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Santa Clara Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Santa Clara, California?

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.

How to Look Up Santa Clara Arrest Records in 2025

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.

In-Person Requests

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.

Online Access

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

Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the appropriate agency. Requests must include:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest
Case or booking number (if known)
Requestor's contact information
Specific information being requested

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

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.

Contents of a Santa Clara Arrest Record

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:

Demographic Information

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth
Gender
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residence address at time of arrest

Arrest Details

Date and time of arrest
Geographic location where the arrest occurred
Booking number assigned by the arresting agency
Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
Criminal charges filed, including California Penal Code sections
Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)

Biometric Data

Fingerprint impressions collected during booking
Booking photographs (mugshots) from frontal and profile angles
Other biometric identifiers as collected

Procedural Information

Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking facility information
Bail amount set, if applicable
Court case number, once assigned
Disposition information (pending, dismissed, convicted)

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.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Santa Clara

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals may qualify for expungement under the following circumstances:

Arrests not resulting in charges (Penal Code § 851.8)
Cases dismissed by the court
Successful completion of probation following conviction
Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after statutory waiting periods
Arrests for marijuana offenses eligible under Health and Safety Code § 11361.5

Certain serious offenses, including those requiring sex offender registration under Penal Code § 290 and specific violent felonies, are ineligible for expungement.

Application Process

The expungement procedure requires petitioners to:

Obtain and complete the appropriate petition forms from the Santa Clara County Superior Court
File the petition with the court clerk at:

Santa Clara County Superior Court
191 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 882-2700

Pay the required filing fee (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
Serve copies of the petition to the District Attorney's Office and probation department
Attend the scheduled court hearing if required

Legal Effect of Expungement

Upon granting an expungement petition, the court orders:

Dismissal of the conviction pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4
Sealing of arrest records for cases not resulting in conviction
Release from penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction

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.