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Santa Rosa Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Santa Rosa, California?

Arrest records are public in Santa Rosa, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). This legislation establishes that records maintained by state and local agencies, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public. The California Public Records Act was enacted to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to provide citizens with the right to access information concerning the conduct of the people's business. Under this act, law enforcement agencies in Santa Rosa are required to make arrest records available for public inspection, with certain exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and other protected information as specified in Government Code § 6254.

The Santa Rosa Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office maintain arrest records that are available to members of the public through established procedures. These records serve as official documentation of arrests made within the jurisdiction and provide factual information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement authorities.

How to Look Up Santa Rosa Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Santa Rosa arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing arrest records in Santa Rosa:

Online Public Access Systems: The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database where arrest records can be searched. Users may access this system through the official county website, which provides a searchable interface for public records.
Santa Rosa Police Department: Individuals may request arrest records in person at the Records Bureau of the Santa Rosa Police Department.

Santa Rosa Police Department
965 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 543-3600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Santa Rosa Police Department Official Website
Sonoma County Superior Court: The Criminal Division of the Sonoma County Superior Court maintains records of arrests that have resulted in criminal charges. These records may be accessed at the courthouse.

Sonoma County Superior Court
Hall of Justice
600 Administration Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 521-6500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sonoma County Superior Court Official Website
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office: The Records Division of the Sheriff's Office provides arrest record information to the public.

Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
2796 Ventura Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-2650
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Official Website

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies may charge a fee to cover the direct costs of duplication or a statutory fee, if applicable. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the individual whose records they are seeking, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.

Contents of a Santa Rosa Arrest Record

Santa Rosa arrest records contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13300. A typical arrest record includes the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including California Penal Code sections alleged to have been violated
Booking number and arresting agency case number
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Fingerprint information
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Custody status
Court appearance information

It should be noted that pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300(a)(2), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including confidential informant information, details that might compromise an ongoing investigation, or information protected by other statutory provisions.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Santa Rosa, California law imposes certain restrictions on their accessibility. The following limitations apply to arrest record access:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to California Penal Code § 851.8, records of arrests that did not result in a conviction and have been ordered sealed by a court are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile Records: Under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are confidential and not available for public inspection except by court order.
Diversion Program Participants: Records of individuals who have successfully completed diversion programs under Penal Code § 1000 may be restricted from public access.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information, such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and medical information, is redacted from public arrest records in accordance with Government Code § 6254(f).
Ongoing Investigations: Information that might compromise an active investigation may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure as provided in Government Code § 6254(f).

The Sonoma County Code Enforcement Division works in conjunction with law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with these restrictions while maintaining appropriate public access to records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Santa Rosa

Individuals with arrest records in Santa Rosa may be eligible to have those records expunged under California Penal Code § 1203.4. Expungement is a legal process that allows for the dismissal of convictions from an individual's record. The following criteria generally apply for expungement eligibility:

Successful completion of probation for the offense
No current charges pending against the individual
Not serving a sentence for any other offense
Not on probation for any other offense

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Sonoma County Superior Court where the case was adjudicated. Upon approval, the court will issue an order dismissing the conviction. While expungement does not completely erase the record, it does update it to show that the conviction was dismissed.

Sonoma County Public Defender's Office
600 Administration Drive, Room 111J
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-2791
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Public Defender's Office may provide assistance to eligible individuals seeking expungement of their arrest records. Additionally, the Department of Emergency Management maintains information about public safety measures that may be relevant to individuals with arrest records seeking reintegration into the community.

Impact of Arrest Records on Employment and Housing

Arrest records in Santa Rosa can have significant implications for individuals seeking employment or housing. The following regulations govern how arrest records may be used in these contexts:

Employment: Under California Labor Code § 432.7, employers with five or more employees are generally prohibited from asking about arrests that did not result in conviction. However, certain employers, particularly those in law enforcement, education, and healthcare, may have broader access to arrest information due to statutory exceptions.
Housing: The Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3601-3619) prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records. However, landlords may consider conviction records in making housing decisions, subject to certain limitations.
Professional Licensing: Certain professional licensing boards in California may consider arrest records, even without conviction, in determining fitness for licensure, particularly for professions involving public safety, financial responsibility, or vulnerable populations.

The City of Santa Rosa has implemented measures to promote public safety while ensuring fair treatment of individuals with arrest records, as outlined in the Santa Rosa Public Safety Tax Measure.