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Shafter Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Shafter, California?

Arrest records in Shafter, California are classified as public documents pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The California Public Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding law enforcement activities within their communities.

Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253(a), public agencies are required to make records promptly available to any person upon payment of appropriate fees covering direct costs of duplication. The Shafter Police Department, as a public agency, maintains arrest records that fall under this provision. However, certain exemptions may apply to specific information contained within arrest records as outlined in Government Code § 6254, particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.

How to Look Up Shafter Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Shafter, California may utilize several authorized methods established by municipal and county authorities. The following procedures have been implemented to facilitate public access to arrest information:

Submit a formal written request to the Shafter Police Department Records Division located at 201 Central Valley Highway, Shafter, CA 93263. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), and approximate date of arrest.
Visit the Shafter Police Department in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to complete a records request form. Valid government-issued identification is required for in-person requests.
Access the Kern County Superior Court case information system for cases that have been filed with the court following an arrest.
Submit a request by mail to: Records Division, Shafter Police Department, 201 Central Valley Highway, Shafter, CA 93263. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence.

Requestors should note that processing times may vary depending on departmental workload and the complexity of the request. Fees for record retrieval and duplication are established in accordance with Government Code § 6253 and local ordinances.

Contents of a Shafter Arrest Record

Official arrest records maintained by the Shafter Police Department and accessible through authorized channels typically contain the following standardized information as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13125:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases or known monikers
Date of birth and demographic information including gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory violations and charges filed against the individual
Case number and booking identification
Arresting agency information and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Fingerprint classification data collected during booking procedures
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Disposition information if available (e.g., released pending investigation, transferred to county facility)
Bail amount if established at the time of booking

The comprehensiveness of information contained within arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and stage of the criminal justice process. Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to additional confidentiality provisions under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 and may not be accessible through standard public records requests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Shafter

California law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as codified in Penal Code § 1203.4 and § 851.8. Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Shafter must adhere to statutory requirements and procedural guidelines established by the Kern County Superior Court.

Eligibility criteria for expungement typically include:

Successful completion of all terms of probation or sentence
No current charges pending against the petitioner
No current incarceration for any offense
Satisfaction of all court-ordered financial obligations

The expungement process requires the filing of a Petition for Dismissal with the Kern County Superior Court located at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Petitioners may be required to appear at a hearing where a judicial officer will evaluate the merits of the petition based on statutory criteria and the petitioner's post-conviction conduct.

It should be noted that pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8, individuals who were arrested but never charged with a crime may petition for a finding of factual innocence, which provides for the sealing and destruction of arrest records. This process requires the petitioner to demonstrate that no reasonable cause existed to believe they committed the offense for which they were arrested.

Expunged records may still be accessible to certain government agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings or for certain types of employment applications as specified in Penal Code § 1203.4(a).

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

The dissemination and use of arrest record information in Shafter is subject to various statutory limitations designed to protect individual privacy rights while maintaining public access to government records. Key restrictions include:

Labor Code § 432.7 prohibits employers from asking job applicants about arrests that did not result in conviction, except in specific circumstances involving law enforcement agencies or positions with access to sensitive information.
Civil Code § 1786.18 restricts consumer reporting agencies from reporting arrests or indictments that did not result in conviction after seven years from the date of entry.
Business and Professions Code § 461 limits licensing boards from denying licenses solely on the basis of an arrest that did not result in conviction.
Health and Safety Code § 1522 requires background checks for employees of community care facilities but provides specific guidelines for the consideration of arrest records.

Violations of these statutory provisions may result in civil penalties and, in some cases, create a private right of action for affected individuals. Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware of these restrictions when utilizing such information for employment, housing, or other purposes.

Shafter Law Enforcement Agencies

The primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining arrest records within Shafter city limits is:

Shafter Police Department
201 Central Valley Highway
Shafter, CA 93263
Phone: (661) 746-8500
Official Website

Additional law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction in the Shafter area include:

Kern County Sheriff's Office
1350 Norris Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Phone: (661) 861-3110
Official Website

California Highway Patrol - Bakersfield Area Office
9855 Compagnoni Street
Bakersfield, CA 93313
Phone: (661) 396-6600
Official Website