> >Union Arrest Records

Union Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Union, California?

Arrest records in Union, California are public documents accessible to members of the general public pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests, unless specifically exempted by statute. The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b), further reinforces this right by declaring that "the writings of public officials and agencies shall be open to public scrutiny."

Law enforcement agencies in Union maintain these records as part of their official documentation of criminal justice activities. Public access to arrest information serves multiple civic purposes, including:

Promoting transparency in the criminal justice system
Enabling community awareness of public safety matters
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
Supporting journalistic reporting on law enforcement activities

While arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or juvenile records as specified under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827.

How to Look Up Union Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Union, California have multiple avenues available for conducting searches as of 2025. The Union City Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and provides several methods for public access.

In-Person Requests

Individuals may obtain arrest records by visiting the Union City Police Department Records Unit in person:

Union City Police Department Records Unit
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road
Union City, CA 94587
(510) 675-5247
Police Records Unit
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)

Requestors must complete a Public Records Request form and provide proper identification. Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload.

County Courthouse Records

Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through:

Alameda County Superior Court
Fremont Hall of Justice
39439 Paseo Padre Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 818-7500
Alameda County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (excluding court holidays)

Online Access Options

The Union City Police Department provides limited online access to recent arrest information through:

The department's official records portal, which requires registration and may involve service fees
Third-party aggregators that compile public record information (users should verify accuracy with official sources)
CityProtect crime mapping service, which displays recent arrest locations and basic incident information

Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the direct costs of duplication or electronic production of records.

Contents of a Union Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Union law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13100-13103, which establishes requirements for criminal justice agency recordkeeping. Standard arrest records include the following components:

Biographical Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Gender and race/ethnicity as observed by arresting officer

Arrest Details

Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Arresting agency and identification of arresting officer(s)
Booking number and processing location
Enumeration of charges with corresponding California Penal Code sections
Arrest classification (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
Weapon involvement, if applicable
Presence of controlled substances, if applicable

Case Processing Information

Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records and unique identification numbers
Detention status (released on citation, bail amount, or held in custody)
Court case number, if formally charged
Disposition information, if available (case status, conviction, dismissal)

It should be noted that pursuant to California Senate Bill 1421 and Assembly Bill 748, certain additional records related to arrests involving use of force or officer misconduct may be subject to disclosure under specific circumstances.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Union

California law provides mechanisms for the expungement (sealing or clearing) of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by California Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4, which establish eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may petition for expungement of Union arrest records under the following circumstances:

Arrests that did not result in criminal charges being filed
Cases where charges were filed but later dismissed
Arrests resulting in convictions, after successful completion of probation
Arrests for certain marijuana offenses that are no longer crimes under current law
Arrests that resulted in diversion program completion

Certain serious offenses, including most felonies requiring state prison sentences and sex offenses requiring registration, are generally ineligible for expungement.

Application Process

The expungement process typically involves:

Filing a Petition for Dismissal (Form CR-180) with the Alameda County Superior Court
Submitting supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Notification to the prosecuting agency
Attending a scheduled court hearing if required

Petitioners may obtain assistance with expungement applications through:

Alameda County Public Defender's Office
1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 400
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 272-6600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Effects of Expungement

When an arrest record is expunged in Union:

The arrest is deemed not to have occurred for most purposes
The individual may legally answer "no" to questions about the arrest on most employment applications
The record remains visible to law enforcement agencies and courts
Certain licensing boards and government employers may still access the information
The expungement does not restore firearm rights or eliminate immigration consequences

Pursuant to California Labor Code § 432.7, employers are generally prohibited from asking about arrests that did not result in conviction, with exceptions for certain positions in law enforcement, healthcare, and education.