Arrest records in Rancho Cucamonga, California are public documents pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). The Act mandates that law enforcement agencies make arrest information available to members of the public upon request. This transparency measure serves multiple public interests, including community awareness of law enforcement activities, accountability of public officials, and maintenance of an open justice system. Under California Government Code § 6254(f), specific information from arrest records must be disclosed to the public, including the full name of the arrestee, the alleged offense, and booking information.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which provides police services to Rancho Cucamonga through a contract arrangement, maintains these records in accordance with state law. While most arrest record information is public, certain elements may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile privacy rights as specified in Government Code § 6254.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Rancho Cucamonga have several official channels through which they may obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department Records Division to submit a formal request for arrest records. The Records Division is located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Public counter hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Requestors should call (909) 477-2800 prior to visiting to confirm record availability.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department: As the contracted law enforcement agency for Rancho Cucamonga, the Sheriff's Department maintains comprehensive arrest records. The Public Records Unit processes requests at 655 East Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415. The unit operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at (909) 387-3700.
Online Resources: The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Inmate Locator provides real-time information about individuals currently in custody. Additionally, the department maintains dispatch call logs that may contain information about recent arrests.
Court Records: The Superior Court of San Bernardino County maintains records of criminal proceedings resulting from arrests. The Rancho Cucamonga District courthouse is located at 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, and operates Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Public Records Requests: The City of Rancho Cucamonga's Public Records Portal allows for electronic submission of records requests pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge a fee to cover the direct costs of duplication or a statutory fee, if applicable. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Arrest records maintained by Rancho Cucamonga law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by California law. These records generally include the following elements:
It should be noted that pursuant to California Government Code § 6254(f), certain information within arrest records may be withheld if disclosure would endanger the safety of a person involved in an investigation or jeopardize the successful completion of the investigation. Additionally, records pertaining to juvenile arrestees are subject to confidentiality protections under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 and are generally not available to the public.
California law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Individuals seeking expungement of Rancho Cucamonga arrest records must petition through the San Bernardino County Superior Court. The legal basis for expungement is primarily found in California Penal Code § 1203.4 for convictions and Penal Code § 851.8 for arrests not resulting in conviction.
Eligibility criteria for expungement typically include:
The expungement process generally involves:
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office may provide information regarding the expungement process. Their Rancho Cucamonga District Office is located at 8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 and can be reached at (909) 945-4241.
It is important to note that even after expungement, certain government agencies may still access the records for limited purposes, such as law enforcement investigations or employment screening for sensitive positions. Additionally, expunged records may still be considered for sentencing purposes if the individual is subsequently convicted of another offense.