California Arrest Records

Is California an Open Arrest Records State?

California is considered an open arrest records state, operating under the principle that government records should be accessible to the public. This transparency is mandated by California Government Code § 6250-6270, which establishes the California Public Records Act (CPRA). Under this legislation, arrest records maintained by state and local law enforcement agencies are generally available for public inspection.

The CPRA stipulates that any person has the right to inspect public records during normal business hours. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a), public agencies must make records promptly available upon request. This legal framework ensures that arrest records, as part of the public record, remain accessible to citizens, journalists, researchers, and other interested parties.

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state. While certain limitations exist regarding the dissemination of complete criminal history records, basic arrest information is typically available through local law enforcement agencies and court records.

California Department of Justice
1300 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 210-6276
California Department of Justice

How to Look Up California Arrest Records in 2025

California residents and other authorized individuals seeking arrest records in 2025 have multiple pathways to access this information. The state has continued to enhance digital accessibility while maintaining traditional methods of record retrieval. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(f), agencies must assist requesters in making focused and effective requests for identifiable records.

Methods available for accessing California arrest records include:

County Sheriff and Police Department Websites: Many local law enforcement agencies maintain searchable online databases of recent arrests. These resources typically include basic information such as the arrestee's name, booking date, charges, and custody status.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR): The CDCR maintains the California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) system, which allows the public to search for information about individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities or under parole supervision.
Superior Court Records: Each county's Superior Court maintains records of criminal cases, including arrest information. Many courts now offer online access to case information through their websites.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit local law enforcement agencies or courthouses to request arrest records in person. Government Code § 6253(a) requires agencies to make records available for inspection during regular office hours.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
1515 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 445-7682
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Contents of a California Arrest Record

California arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Penal Code § 13125, which establishes minimum standards for arrest documentation. These records serve multiple purposes within the criminal justice system and typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race/ethnicity, physical description, and, when available, fingerprint identification number.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; booking number; and the name and badge number of the arresting officer.
Offense Information: All charges filed at the time of arrest, including applicable Penal Code sections and the classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction).
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including whether charges were filed by the prosecutor, case numbers assigned by the court, and the outcome of any proceedings.
Bail or Custody Status: Information regarding bail amount, if bail was posted, or whether the individual remains in custody pending court proceedings.
Warrant Information: Details of any warrants that led to the arrest, including warrant numbers and issuing courts.

It should be noted that pursuant to Penal Code § 11105, complete criminal history information (commonly known as "rap sheets") is not available to the general public and is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals for specific purposes defined by statute.

Understanding the California Public Records Act

The California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified in Government Code § 6250-6270, establishes the framework for public access to government records in California. Enacted in 1968, this legislation affirms that access to information concerning the conduct of public business is a fundamental right of every person in the state.

Key provisions of the CPRA as they relate to arrest records include:

Presumption of Openness: Government Code § 6252(e) broadly defines "public records" to include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of public business. Arrest records, as documentation of law enforcement activities, fall within this definition.
Request Procedures: Under Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may establish reasonable procedures for making records available during regular business hours. Requests may be made verbally or in writing, though written requests are recommended for documentation purposes.
Response Timelines: Agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, with a possible 14-day extension under unusual circumstances as defined in Government Code § 6253(c).
Exemptions: While the CPRA favors disclosure, Government Code § 6254 establishes specific exemptions that may limit access to certain information. For arrest records, exemptions may apply to ongoing investigations (§ 6254(f)) or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
Electronic Records: Government Code § 6253.9 addresses electronic records, requiring agencies to make them available in electronic format when requested, provided doing so does not jeopardize the security of the original record.

The California Department of Justice provides guidance on CPRA requests and maintains information about accessing public records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in California

California law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. These remedies are governed primarily by Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4, which establish procedures for clearing one's criminal record.

Eligibility criteria and procedures for expungement include:

Arrests Not Resulting in Conviction: Pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8, individuals arrested but never charged, or charged but not convicted, may petition for a finding of factual innocence. If granted, the arrest record is sealed and eventually destroyed.
Convictions: Under Penal Code § 1203.4, individuals who have completed probation for a conviction may petition to have the case dismissed. While not a true expungement, this process releases the petitioner from many penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction.
Juvenile Records: Welfare and Institutions Code § 781 provides for the sealing of juvenile records when the person has reached adulthood and meets certain criteria.
Cannabis-Related Offenses: Health and Safety Code § 11361.8, enacted following the legalization of recreational cannabis, provides for the dismissal and sealing of records for certain marijuana-related offenses.

The petition process typically involves:

Filing appropriate forms with the court where the case was heard
Paying applicable filing fees (fee waivers may be available)
Attending a hearing if required by the court
Receiving a court order if the petition is granted

Judicial Council of California
455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 865-4200
California Courts

How to Find Local Arrests in California

Members of the public seeking information about recent local arrests in California have several resources available to them. Penal Code § 13300 authorizes the release of certain criminal history information to the public, though with limitations to protect privacy and ongoing investigations.

Local arrest information can be accessed through:

County Sheriff's Departments: Most sheriff's departments maintain daily booking logs or inmate locator systems on their websites. These resources typically provide basic information about individuals recently arrested and booked into county jails.
Municipal Police Departments: City police departments often publish daily arrest logs or provide access to arrest information through their records divisions. Some departments update this information in real-time, while others may have a delay of 24-48 hours.
County Superior Courts: Court calendars and case information systems allow the public to track criminal cases resulting from arrests. Many courts now provide online access to this information through case management systems.
Local Newspapers and Media Outlets: Many news organizations publish police blotters or crime reports based on information provided by law enforcement agencies.

When seeking arrest information, members of the public should be aware that:

Information about juveniles (under 18) is generally confidential pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
Details of ongoing investigations may be withheld under Government Code § 6254(f)
Some records may be subject to redaction to protect personal identifying information

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 229-1700
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

San Francisco Police Department
1245 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94158
(415) 553-0123
San Francisco Police Department

California Arrest Records Resources

Review your criminal record
California Incarcerated Records Search
Fingerprint Background Checks
Applicant Agencies Information
Background Check Process
California Department of Corrections
California Courts
Public Records Request Information