> >Los Banos Arrest Records

Los Banos Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Los Banos, California?

Arrest records are public documents in Los Banos, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes the public's right to access governmental records, including arrest information, to ensure transparency in governmental operations. The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b)(1) further reinforces this right by stating: "The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business." Law enforcement agencies in Los Banos are required to maintain these records and make them available for public inspection, with certain statutory exceptions for privacy, ongoing investigations, and juvenile cases as outlined in Government Code § 6254.

How to Look Up Los Banos Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Los Banos have multiple avenues available for obtaining this information. The following official channels provide access to arrest documentation:

Los Banos Police Department: Individuals may submit requests in person at the department headquarters. A formal request form must be completed, and applicable fees paid for document reproduction.

Los Banos Police Department
945 5th Street
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 827-7070
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-11:30 AM and 2:10 PM-4:10 PM
Los Banos Police Department
Merced County Superior Court - Los Banos Division: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed through the clerk's office. The Los Banos division handles criminal matters arising from arrests within its jurisdiction.

Merced County Superior Court - Los Banos Division
1159 G Street
Los Banos, CA 93635
(209) 725-4100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Los Banos Court Division
Merced County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county deputies in the Los Banos area, records may be requested from the Sheriff's Office.

Merced County Sheriff's Office
700 West 22nd Street
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 385-7445
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Merced County Sheriff's Office
Online Court Case Information System: The Merced County Superior Court maintains an electronic portal where case information related to arrests can be searched by name or case number.

Contents of a Los Banos Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Los Banos law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information as mandated by California Penal Code § 13100-13103. Standard components of these records include:

Subject identification information (full legal name, known aliases, date of birth)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars)
Demographic data (gender, race, ethnicity)
Arrest details (date, time, location, arresting agency, officer identification)
Booking information (booking number, fingerprints, mugshot photographs)
Criminal charges filed (California Penal Code sections violated)
Custody status (released on bail, own recognizance, or detained)
Court case number and scheduled appearances
Disposition information (if available)

Pursuant to California law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and victim identification in specific cases as outlined in Government Code § 6254(f).

Legal Framework for Public Access to Arrest Records

The disclosure of arrest records in Los Banos operates within a structured legal framework established by state legislation. The following statutes govern public access:

California Public Records Act (CPRA): Government Code § 6250-6270 establishes the fundamental right of access to governmental records, including arrest information. The act specifies that public records are open to inspection during regular office hours of governmental agencies.
Criminal Record Information Access: Penal Code § 13300-13305 regulates the dissemination of criminal history information, establishing parameters for what information may be released and to whom.
Limitations on Disclosure: Government Code § 6254(f) outlines specific exemptions to disclosure, including information that would endanger ongoing investigations or compromise privacy rights in certain circumstances.
Juvenile Records Protection: Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 provides special protections for juvenile arrest records, which are generally not available for public inspection without a court order.

Law enforcement agencies in Los Banos must balance the public's right to information with privacy protections and investigative integrity as mandated by these statutes.

Requesting Certified Copies of Arrest Records

Individuals seeking certified copies of arrest records for official purposes must follow established procedures in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 11, Division 1, Chapter 7. The certification process authenticates the document for use in legal proceedings, employment verification, or immigration matters.

To obtain certified copies, requestors must:

Submit a formal written request to the Los Banos Police Department or appropriate agency
Provide proper identification (government-issued photo ID)
Pay the certification fee as established by local ordinance
Complete any required declaration forms stating the purpose of the request
Submit fingerprints for verification when required by statute

Certified copies bear an official seal and signature, confirming the document is a true and correct reproduction of the original record. Processing times typically range from 5-10 business days, depending on departmental workload and record complexity.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Los Banos

Under California Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records in Los Banos. Expungement does not physically destroy records but restricts public access and allows individuals to legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense in most circumstances.

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Completion of probation or sentence requirements
No current criminal proceedings pending
No subsequent convictions for serious offenses
Satisfaction of waiting periods specified by statute

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Dismissal with the Merced County Superior Court - Los Banos Division. The District Attorney's office receives notification and may contest the petition. A hearing is scheduled where a judge determines whether granting relief serves the interests of justice. If approved, court orders are issued directing agencies to update records accordingly.

Certain serious offenses, including those requiring sex offender registration under Penal Code § 290, have limited expungement eligibility as specified in Penal Code § 1203.4(b).

Fees Associated with Arrest Record Requests

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees for the direct costs of duplicating records. The fee schedule for arrest record requests in Los Banos is as follows:

Standard arrest record copy: $25.00 per report
Certified copies: Additional $10.00 certification fee
Research fee for records older than two years: $15.00 per hour (first hour waived)
Photographs/digital media: $5.00 per CD/DVD
Live Scan fingerprinting service (when required): $15.00 processing fee

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors who submit a declaration of inability to pay as permitted under Government Code § 6253.1. Government agencies requesting records for official purposes are generally exempt from fees through interagency agreements.

Payment must be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the City of Los Banos or the specific agency processing the request. Credit card payments are accepted at some locations with an additional processing fee.