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Marin County, California Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Marin County, California?

Arrest records in Marin County, California are public documents pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies. The California Public Records Act mandates that all government records shall be disclosed to the public upon request, unless there is a specific exemption that prohibits such disclosure.

Certain arrest records may be subject to confidentiality restrictions under California law. These exceptions include:

  • Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
  • Arrests related to domestic violence victims (Government Code § 6254(f)(2))
  • Cases involving ongoing investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement activities
  • Records sealed by court order pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8

The Marin County Sheriff's Office maintains custody records and makes non-confidential arrest information available to the public in accordance with state law. Members of the public seeking arrest records must submit their requests to the appropriate agency that maintains such records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Marin County?

Marin County provides several online resources for accessing arrest records through official government portals. The County of Marin maintains a Public Booking Log that displays information about individuals who have been arrested and booked into the Marin County jail within the past 48 hours and remain in custody. This resource is available through the Marin County Sheriff's Office website.

The Marin County Superior Court's eCourt Online Portal offers public access to case information, including criminal cases resulting from arrests. Users may search by name or case number to retrieve information about court proceedings related to arrests.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following limitations:

  • Records may not include complete arrest history information
  • Certain sensitive or sealed records are excluded from online databases
  • Historical records may require in-person requests at the appropriate agency
  • Information is typically limited to basic arrest details rather than complete reports

Law enforcement agencies in Marin County may also provide limited arrest information through their respective websites, though policies regarding online disclosure vary by jurisdiction.

How to Look Up Marin County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Marin County have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The appropriate method depends on the age of the record, the arresting agency, and the purpose of the request.

For recent arrest records, individuals may:

  • Access the Marin County Public Booking Log for arrests within the past 48 hours
  • Visit the Marin County Sheriff's Office Records Division in person
  • Submit a written request to the arresting agency pursuant to the California Public Records Act

Marin County Sheriff's Office
1600 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 200
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 473-7250
www.marinsheriff.org

For court records related to arrests, individuals may:

Marin County Superior Court
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 444-7020
www.marin.courts.ca.gov

Requestors should be prepared to provide the following information when seeking arrest records:

  • Full name of the subject
  • Date of birth or approximate age
  • Date of arrest (if known)
  • Case or booking number (if available)
  • Requestor's contact information

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the direct costs of duplication or electronic production of records.

Contents of a Marin County Arrest Record

Marin County arrest records contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13150. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in an arrest. Standard arrest records in Marin County typically include:

  • Subject's full legal name and any known aliases
  • Date, time, and location of the arrest
  • Statutory authority for the arrest (California Penal Code section violated)
  • Level of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
  • Booking number and arresting agency identifier
  • Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color
  • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
  • Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
  • Booking photograph ("mugshot")
  • Custody status and bail information
  • Arresting officer's name and badge number

Arrest records maintained by the Marin County Sheriff's Office may also contain:

  • Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
  • Medical screening information relevant to custody
  • Housing assignment within detention facility
  • Court appearance dates and disposition information
  • Prior booking history within Marin County

It should be noted that arrest records document only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. The presumption of innocence applies until adjudication by a court of law. Arrest records remain separate from court records, which document the judicial proceedings following an arrest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Marin County

California law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8, individuals who were arrested but never charged, or whose charges were dismissed, may petition for a finding of factual innocence and the sealing and destruction of arrest records.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in Marin County include:

  • Completion of probation or early termination of probation
  • No current charges pending against the petitioner
  • Not serving a sentence for any other offense
  • Successful fulfillment of all court-ordered obligations
  • Specific time periods have elapsed since the arrest or conviction

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Dismissal (form CR-180) with the Marin County Superior Court. Petitioners must file in the court where the case was adjudicated. The District Attorney's Office receives notification of the petition and may contest the request.

Marin County District Attorney's Office
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 130
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 473-6450
www.marincountyda.org

Upon granting an expungement petition, the court issues an order under Penal Code § 1203.4 that:

  • Allows the petitioner to withdraw their plea of guilty or no contest
  • Enters a plea of not guilty
  • Sets aside and dismisses the conviction
  • Releases the petitioner from penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction

It is important to note that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies, licensing boards, and certain employers as authorized by law. Expungement does not eliminate the requirement to disclose the arrest or conviction when applying for government employment, public office, or state licensing.

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