San Mateo County, California Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in San Mateo County, California?
Arrest records are public documents in San Mateo County, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies, including law enforcement entities within San Mateo County, shall be accessible to members of the public. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office and other local police departments are required to maintain these records and make them available upon proper request. This policy of transparency serves multiple public interests, including governmental accountability, informed civic participation, and public safety awareness.
The California Public Records Act specifically designates arrest logs, police blotters, and booking information as public records that must be disclosed except in limited circumstances. Under Government Code § 6254(f), certain investigative records may be exempt from disclosure if release would endanger an investigation or the safety of a person involved in the case. However, basic information about arrests, including the arrestee's name, charges, and booking details, remains accessible to the public.
Individuals seeking arrest records may encounter certain restrictions related to juvenile records, sealed records, or cases involving specific sensitive crimes. These limitations are established by California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 and other relevant statutes designed to protect privacy in certain circumstances while maintaining the general principle of public access.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in San Mateo County?
San Mateo County provides digital access to arrest records through several authorized online platforms. The San Mateo County Superior Court maintains an online case access system where members of the public may search for criminal case information related to arrests. Additionally, the Odyssey Portals system offers a register of actions for non-confidential criminal cases, providing status updates and procedural information.
The online availability of these records is governed by California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, which establishes standards for electronic access to court records. Pursuant to this rule, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests while still maintaining public access to essential case information. Users of these systems should note that online records may not contain complete arrest information, as certain details may only be available through direct requests to the arresting agency.
For comprehensive arrest record searches, individuals may need to utilize multiple online resources, as information may be distributed across different systems maintained by the courts, the Sheriff's Office, and local police departments. Each agency maintains its own records management system with varying levels of online accessibility.
How to Look Up San Mateo County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking San Mateo County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to access this information. Each method varies in comprehensiveness, processing time, and associated fees:
Superior Court Online Access: The San Mateo County Superior Court provides online access to criminal case information through its web portal. Users may search by name or case number to locate records of arrests that resulted in court proceedings. The Criminal Division maintains these records and can provide guidance on accessing specific information.
In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Individuals may visit the records division of the relevant law enforcement agency to request arrest records in person.
San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 363-4911
www.smcsheriff.com
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMWritten Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the appropriate agency by mail. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies must respond to requests within 10 days, though complex requests may require additional time.
Criminal History Information: For complete criminal history information, including arrests throughout California, individuals may request a background check through the California Department of Justice. This process requires fingerprint submission and payment of applicable fees as established by Penal Code § 11105.
Requestors should be prepared to provide identification and may be required to complete a formal request form. Fees for copies of arrest records are established by Government Code § 6253(b) and vary by agency, typically ranging from $0.10 to $0.25 per page for standard copies.
Contents of a San Mateo County Arrest Record
San Mateo County arrest records contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13150. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrestee, date of birth, physical description, address at time of arrest, and any documented aliases or alternative identifications.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the specific law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest; and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed at the time of arrest, including the California Penal Code or other statutory references for each alleged violation.
Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprint classification data, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Case Processing Data: Court case number if assigned, bail amount determined at arraignment, custody status, and scheduled court appearances.
Disposition Information: Current status of the case, including whether charges were filed by the District Attorney's Office, case dismissals, or conviction information if the case has concluded.
The level of detail in publicly accessible versions of these records may vary based on the status of the case, applicable privacy laws, and the specific policies of the maintaining agency. Certain sensitive information, such as social security numbers, medical information, or details related to confidential informants, is redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Government Code § 6254.
Expungement of Arrest Records in San Mateo County
The expungement process in San Mateo County provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to clear arrest records from public access. This procedure is governed by California Penal Code § 1203.4 for convictions and § 851.8 for arrests not resulting in conviction. Eligibility criteria and procedures are as follows:
Eligibility Requirements: Individuals who have completed probation, paid all fines and restitution, and are not currently charged with or serving a sentence for another offense may qualify for expungement. Certain serious offenses, including some sex crimes and violent felonies, are ineligible for expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4(b).
Petition Process: Eligible persons must file a Petition for Dismissal with the San Mateo County Superior Court. This petition must be filed in the courthouse where the case was originally prosecuted. The court may require a hearing before granting the petition.
San Mateo County Superior Court - Hall of Justice
400 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 261-5100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 2:00 PMLegal Effect: When granted, an expungement does not completely erase the record but changes its status. The case is dismissed pursuant to the relevant Penal Code section, and the individual may legally state they were not convicted of the offense in most circumstances. However, the expunged record may still be used for certain government licensing purposes, in subsequent criminal proceedings, or for employment in specific sectors.
Certificate of Rehabilitation: For certain felony convictions, individuals may need to pursue a Certificate of Rehabilitation under Penal Code § 4852.01 before seeking expungement. This process requires demonstrating rehabilitation through a sustained period of law-abiding conduct.
The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office and Public Defender's Office may provide assistance with expungement petitions. Additionally, local legal aid organizations offer guidance to individuals navigating this process.
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