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Temecula Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Temecula, California?

Arrest records are public documents in Temecula, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies, including arrest records managed by the Temecula Police Department, shall be accessible to the public. The CPRA serves to ensure governmental transparency and accountability by providing citizens with access to information regarding governmental activities and law enforcement operations.

Under California law, specifically Government Code § 6254(f), certain information from arrest records must be disclosed to the public, including the full name of the arrestee, the charges, and the circumstances surrounding the arrest. However, some information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or individual privacy in accordance with statutory exemptions.

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Temecula should be aware that while these records are generally available, certain restrictions may apply based on the nature of the case, the status of any related investigation, or if the records pertain to juvenile offenders as outlined in Welfare and Institutions Code § 827.

How to Look Up Temecula Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Temecula provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. As of 2025, the following methods are available for obtaining these public documents:

Online Database Access: The Temecula Police Department maintains a digital portal where certain arrest records can be searched by name, date, or case number. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Temecula Police Department headquarters to submit formal requests for arrest records. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating and providing copies of available records during regular business hours.

Temecula Police Department - Main Station
30755 Auld Road
Temecula, CA 92592
(951) 696-3000
Temecula Police Department

Temecula Police Department - Old Town Station
28410 Old Town Front Street
Temecula, CA 92590
(951) 696-3000
Temecula Police Stations

Written Requests: Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), individuals may submit written requests for arrest records by mail or email. The request should include specific information about the record being sought, such as the name of the arrestee, date of arrest, and case number if available.
Third-Party Record Services: Commercial services specializing in public record retrieval may be utilized to obtain arrest records. These services typically charge a fee for their assistance and may offer expedited processing.

All requests for arrest records must comply with the provisions set forth in the Temecula Municipal Code and applicable state regulations. Processing times may vary depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of the search required.

Contents of a Temecula Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Temecula Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. Standard arrest records include the following elements as mandated by California Penal Code § 13300:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Detailed enumeration of charges filed, including applicable sections of the Temecula Municipal Code or California Penal Code
Booking number and facility information
Case identification number for reference in court proceedings
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Fingerprint impressions taken during the booking process
Bail amount set, if applicable
Court appearance information, including scheduled dates and locations

It should be noted that pursuant to Government Code § 6254(f), certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including but not limited to medical information, confidential informant identities, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Temecula, several legal restrictions govern their accessibility. These limitations are established to balance public interest with individual rights and the integrity of the justice system:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8, records of arrests that did not result in convictions may be sealed under specific circumstances, rendering them inaccessible to the general public.
Juvenile Records: In accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, arrest records pertaining to minors are subject to stricter confidentiality protections and are not typically available through standard public record requests.
Ongoing Investigations: Information related to active investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure as permitted by Government Code § 6254(f) to prevent interference with law enforcement proceedings.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal information, such as social security numbers, medical details, and victim information in sensitive cases, is redacted before records are released to protect individual privacy rights as required by California Civil Code § 1798.24.
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4 are not available through public channels, though they may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies and certain governmental entities.

The Temecula Police Department adheres to these restrictions when processing requests for arrest records and may deny or partially fulfill requests based on applicable legal provisions. Requestors seeking records subject to these restrictions may be required to demonstrate legal standing or obtain a court order to access the information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Temecula

Expungement is a legal process through which individuals may petition to have their arrest records sealed or removed from public access in Temecula. This procedure is governed by California Penal Code § 1203.4 and related statutes, which establish specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Individuals may qualify for expungement if they meet the following conditions:

Successful completion of probation or other court-mandated requirements
No current charges pending for any criminal offense
Not serving a sentence for any other offense
Sufficient time has elapsed since the completion of the sentence
The offense in question is eligible for expungement under state law

The expungement process requires petitioners to:

File a Petition for Dismissal (form CR-180) with the Riverside County Superior Court
Submit supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility
Pay applicable filing fees or request a fee waiver if financially qualified
Attend a scheduled hearing if required by the court

Riverside County Superior Court - Southwest Justice Center
30755 Auld Road
Murrieta, CA 92563
(951) 304-5000
Riverside County Superior Court

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records in question. While expunged records are removed from public access, they may remain available to law enforcement agencies, certain governmental entities, and licensing boards as permitted by Penal Code § 1203.4(a).

It should be noted that expungement does not completely erase all records of an arrest or conviction. Rather, it modifies the record to show that the conviction was dismissed and releases the individual from many of the penalties and disabilities associated with the conviction, in accordance with the codes and standards established by local and state authorities.