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Ross Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ross, California?

Arrest records are public in Ross, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies are subject to public inspection, with certain statutory exemptions. The CPRA operates under the principle that governmental records shall be disclosed to the public upon request unless there is a specific reason not to do so.

In accordance with California law, arrest records maintained by the Ross Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Marin County are generally accessible to members of the public. This accessibility serves multiple public interests:

  • Ensures transparency in law enforcement operations
  • Facilitates public oversight of governmental activities
  • Provides information relevant to public safety
  • Supports journalistic and research endeavors

Certain arrest records may be subject to restricted access under specific circumstances as outlined in Government Code § 6254, including:

  • Records pertaining to juvenile offenders
  • Ongoing investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement proceedings
  • Records sealed by court order
  • Cases involving certain victims of specific crimes

Individuals seeking arrest records in Ross should be aware that while the information is public, the process for obtaining these records must adhere to established protocols and may require formal requests through designated channels.

How to Look Up Ross Arrest Records in 2025

The Town of Ross provides multiple avenues for accessing arrest records in compliance with the California Public Records Act. As of 2025, individuals seeking arrest record information may utilize the following official methods:

In-person requests may be submitted at:

Ross Police Department
33 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
Ross, CA 94957
(415) 453-2727
Ross Police Department Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Written requests for arrest records should include:

  • Full name of the subject
  • Date of birth (if known)
  • Approximate date of arrest
  • Case number (if available)
  • Requestor's contact information
  • Purpose of request (optional but may expedite processing)

Electronic access options include:

  • The Ross Police Department's online portal provides limited arrest data through their crime mapping feature
  • Public records requests submitted via the town's official website
  • Designated public access terminals located at the Ross Town Hall

For court-related arrest records, inquiries should be directed to:

Marin County Superior Court
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 113
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 444-7000
Marin County Superior Court Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the direct costs of duplication or electronic production of records. Current fee schedules are available upon request from the respective agencies.

Contents of a Ross Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Ross Police Department and accessible through public records requests typically contain standardized information as prescribed by California law. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and subsequent processing of individuals taken into custody.

Standard components of a Ross arrest record include:

  • Biographical information of the arrested individual:

    • Full legal name
    • Known aliases or alternative names
    • Date of birth
    • Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
    • Residential address at time of arrest
    • Identification numbers (California Driver's License, etc.)
  • Arrest details:

    • Date, time, and location of arrest
    • Arresting agency and officer identification
    • Booking number and facility information
    • Statutory authority for the arrest
    • Probable cause statement
  • Criminal charge information:

    • California Penal Code violations cited
    • Classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony)
    • Incident report number
    • Case disposition if available
  • Processing documentation:

    • Booking photographs (mugshots)
    • Fingerprint records
    • Property inventory
    • Medical screening information
  • Judicial processing:

    • Bail or bond amount established
    • Court appearance dates
    • Case numbers assigned by the Marin County Superior Court

In accordance with California law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Medical or health information protected under HIPAA
  • Information related to confidential informants
  • Details that might compromise ongoing investigations

The completeness of arrest records may vary based on the stage of criminal proceedings and statutory restrictions on disclosure of specific information categories.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Ross

The expungement process in Ross follows California state law, specifically Penal Code § 1203.4, which provides mechanisms for eligible individuals to petition for the dismissal of convictions and sealing of arrest records. Expungement does not completely erase records but changes their status and restricts public access.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Ross include:

  • Successful completion of probation or early termination of probation
  • No current charges pending against the petitioner
  • Not serving a sentence for any offense
  • Compliance with all court-ordered restitution and fine payments

For arrests that did not result in convictions, Penal Code § 851.8 provides a process for petitioning for a finding of factual innocence, which results in the sealing and destruction of arrest records.

The formal expungement process requires:

  1. Filing a Petition for Dismissal (form CR-180) with the Marin County Superior Court
  2. Submitting a Declaration (form CR-181) detailing eligibility
  3. Payment of filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
  4. Notification to the District Attorney's Office
  5. Attendance at scheduled court hearings

Petitioners should be aware of the following limitations:

  • Expunged convictions must still be disclosed for certain professional license applications
  • Expungement does not restore firearm rights in most cases
  • Certain convictions, particularly serious or violent felonies, may have limited expungement options

Legal assistance for expungement is available through:

Marin County Public Defender's Office
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 139
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 473-6321
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Legal Aid of Marin
1401 Los Gamos Drive, Suite 101
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 492-0230
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4(d), the court may impose a processing fee not to exceed $150 for petition handling, subject to the petitioner's ability to pay.

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