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Gardena Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Gardena, California?

Arrest records are public documents in Gardena, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The CPRA operates under the principle that governmental transparency is essential for a functioning democracy, allowing citizens to monitor the actions of public officials and agencies.

The Gardena Police Department maintains arrest records in accordance with California Penal Code § 13300-13302, which governs the dissemination of criminal history information. While most arrest information is available to the public, certain exceptions exist to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and privacy rights in specific circumstances as outlined in Government Code § 6254.

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, the information contained therein documents only that an arrest occurred and does not constitute proof of guilt. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law as guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.

How to Look Up Gardena Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Gardena. The following procedures have been established pursuant to local ordinances and state regulations:

In-Person Requests at Gardena Police Department: Citizens may submit formal requests for arrest records at the Records Division of the Gardena Police Department.

Gardena Police Department
1718 West 162nd Street
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 217-9600
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30AM-5:30PM, Friday 7:30AM-4:30PM
Gardena Police Department Official Website
City Clerk's Office: The City of Gardena maintains certain public records through the City Clerk's office.

Gardena City Clerk's Office
1700 West 162nd Street
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 217-9565
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30AM-5:30PM, Friday 7:30AM-4:30PM
Online Portal Access: The Gardena Police Department provides limited online access to certain public safety information through their official website. Users must register and may be subject to verification procedures in accordance with California Government Code § 6253.9.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), written requests may be submitted via postal mail or email. Requests must reasonably describe identifiable records and provide sufficient information to locate the requested documents.
Los Angeles County Superior Court: For case-related information following arrests, the appropriate courthouse maintains public terminals.

Los Angeles County Superior Court - Torrance Courthouse
825 Maple Avenue
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 787-3700
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM

Requestors should be prepared to pay applicable fees for document reproduction as permitted under Government Code § 6253(b). Current fee schedules are available at each agency's public counter and on their respective websites.

Contents of a Gardena Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Gardena Police Department contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13150. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color), and any documented aliases or alternative identifications.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the agency responsible for the arrest.
Offense Information: California Penal Code sections allegedly violated, classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction), and brief narrative description of the alleged criminal activity.
Processing Data: Booking number, fingerprint classification, and photographic identification (commonly referred to as a "mugshot").
Custody Status: Information regarding bail amount if applicable, detention facility location, and court appearance dates.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system, including whether charges were filed by the prosecuting agency.

In accordance with the Gardena Municipal Code and California state law, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including but not limited to: confidential informant identities, juvenile information protected under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, medical information protected under HIPAA, and information that might compromise ongoing investigations as determined by the Chief of Police or designee.

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The legal foundation for public access to arrest records in Gardena is established through a comprehensive framework of federal, state, and local laws. The California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250 et seq.) serves as the primary statutory authority governing access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests.

Under California law, specifically Penal Code § 13300-13305, criminal history information is classified into categories with varying levels of accessibility. Local agencies must adhere to these classifications when responding to public requests for arrest information:

Public Information: Basic arrest data including name, charges, and arrest date is generally available to any requestor.
Protected Information: Criminal history summaries (commonly called "rap sheets") are not public records and access is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals pursuant to Penal Code § 11105.
Sealed Records: Arrests resulting in no charges, acquittals, or successful diversion programs may be sealed under specific circumstances outlined in Penal Code § 851.8 and § 851.91.

The City of Gardena has implemented local procedures in compliance with these state mandates, as codified in the Gardena Municipal Code. These procedures balance the public's right to information with individual privacy protections and law enforcement operational needs.

Federal regulations, including the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552), may also apply to certain arrest records maintained in federal databases or shared through interstate compacts.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Gardena

Individuals with arrest records in Gardena may be eligible for expungement or sealing of these records under California law. Expungement procedures are governed primarily by Penal Code § 1203.4 for convictions and § 851.8 and § 851.91 for arrests not resulting in convictions.

The following criteria generally determine eligibility for expungement in Gardena:

Successful completion of probation or early termination of probation
No current charges pending against the individual
Not serving a sentence for any offense
No probation or parole supervision for any offense

The expungement process typically involves:

Filing a Petition for Dismissal with the court where the case was adjudicated
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Notification to the prosecuting agency
Court hearing if contested by the prosecution
Judicial determination and order

Individuals seeking expungement may file petitions at:

Los Angeles County Superior Court - Torrance Courthouse
825 Maple Avenue
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 787-3700
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30AM-4:30PM

The City of Gardena does not directly process expungement requests, as this is a judicial function. However, the Gardena Police Department must comply with court orders to seal or expunge records within their custody.

Pursuant to recent legislation, including Assembly Bill 1076, certain eligible convictions may be automatically expunged without petition, though implementation timelines vary by jurisdiction and offense type.