>Madera County Arrest Records Online

Madera County, California Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Madera County, California?

Arrest records are public documents in Madera County, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records created, maintained, or possessed by state and local agencies must be accessible to the public, with certain statutory exemptions. The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b) further reinforces the public's right to access information concerning the conduct of government operations.

Members of the public may inspect these records during regular business hours at designated government facilities. Arrest records typically become available after the booking process is complete and the information has been entered into the county's record management system. However, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Government Code § 6254.

The Madera County Superior Court maintains criminal case records that result from arrests. These records can be accessed through the Criminal Division of the court, where staff can assist with locating specific case information.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Madera County?

Digital access to arrest records is available through several official Madera County platforms. The Madera County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides information about currently incarcerated individuals and recent arrests. This system is updated regularly to reflect current detention status.

The Superior Court of California, County of Madera offers an online case information portal where members of the public may search for criminal cases by name or case number. This system provides basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and case status. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, electronic access to court records must balance public access with privacy concerns.

Online access is subject to the following limitations:

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records
Cases involving juveniles are generally not available online
Some older records may not be digitized and require in-person requests
Complete case files typically require in-person inspection at the courthouse

Users should note that online systems may not contain comprehensive arrest information, particularly for arrests that did not result in formal charges or court proceedings.

How to Look Up Madera County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Madera County. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following methods:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Madera County Sheriff's Office Records Division, located at 2725 Gateway Drive, Madera, CA 93637. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Proper identification is required, and fees may apply for copies of records.
Criminal case records resulting from arrests can be accessed through the Madera County Superior Court Criminal Division at 200 South G Street, Madera, CA 93637. The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Telephone inquiries can be directed to (559) 416-5599.
The Madera Police Department maintains records of arrests within city limits. Records requests can be submitted at 330 South C Street, Madera, CA 93638. For non-emergency inquiries, the department can be reached at (559) 675-4220.
Online inmate search is available through the Madera County Department of Corrections website, which provides information on current inmates and recent bookings.

When requesting records, the following information should be provided to facilitate the search:

Full name of the individual (including any known aliases)
Date of birth or approximate age
Date or approximate timeframe of the arrest
Case number (if known)

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees to cover the direct costs of duplication or electronic delivery of records. Certified copies may incur additional fees as established by local ordinance.

Contents of a Madera County Arrest Record

Madera County arrest records contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13150. These records typically include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Arrest details including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, officer identification, and the legal authority for the arrest
Criminal charges filed against the individual, including the California Penal Code sections allegedly violated and the classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies
Booking information such as the booking number, fingerprints, and booking photographs (commonly known as mugshots)
Custody status including bail amount (if applicable), release information, or detention facility location
Case disposition information may be included if available, such as court dates, hearing outcomes, or case dismissals

It should be noted that pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300, certain information in criminal history records may be restricted based on the requestor's identity and purpose. Complete criminal history information (commonly known as "rap sheets") is not available to the general public and is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals as specified by statute.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Madera County

The process of expungement in Madera County operates under California Penal Code § 1203.4, which provides a mechanism for eligible individuals to petition for dismissal of convictions. Additionally, Penal Code § 851.8 governs the process for sealing and destroying arrest records in cases where no conviction occurred.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Madera County include:

Successful completion of probation or sentence
No current charges pending
Not serving a sentence for any other offense
No probation violations during the probationary period

Certain convictions are ineligible for expungement, including specific sex offenses against minors and certain vehicle code violations.

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Dismissal with the Madera County Superior Court. This petition must be filed with the court where the case was prosecuted. The Superior Court of California, County of Madera provides the necessary forms and filing instructions.

Upon receipt of a petition, the court will:

Schedule a hearing date
Notify the District Attorney's Office, which may contest the petition
Review the petitioner's eligibility and case history
Issue a ruling on the petition

If granted, the expungement results in the case being dismissed and the conviction being set aside. However, the record of arrest and conviction remains accessible to certain government agencies and may be considered in future criminal proceedings or for certain licensing and employment purposes.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves complex legal requirements. The Madera County Public Defender's Office, located at 209 W. Yosemite Avenue, Madera, CA 93637, may provide assistance to eligible individuals.