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Fresno Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Fresno, California?

Arrest records are public documents in Fresno, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records created and maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to the public. The Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County Sheriff's Office maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. Public access to these records serves the legislative intent of ensuring governmental transparency and accountability.

The California Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain statutory exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and cases where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under Government Code § 6254. Members of the public seeking arrest records in Fresno must submit their requests to the appropriate agency in accordance with established procedures.

Fresno Police Department Records Division
2323 Mariposa Street
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 621-2000
Fresno Police Department Records

How to Look Up Fresno Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Fresno County as of 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

Online Portal Access: The Fresno Police Department maintains a digital records system where authorized users may search for arrest information. This system is accessible 24 hours per day and requires basic identifying information about the subject of the search.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Records Division of the Fresno Police Department during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) to submit a request for arrest records. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees must be paid at the time of request.
Written Correspondence: Requests may be submitted via U.S. mail to the Records Division. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the record being sought, and the required processing fee.
Court Records Search: The Fresno Superior Court maintains records of arrests that resulted in court proceedings. These records may be accessed through the court's Case Information System.

Fresno County Superior Court
1100 Van Ness Avenue
Fresno, CA 93724
(559) 457-2000
Fresno Superior Court

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge a fee to cover the direct costs of duplication or a statutory fee, if applicable. Current fees for arrest record copies are $25 for the first five pages and $0.10 per page thereafter.

Contents of a Fresno Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Fresno law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13150. These official documents typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory violations and charges filed
Booking information, including facility and identification numbers
Photographic documentation (mugshot)
Biometric data, including fingerprints and, when applicable, DNA collection confirmation
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency case number and tracking information
Bail determination and amount, when applicable
Detention status information

The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple governmental functions, including criminal identification, case processing, and statistical reporting requirements under state and federal law. Certain elements of arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure in accordance with exemptions provided in Government Code § 6254.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Fresno

California Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4 provide statutory mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement in Fresno County must file a petition with the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Successful completion of probation terms for the offense in question
Absence of current criminal proceedings
Fulfillment of all court-ordered restitution and financial obligations
Compliance with all sentencing requirements

The expungement process requires the submission of Judicial Council forms CR-180 and CR-181 to the court where the conviction occurred. Upon approval, the court issues an order under Penal Code § 1203.4 dismissing the conviction. While this process does not completely erase the record, it changes its status to dismissed and relieves the petitioner of many penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction.

Individuals with arrests that did not result in conviction may petition for a finding of factual innocence under Penal Code § 851.8, which provides for the sealing and destruction of arrest records. This more comprehensive remedy requires a higher evidentiary standard, demonstrating that no reasonable cause exists to believe the arrestee committed the offense.

Fresno County Superior Court Archives Department
1100 Van Ness Avenue, Room 401
Fresno, CA 93724
(559) 457-1900
Court Archives Department

Pursuant to California Labor Code § 432.7, employers are generally prohibited from asking about arrests that did not result in conviction or convictions that have been judicially dismissed, with certain exceptions for law enforcement positions, health care facilities, and positions requiring security clearances.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Fresno, California law imposes specific limitations on their accessibility and use. Government Code § 6254(f) exempts certain investigative records from disclosure requirements. Additionally, the following restrictions apply:

Juvenile arrest records are confidential pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
Sealed records pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8 are not accessible to the public
Records pertaining to victims of specific offenses may be redacted to protect privacy
Information that would compromise an ongoing investigation may be withheld
Records sealed by court order are removed from public access

The Fresno City Clerk's Office maintains the Municipal Code which includes local ordinances pertaining to public records access. Individuals seeking arrest records must comply with both state law and local regulations regarding the proper use of such information.

Commercial users of arrest record information must comply with the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (Civil Code § 1786) and the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act (Civil Code § 1785), which regulate the use of criminal history information for employment and housing purposes.