Sherman County Case Records

Sherman County court records are kept at the Circuit Court in Moro, one of the smallest county seats in Oregon. This rural county in north-central Oregon has a limited court staff but still provides full access to case files and court documents. The courthouse in Moro has served the county since 1899. Public records from civil, criminal, family, and probate cases are available through the clerk's office and through online tools run by the Oregon Judicial Department. Sherman County maintains case records going back to 1889.

Sherman County Circuit Court

The Sherman County Circuit Court handles all case types in this small county. Despite its size, the court has the same jurisdiction as every other Oregon circuit court. It hears civil cases, criminal charges, family law matters, probate, and traffic violations. The courthouse in Moro was built in 1899 and remains in use today. It serves as both a working court and a local landmark.

Sherman County was created in 1889 from the northeast portion of Wasco County. It was named after Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman. The town of Wasco was the first county seat, but after several elections the seat moved to Moro, where it has stayed. The county has the highest percentage of cultivated land of any county in Oregon. Wheat, barley, and cattle are the main crops. Wind turbine farms now dot the landscape as well.

The Sherman County Circuit Court website provides court information and contact details for the public.

This is the main page for court news and updates in Sherman County.

How to Request Sherman County Court Records

To get copies of court records in Sherman County, fill out the statewide request form provided by the Oregon Judicial Department. You will need to know the case number and the exact documents or hearing dates you want. The Sherman County records page has details on the process and fees.

Paper copies cost $3.00 per case request plus 25 cents per page. Certified copies are $5.00 per document plus the per-page charge. Exemplified copies cost $10.00 per document. Electronic copies sent by email are $3.00 per case request. If you need an electronic certified copy, the fee is $5.00 per document. These fees follow ORS 21.345.

Audio recordings of court hearings in Sherman County can also be requested. Electronic recordings cost $10.00 per request. A CD copy costs $11.00. The court uses the "For The Record" digital system. You need the free FTR Player to listen to audio files. Payment must be made in full before the court will process any request in Sherman County.

Note: The Sherman County court has limited staff, so allow extra time for your request to be processed.

Sherman County Court Records Online

Even though Sherman County is small, its court records are part of the statewide online system. The OJD Records and Calendar Search at courts.oregon.gov gives free access to basic case information for Sherman County. Search by party name or case number. You can see filing dates, case types, and hearing schedules without paying a fee.

For full access, use the OJCIN OnLine subscription service. This system holds the official register of actions and judgment dockets for Sherman County. A new account requires a $150 setup fee and signed terms of use. Monthly fees vary by subscriber. Under ORS 193.077, the online data is not the official court record. The official record remains at the Sherman County Courthouse in Moro.

The OJCIN OnLine portal from the Oregon Judicial Department provides subscription-based access to detailed court records across all Oregon counties.

Subscriber support is available by phone at 1-800-858-9658 on weekdays from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Public Access to Sherman County Case Files

Most court records in Sherman County are open to the public under Oregon law. ORS 192.311 defines public records and creates a presumption of openness. Anyone can ask to see court files at the courthouse in Moro. You do not need to be a party in the case.

Restricted records include juvenile cases, which are confidential under ORS 419A.255. Adoption files are sealed. Mental health cases and those covered by the Violence Against Women Act are also protected from public view. If a judge has sealed a case or parts of a case in Sherman County, those records are not available without a court order.

The courthouse has public access terminals where you can search case information at no charge. This is a good option for residents of Sherman County who want to look up records without subscribing to OJCIN.

Types of Court Records in Sherman County

Sherman County court records include civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. Every case produces a register of actions under ORS 7.020. This register is the official log of all events in the case. It shows when papers were filed, when hearings took place, and when orders were entered.

Civil court filings in Sherman County may involve land disputes, contracts, and money judgments. Criminal case files include charges, pleas, and sentencing records. Family court documents cover divorce, custody, and support orders. Probate files deal with wills, estates, and guardianship matters. Traffic records cover citations issued in Sherman County that go before the circuit court.

Note: As a small county, Sherman County has fewer filings than most Oregon counties, but the records follow the same format and legal requirements as every other circuit court in the state.

Historical Sherman County Court Records

Sherman County has court records from 1889 onward. The county clerk also holds marriage records and land records from that year. Historical court files may include early civil suits, criminal prosecutions, probate matters, and naturalization papers. The Oregon State Archives maintains some older Sherman County records. These can be viewed in Salem or requested through interlibrary loan on microfilm.

The 1899 courthouse in Moro is itself a piece of history. It has served as the seat of justice in Sherman County for more than 125 years. Contact the clerk to find out what historical records are still on site and what may have been sent to the state archives.

Criminal Record Expungement in Sherman County

Oregon law allows certain criminal records to be set aside under ORS 137.225. Dismissed charges can be expunged right away. Class B and C misdemeanors require a one-year wait. Class A misdemeanors need three years. To begin, file a motion with the Sherman County Circuit Court. You also need a fingerprint-based criminal history check from the Oregon State Police.

The Oregon State Police CJIS Division handles these checks. Their address is PO Box 4395, Portland, OR 97208-4395. The phone number is (503) 378-3070. Processing takes up to fourteen business days. If the court grants the expungement, the record is sealed from public view in Sherman County and in statewide databases.

Sherman County Court Document Fees

The fee schedule for Sherman County court records is as follows:

• Paper copy per page: $0.25
• Per case request fee: $3.00
• Certified copy per document: $5.00
• Exemplified copy per document: $10.00
• Electronic document emailed: $3.00 per case
• Microfilm document emailed: $0.45 per page

These fees are consistent with the statewide schedule. The court in Sherman County can email PDF documents and certify them electronically. If you receive a certified electronic copy, you must be able to print the document in color. All fees must be paid before copies are made or sent from the Sherman County clerk's office.

Nearby Counties

Sherman County borders Gilliam County, Wasco County, Jefferson County, and Wheeler County. If you are not sure where your case was filed, check the address tied to the legal matter. Cases must be filed in the correct county. The Sherman County clerk in Moro can verify whether a case is on file there.