Arrest records in Santa Clara, California are public documents accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is mandated by the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270, which ensures transparency in governmental operations by making most government records available for public inspection. Law enforcement agencies in Santa Clara County maintain these records as part of their official documentation of arrests and related proceedings. The California Constitution, Article I, § 3(b), further reinforces this right to access public information.
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253, public agencies must make records promptly available upon request during regular office hours. However, certain exemptions exist under § 6254 that may limit access to specific information within arrest records, particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and local police departments serve as the primary custodians of arrest records within their respective jurisdictions. These agencies must balance the public's right to information with privacy protections established under state law.
Members of the public seeking Santa Clara arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The County of Santa Clara has implemented multiple access methods to accommodate various needs while ensuring compliance with California Public Records Act provisions.
Individuals may visit the following agencies to submit in-person requests:
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
55 West Younger Avenue
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 808-4900
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.
Santa Clara Police Department
601 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 615-4700
Santa Clara Police Department
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding city holidays.
The Santa Clara County Superior Court provides online case information for public access. Users may search for criminal cases by name, case number, or filing date. The system provides basic case information, including charges, court dates, and case status. Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, certain case types may have restricted online access.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the appropriate agency. Requests must include:
Per Government Code § 6253(c), agencies must respond to requests within 10 calendar days, with a possible 14-day extension under certain circumstances.
Certified copies of arrest records may be obtained from the Santa Clara County Superior Court for official purposes. Pursuant to Government Code § 70627, a fee of $25.00 applies for each certified copy requested.
Santa Clara County arrest records contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13100-13103, which establishes uniform record-keeping requirements for criminal justice agencies throughout the state. These records typically include the following components:
Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300, certain information within arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly when related to juvenile offenders, victims of certain crimes, or when disclosure would compromise an active investigation.
The expungement process in Santa Clara County provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to clear their arrest records from public access. This process is governed by California Penal Code § 851.8 for arrests not resulting in conviction and § 1203.4 for convictions.
Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:
Certain serious offenses, including those requiring sex offender registration under Penal Code § 290 and specific violent felonies, are ineligible for expungement.
The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:
Santa Clara County Superior Court
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 882-2700
Upon granting an expungement petition, the court orders:
It is important to note that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies, licensing boards, and certain employers as authorized by law. Additionally, expunged convictions must still be disclosed in applications for public office, state licensure, or contracting with the California State Lottery Commission.