Costa Mesa Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Costa Mesa, California?
Arrest records in Costa Mesa, California are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of California residents to access information concerning governmental activities, including law enforcement operations. The Act specifically mandates that public agencies must make their records available for inspection during regular office hours, with limited exceptions for certain protected information as outlined in Government Code § 6254.
The Costa Mesa Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records document interactions between law enforcement officers and individuals suspected of criminal activity within the jurisdiction. Under California law, these records must be made available to any person upon request, subject to specific privacy protections and exemptions established by statute.
Requesters should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or juvenile records as specified in Welfare and Institutions Code § 827. Additionally, records related to certain domestic violence cases or those involving protected victims may have restricted access pursuant to Penal Code § 293.
How to Look Up Costa Mesa Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Costa Mesa, California. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining appropriate security protocols:
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Costa Mesa Police Department Records Division to submit requests for arrest records. Requesters must complete a Public Records Request form and provide proper identification.
Costa Mesa Police Department Records Division
99 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 754-5252
Costa Mesa Police Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Online Access: The City of Costa Mesa maintains digital systems for accessing certain public safety information. The Police Incidents Viewer provides a geographic representation of police activity and calls for service. This resource allows residents to view recent incidents by location and category, though detailed arrest information may require a formal records request.
Mail or Email Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail or email to the Records Division. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies must respond to all requests within 10 calendar days. Requests should include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
Court Records: Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. Court records provide information on case status, hearings, and dispositions.
Superior Court of California, County of Orange
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(657) 622-7000
Orange County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Contents of a Costa Mesa Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Costa Mesa Police Department contain specific categories of information as required by California Penal Code § 13300. These records typically include:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Known aliases or alternative names
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details:
- Date and time of the arrest
- Location where the arrest occurred
- Statutory authority for the arrest
- Booking number assigned to the case
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Agency case number
Offense Information:
- Criminal charges filed
- California Penal Code sections allegedly violated
- Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)
- Weapon information (if applicable)
- Victim information (with appropriate redactions)
Processing Documentation:
- Fingerprint records
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Property inventory taken at booking
- Medical screening information
Case Disposition:
- Bail or bond amount set
- Court appearance dates
- Case outcome if adjudicated
- Sentencing information if convicted
Pursuant to California law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information that would compromise ongoing investigations as specified in Government Code § 6254(f).
Expungement of Arrest Records in Costa Mesa
California law provides mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Penal Code § 851.8 establishes procedures for sealing and destroying arrest records when no conviction resulted from the arrest. Additionally, Penal Code § 1203.4 allows for expungement of certain conviction records after successful completion of probation.
The expungement process in Costa Mesa requires filing a petition with the Orange County Superior Court. Eligibility criteria include:
- Successful completion of probation or sentence
- No current charges pending
- Not serving a sentence for any other offense
- Compliance with all court-ordered restitution and fines
Certain offenses are ineligible for expungement under California law, including specified sex offenses against minors (Penal Code § 290) and certain serious felonies. The expungement process typically involves:
- Filing a Petition for Dismissal (CR-180 form) with the court
- Payment of filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
- Court review of the petition
- Hearing (if required by the court)
- Judicial determination and order
Upon successful expungement, the arrest record is not physically destroyed but is modified to show the dismissal of charges. Pursuant to Labor Code § 432.7, employers are generally prohibited from asking about arrests that did not result in conviction or convictions that have been expunged.
Individuals seeking expungement may obtain assistance through:
Orange County Public Defender's Office
801 Civic Center Drive West, Suite 400
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 834-2144
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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