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Monterey Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Monterey, California?

Arrest records in Monterey, California are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access information concerning governmental affairs, including arrest documentation. The CPRA specifically mandates that public records, which include arrest logs, booking information, and related documentation, must be made available for inspection by any person during regular office hours of the governmental agency maintaining such records.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office and the City of Monterey Police Department maintain these records in compliance with state transparency requirements. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental and societal functions, including:

Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
Providing transparency in the criminal justice system
Enabling background checks for employment and housing purposes
Supporting journalistic and research endeavors
Facilitating public safety awareness within communities

Certain limitations may apply to the release of arrest information in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as determined by California law.

How to Look Up Monterey Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Monterey County have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining proper administrative protocols:

In-Person Requests

Individuals may visit the following agencies during regular business hours to submit requests for arrest records:

Monterey County Sheriff's Office
1414 Natividad Road
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-3700
Monterey County Sheriff's Office

City of Monterey Police Department
351 Madison Street
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 646-3830
City of Monterey Police Department
Lobby Hours: 7am - 7pm (7 days a week)

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the record being sought, including the name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information that may assist in locating the correct record.

Online Access

Digital access to certain arrest information is available through:

The Monterey Police Department Crime Log, which provides summaries of recent police activity and arrests
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office online portal, which offers limited booking information
The Monterey County Superior Court's online case index for cases that have been filed with the court

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to either the Sheriff's Office or Police Department. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(c), agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, though this period may be extended by an additional 14 days under unusual circumstances.

Public Access Terminals

Computer terminals designated for public use are available at:

Monterey County Superior Court
1200 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 647-5800
Monterey County Superior Court

Contents of a Monterey Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Monterey County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13300. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and generally include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks
Residential address at time of arrest (may be redacted in public versions)
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory violations alleged (California Penal Code sections)
Booking number and facility information
Arresting agency and officer identification
Disposition information (if available)
Fingerprint classification data
Booking photographs ("mugshots")

It should be noted that pursuant to California law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information
Information pertaining to minors
Victim identifying information in specific case types

Expungement of Arrest Records in Monterey

The expungement process in Monterey County provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to clear their arrest records under specific circumstances. This procedure is governed by California Penal Code § 851.8 for arrests not resulting in conviction and § 1203.4 for post-conviction relief.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may qualify for expungement of arrest records in Monterey County under the following conditions:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The conviction was for a misdemeanor or certain felonies
All terms of probation have been successfully completed
All fines, restitution, and court fees have been paid in full
The petitioner is not currently charged with, serving a sentence for, or on probation for another offense
Certain offenses are ineligible for expungement, including specific sex offenses against minors

Application Process

The expungement procedure requires submission of formal documentation to the Monterey County Superior Court:

Completion of Petition for Dismissal (Form CR-180)
Completion of Order for Dismissal (Form CR-181)
Filing of forms with the Criminal Division of the Monterey County Superior Court
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Attendance at scheduled court hearing if required by the court

Monterey County Superior Court - Criminal Division
1200 Aguajito Road
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 647-5800
Criminal Court Records

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the Department of Justice shall be notified to update their records accordingly. While expungement does not completely erase all record of the arrest, it does result in the case being dismissed and may restore certain rights to the petitioner.

Legal Assistance

Petitioners may seek assistance with the expungement process through:

Monterey County Public Defender's Office
111 W. Alisal Street, Suite E
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 755-5058

Monterey County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
P.O. Box 3112
Monterey, CA 93942
(831) 582-5400