Arrest records are public in Visalia, California, pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6276.48). This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest information maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The California Public Records Act mandates that all government records are presumed to be open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute.
Members of the public may access arrest records that typically contain information such as:
Certain exemptions may apply to the disclosure of arrest records in accordance with Government Code § 6254, particularly when:
The Visalia Police Department and Tulare County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in compliance with state regulations governing public access to criminal justice information.
Multiple methods are available for accessing arrest records in Visalia, California. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253, public agencies must make records promptly available upon request during regular business hours. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following official channels:
Visalia Police Department
303 S. Johnson Street
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 734-8116
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tulare County Sheriff's Office
833 S. Akers Street
Visalia, CA 93277
(559) 802-9400
Official Website
Online Access: The Tulare County Sheriff's Inmate Search provides current custody information for individuals arrested in Visalia and throughout Tulare County.
Court Records: The Superior Court of California, County of Tulare maintains records of criminal proceedings resulting from arrests.
Tulare County Superior Court
221 S. Mooney Blvd.
Visalia, CA 93291-8940
(559) 730-5000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with Government Code § 6253(b), which permits agencies to charge for the direct cost of duplication or a statutory fee, if applicable.
Arrest records maintained by Visalia law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by California Penal Code § 13125. These official documents typically include the following elements:
The California Department of Justice maintains standards for arrest record information pursuant to Penal Code § 13100-13326, which establishes uniform recording, reporting, storage, analysis, and dissemination requirements for criminal offender record information.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with privacy protections established under Government Code § 6254(c), including:
California law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Penal Code § 851.8 and § 1203.4, individuals may petition for relief from the adverse consequences of an arrest or conviction.
The expungement process in Visalia requires filing a petition with the Tulare County Superior Court. Eligibility criteria include:
For arrests that did not result in a conviction, Penal Code § 851.8 permits individuals to petition for a finding of factual innocence, which, if granted, requires the sealing and destruction of arrest records. The petition must be filed:
The Tulare County Superior Court Self-Help Center provides assistance with expungement petitions:
Tulare County Superior Court Self-Help Center
221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 203
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 737-5500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Expungement does not completely erase all records but generally:
Certain convictions, particularly serious or violent felonies listed under Penal Code § 1192.7(c) or § 667.5(c), may have limited eligibility for expungement relief.