Arrest records are public documents in Riverside, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Riverside County. The CPRA operates under the principle that governmental transparency serves the public interest and promotes accountability among public officials and agencies.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the Riverside Police Department maintain arrest records as part of their official documentation. These records become public information once they are entered into the official system, though certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or other sensitive information as specified under Government Code § 6254.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while these documents are generally accessible, specific elements may be redacted to comply with privacy laws or other statutory exemptions. The California Constitution, Article I, Section 1, guarantees individuals a right to privacy, which must be balanced against the public's right to information.
The Riverside County criminal justice system provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a), public records are open to inspection during regular office hours of the governmental agency. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records in Riverside:
Riverside Police Department
4102 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 354-2007
Riverside Police Department
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
4095 Lemon Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-2400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Superior Court of California, County of Riverside
4050 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 777-3147
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Online Public Access Systems: The Riverside County Sheriff's Department provides limited online access to current inmate information and arrest logs through their official website. Users must acknowledge legal disclaimers before accessing this information.
Public Records Requests: Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), written requests for specific arrest records may be submitted to the appropriate agency. Agencies must respond to requests within 10 days, though this period may be extended under certain circumstances.
Arrest records maintained by Riverside law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. In accordance with California Penal Code § 13300, these records generally include the following elements:
It should be noted that pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300(a)(2), certain information may be withheld if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger an individual, or violate federal law. Additionally, records pertaining to juveniles are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827.
California law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records. Expungement procedures in Riverside County are governed primarily by California Penal Code § 1203.4 and § 851.8, which establish the legal framework for removing arrest information from public access.
Individuals seeking expungement must meet specific eligibility criteria:
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
Riverside County Public Defender's Office
4200 Orange Street, Suite 200
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-6000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
This office provides assistance to low-income individuals seeking expungement of arrest records. Services include eligibility assessment, preparation of required documentation, and representation at expungement hearings.
Upon successful expungement pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4, individuals may legally state they have not been convicted of the expunged offense in most circumstances. However, expunged convictions must still be disclosed for certain government employment applications, licensing requirements, and in subsequent criminal proceedings.
Factual records of the arrest remain in law enforcement databases but are marked as "dismissed" or "expunged" and generally will not appear in standard background checks conducted by private employers or housing providers.
While arrest records are generally public in Riverside, California law imposes significant restrictions on their use and dissemination. These limitations are designed to protect individual privacy rights while maintaining appropriate public access to government information.
Pursuant to California Labor Code § 432.7, employers with five or more employees are prohibited from asking job applicants about arrests that did not result in conviction. Additionally, California Civil Code § 1786.18 restricts consumer reporting agencies from reporting arrests that did not result in conviction if the arrests occurred more than seven years ago.
Law enforcement agencies in Riverside County must comply with the following restrictions when providing arrest records:
Violations of these restrictions may result in civil liability under various California statutes, including the Information Practices Act of 1977 (Civil Code § 1798 et seq.).