>Los Angeles County Arrest Records Online

Los Angeles County, California Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Los Angeles County, California?

Arrest records are public in Los Angeles County, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that information prepared, owned, used, or retained by any state or local agency shall be accessible to the public, with certain statutory exemptions. The California Public Records Act specifically declares that access to government information is a fundamental right of California residents, and public agencies are required to respond to requests for public records within 10 days.

Members of the public may inspect arrest records maintained by various law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles County, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department. These records are subject to specific disclosure requirements under California law, which balances the public's right to information with privacy considerations and ongoing investigation needs.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court maintains official court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. Additionally, public records requests may be submitted to relevant county agencies to obtain arrest record information.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Los Angeles County?

Arrest records can be accessed online in Los Angeles County through various official portals maintained by law enforcement agencies. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department maintains the Inmate Information Center, which provides booking information and current custody status for individuals detained in county facilities. This database is updated regularly and is accessible to the public without charge.

The Los Angeles Police Department also maintains an online system that allows for limited searches of arrest information. However, pursuant to California Government Code § 6254(f), certain details may be redacted or limited in online versions to protect privacy rights and ongoing investigations.

Online access to arrest records is governed by California Penal Code § 13300-13305, which regulates the dissemination of criminal history information. The California Judicial Branch provides guidelines for accessing court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.

Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive, as some information 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 may not appear in online databases.

How to Look Up Los Angeles County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Los Angeles County arrest records in 2025, members of the public may utilize several official channels:

Visit the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Records and Identification Bureau in person: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Records Bureau 12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 600 Norwalk, CA 90650 (562) 345-4400 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Submit a request through the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's online portal, which processes public records requests pursuant to Government Code § 6253.
Contact the arresting agency directly. For arrests made by the Los Angeles Police Department: Los Angeles Police Department Records and Identification Division 100 West First Street, Room 150 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 486-8000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Access the Los Angeles County Superior Court Archives and Records Center for court records related to arrests: Los Angeles County Superior Court Archives 222 North Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 830-0800 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Submit a formal request to the Los Angeles County Probation Department for records related to individuals under supervision: Los Angeles County Probation Department 9150 East Imperial Highway Downey, CA 90242 (866) 931-2222 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Fees may apply for record searches and copies, as authorized under California Government Code § 6253(b).

Contents of a Los Angeles County Arrest Record

Los Angeles County arrest records contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13100-13103. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Booking number and arresting agency identifier
Statutory violations and charges, including citation of relevant California Penal Code sections
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records and other biometric data
Custody status information
Bail amount, if applicable
Case disposition information, if available

Pursuant to California law, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:

Information that would endanger the safety of a person involved in an investigation
Information that would endanger the successful completion of an investigation
Medical or psychological information protected under Health and Safety Code § 123100-123149.5
Information related to juvenile arrests, which are generally confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827

Expungement of Arrest Records in Los Angeles County

Individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Los Angeles County under specific circumstances outlined in California Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4. Expungement eligibility generally applies to:

Arrests that did not result in a filing of charges
Cases where charges were filed but later dismissed
Cases resulting in acquittal after trial
Convictions where the individual has successfully completed probation

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Los Angeles County Superior Court that handled the original case. The petition must include:

Case number and arrest information
Declaration explaining eligibility for expungement
Supporting documentation
Filing fee (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)

Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing date. The District Attorney's Office has the right to object to the petition. If granted, the expungement order will:

Allow the petitioner to legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense
Seal the arrest record from public view
Restrict access to the record by most employers

It is important to note that expungement does not completely destroy records, and certain government agencies and licensing boards may still access expunged records. Additionally, expunged convictions may still be counted as prior convictions for sentencing purposes if the individual is subsequently convicted of another offense.

The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector office can provide information about any fees associated with the expungement process.