Coalinga Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Coalinga, California?
Arrest records are public documents in Coalinga, 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 California Public Records Act mandates that public records be open for inspection during regular office hours of governmental agencies, with limited exceptions as provided by statute.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Coalinga Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within the jurisdiction. These records serve multiple public interest functions, including:
- Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
- Enabling community oversight of police activities
- Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
- Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
- Assisting individuals in verifying the accuracy of their own records
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with Government Code § 6254, which provides exemptions for records that may compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informant identities, or infringe upon privacy rights in specific circumstances.
How to Look Up Coalinga Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Coalinga as of 2025. The following procedures have been established in accordance with California Government Code § 6253, which requires public agencies to make records promptly available upon request:
Coalinga Police Department: Individuals may submit requests in person at the Coalinga Police Department located at 270 N. 6th Street, Coalinga, CA 93210. The Records Division operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should complete a Public Records Request form and provide identification. The department can be reached at (559) 935-2313, ext. 160.
Fresno County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county deputies within Coalinga city limits, records may be requested from the Fresno County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 2200 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone: (559) 600-8400.
Superior Court of California, County of Fresno: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings can be accessed through the Fresno County Superior Court at 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93724. Public terminals are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone: (559) 457-2000.
Online Portal Access: The Fresno County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate information system accessible 24 hours per day. This database includes information on current inmates and recent bookings within the county jail system, including those arrested in Coalinga.
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees for duplication of records, but not for the search and retrieval process. Standard fees in Coalinga are $0.25 per page for photocopies and $15 for certified copies of records.
Contents of a Coalinga Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Coalinga contain standardized information as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13125. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), and last known address of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency case number; and statutory authority for the arrest
Criminal Charges: California Penal Code sections allegedly violated; classification of offense(s) as felony, misdemeanor, or infraction; and arrest disposition (e.g., cited and released, booked into jail)
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification data, and booking photographs ("mugshots") taken pursuant to Penal Code § 13150
Custody Status: Information regarding bail amount, if applicable; court appearance dates; and current detention status
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests and convictions within the jurisdiction, subject to disclosure limitations under Penal Code § 13300
The Coalinga Municipal Code may contain additional local ordinances pertaining to arrest procedures and record-keeping requirements specific to the jurisdiction.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Coalinga
California law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained in Coalinga and throughout the state. The primary statutory authority for expungement is found in Penal Code § 1203.4 and § 851.8, which establish procedures for clearing one's criminal record under specified circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement of Coalinga arrest records include:
- Successful completion of probation or other court-ordered requirements
- Payment of all fines, restitution, and court fees
- No current charges pending in any jurisdiction
- No incarceration in state prison for the offense in question
- Satisfaction of waiting periods specified by statute
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Dismissal (CR-180 form) with the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno. Petitioners must file in the courthouse where the case was adjudicated. For Coalinga arrests, this is typically:
Superior Court of California, County of Fresno
1100 Van Ness Avenue
Fresno, CA 93724
(559) 457-2000
Official Website
Upon granting of an expungement petition, the court will order the arrest record sealed and subsequently destroyed after the statutory waiting period. Pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8, records of arrests that did not result in conviction may be sealed and destroyed when the court finds the arrestee to be factually innocent of the charges.
It should be noted that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies, certain licensing boards, and for specified employment positions as provided in Penal Code § 1203.4(a).
Search Arrest Records in Coalinga
