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El Cerrito Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in El Cerrito, California?

Arrest records are public documents in El Cerrito, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access information concerning governmental affairs, including law enforcement activities. The El Cerrito Police Department maintains these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement actions within the jurisdiction.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Enables community oversight of police activities
Provides statistical data for crime analysis and prevention strategies
Supports the constitutional principle of open government

The California Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and cases where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy as determined by judicial review. Members of the public seeking arrest records must follow established protocols for records requests as outlined by the El Cerrito Police Department's Records Bureau.

How to Look Up El Cerrito Arrest Records in 2025

The El Cerrito Police Department provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. As of 2025, the following methods are available for obtaining these public documents:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Records Bureau of the El Cerrito Police Department, located at 10900 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to: Records Bureau, El Cerrito Police Department, 10900 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530. Requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific information about the record being sought, and the preferred format for receiving the records.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the department's online portal accessible via the El Cerrito Police Department website. The digital system allows for secure submission of records requests and provides tracking capabilities for pending requests.
Telephone inquiries regarding the status of records requests may be directed to the Records Bureau at (510) 215-4414 during regular business hours.

All requests for arrest records must comply with the provisions of the California Public Records Act. The department is required to respond to requests within 10 calendar days, though complex requests may require an extension of up to 14 additional days with written notification to the requestor.

Contents of an El Cerrito Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the El Cerrito Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by California Penal Code § 13100-13103. These records typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and, when available, fingerprint identification
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
Detailed description of the alleged criminal offense(s)
Classification of charges according to the California Penal Code
Identity of the arresting officer(s) and agency
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint records
Custody status and bail determination, if applicable
Case number and court assignment information
Scheduled court appearance dates

The Detective Unit of the El Cerrito Police Department maintains supplementary investigative records that may be associated with arrest records but are subject to different disclosure requirements based on the status of the investigation and privacy considerations.

Pursuant to California Government Code § 6254(f), certain information within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure, including confidential informant information, details that would compromise an ongoing investigation, or personal identifying information protected by privacy statutes.

Expungement of Arrest Records in El Cerrito

Under California Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by the El Cerrito Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Expungement is a legal process that restricts public access to arrest records and, in certain circumstances, permits individuals to lawfully state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of El Cerrito arrest records include:

Completion of all terms of probation for the offense
Fulfillment of all court-ordered restitution and fine payments
No current charges pending against the individual
No current service of sentence for any offense
Satisfaction of statutory waiting periods specific to the offense category

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Dismissal with the Contra Costa County Superior Court, located at 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553. The court filing fee is $120 as of 2025, though fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals based on financial need.

Upon court approval of an expungement petition, the El Cerrito Police Department receives a court order directing the sealing or modification of the relevant arrest records. The Records Bureau is responsible for implementing these court orders within their record management systems.

It is important to note that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies, certain licensing boards, and specific employers as authorized by California law. Additionally, federal agencies may retain access to expunged records for certain purposes, including immigration proceedings and federal employment background checks.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

The California Public Records Act establishes certain exemptions that limit public access to arrest records maintained by the El Cerrito Police Department. These restrictions are codified in Government Code § 6254 and include:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests, which are confidential pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
Information that would endanger the safety of a witness or other person involved in an investigation
Records that would compromise an active law enforcement investigation
Medical or psychological information contained within arrest records
Personal identifying information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy

The El Cerrito Police Department Dispatch and Records Bureau personnel are trained to apply these statutory exemptions when processing public records requests. When a request is denied in whole or in part, the department must provide written notification citing the specific legal authority for the denial.

Additionally, California law establishes special protections for arrest records in cases where:

The arrest did not result in conviction (Penal Code § 851.8)
The arrestee successfully completed a pre-trial diversion program (Penal Code § 1000.4)
The case was dismissed in the interests of justice (Penal Code § 1203.4)

In these circumstances, access to arrest records may be restricted or the records may be sealed by court order, though certain governmental agencies retain access rights for specific administrative purposes.