Folsom Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Folsom, California?
Arrest records are public documents in Folsom, California, accessible to members of the general public under the provisions of the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies in California are subject to public disclosure, with certain statutory exemptions. The CPRA operates on the fundamental principle that governmental records shall be disclosed to the public upon request, unless there is a specific reason not to do so.
In accordance with California Government Code § 6253(a), public records are open to inspection during the office hours of the state or local agency, and every person has the right to inspect any public record. Arrest records maintained by the Folsom Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Sacramento County are generally considered public information, though specific components may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or individual privacy in certain circumstances as outlined in Government Code § 6254.
The California Constitution, Article I, Section 3(b)(1) further reinforces this right of access, stating: "The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business, and, therefore, the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies shall be open to public scrutiny."
How to Look Up Folsom Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking to access arrest records in Folsom have multiple methods available, each governed by specific procedures established pursuant to California law. The following options are available for obtaining arrest record information:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Folsom Police Department Records Division located at 46 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630. The public counter is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Requestors must complete a Public Records Request form and provide proper identification. Processing times vary depending on the complexity of the request and workload of the department.
Written Requests: The public may submit written requests for arrest records via mail addressed to:
Folsom Police Department
Records Division
46 Natoma Street
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 461-6400Written requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, and specific details about the records being sought, including the name of the arrested individual and approximate date of arrest if known.
Electronic Submissions: The City of Folsom maintains an online portal for public records requests pursuant to Government Code § 6253.9, which requires agencies to make electronic records available in electronic format when requested. Requests may be submitted through the city's official website.
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department: For arrests made by county authorities within Folsom city limits, records may be requested from:
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department
Records Division
711 G Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5115Sacramento County Superior Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings are available through:
Sacramento County Superior Court
Records Division
720 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5522
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees for duplication of records, but not for the search and retrieval of records. The standard fee for copies in Folsom is $0.25 per page for standard documents and $5.00 for certified copies of reports.
Contents of a Folsom Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Folsom Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Sacramento County typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard arrest records include the following elements as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13150:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases or monikers, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color), gender, race/ethnicity, and residential address at time of arrest.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; the arresting agency and officer identification information; the legal authority under which the arrest was made (warrant or probable cause); and the circumstances leading to the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Complete enumeration of all charges filed, including California Penal Code sections allegedly violated, classification of offenses (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction), and charge enhancement factors if applicable.
Booking Information: Booking number assigned by the detention facility, date and time of booking, fingerprint classification data, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail determination, including amount set by the court or schedule; release status (released on own recognizance, bail posted, or detained); and scheduled court appearance information.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests and convictions that may be relevant to the current case, subject to limitations established in California Penal Code § 13300 regarding dissemination of criminal history information.
Case Disposition: Ultimate resolution of the arrest, including whether charges were filed by the District Attorney's Office, case dismissal information, or conviction data if the case proceeded to adjudication.
It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with Government Code § 6254(f), including information that would endanger the safety of a witness or other person involved in the investigation, jeopardize the successful completion of an investigation, or constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Folsom
The expungement process for arrest records in Folsom operates under the provisions of California Penal Code § 1203.4 and related statutes, providing eligible individuals with a mechanism to mitigate the long-term consequences of an arrest. Expungement does not physically destroy records but rather changes their status and limits public accessibility.
Eligibility criteria for expungement of arrest records include:
- Successful completion of all terms and conditions of probation
- Payment of all fines, restitution, and court fees as ordered
- No current charges pending for any criminal offense
- No current service of sentence for any criminal offense
- Specific time periods have elapsed since the completion of the sentence
The legal process for expungement requires the filing of a Petition for Dismissal with the Sacramento County Superior Court where the case was adjudicated. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 1203.4, the petition must include:
- Case number and arrest information
- Declaration explaining why the relief should be granted
- Proof of successful completion of all court-ordered requirements
- Filing fee or Fee Waiver Request (if applicable)
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing date. The District Attorney's Office receives notification and may contest the petition based on statutory grounds. If the petition is granted, the court issues an Order of Dismissal, which directs the Department of Justice and other agencies to update their records to reflect the expungement.
The Sacramento County Public Defender's Office provides assistance with expungement petitions for eligible individuals at:
Sacramento County Public Defender
700 H Street, Suite 0270
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-6411
It is important to note that even after expungement, certain government agencies retain access to the complete criminal history for specific purposes, including law enforcement investigations and licensing determinations for certain professions as specified in Business and Professions Code § 480.
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