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Sunnyvale Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Sunnyvale, California?

Arrest records in Sunnyvale, California are considered public information pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The California Public Records Act serves to enhance governmental transparency and accountability by permitting citizens to examine various official documents, arrest records among them. Exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as specified in Government Code § 6254.

The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety maintains arrest records in accordance with state regulations. Individuals seeking access to these records must submit a formal request in compliance with established procedures. Requests may be submitted through the official public records portal maintained by the City of Sunnyvale.

How to Look Up Sunnyvale Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methodologies exist for obtaining arrest record information in Sunnyvale. The following official channels are available to members of the public seeking arrest documentation:

• Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety: Direct requests may be submitted to the Records Division during standard business hours. Requestors must complete the appropriate documentation and may be subject to processing fees in accordance with California Government Code § 6253.

Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety
700 All America Way
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 730-7100
Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety

• Santa Clara County Superior Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be accessed through the county courthouse. Certified copies of court documents are available for a fee as established by the Judicial Council of California.

Santa Clara County Superior Court - Sunnyvale Courthouse
605 West El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 882-2100
Santa Clara County Superior Court

• Online Public Records Request: The City of Sunnyvale maintains an electronic portal through which citizens may submit requests for public records, including arrest documentation. Requests submitted via this system are processed in accordance with statutory timeframes established in Government Code § 6253(c).

• California Department of Justice: For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may request records from the state repository, subject to identification verification requirements and applicable fees.

California Department of Justice
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
(916) 210-3000
California Department of Justice

Contents of a Sunnyvale Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Sunnyvale law enforcement agencies typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by California Penal Code § 13300:

• Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases • Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors • Date, time, and geographic location of the arrest incident • Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") • Enumeration of criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable California Penal Code sections • Identification of the arresting agency and officer(s) • Booking number and facility information • Bail determination, if applicable • Court appearance scheduling information • Fingerprint classification data • Case disposition information, when available

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with privacy protections established in Government Code § 6254(f), including confidential informant identities, juvenile information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Sunnyvale

California Penal Code § 851.8 provides a mechanism through which qualifying individuals may petition for the sealing and destruction of arrest records in Sunnyvale. The expungement process requires the submission of formal documentation to the court of jurisdiction and adherence to statutory procedural requirements.

Eligibility criteria for expungement of Sunnyvale arrest records include:

• Cases resulting in no formal charges being filed • Prosecutions terminated in the interest of justice • Acquittals following trial proceedings • Successful completion of probation or other court-mandated programs • Satisfaction of waiting periods established in Penal Code § 1203.4

The expungement petition process necessitates the following procedural steps:

Submission of a Petition for Dismissal (form CR-180) to the Santa Clara County Superior Court
Filing of a Declaration of Eligibility (form CR-181)
Payment of prescribed filing fees, unless a fee waiver is granted
Service of petition copies to the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety and Santa Clara County District Attorney
Attendance at scheduled court hearing, if required

Upon judicial approval of an expungement petition, the arrest record is sealed from public view, though certain governmental agencies retain limited access capabilities for specific administrative purposes as outlined in Penal Code § 11105. Expunged records are not disclosed in standard background checks conducted by most employers in compliance with California Labor Code § 432.7.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

California law establishes certain limitations on the dissemination and utilization of arrest record information. Government Code § 6254(f) specifies exemptions from disclosure for records that might compromise active investigations or endanger individuals. Additionally, Labor Code § 432.7 prohibits employers from inquiring about arrests that did not result in conviction, with exceptions for certain positions in law enforcement, healthcare, and education.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (Civil Code § 1798.100-1798.199) further regulates the commercial use of arrest record information by data brokers and background check companies. Entities maintaining arrest record databases must comply with accuracy requirements and provide mechanisms for correction of erroneous information.

Juvenile arrest records receive enhanced confidentiality protections under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, generally restricting public access except by court order. Similarly, arrests related to certain drug offenses may qualify for confidentiality under Health and Safety Code § 11361.5 following successful completion of diversion programs.

Fees and Processing Times for Record Requests

The City of Sunnyvale assesses standardized fees for arrest record requests in accordance with Government Code § 6253, which permits agencies to recover direct costs associated with duplication and certification. Current fee schedules are as follows:

• Standard arrest record search: $25.00 per name • Certified copies: Additional $10.00 per document • Expedited processing: Additional $15.00 per request

Processing timeframes for arrest record requests typically adhere to the following schedule:

• Initial response acknowledging receipt: Within 10 calendar days • Standard processing completion: 2-4 weeks • Expedited processing completion: 3-5 business days

Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors upon submission of a Financial Hardship Application (Form FW-001) and judicial determination of eligibility.