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San Bernardino Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in San Bernardino, California?

Arrest records in San Bernardino, California are classified as public information pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation mandates that records prepared, owned, used, or retained by state and local agencies must be accessible to the public, with specific statutory exemptions. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department maintains these records in accordance with California law, allowing citizens to access information about arrests made within county jurisdiction.

Members of the public may request arrest records through various official channels established by local law enforcement agencies. However, certain records may be restricted if they pertain to ongoing investigations, juvenile cases (pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827), or if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as defined in Government Code § 6254(c).

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department serves as the primary custodian of arrest records for unincorporated areas of the county, while the San Bernardino Police Department maintains records for arrests within city limits.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
655 E. Third Street
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 387-3545
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

San Bernardino Police Department
710 N. D Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
(909) 384-5742
San Bernardino Police Department

How to Look Up San Bernardino Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in San Bernardino County, each designed to accommodate different public needs. The following procedures have been established for accessing these records:

In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Division of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department or the San Bernardino Police Department during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM). Proper identification must be presented, and applicable fees paid for document reproduction.
Online Access: The San Bernardino County Inmate Locator provides real-time information about currently incarcerated individuals. This system allows searches by name, booking number, or other identifiers as permitted under Government Code § 6254.4.
Written Requests: Public Records Act requests may be submitted in writing to the San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. These requests must reasonably describe the records sought and provide contact information for the requesting party.
Court Records: Case information related to arrests may be accessed through the San Bernardino Superior Court case management system. Court records provide information on case dispositions, hearings, and other judicial proceedings stemming from arrests.

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees for the direct costs of duplication or for electronic records production. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's public counter.

Contents of a San Bernardino Arrest Record

San Bernardino County arrest records contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13150. These official documents typically include the following elements:

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
Booking number assigned by the detention facility
Enumeration of criminal charges filed, including applicable Penal Code sections
Arresting agency and officer identification information
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Detention status, including bail amount if applicable
Prior arrest history within San Bernardino County jurisdiction

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office maintains records of case filings resulting from arrests. These records document the progression of cases through the criminal justice system, including charging decisions, court appearances, and case dispositions.

Information contained in arrest records is subject to the restrictions outlined in California Penal Code § 13300, which limits dissemination of criminal history information to authorized agencies and individuals with legitimate need for access.

Expungement of Arrest Records in San Bernardino

California Penal Code § 1203.4 establishes procedures for the expungement of arrest records in San Bernardino County. Eligible individuals may petition the court to have their records sealed or expunged under specific circumstances:

Successful completion of probation for the offense in question
Dismissal of charges pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4
Arrest without subsequent conviction or filing of charges
Factual innocence determination under Penal Code § 851.8

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the San Bernardino Superior Court that originally handled the case. Petitioners must complete Judicial Council forms CR-180 and CR-181, pay applicable filing fees, and provide supporting documentation. The court reviews each petition individually to determine eligibility under state law.

The San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office provides assistance with expungement petitions for eligible individuals who cannot afford private legal representation.

San Bernardino County Public Defender
303 West Third Street, First Floor
San Bernardino, CA 92415
(909) 382-7639
San Bernardino County Public Defender

Expunged records are not physically destroyed but are modified to reflect the expungement order. Pursuant to Labor Code § 432.7, employers are generally prohibited from considering expunged convictions in hiring decisions, with exceptions for certain positions in law enforcement, education, and healthcare.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

California law establishes specific limitations on the disclosure of certain arrest records. The following categories of records are subject to restricted access:

Juvenile arrest records (Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
Arrests related to domestic violence (Penal Code § 13730)
Arrests for certain sex offenses (Penal Code § 293)
Records sealed by court order (Penal Code § 851.8)
Arrests more than three years old that did not result in conviction (Labor Code § 432.7)

The San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk maintains official records in compliance with these statutory restrictions. Requests for restricted records require court authorization or must meet specific statutory exceptions.

Law enforcement agencies may deny access to arrest records if disclosure would endanger an ongoing investigation, reveal confidential informant identities, or compromise public safety as provided in Government Code § 6254(f).