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Lake County, California Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lake County, California?

Arrest records in Lake County, California are public documents pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access information concerning governmental affairs, including records of arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The CPRA operates under the principle that access to information concerning the conduct of public business is a fundamental right of every person in the state.

The Lake County Sheriff's Department maintains these records in accordance with California law. Members of the public may request access to arrest records for purposes including background checks, legal proceedings, or personal information. However, certain limitations may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or other statutorily protected information as outlined in Government Code § 6254.

Law enforcement agencies in Lake County are required to make arrest logs available for public inspection within 48 hours of an arrest, excluding weekends and holidays, as mandated by California Government Code § 6254(f). These logs typically contain the name and occupation of the arrested individual, physical description, time and date of arrest, factual circumstances, and bail amount.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lake County?

Lake County provides several online resources for accessing arrest records in compliance with California Government Code § 6253.9, which addresses electronic record access. The Lake County Sheriff's Department maintains a digital database of recent arrests that is updated regularly. This system allows members of the public to view booking information for individuals currently in custody or recently arrested.

The Lake County Superior Court also maintains an online case search portal where criminal case information can be accessed. This system permits searches by name or case number, providing information on court proceedings related to arrests.

It should be noted that pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300-13302, certain limitations exist regarding the dissemination of criminal history information. Complete criminal history records ("rap sheets") are not available online to the general public and require proper authorization through the California Department of Justice.

Online records may not include all historical arrest data, as some older records may only be available through in-person requests at the appropriate agency. Additionally, records that have been sealed, expunged, or are subject to other legal restrictions will not appear in public online databases.

How to Look Up Lake County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Lake County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available pursuant to California Government Code § 6253, which requires public agencies to make records promptly available upon request:

  • Lake County Sheriff's Department Records Division
    1220 Martin Street
    Lakeport, CA 95453
    Phone: (707) 262-4200
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    The Records Division processes requests for arrest reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement documents. Requestors must complete a Public Records Request form and provide proper identification. Fees may apply for copying services in accordance with Government Code § 6253(b).

  • Lake County Superior Court Criminal Division
    255 N. Forbes Street
    Lakeport, CA 95453
    Phone: (707) 263-2374
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    Court records related to criminal proceedings following arrests can be accessed through the Criminal Division. Case information is available through public terminals at the courthouse or via the court's online case search system.

  • Online Inmate Information System
    The In Custody database provides real-time information about individuals currently detained at the Hill Road Correctional Facility. This resource includes booking information, charges, and custody status.

  • Daily Booking Logs
    Pursuant to Government Code § 6254(f), the Sheriff's Department publishes daily booking logs that are accessible online. These logs contain information about recent arrests including names, charges, and booking dates.

Requests for certified copies of arrest records must be submitted in writing, and processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests and staff availability. Standard processing time is approximately 10 business days.

Contents of a Lake County Arrest Record

Lake County arrest records contain specific information as required by California Penal Code § 849.5 and § 851.8. A standard arrest record typically includes the following components:

  • Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), gender, race/ethnicity, and address at time of arrest

  • Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency and officer identification; booking number; and facility where the individual was processed

  • Criminal Charges: All charges filed at the time of arrest, including California Penal Code section numbers and descriptions of alleged offenses

  • Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including whether charges were filed by the District Attorney, case numbers, court dates, and final outcomes if available

  • Bail/Bond Information: Amount set, whether posted, and conditions of release if applicable

  • Photograph: Booking photograph ("mugshot") taken during the arrest processing

  • Fingerprint Information: Reference to fingerprints collected during booking process

  • Agency Identifiers: Case numbers, incident report numbers, and other administrative tracking information

It should be noted that pursuant to California Penal Code § 851.8, if an arrest did not result in a conviction, the record may indicate that the person was "detained" rather than "arrested" under certain circumstances. Additionally, some sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with Government Code § 6254(f), including information that would endanger an individual or compromise an investigation.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lake County

Under California Penal Code § 1203.4, § 1203.4a, and § 851.8, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Lake County. Expungement does not physically destroy records but rather changes their status and limits public access. The process is administered through the Lake County Superior Court and the California Department of Justice.

Eligibility criteria for expungement generally include:

  • Successful completion of probation or sentence for the offense
  • No current charges pending
  • Not serving a sentence for any other offense
  • Meeting specific statutory requirements based on the type of offense

For arrests that did not result in a conviction, California Penal Code § 851.8 provides a process for petition for factual innocence, which, if granted, results in the sealing and destruction of arrest records. This remedy is more comprehensive than standard expungement.

The Lake County Public Defender's Office provides assistance with expungement petitions through their Expungement Clinic:

Lake County Public Defender
255 N. Forbes Street, 4th Floor
Lakeport, CA 95453
Phone: (707) 263-9700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Petitioners must complete required forms and may need to appear at a court hearing. Filing fees may apply, though fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals. Processing times for expungement petitions typically range from 90-120 days from filing to court decision.

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 expunged when making hiring decisions, with certain exceptions for law enforcement positions and other sensitive occupations.

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