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Willows Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Willows, California?

Arrest records in Willows, California are public documents accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is mandated by the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270, which establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by state and local agencies. The CPRA promotes governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring that information, including arrest records, remains accessible to citizens. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253, public agencies are required to make records promptly available for inspection during regular office hours.

The City of Willows maintains these records in compliance with state regulations. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Government Code § 6254, which outlines specific exemptions to disclosure requirements. Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the records are public, access procedures and associated fees may apply.

How to Look Up Willows Arrest Records in 2025

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

Visit the Willows Police Department in person to request arrest records. The department maintains a public counter for records requests.

Willows Police Department
201 N Lassen Street
Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-3456
City of Willows Police Services
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Submit requests through the Glenn County Sheriff's Office, which processes arrests throughout the county including Willows.

Glenn County Sheriff's Office
543 W Oak Street
Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-6431
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Access court records related to arrests through the Glenn County Superior Court, which maintains records of all cases processed through the judicial system.

Glenn County Superior Court
526 W Sycamore Street
Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-6382
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Utilize the court's online case search system for preliminary information about court cases resulting from arrests.
Contact the Glenn County District Attorney's Office for information about prosecuted cases.

Glenn County District Attorney's Office
601 W Sycamore Street
Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-6525
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees to cover the direct costs of duplication or electronic production of records. Requestors should be prepared to provide identification and complete required forms when requesting arrest records in person.

Contents of a Willows Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies in Willows typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest incident and the individual involved. Standard components of these records include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known pseudonyms
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for making the arrest (Willows Police Department, Glenn County Sheriff's Office, etc.)
Booking number and facility where processing occurred
Enumeration of all charges filed, including applicable California Penal Code sections
Classification of charges as misdemeanors or felonies
Booking photograph (mugshot) of the arrested individual
Fingerprint records collected during booking procedures
Details regarding bail or bond amounts set and payment status
Case disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
Warrant information if the arrest was warrant-based

In accordance with California law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information related to minors. The California Information Practices Act (Civil Code § 1798 et seq.) governs the protection of personal information in government records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Willows

The expungement process in Willows allows eligible individuals to petition for the sealing or removal of arrest records from public access. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 1203.4, individuals who have completed probation for a conviction may petition the court to withdraw their plea of guilty or set aside a verdict of guilty, and dismiss the accusations or information against them.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Willows include:

Successful completion of all terms of probation
No current charges pending against the individual
Not currently serving a sentence for any offense
No convictions for certain serious offenses listed in Penal Code § 1192.7(c)

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Glenn County Superior Court where the case was adjudicated. Individuals seeking expungement must:

Obtain and complete the appropriate petition forms from the court clerk's office
Pay the required filing fee (fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals)
Attend a scheduled hearing if required by the court
Demonstrate to the court that expungement serves the interests of justice

Glenn County Superior Court - Criminal Division
526 W Sycamore Street
Willows, CA 95988
(530) 934-6382
Glenn County Superior Court

It is important to note that expungement under California law does not completely erase all records of an arrest. Rather, the record is modified to show the dismissal of charges. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement and licensing boards, may still access expunged records for specific purposes. Additionally, expunged convictions must still be disclosed on applications for government employment or licensure.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Willows, California law imposes certain restrictions on their accessibility and use. These limitations serve to balance public access with individual privacy rights and rehabilitation goals.

California Labor Code § 432.7 prohibits employers from asking job applicants about arrests that did not result in conviction, or about convictions that have been judicially dismissed or ordered sealed. Exceptions exist for positions in law enforcement, positions working with vulnerable populations, and certain licensed professions.

Additional restrictions apply to arrest records involving:

Juvenile arrests and proceedings, which are generally confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
Arrests for which diversion programs were successfully completed (Penal Code § 1000.4)
Arrests related to domestic violence restraining order violations where no conviction resulted (Family Code § 6383)
Sealed records pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8 (factual innocence determinations)

Government agencies in Willows must comply with these restrictions when responding to public records requests. The Glenn County Superior Court and law enforcement agencies maintain protocols to ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws while fulfilling their obligations under the California Public Records Act.