Arrest records are public documents in Burbank, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies, including the Burbank Police Department, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The California Public Records Act operates under the principle that governmental transparency serves the public interest, with certain statutory exemptions designed to protect privacy rights, ongoing investigations, and public safety.
Individuals seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally available, specific information may be redacted in accordance with California Government Code § 6254, which provides for the protection of personal identifying information and details pertaining to victims of certain crimes. Additionally, records related to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827.
The Burbank Police Department maintains custody of local arrest records and processes requests in accordance with departmental policies and applicable state laws. Requestors may be required to submit identification and complete standardized forms when seeking access to these public documents.
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in Burbank, California. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with relevant statutes:
• In-person requests may be submitted at the Burbank Police Department Records Bureau, located at 200 North Third Street, Burbank, CA 91502. The Records Bureau maintains public counter hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors should be prepared to present valid identification and complete a Public Records Request form.
• Electronic requests can be submitted through the City of Burbank's online portal for public records. This system allows for the secure transmission of requests and provides tracking capabilities for monitoring the status of submissions.
• Written requests sent via postal mail should be addressed to the Burbank Police Department, Records Bureau, 200 North Third Street, Burbank, CA 91502. Correspondence should clearly indicate the specific records being requested and provide contact information for response purposes.
• Court records associated with arrests may be accessed through the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Burbank Courthouse, located at 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502. The courthouse maintains public counter hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees for duplication costs associated with providing copies of arrest records. These fees are established to recover direct costs of duplication only and are subject to periodic adjustment.
Requestors should note that response times for record requests may vary based on the complexity of the request and the volume of records involved. Under California law, agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, though this period may be extended by an additional 14 days under specified circumstances as outlined in Government Code § 6253(c).
Arrest records maintained by the Burbank Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13100-13326. These official documents typically include the following elements:
• Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), and gender
• Unique identifiers including booking number, case number, and fingerprint classification
• Temporal and geographical data pertaining to the arrest, including date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred
• Statutory violations for which the individual was taken into custody, including California Penal Code sections and/or Burbank Municipal Code provisions allegedly violated
• Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken during the processing procedure
• Arresting officer information, including name and badge number
• Disposition information indicating whether the individual was released, transferred to county facilities, or held pending arraignment
• Bail amount established, if applicable, in accordance with the Los Angeles County Bail Schedule
• Property inventory documenting items in the arrestee's possession at the time of booking
It should be noted that certain information contained within arrest records may be redacted prior to public disclosure in accordance with privacy protections established under California law. This includes information pertaining to confidential informants, victims of specified offenses, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
The process of expungement (record sealing) in Burbank operates under the provisions of California Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4, which establish mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the sealing or dismissal of arrest and conviction records. The following criteria and procedures govern this process:
• Eligibility for expungement typically requires that the petitioner has completed all terms of probation, paid all fines and restitution, and is not currently charged with or serving a sentence for any other offense.
• Individuals arrested but never charged may petition for a finding of factual innocence under Penal Code § 851.8, which, if granted, results in the sealing and subsequent destruction of arrest records.
• The petition process requires submission of standardized Judicial Council forms to the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Burbank Courthouse, located at 300 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502. The court maintains a filing office open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
• Filing fees apply to expungement petitions, though fee waivers may be available to qualifying individuals based on financial need as determined by the court.
• Upon receipt of a petition, the court schedules a hearing date at which the petitioner, prosecution, and other interested parties may present evidence and arguments regarding the appropriateness of expungement.
• If granted, an expungement order does not physically destroy records in most cases but rather modifies them to reflect that the conviction has been dismissed. Certain professional licensing boards, law enforcement agencies, and some employers may still have limited access to expunged records under specific circumstances.
• Expunged records remain accessible for consideration in subsequent criminal proceedings and may affect sentencing in future cases pursuant to California's "Three Strikes" law.
The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, located at 210 West Temple Street, 19th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012, provides assistance with expungement petitions to eligible individuals. Their office can be reached at (213) 974-2811 for consultation regarding eligibility and procedural requirements.