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Stockton Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Stockton, California?

Arrest records in Stockton, California are considered public documents pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6276.48. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest information maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The CPRA mandates that all government records are presumed to be open for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.

Members of the public may access arrest records that typically contain information such as:

The arrested individual's name and identifying information
Date and location of the arrest
Charges filed against the individual
Arresting agency information
Case disposition details

It should be noted that certain arrest records may be subject to limited disclosure or redaction under specific circumstances, including:

Cases involving ongoing investigations
Juvenile records (pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Instances where disclosure might endanger an individual's safety or compromise their right to a fair trial

The San Joaquin County Superior Court maintains the official court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings in Stockton.

San Joaquin County Superior Court
222 E. Weber Avenue
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 992-5555
San Joaquin County Superior Court

How to Look Up Stockton Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Stockton as of 2025. The City of Stockton Police Department maintains these records and has established several channels through which the public may request this information.

Online Access:

The Stockton Police Department's Records Management System allows for limited online searches of recent arrest data
San Joaquin County's Court Case Information Portal provides access to case information for individuals with pending court proceedings
Third-party background check services may compile arrest record information, though these may not always contain complete or current data

In-Person Requests:

Citizens may visit the Stockton Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit formal requests for arrest records
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office also maintains certain arrest records and booking information
Court records related to arrests can be accessed at the San Joaquin County Superior Court clerk's office

Written Requests:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail or email to the Stockton Police Department Records Division
Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case number (if known)
A processing fee may apply pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b)

Stockton Police Department Records Division
22 E. Market Street
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 937-8377
Stockton Police Department

Contents of a Stockton Arrest Record

Stockton arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by California Penal Code § 13100-13326, which establishes requirements for criminal history information systems. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during an arrest procedure.

A comprehensive Stockton arrest record typically includes:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Enumeration of all charges filed, including applicable California Penal Code sections
Unique booking identification number
Arresting agency and officer information
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Detention facility information
Fingerprint classification data
Booking photograph (commonly referred to as a "mugshot")
Disposition information (pending, dismissed, convicted)
Court case number for associated legal proceedings

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Medical information
Information about confidential informants
Details that might compromise ongoing investigations

The level of detail available to the public may vary based on the status of the case and applicable privacy laws. Records related to arrests that did not result in convictions may have limited accessibility pursuant to California Labor Code § 432.7, which restricts the use of such information in employment decisions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Stockton

The expungement process in Stockton follows California Penal Code § 1203.4, which provides a legal mechanism for eligible individuals to petition for the dismissal of convictions and sealing of arrest records. This process is administered through the San Joaquin County Superior Court system.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Stockton include:

Successful completion of all terms of probation
No current charges pending against the petitioner
Not currently serving a sentence for any offense
No convictions for certain serious offenses listed in Penal Code § 1192.7(c)

The expungement procedure involves several steps:

Filing a Petition for Dismissal (form CR-180) with the San Joaquin County Superior Court
Payment of applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Notification of the District Attorney's Office regarding the petition
Court hearing (if deemed necessary by the presiding judge)
Judicial review and determination

When an expungement is granted, the individual's plea is withdrawn, a not guilty plea is entered, and the case is dismissed. While the arrest record is not physically destroyed, it is updated to reflect the dismissal. Pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4(a), the petitioner is thereafter legally permitted to indicate they have not been convicted of the offense in most circumstances, with certain exceptions for state licensing boards, public office applications, and law enforcement employment.

San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office
102 South San Joaquin Street
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 468-2730
San Joaquin County Public Defender

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Access

California law establishes specific restrictions on the dissemination and use of arrest records. These limitations are designed to balance the public's right to information with individuals' privacy interests and the presumption of innocence.

Key legal restrictions include:

California Labor Code § 432.7 prohibits employers from asking about arrests that did not result in convictions
Business and Professions Code § 461 restricts licensing boards from denying licenses solely based on arrests without convictions
Civil Code § 1786.18 limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting arrests older than seven years
Penal Code § 851.8 provides for the sealing and destruction of arrest records in cases where factual innocence is established
Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 restricts access to juvenile arrest records

Law enforcement agencies in Stockton must comply with these statutory provisions when responding to public records requests. The Stockton Police Department may deny or redact certain arrest record information based on these legal exemptions.

Additionally, the California Electronic Communications Privacy Act (CalECPA) imposes restrictions on law enforcement's ability to access and share digital communications related to arrests, which may affect the content of some arrest records.

Accessing Juvenile Arrest Records in Stockton

Juvenile arrest records in Stockton are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 and § 828. These statutes establish a presumption of confidentiality for records pertaining to minors who come into contact with the juvenile justice system.

Access to juvenile arrest records is generally restricted to:

The minor and their parents or legal guardians
Attorneys representing the minor
Court personnel and probation officers
Law enforcement agencies for official purposes
School officials in limited circumstances
Researchers with court approval (with identifying information removed)

Members of the public seeking access to juvenile arrest records must file a petition with the Juvenile Court demonstrating a legitimate interest in the specific records requested. The court applies a balancing test weighing the petitioner's interest against the minor's privacy rights and rehabilitation prospects.

The San Joaquin County Juvenile Court handles all matters related to juvenile records in Stockton:

San Joaquin County Juvenile Court
535 West Mathews Road
French Camp, CA 95231
(209) 992-5506
San Joaquin County Juvenile Court