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San Francisco Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in San Francisco, California?

Arrest records are public in San Francisco, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies shall be accessible to the public upon request, with certain statutory exceptions. The California Public Records Act serves as the legal foundation for transparency in government operations, enabling citizens to obtain information about arrests made by law enforcement agencies within San Francisco jurisdiction.

The public nature of these records supports governmental accountability and allows individuals to access documentation related to arrests for various legitimate purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, and personal information verification. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy rights in accordance with Government Code § 6254, which outlines specific exemptions from disclosure.

How to Look Up San Francisco Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking San Francisco arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The San Francisco Superior Court and San Francisco Police Department maintain systems for public access to arrest documentation. Available methods include:

Online Court Case Information System: The Superior Court of San Francisco County provides a searchable database of criminal cases. Users may search by case number or defendant name to locate arrest-related court records.
San Francisco Police Department Records: The San Francisco Police Department maintains arrest records and provides copies of police reports upon request. Individuals may submit requests in person, by mail, or through online portals.
Criminal Records Unit: Located at the Hall of Justice, this unit processes requests for certified copies of criminal records. San Francisco Superior Court - Criminal Records Unit 400 McAllister Street, Room 101 San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 551-0651 Superior Court of San Francisco County
San Francisco Sheriff's Department: Maintains booking and custody records for individuals processed through the San Francisco County Jail system. San Francisco Sheriff's Department City Hall, Room 456 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 554-7225

Requestors should note that fees may apply for record retrieval and copying services. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge fees covering the direct costs of duplication or a statutory fee, if applicable.

Contents of a San Francisco Arrest Record

San Francisco arrest records typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and processing of an individual's arrest. Standard components of these records include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory violations alleged (California Penal Code sections)
Arresting agency identification and badge numbers of involved officers
Booking information including fingerprints and booking photographs
Custody status and bail determination
Case disposition information if available
Court docket number for associated criminal proceedings

The level of detail contained in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on applicable privacy protections and ongoing investigation status. Certain information, such as details regarding confidential informants, juvenile records, or information that might compromise an active investigation, may be withheld in accordance with Government Code § 6254(f).

Expungement of Arrest Records in San Francisco

The State of California provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 851.8, individuals who were arrested but never charged with a crime may petition for a finding of factual innocence and subsequent sealing and destruction of arrest records. Additionally, California Penal Code § 1203.4 establishes procedures for expungement of conviction records following successful completion of probation.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in San Francisco include:

Completion of all terms of probation or sentence
No current charges pending against the petitioner
Not currently serving a sentence for any offense
Satisfaction of waiting periods specified by statute

The expungement process requires filing a Petition for Dismissal with the San Francisco Superior Court. Petitioners may obtain necessary forms and assistance from:

San Francisco Superior Court - ACCESS Center 400 McAllister Street, Room 509 San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 551-0605 Superior Court of San Francisco County

Petitioners should be advised that expungement under California law does not completely erase all records but rather changes the disposition of the case to dismissed. Certain government agencies may still access expunged records, and expungement does not relieve individuals of obligations to disclose convictions when applying for certain licenses or government positions.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public, California law imposes certain restrictions on their accessibility and use. These limitations are designed to balance transparency with privacy protections and prevention of discriminatory practices. Key restrictions include:

Criminal History Information: Under California Penal Code § 11105, complete criminal history information ("rap sheets") is not publicly available and is restricted to authorized agencies and entities.
Employment Discrimination Protection: The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Government Code § 12940) prohibits employers from considering arrests that did not result in conviction when making employment decisions.
Consumer Reporting Limitations: California Civil Code § 1786.18 prohibits consumer reporting agencies from reporting arrests or indictments that did not result in conviction after seven years from the date of entry.
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, records pertaining to juvenile arrests and proceedings are confidential and not available to the general public.

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil penalties, administrative sanctions, or criminal prosecution depending on the nature and severity of the violation.

Agencies Maintaining San Francisco Arrest Records

Multiple governmental entities within San Francisco maintain and process arrest records, each with specific jurisdictional responsibilities:

San Francisco Police Department - Records Management Section 1245 3rd Street San Francisco, CA 94158 (415) 575-7232 San Francisco Police Department

San Francisco District Attorney's Office 350 Rhode Island Street North Building, Suite 400N San Francisco, CA 94103 (628) 652-4000

San Francisco Sheriff's Department - Records Division 425 7th Street San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 554-7225

Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco - Criminal Division Hall of Justice 850 Bryant Street San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 551-0651 Superior Court of San Francisco County

Each agency maintains public office hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Requestors are advised to contact the specific agency in advance to confirm current hours of operation and record request procedures.