Arrest records are public in Nevada County, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6276.48). This legislation establishes that records produced by public agencies shall be accessible to the public, with specific exceptions for privacy and security concerns. Arrest records, unless sealed by court order or restricted by statutory provisions, are categorized as public information, thereby ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.
The Nevada County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may submit requests through established channels, including in-person visits to the Sheriff's Office, online portals, or written correspondence.
Nevada County Sheriff's Office
950 Maidu Avenue
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-1471
Nevada County Sheriff's Office
Arrest records can be accessed online through various Nevada County governmental platforms. The county maintains several digital resources where members of the public may search for and retrieve arrest information. The Nevada County Public Records portal provides access to numerous public documents, including certain arrest records and inmate information.
The Superior Court of California, County of Nevada offers an Online Case Access Portal where individuals may search for case information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This resource allows users to review case summaries, hearing dates, and disposition information for cases within the court's jurisdiction.
It should be noted that while basic arrest information is typically available online, comprehensive records may require formal requests through official channels. Online records may be limited in scope compared to those obtained directly from the Sheriff's Office or Court Clerk.
Nevada County provides multiple methods for obtaining arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following procedures:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Nevada County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Requestors must complete a Public Records Request form and provide proper identification.
Online access is available through the Nevada County Justice Public Report Center, which maintains databases of current inmates, active warrants, and recent booking information. Users may search by name, booking date, or case number.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division. Such requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information.
Court records related to arrests may be obtained through the Superior Court of California, County of Nevada:
Superior Court of California, County of Nevada
201 Church Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-1294
Superior Court of California, County of Nevada
Pursuant to California 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 at the respective agencies.
Nevada County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by California Penal Code § 13100-13103. These records typically include the following elements:
It should be noted that juvenile arrest records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 and may not be included in publicly accessible records. Additionally, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with privacy statutes and judicial determinations.
Nevada County residents may petition for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as provided by California Penal Code § 1203.4 and § 851.8. The expungement process legally removes eligible arrests from public access, though the records remain available to law enforcement agencies and certain governmental entities.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Nevada County generally include:
The expungement process requires the filing of a Petition for Dismissal with the Superior Court of California, County of Nevada. Petitioners may obtain assistance through the Nevada County Public Defender's Office, which provides guidance on cleaning up criminal records.
Nevada County Public Defender's Office
224 Main Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
(530) 265-1400
Individuals arrested but never charged may petition for a finding of factual innocence under Penal Code § 851.8, which provides for the sealing and destruction of arrest records. This process requires filing a petition with both the arresting agency and the district attorney within specified timeframes.
For arrests related to certain marijuana offenses, automatic record relief may be available under Health and Safety Code § 11361.8, established by Proposition 64. Eligible individuals may have their records reviewed and potentially reduced or dismissed without filing a petition.
The California Department of Justice maintains Live Scan fingerprinting locations throughout Nevada County, which may be required during the expungement process to verify identity and update criminal history records.