscription. For copies of specific filed documents from Crook County civil court records, call the clerk at (541) 447-6541 or send a written request to the new address at 260 NW 2nd Street, Suite 300, Prineville, OR 97754.

Crook County Clerk Office

County Clerk Cheryl Seely manages the clerk office at 300 NE Third Street in Prineville. This is the old courthouse building, not the new court location. The clerk office handles property records, vital records, and elections for Crook County. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The phone is (541) 447-6553.

The Crook County Clerk website lists services provided by the clerk, including recording, elections, and property tax appeals.

Chief Deputy Barbara Pennington and Recording Deputy Tammy Flanary can also help with property record requests in Crook County.

Civil court records and county clerk records are stored in different offices in Crook County. The Circuit Court clerk at the new building keeps case files from lawsuits and other court proceedings. The County Clerk at the old courthouse keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, and vital records. Under ORS 192.311, both types of records are public documents. You have the right to inspect and copy them during business hours.

Civil Court Forms in Crook County

Crook County accepts statewide forms from the Oregon Judicial Department. It also has local forms for certain case types. You can download forms online or pick them up at the courthouse.

The Crook County court forms page lists all available forms, including those for civil cases, family law, and specialty courts.

Local forms cover specific case types that the statewide forms may not address in full detail.

Available civil court forms in Crook County include:

• Civil satisfaction of money award
• Family law miscellaneous packets
• Name and sex change forms for adults and minors
• Small claims plaintiff forms
• Fee waiver applications for financial hardship

Every form you file becomes part of the civil court record in Crook County. Under ORS 7.110, the clerk has custody of all records, files, and papers that belong to the court. Once filed, these documents can be viewed by the public unless a judge issues a sealing order. Filing a complete and accurate form helps the court process your case faster in Crook County.

Public Records Requests in Crook County

Civil court records in Crook County are public by default under Oregon law. Anyone can request to inspect or copy them.

Under ORS 192.314, every person has the right to inspect any public record of a public body. This includes all civil court records held by the Crook County Circuit Court. You do not need to give a reason for your request. The court must make records available within a reasonable time. Photocopies are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. If the estimated fees exceed $25, the court may require prepayment before processing your request for civil court records in Crook County.

For county records outside the court system, submit your request to Crook County Administration at 300 NE Third Street, Prineville, OR 97754. Complex requests that require staff time may be billed at $40 per hour. Under ORS 192.324, public bodies may charge fees that reflect the actual cost of providing records. Crook County posts its full fee schedule on the county website.

Note: Fax requests for civil court records in Crook County cost $2.50 for up to 10 pages.

Crook County Specialty Courts

Crook County operates a drug court program through the Circuit Court. This specialty court creates its own set of civil court records, including screening reports, progress updates, and completion orders. The drug court forms are listed on the court forms page along with standard civil court forms.

The Crook County Community Corrections office at 308 NE 2nd Street in Prineville works with the courts on supervision of cases. Director Aaron Boyce oversees probation, parole, and post-prison supervision. The office phone is (541) 447-3315. After-hours calls go to (541) 416-3920. Records from community corrections may relate to civil court records in Crook County when cases involve court-ordered supervision or treatment. Under ORS 7.020, the clerk keeps a register of all actions in each case, which includes orders related to specialty court programs and community corrections supervision in Crook County.

Related Crook County Offices

Several other Crook County offices work with the Circuit Court. District Attorney Kari Hathorn handles criminal prosecutions at (541) 447-4158. The Sheriff's office at (541) 447-6398 handles civil process, which means they serve court papers in civil cases filed in Crook County. Civil process creates records that become part of the court file.

The Crook County Clerk also provides Digital Research access for online record searches. This portal lets you search recorded documents from your own computer. The online search fee is $3.75 per name search. This is separate from the court case search. It covers property records, liens, and other documents recorded by the county clerk. Both court records and clerk records are part of the public record system in Crook County. Each office plays a role in keeping civil court records available and organized for the public.

Nearby Counties

Crook County borders Deschutes County, Jefferson County, Wheeler County, Grant County, and Harney County. The 22nd Judicial District includes both Crook County and Jefferson County. Each county has its own court, but they share judicial resources. If you need civil court records from Jefferson County, contact that court separately. Cases must be filed in the county where the dispute arose or where the defendant lives.