Arrest records are public documents in Glendale, California, accessible to members of the general public pursuant to the California Public Records Act (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 Glendale Police Department maintains these records as part of their official documentation of law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.
The California Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under Government Code § 6254. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes, including:
Individuals seeking arrest records in Glendale may obtain them through formal requests to the appropriate agencies, subject to applicable processing fees and identification requirements as established by local ordinance.
The City of Glendale provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records as of 2025. Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253(a), public agencies must make records promptly available upon request during regular office hours. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest record information:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Glendale Police Department Records Bureau, located at 131 N. Isabel Street, Glendale, CA 91206. The Records Bureau maintains public counter hours Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays.
Electronic requests can be submitted through the Glendale Police Department's online portal, which has been enhanced in 2025 to provide streamlined access to public records. The system allows for secure document delivery and status tracking of submitted requests.
Written requests may be mailed to: Glendale Police Department, Records Bureau, 131 N. Isabel Street, Glendale, CA 91206. All written requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific information about the record being sought, and a statement of purpose as required by California law.
Telephone inquiries regarding the status of records requests may be directed to the Records Bureau at (818) 548-4000, though initial requests must be submitted in writing or through the online portal in accordance with departmental policy.
Processing times for arrest record requests typically range from 10 to 15 business days, depending on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload. Expedited processing may be available for certain qualifying circumstances as determined by the Records Bureau supervisor.
Arrest records maintained by the Glendale Police Department contain standardized information as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13150. These official documents serve as the factual record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in arrest. Standard arrest records include the following components:
It should be noted that pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300-13302, certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including confidential informant information, details that might compromise ongoing investigations, or information related to victims of specific crimes as enumerated in the statute.
The expungement process in Glendale operates under the authority of California Penal Code § 1203.4 and related statutes, providing eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to seal or dismiss arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement does not result in the physical destruction of records but rather restricts their accessibility and may allow individuals to legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense in certain contexts.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Glendale include:
The procedural requirements for expungement include:
Certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including violations of Penal Code § 286(c), § 288, § 288a(c), § 261.5(d), and § 243.4. Additionally, convictions resulting in state prison sentences that did not qualify for realignment under Penal Code § 1170(h) are generally ineligible for standard expungement procedures.
Individuals seeking expungement may obtain assistance through:
Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office
210 West Temple Street, 19th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 974-2811
Los Angeles County Public Defender
Glendale Courthouse Self-Help Resource Center
600 East Broadway, Room 280
Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 500-3229
Los Angeles Court Self-Help