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Garden Grove Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Garden Grove, California?

Arrest records are public in Garden Grove, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies are subject to public disclosure, with certain exceptions for privacy and security concerns. The Garden Grove Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation, which members of the public may access through established procedures. This transparency serves the public interest by promoting accountability in law enforcement operations and ensuring that citizens have access to information regarding public safety matters within their community.

The California Public Records Act specifically designates arrest records as public information under Government Code § 6254(f), which requires disclosure of certain information related to arrests, including the full name of the arrestee, occupation, physical description, date and time of arrest, factual circumstances surrounding the arrest, and bail amount. These provisions apply to all law enforcement agencies operating within Garden Grove city limits.

How to Look Up Garden Grove Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Garden Grove have multiple methods available for accessing this information. The Garden Grove Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several options for record retrieval:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests for arrest records at the Garden Grove Police Department Records Bureau. Requestors must complete a public records request form and provide identification. Processing times vary based on the complexity and volume of the request.
Online Portal Access: The Garden Grove Police Department maintains an online records portal where certain arrest information may be accessed electronically. Users must register for an account and may be subject to verification procedures.
Superior Court of Orange County: For cases that have proceeded to court, arrest information may be available through the Orange County Superior Court case management system. Court records often contain information about the arrest that led to the court proceedings.
Written Requests: Members of the public may submit written requests for arrest records via mail or email to the Records Bureau. Requests must specify the information sought with reasonable particularity as required by Government Code § 6253(b).

Garden Grove Police Department
11301 Acacia Parkway
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 741-5704
Garden Grove Police Department

Superior Court of California, County of Orange
700 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(657) 622-7000
Orange County Superior Court

Contents of a Garden Grove Arrest Record

Garden Grove arrest records contain standardized information pursuant to California Penal Code § 13100-13103, which establishes requirements for criminal history information. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race/ethnicity, height, weight, eye and hair color, and distinguishing marks or tattoos
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency and officer identification; statutory authority for the arrest
Offense Information: Criminal code violations, classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony), and factual circumstances surrounding the alleged criminal activity
Processing Data: Booking number, fingerprint classification, booking photographs (mugshots), and property inventory
Custody Status: Detention facility information, bail or bond amount, release conditions, and court appearance dates
Case Disposition: Information regarding the resolution of charges, including dismissals, diversions, plea agreements, or trial outcomes

The level of detail available to the public may be limited by statutory exemptions under Government Code § 6254, which protects certain sensitive information from disclosure. Additionally, records related to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Garden Grove, California law imposes certain restrictions on their accessibility and use. These limitations serve to balance transparency with privacy concerns and prevent potential misuse of criminal history information:

Sealed and Expunged Records: Pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4, records that have been judicially sealed or expunged are not available for public inspection. These protections apply to arrests that did not result in conviction or convictions that have been set aside by court order.
Juvenile Records: Under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, records pertaining to juvenile arrests and proceedings are confidential and not subject to public disclosure except by court order or to specified agencies and individuals with legitimate interest.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to arrests connected to active investigations may be withheld under Government Code § 6254(f) if disclosure would endanger successful completion of the investigation or related investigations.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information may be redacted from public arrest records, including social security numbers, medical information, and victim information in specified cases as required by Government Code § 6254(c).
Employment Discrimination Protections: California Labor Code § 432.7 prohibits employers from asking about arrests that did not result in conviction, limiting the use of certain arrest record information in employment contexts.

The Garden Grove Police Department and other custodians of arrest records are required to implement these restrictions when processing public records requests.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Garden Grove

Individuals with arrest records in Garden Grove may be eligible for expungement under California law. Expungement is a legal process that removes eligible arrests and convictions from public view, though the records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for limited purposes.

The primary statutory authority for expungement in California is Penal Code § 1203.4, which provides relief for individuals who have successfully completed probation. Additional provisions exist under Penal Code § 851.8 for factually innocent arrestees and Penal Code § 1203.4a for misdemeanor convictions where probation was not imposed.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Garden Grove include:

Successful completion of all terms of probation or sentence
No current charges pending against the petitioner
No current incarceration for any offense
Satisfaction of all restitution orders and fine payments
Compliance with registration requirements, if applicable

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. Petitioners may request assistance from the Orange County Public Defender's Office for eligible cases. Upon granting an expungement petition, the court issues an order dismissing the conviction and releasing the petitioner from penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense.

Orange County Public Defender
801 Civic Center Drive West, Suite 400
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 834-2144
Orange County Public Defender's Office