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Placentia Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Placentia, California?

Arrest records in Placentia, California are public documents pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access information concerning governmental activities, including law enforcement actions. The Act mandates that, with certain statutory exceptions, records maintained by state and local agencies must be accessible to the public upon request.

In accordance with California law, arrest records maintained by the Placentia Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies are generally available for public inspection. These records remain public unless specifically sealed by court order, expunged through legal proceedings, or protected under particular statutory provisions such as those pertaining to juvenile offenders (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827).

The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental purposes:

Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitating public oversight of governmental functions
Providing citizens with access to information that may impact public safety
Supporting the constitutional principles of open government

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy interests as specified in Government Code § 6254.

How to Look Up Placentia Arrest Records in 2025

The Placentia Police Department maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within city jurisdiction. Individuals seeking these records have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following procedures have been established for public access to arrest information:

In-Person Requests

Members of the public may submit requests in person at:

Placentia Police Department Records Bureau
401 E. Chapman Avenue
Placentia, CA 92870
(714) 993-8164
Placentia Police Records Division

Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Online Access Options

Digital access to arrest records is available through several platforms:

The City of Placentia's official website provides limited arrest information through its police department portal.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department maintains an Inmate Information System that includes booking information for individuals processed through county facilities.
The Superior Court of California, County of Orange offers online case access for court records related to arrests.

County-Level Resources

For comprehensive arrest information, the following county resources are available:

Orange County Superior Court
341 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868
(657) 622-7000
Orange County Courts

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 each agency's public counter.

Contents of a Placentia Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Placentia Police Department and associated agencies typically contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13150. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during an arrest procedure.

Standard information contained in Placentia arrest records includes:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory violations alleged (California Penal Code sections)
Classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony)
Arresting agency identification and badge numbers of arresting officers
Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint impressions collected during booking procedures
Detention status and bail determination information
Case disposition information when available

In accordance with California law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license information
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information pertaining to confidential informants
Details that might compromise ongoing investigations

The California Public Records Act establishes that while the fact of an arrest is public information, investigative reports and statements may be exempt from disclosure under Government Code § 6254(f) if release would endanger an investigation or the safety of a person involved in the case.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Placentia

The State of California provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Penal Code § 1203.4 and related statutes. Expungement procedures allow eligible individuals to petition the court for relief from the continuing consequences of an arrest or conviction.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may qualify for expungement of Placentia arrest records under the following conditions:

Successful completion of all terms of probation
Case dismissal prior to conviction
Acquittal following trial proceedings
Arrest without subsequent filing of charges
Completion of diversion programs as specified in Penal Code § 1000

Certain serious offenses, including specified sex offenses and violent felonies listed under Penal Code § 667.5(c), may have limited eligibility for expungement.

Procedural Requirements

The expungement process requires adherence to specific legal procedures:

Filing a Petition for Dismissal with the Superior Court of California, County of Orange
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Notification to the prosecuting agency as required by statute
Attendance at scheduled court hearings
Compliance with court orders regarding the sealing or destruction of records

Pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8, individuals arrested but never charged may petition for a finding of factual innocence, which provides more comprehensive relief than standard expungement.

The expungement process does not result in complete destruction of all records but rather changes their legal status. Expunged records remain available for limited purposes, including consideration in subsequent criminal proceedings and certain licensing applications as specified in Business and Professions Code § 480.