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Murrieta Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Murrieta, California?

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.

How to Look Up Murrieta Arrest Records in 2025

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:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Murrieta Police Department Records Bureau to submit formal requests for arrest records. Staff members process these requests during regular business hours.

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

Written Correspondence: Citizens may submit written requests via postal mail addressed to the Records Bureau, with appropriate identification and specific information regarding the records sought.

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge reasonable fees to cover the direct costs of duplication or electronic production of records.

Contents of a Murrieta Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by the Murrieta Police Department typically contain the following categories of information:

Biographical Data: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, known aliases, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred
Jurisdictional Information: The law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest and the badge numbers of arresting officers
Criminal Charges: All violations of law for which the individual was taken into custody, including California Penal Code references
Booking Documentation: Booking number, fingerprint records, and booking photographs ("mugshots")
Physical Descriptors: Height, weight, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars, and other distinguishing characteristics
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, if available
Bail Information: Amount set by the court and conditions of release, if applicable

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.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Murrieta

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:

Successful completion of all terms of probation
No current charges pending against the petitioner
No current incarceration for any offense
Fulfillment of all court-ordered financial obligations
Satisfaction of waiting periods as prescribed by statute

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Dismissal with the Riverside County Superior Court. This legal procedure involves several steps:

Determination of eligibility through review of criminal history
Preparation and submission of required documentation to the court
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Court hearing, if deemed necessary by the presiding judge
Judicial review and determination

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.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

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.