>San Diego County Arrest Records Online

San Diego County, California Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in San Diego County, California?

Arrest records are public in San Diego County, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies must be accessible to the public upon request, with certain statutory exceptions. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department, as the primary law enforcement agency for the county, maintains arrest records that document the detainment of individuals by law enforcement officers. These records typically contain identifying information, the nature of alleged offenses, and processing details.

Under California Rules of Court, rule 2.400(a), court case files are public records and subject to public inspection, including those related to arrests. Members of the public may access these records through designated channels, though certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws and judicial discretion.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in San Diego County?

San Diego County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Superior Court of California, County of San Diego provides an online case search system where members of the public may access case information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system allows searches using the defendant's name, case number, or District Attorney case number for criminal matters.

It should be noted that pursuant to California Government Code § 6254(f), certain limitations exist regarding the online publication of arrest information. While basic information about arrests is publicly accessible, the completeness of records available online may vary. Some records may be available for only limited time periods, with Civil Limited and Misdemeanor Records typically accessible for approximately 10 years through the court's online system.

The San Diego Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies maintain separate databases that may contain arrest information not fully integrated with court records systems.

How to Look Up San Diego County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking San Diego County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are authorized under California Government Code § 6253, which provides that public records are open to inspection during the office hours of state and local agencies:

Visit the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Records Division San Diego County Sheriff's Headquarters 9621 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 Phone: (858) 974-2110 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego Central Division - Central Courthouse 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: (619) 450-5700 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Submit a Request to the San Diego Police Department San Diego Police Headquarters 1401 Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: (619) 531-2000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Utilize the Court's Online Case Search System The Superior Court's online portal provides access to case information, including criminal matters. Users may search by name, case number, or other identifiers. Certain document downloads from the Register of Actions may be available for purchase through this system.
Submit a California Public Records Act Request Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies must determine whether the request seeks copies of disclosable public records within 10 days. Requests may be submitted to the relevant agency in writing, specifying the records sought with reasonable particularity.

Contents of a San Diego County Arrest Record

San Diego County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13125. 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 and processing information
Enumeration of charges filed, including applicable California Penal Code sections
Name and badge number of the arresting officer
Identification of the arresting agency (e.g., San Diego Police Department, San Diego County Sheriff's Department)
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Bail amount, if applicable
Custody status information

According to the San Diego County Detention Facilities report, the county maintains several detention facilities where arrested individuals may be processed and held, with the George Bailey Detention Facility housing the largest inmate population in the county.

Expungement of Arrest Records in San Diego County

California Penal Code § 851.8 provides a mechanism for the sealing and destruction of arrest records under specific circumstances. In San Diego County, individuals may petition for expungement if they meet statutory eligibility requirements. The expungement process typically involves:

Filing a Petition for Dismissal (form CR-180) with the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
Submitting supporting documentation demonstrating eligibility
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals)
Attendance at a scheduled court hearing, if required by the court

Eligibility criteria generally include:

Successful completion of probation or other court-ordered supervision
Fulfillment of all court-mandated requirements (fines, restitution, community service)
No pending criminal charges or ongoing proceedings
Satisfaction of waiting periods specified by statute

Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order under Penal Code § 1203.4 that dismisses the conviction. While this does not completely erase the record, it changes the disposition to indicate that the conviction was dismissed. Certain government agencies may still access the record, and special rules apply to sex offenses and some other serious crimes.

The San Diego County Public Defender's Office provides assistance with expungement petitions for eligible individuals:

San Diego County Public Defender 450 B Street, Suite 1100 San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: (619) 338-4700 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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