Arrest records are public in Tehama County, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6276.48). This legislation establishes that records maintained by public agencies shall be accessible to the general public, with certain statutory exemptions. Arrest records, unless specifically sealed by court order or restricted under provisions such as juvenile confidentiality laws, are classified as public records and therefore available for inspection by members of the public.
The California Public Records Act affirms the principle that access to information concerning the conduct of public business is a fundamental right of every citizen. Law enforcement agencies in Tehama County, including the Tehama County Sheriff's Department, maintain arrest records as part of their official duties and make these records available in accordance with state law.
Certain arrest records may be subject to redaction or withholding if their disclosure would:
Arrest records can be accessed online through various platforms in Tehama County. The Superior Court of California, County of Tehama provides electronic access to certain court records, which may include information related to arrests that resulted in court proceedings. The court's online services portal facilitates remote access to public case information, though complete arrest records may require additional inquiries.
The Tehama County Clerk and Recorder's Office maintains official county records, some of which may be available through their online portal. However, comprehensive arrest records typically require direct contact with law enforcement agencies or the court system.
Users should note the following limitations of online arrest record access:
Members of the public seeking Tehama County arrest records have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following procedures are established for obtaining arrest record information:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Tehama County Sheriff's Department: Tehama County Sheriff's Department 22840 Antelope Boulevard Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 529-7900 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Court records related to arrests can be accessed at: Tehama County Superior Court 1740 Walnut Street Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3484 Superior Court of California, County of Tehama Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Tehama County Criminal Division maintains records of criminal proceedings that may contain arrest information.
Electronic searches can be conducted through the court's online services portal, which provides access to case information.
Written requests may be submitted to the appropriate agency with required identification and applicable fees. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), agencies shall determine within 10 days whether the request seeks copies of disclosable public records.
Tehama County arrest records typically contain standardized information as required by California law. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's arrest and generally include the following elements:
The Tehama County Clerk and Recorder maintains certain official records that may reference arrest information. Their office is located at:
Tehama County Clerk and Recorder 633 Washington Street, Room 11 Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3350 Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Under California Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Tehama County. Expungement is a legal process that can seal or remove arrest records from public access under specific circumstances. The Tehama County Superior Court processes these petitions according to statutory requirements.
Eligibility criteria for expungement generally include:
The expungement process typically involves:
Successful expungement does not completely destroy records but rather restricts their disclosure to the public. Certain government agencies, including law enforcement and licensing boards, may retain access to expunged records for specific purposes as permitted by law.
Individuals seeking expungement may file petitions at: Tehama County Superior Court 1740 Walnut Street Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3484 Criminal Division