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Tehachapi Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Tehachapi, California?

Arrest records in Tehachapi, California are classified as public information pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies constitutes public record and must be made available for inspection by members of the general public. The California Public Records Act serves to promote governmental transparency and accountability by ensuring citizens have access to records pertaining to arrests conducted within the jurisdiction, except in cases where specific statutory exemptions apply.

Under California Government Code § 6254(f), certain information related to arrests must be disclosed to the public, including the full name of the arrestee, physical description, date of birth, time and date of arrest, time and date of booking, location of arrest, factual circumstances surrounding the arrest, amount of bail set, time and manner of release, and all charges the arrestee is being held upon.

How to Look Up Tehachapi Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Tehachapi. The Tehachapi Police Department maintains records in compliance with state regulations and provides several methods for record retrieval. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following procedures:

Online Database Access: The Tehachapi Police Department provides digital access to certain arrest records through their official records portal. Users may search by name, date of arrest, or case number.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may submit requests in person at the Records Division of the Tehachapi Police Department. Requestors must complete a Public Records Request form and provide proper identification.
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division. All requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available.
Kern County Superior Court: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be accessed through the Kern County Superior Court's case information system.

Tehachapi Police Department
115 S. Robinson Street
Tehachapi, CA 93561
(661) 822-2222
www.tehachapipd.com

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays

Contents of a Tehachapi Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Tehachapi Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Kern County typically contain comprehensive information as mandated by California state law. Standard arrest records include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory violations and charges filed
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records
Detention facility information
Bail or bond amount established
Court appearance dates
Case disposition information, when available

It should be noted that pursuant to California Government Code § 6254(f), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records if disclosure would endanger the safety of a person involved in an investigation or jeopardize the successful completion of the investigation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Tehachapi

The process of expungement in Tehachapi follows California Penal Code § 1203.4, which provides a legal mechanism for eligible individuals to petition for the dismissal of convictions. Additionally, Penal Code § 851.8 establishes procedures for the sealing and destruction of arrest records in cases where no conviction occurred.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Tehachapi include:

Successful completion of probation or early termination of probation
No current charges pending against the petitioner
Not serving a sentence for any offense
Not on probation for any offense
No felony convictions within the statutory timeframe

The expungement process requires the following steps:

Filing a Petition for Dismissal with the Kern County Superior Court
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Notification of the District Attorney's Office
Court hearing (if required by the judge)
Judicial review and determination

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will order the dismissal of the conviction and the Department of Justice will update the criminal record accordingly. However, it is important to note that pursuant to California law, expunged records may still be accessible to certain government agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings.

Kern County Superior Court - Tehachapi Branch
115 S. Robinson Street
Tehachapi, CA 93561
(661) 823-7016
www.kern.courts.ca.gov

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding court holidays

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Tehachapi, certain statutory limitations exist regarding their accessibility and use. The Tehachapi Municipal Code, in conjunction with state regulations, establishes specific restrictions on the dissemination and utilization of arrest information.

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. Additionally, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Government Code § 12940) restricts how employers may use criminal history information in making employment decisions.

The following records are subject to restricted access under California law:

Juvenile arrest records (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
Arrests for which diversion was successfully completed (Penal Code § 1000.4)
Sealed arrest records (Penal Code § 851.8)
Records pertaining to victims of specific offenses, including domestic violence and sexual assault

Unauthorized access or misuse of arrest records may result in civil penalties under California Civil Code § 1798.53, which provides for damages of no less than $2,500 per violation.

Tehachapi Arrest Statistics and Reporting

The Tehachapi Police Department maintains comprehensive statistical data regarding arrests within the jurisdiction in compliance with the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These statistics are compiled monthly and submitted to the California Department of Justice as mandated by Government Code § 13020.

Statistical reports include:

Total number of arrests categorized by offense type
Demographic information of arrestees
Geographic distribution of arrests within the jurisdiction
Temporal patterns of criminal activity
Clearance rates for reported crimes

The Tehachapi Police Department publishes an annual crime report that includes arrest statistics, which is available for public inspection at the department headquarters or through their official website. This report provides valuable information for community members, researchers, and policymakers regarding law enforcement activities within the city.