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San Leandro Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in San Leandro, California?

Arrest records in San Leandro, California are public documents accessible to members of the general public. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270), records created and maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, are subject to public disclosure with certain exceptions. The San Leandro Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities within municipal boundaries. These records serve the public interest by promoting transparency in governmental operations and accountability in the criminal justice system.

The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b)(1) establishes that "the people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business." This constitutional provision reinforces the statutory framework supporting public access to arrest records. Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or other legally protected matters as specified in Government Code § 6254.

How to Look Up San Leandro Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for members of the public to access arrest records in San Leandro. The San Leandro Police Department maintains systems for processing public records requests in accordance with state law. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following procedures:

Online Public Records Portal: The City of San Leandro maintains an online public records request system through which citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records. Requestors must provide specific information including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record location.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may submit requests in person at the San Leandro Police Department Records Division during regular business hours. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees may apply for document reproduction.

San Leandro Police Department
901 East 14th Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 577-3200
Police Department Official Website

Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the records sought, and preferred format for receiving the information.
Alameda County Superior Court: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may also be available through:

Alameda County Superior Court - Hayward Hall of Justice
24405 Amador Street
Hayward, CA 94544
(510) 690-2700
Alameda County Superior Court Website

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees for the direct costs of duplication or for electronic records production. Current fee schedules are available at the respective agencies.

Contents of a San Leandro Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the San Leandro Police Department contain specific categories of information as prescribed by California law and departmental policies. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and race
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye and hair color
Booking photograph ("mugshot") taken during processing
Fingerprint impressions collected at time of booking
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory violations alleged (California Penal Code sections)
Arresting officer identification
Booking number and facility information
Case disposition information, if available
Bail amount, if applicable

Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300-13302, certain information in arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly in cases involving juveniles, sexual assault victims, or when disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation. The San Leandro Police Department follows established protocols for redacting protected information prior to release of records to the public.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The disclosure of arrest records in San Leandro operates within a comprehensive legal framework established by state statutes and case law. The California Public Records Act (CPRA) serves as the primary statutory authority governing access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests. Under Government Code § 6253(a), public records are open to inspection during regular office hours of the governmental agency.

The California Supreme Court has established precedent regarding the public's right to access arrest information in cases such as Copley Press, Inc. v. Superior Court (2006) 39 Cal.4th 1272, which addressed the scope of public access to law enforcement records. Additionally, Senate Bill 978, effective January 1, 2020, requires law enforcement agencies to post on their websites all current standards, policies, practices, operating procedures, and education and training materials.

Members of the public should be aware that certain exemptions exist under Government Code § 6254, which may limit access to:

Records of complaints to, or investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies
Records that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Records related to pending litigation
Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings

The San Leandro Police Department evaluates each request for arrest records in accordance with these statutory provisions and applicable case law to determine the appropriate level of disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in San Leandro

California law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking to have arrest records expunged in San Leandro must follow procedures established under California Penal Code § 851.8 for arrests not resulting in conviction, or Penal Code § 1203.4 for post-conviction relief.

Eligibility criteria for expungement generally include:

Successful completion of probation terms
Fulfillment of all court-ordered obligations
No current charges pending
No incarceration in state prison for the offense
Completion of waiting periods specified by statute

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court of jurisdiction, typically the Alameda County Superior Court. Upon approval, records are ordered sealed or destroyed, and the arrest is deemed not to have occurred for most purposes. However, expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in certain licensing decisions or subsequent criminal proceedings.

Individuals seeking expungement may obtain assistance through:

Alameda County Public Defender's Office
1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 400
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 272-6600
Alameda County Public Defender Website

The Clean Slate Program operated by the Public Defender's Office provides guidance on the expungement process, including eligibility assessment and petition preparation. Services are available to qualifying individuals at no cost.

Filing Complaints Regarding Arrest Procedures

The San Leandro Police Department maintains a formal process for citizen complaints regarding police conduct, including arrest procedures. Individuals who believe their rights were violated during an arrest may file a complaint through multiple channels:

In person at the San Leandro Police Department
By telephone to the Internal Affairs Unit
Through written submission via postal mail
Online through the department's complaint portal

All complaints are investigated in accordance with the Police Officer's Bill of Rights (Government Code § 3300-3313) and departmental policies. Complainants may be contacted for additional information during the investigation process and will receive notification of the outcome as permitted by law.

The San Leandro Police Department's Traffic Division and other specialized units maintain records of enforcement actions, including arrests, which may be relevant to complaint investigations. These records are maintained in accordance with the department's retention schedule and applicable state regulations.