Arrest records in Murrieta, California are public documents accessible to citizens pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. The CPRA establishes that governmental records, including arrest information, shall be disclosed to the public upon request unless there is a specific reason to withhold them. This legislative framework ensures transparency in law enforcement operations and enables citizens to maintain appropriate oversight of governmental actions within the criminal justice system.
The Murrieta Police Department Records Unit maintains and processes these public records in accordance with state regulations. While most arrest information is publicly available, certain exceptions apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and privacy rights in specific circumstances as outlined in Government Code § 6254.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Murrieta have multiple authorized channels through which they may obtain this information. The City of Murrieta maintains several access points for record retrieval:
Murrieta Police Department
2 Town Square
Murrieta, CA 92562
(951) 304-2677
Official Website
Online Portal Access: The City of Murrieta provides an electronic request system through which citizens may submit public records requests. This system operates 24 hours per day and processes requests according to statutory timelines.
Southwest Justice Center: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Riverside County Superior Court facility.
Southwest Justice Center
30755 Auld Road
Murrieta, CA 92563
(951) 304-5000
Official Website: www.riverside.courts.ca.gov
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the direct costs of duplication or electronic production of records.
Standard arrest records maintained by the Murrieta Police Department typically contain the following categories of information:
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with privacy protections established under California law, particularly information related to confidential informants, victims of certain crimes, or details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
The State of California provides legal mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Murrieta. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 1203.4, expungement effectively seals records from public view under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Murrieta typically include:
The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Dismissal with the Riverside County Superior Court. This legal procedure involves several steps:
Upon approval, the court issues an order directing agencies to seal the arrest record from public access. However, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in certain licensing decisions or subsequent legal proceedings.
While arrest records are generally public, California law establishes specific restrictions on their accessibility and use. These limitations serve to balance transparency with individual privacy rights and due process considerations.
Key restrictions include:
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are confidential and not available for public inspection except by court order.
Sealed Records: Arrests that resulted in no conviction, were dismissed, or have been judicially sealed are subject to access restrictions under Labor Code § 432.7, which prohibits employers from considering such information in hiring decisions.
Diversion Programs: Records related to successful completion of pre-trial diversion programs may be restricted from public access pursuant to Penal Code § 1000.4.
Time Limitations: Certain arrest information may become restricted after specified time periods have elapsed, particularly for cases that did not result in conviction.
Commercial Use Restrictions: Government Code § 6254(f)(3) prohibits the use of arrest record information for commercial solicitation purposes.
The Murrieta Police Department Records Unit enforces these restrictions when processing public records requests to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.