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Colton Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Colton, California?

Arrest records are public in Colton, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that documents created, maintained, or possessed by public agencies shall be accessible for public inspection and copying. The Colton Police Department, as a public agency, maintains arrest records that fall under this provision. The fundamental principle underlying this transparency requirement is to ensure governmental accountability and facilitate public oversight of law enforcement activities.

Members of the public may request access to arrest records maintained by the Colton Police Department in accordance with established procedures. However, certain information within these records may be redacted or withheld if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, compromise an ongoing investigation, or meet other exemption criteria specified in Government Code § 6254.

How to Look Up Colton Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Colton provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253, public agencies must make records promptly available upon request. The following methods are available for obtaining arrest records in Colton:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Colton Police Department Records Division, located at 650 N. La Cadena Drive, Colton, CA 92324. The public counter is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via the Public Records Request process. Such requests must reasonably describe identifiable records sought.
Electronic requests may be submitted through the department's Online Reporting system, which provides a streamlined process for certain types of records.
Telephone inquiries regarding arrest records may be directed to the Records Division at (909) 370-5000. Staff will provide guidance on the appropriate request method based on the specific information sought.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information such as the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest to facilitate record retrieval. Processing times vary depending on request volume and complexity.

Contents of a Colton Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Colton Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300, these records generally include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest incident
Statutory authority under which the arrest was executed
Criminal charges filed, including applicable California Penal Code sections
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during the booking process
Arresting officer's information and badge number
Narrative description of the circumstances leading to the arrest
Disposition information, including bail amount, court dates, and case outcomes if available
Property inventory documenting items in the arrestee's possession at time of booking

The comprehensiveness of information contained in arrest records serves both law enforcement purposes and public transparency requirements established under California law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Colton

The State of California provides legal mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records maintained by the Colton Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 1203.4, expungement may be available under the following circumstances:

The petitioner has successfully completed all terms of probation
The petitioner has paid all fines, restitution, and other financial obligations imposed by the court
The petitioner is not currently charged with, serving a sentence for, or on probation for another offense
The conviction in question is eligible for expungement under state law

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the San Bernardino County Superior Court, Rancho Cucamonga District, located at 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. The court maintains jurisdiction over cases originating in Colton.

Upon granting an expungement petition, the court will issue an order directing the Department of Justice and local law enforcement agencies to update their records accordingly. While expungement does not completely erase the record of arrest, it does result in the case being dismissed and may restore certain rights to the petitioner. Expunged records remain available for limited purposes, including subsequent prosecutions and certain employment applications as specified in Penal Code § 1203.4(a).

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Colton, California law establishes important limitations on access to protect privacy interests and ensure fairness. The following restrictions apply to arrest record dissemination:

Records pertaining to juvenile arrests are confidential pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 and are not subject to public disclosure except by court order
Arrest records that did not result in conviction may have limited accessibility under Labor Code § 432.7, which restricts employers from considering such records in employment decisions
Records related to arrests for domestic violence may have certain information redacted to protect victim privacy in accordance with Government Code § 6254(f)(2)
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Government Code § 6254(f)
Records sealed by court order pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8 (factual innocence) are removed from public access

The Colton Police Department evaluates each request for arrest records to ensure compliance with these statutory restrictions. Requestors seeking access to restricted records may need to obtain a court order or demonstrate legal authority for access.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records

The City of Colton assesses reasonable fees for the reproduction of arrest records in accordance with Government Code § 6253(b), which permits agencies to charge for the direct costs of duplication. The current fee schedule for arrest record requests is as follows:

Standard arrest report: $15.00 per report
Certified copies: Additional $5.00 per document
Photographs: $5.00 per image
Audio/video recordings: $25.00 per recording
Research and retrieval fees: $24.00 per hour (first hour waived)

Fee waivers may be available in cases where the request serves the public interest, as determined by the Records Division supervisor. Payment must be made by cash, check, or money order payable to "City of Colton." Credit card payments are accepted for online requests only.

The Colton Police Department Fee Schedule is reviewed and updated annually by the City Council. Current fees are posted at the Records Division public counter and on the department's website.