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:
It should be noted that certain arrest records may be subject to limited disclosure or redaction under specific circumstances, including:
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
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:
In-Person Requests:
Written Requests:
Stockton Police Department Records Division
22 E. Market Street
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 937-8377
Stockton Police Department
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:
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:
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.
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:
The expungement procedure involves several steps:
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
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:
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.
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:
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