>San Luis Obispo County Arrest Records Online

San Luis Obispo County, California Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in San Luis Obispo County, California?

Arrest records are public in San Luis Obispo County, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by local and state government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to the public with certain exceptions. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law.

Members of the public may access arrest records to verify the detention status of individuals, research criminal histories for employment purposes, or monitor law enforcement activities. The California Public Records Act specifically designates arrest logs, police blotters, and booking information as public records that must be disclosed upon request, except in circumstances where disclosure would endanger an investigation or a person's safety as outlined in Government Code § 6254(f).

The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court also maintains records related to arrests that proceed to criminal charges, which are accessible through the court's public access terminals and online systems. These records typically include arraignment information, case status, and disposition of charges.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office
1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 781-4550
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in San Luis Obispo County?

San Luis Obispo County provides digital access to certain arrest records through authorized government platforms. The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court offers re:SearchCA, a web-based platform that grants registered users remote access to public court records, including those related to criminal cases stemming from arrests. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office jail information system provides current inmate custody status and basic booking information.

Digital access to these records is governed by California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, which establishes parameters for electronic access to court records. The rule balances public access rights with privacy considerations, particularly for cases involving juveniles, domestic violence, or other sensitive matters.

Third-party websites may aggregate public record information, but the accuracy and completeness of such information cannot be guaranteed by county officials. Members of the public seeking authoritative arrest record information are advised to utilize official county resources.

Online access is available 24 hours per day, though system maintenance may occasionally limit availability. Records available online typically include:

Current inmate custody status
Basic booking information
Court case information for cases that have been filed
Scheduled court appearances

San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder
1055 Monterey Street, Suite D120
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 781-5080
County Clerk-Recorder

How to Look Up San Luis Obispo County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining San Luis Obispo County arrest records in 2025. The County has implemented several access points to accommodate various public needs while maintaining compliance with California Government Code § 6253, which requires public agencies to make records promptly available upon request.

The primary methods for accessing arrest records include:

Online Access: The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court's online case lookup system provides information on criminal cases. Users may search by name, case number, or filing date to locate records of arrests that resulted in court proceedings.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Records Division of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM) to request arrest records. Photo identification is required, and applicable fees must be paid at the time of request.
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Sheriff's Records Division. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information. Processing time for written requests is typically 7-10 business days.
Public Access Terminals: The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court provides public access terminals at courthouse locations where individuals may search court records related to arrests and subsequent criminal proceedings.

For arrest records that have resulted in criminal charges, the District Attorney's Public Case Search provides information on case status, charges filed, and court proceedings.

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court
1035 Palm Street, Room 385
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 706-3600
Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo

Contents of a San Luis Obispo County Arrest Record

San Luis Obispo County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13125, which establishes minimum data requirements for criminal justice agencies. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement and typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race/ethnicity, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any distinguishing physical characteristics or identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name of arresting agency; badge numbers of arresting officers; and the legal authority under which the arrest was made (e.g., warrant, probable cause).
Criminal Charges: California Penal Code sections allegedly violated; classification of offenses as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions; and any special allegations or enhancements.
Booking Information: Unique booking number assigned by the jail; date and time of booking; fingerprints collected during processing; and mugshot photographs taken from front and profile views.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail amount if applicable; release date if the individual is no longer in custody; or current housing assignment if still detained.
Case Disposition: Information about whether charges were filed by the District Attorney's Office, case numbers assigned by the court, and the ultimate resolution of the case if available.

Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300, certain information in arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly if the arrest did not result in conviction or if the record pertains to juvenile offenders. Additionally, records related to certain offenses, such as those involving domestic violence or sexual crimes, may have restricted access to protect victim privacy.

Expungement of Arrest Records in San Luis Obispo County

Expungement of arrest records in San Luis Obispo County is governed by California Penal Code § 1203.4 and related statutes. This legal process allows eligible individuals to petition the court to set aside a conviction and dismiss the case, effectively releasing them from many penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in San Luis Obispo County include:

Successful completion of probation or early termination of probation
No current charges pending against the petitioner
Not serving a sentence for any offense
No probation or parole supervision for any offense

The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Criminal Division processes expungement petitions. Individuals seeking expungement must file the appropriate forms with the court where the conviction occurred and pay the required filing fees, which may be waived for indigent petitioners.

Upon receipt of a petition, the court schedules a hearing and notifies the District Attorney's Office, which may contest the expungement. If the court grants the petition, the conviction is set aside, a plea of not guilty is entered, and the case is dismissed. However, pursuant to California Penal Code § 1203.4(a), the expungement does not:

Restore firearm rights
Eliminate the conviction from consideration in subsequent prosecutions
Remove the requirement to register as a sex offender if applicable
Eliminate the conviction from consideration for certain professional licenses
Prevent the conviction from being used to deny or revoke public office

It is important to note that expungement does not completely erase the record from all government databases. Rather, the record will show that the conviction was dismissed pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4. Additionally, certain convictions, particularly those involving serious felonies or sex offenses, may have limited eligibility for expungement.

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office
County Government Center, Room 450
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 781-5800
District Attorney's Office