Alameda County Arrest Records

Arrest records are documents created when law enforcement takes a person into custody, detailing the facts of the arrest. These records are treated as public information because they relate to law enforcement agencies' conduct of public business and ensure transparency and accountability within these agencies.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Department, as the county's primary law enforcement agency, is responsible for maintaining and disseminating arrest records. The California Public Records Act largely governs the dissemination of arrest records. Arrest records should not be confused with criminal history information. While criminal history records contain arrest data, the dissemination of a complete criminal history is controlled and restricted by Cal. Penal Code § 11075 et seq.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in California?

Yes. Under the California Public Records Act (Cal. Gov't Code §§ 7920.000 et seq.), state and local government agencies hold public records that are generally open to inspection and copying by the public. This grants members of the public the right to request an arrest record from a local law enforcement agency in Alameda County.

However, some arrest records are exempt from public disclosure under various state laws designed to protect individual privacy and safeguard public safety. In California, commonly withheld arrest record information includes:

• Identities and addresses of victims and witnesses
• Juvenile records
• Arrest records related to ongoing investigations
• Information on a confidential informant
• Medical and mental health details
• Sealed or expunged arrest records

Under Cal. Gov't Code § 7922.000, law enforcement agencies are required to provide a valid legal justification for withholding an arrest record. The agency must demonstrate that the record is either explicitly exempt by statute or that, in that specific instance, the public interest in maintaining confidentiality outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Requesters have the right to appeal such a decision in court if they believe the public interest does not outweigh the need for disclosure.

Alameda County Arrest Search

Arrest records are primarily maintained by the agency that made the arrest. Researchers may visit the arresting agency and request access to the record. The requester will be asked to provide basic details about the arrest to facilitate a search. If the record is not confidential, the agency may provide a copy for inspection at no cost or for a fee if a personal copy was demanded.

The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history summary records for the state. A person's criminal history summary record contains details about any arrests and subsequent legal outcomes. These records are generally restricted to law enforcement agencies and employers, but private individuals may request their own records for review. This process involves completing the Live Scan form (for in-state applications) and taking it to a Live Scan location for fingerprinting. After the fingerprints are captured, the requester is to submit the form to the DOJ for processing, along with a $25 fee.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) also maintains records, including the arrest records of persons incarcerated in a state prison. These records are generally open to the public and can be accessed online using the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS) portal. Searches can be conducted using the inmate's name or CDCR number. Some information regarding an inmate may not be disclosed on the portal if safety and security are a concern.

Individuals may contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for federal-level arrest records. The FBI allows individuals to request their own criminal history record for a fee. Parties can also utilize the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator tool to search for the arrest records of persons in a federal prison.

Alameda County Inmate Locator

In addition to state and federal resources, the Alameda County Sheriff's Department has an Inmate Locator tool. The tool is designed to help members of the public locate arrestees incarcerated in the county jail. The search criteria on the system include the inmate's first, middle, and last name, their PFN (personal file number), gender, and date of birth. Arrest records that are confidential will not appear in the search results. Researchers must contact the Sheriff's Office or the arresting agency for information on the arrestee.

Active Warrant Search in Alameda County

Arrest warrants are legal orders issued by the court permitting law enforcement to arrest and detain a person. Warrants in Alameda County are issued by a judge of the Superior Court after probable cause has been determined from a complaint lodged by a law enforcement officer that a person has committed a crime. A valid arrest warrant generally includes:

• The name of the suspect to be arrested
• The arrest charges
• The date of issuance
• The title and signature of the issuing judge
• Instructions for law enforcement on carrying out the arrest

Arrest warrants, once issued, are handed to the Alameda Sheriff's Department, which is the primary custodian of arrest warrants in the county. Individuals can confirm the existence of a warrant by contacting the Sheriff's Office Warrants and Records Unit. Inquirers may visit the unit's facility or inquire about a phone call. The contact information of the unit is below:

Alameda Sheriff's Department

Warrants and Records Unit

2000 150th Avenue

San Leandro, CA 94578

Phone: (510) 667-3685

The Sheriff's Office also has a public list of the county's most wanted suspects, giving room for the public to submit anonymous tips that may help law enforcement apprehend the individuals.

Information on active warrants may be found in court records of pending criminal cases. Researchers can access these court records through the Alameda Superior Court Criminal Case Portal. Users need to register an account to search for court records. The search information needed by the system includes the docket number or case number, the defendant's date of birth, and the date of arrest or conviction.

Persons who find out they have an outstanding warrant in their name can reach out to their attorney for legal assistance on possible steps to take to resolve the warrant.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Alameda

Members of the public do not always need to pay a fee to access arrest records in Alameda County. The county has several tools, the Sheriff's Inmate Locator being one of them, that individuals can use to access arrest records. Some city police departments in the county also have arrest logs containing basic information about arrests they have made that are published online and open to the public. Examples of these police arrest logs include:

• San Leandro Police Department Weekly Arrest Log
• Alameda Police Department RMS Portal

For records that are not accessible online, inquirers may be allowed to inspect the record for free at the arresting agency's office, provided they do not request a copy of the record.

Alameda Arrest Report

An arrest record is an official summary stating that law enforcement has taken a person into custody. It contains basic information about the arrest, but does not provide details about the incident or investigation. To describe what happened and why the arrest occurred, individuals will need to access the arrest report. An arrest report is a detailed narrative written by the arresting officer, documenting what led to the arrest, including the officer's observations, evidence collected, witness statements, and other information relevant to the arrest.

Arrest reports are documented with the arresting agency. Interested persons may request to view an arrest report at the agency's office or submit a Public Records Request form via the department's other accepted means of requests (mail, fax, or email). For instance, one can request an arrest report from the Sheriff's Office by completing and submitting the Incident/Crime Report Form to the department by mail, email, or fax at (510) 667-3970.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Alameda

The State of California makes provisions for certain persons arrested to have their arrest records sealed. Sealing the record effectively removes it from public view, giving the individual a fresh start in the community. The eligibility criteria for sealing an arrest record are stated under Cal. Penal Code § 851.91. Individuals are eligible for sealing if:

• No charges were filed because the statute of limitations expired
• Charges were filed but dismissed without the possibility of refiling
• The person was acquitted of the arrest charges
• Convictions were vacated or reversed, with no chance of refiling

On the other hand, a person is ineligible for sealing if:

• Charges remain possible
• The arrest involved murder or crimes without a statute of limitations, except if acquitted.
• The petitioner intentionally evaded prosecution, including identity fraud.
• The individual has a pattern of domestic violence, child abuse, or elder abuse arrests or convictions, unless sealing serves the interests of justice.

Individuals who want their arrest records sealed and are eligible may file a petition with the Alameda County Superior Court to initiate the process. Forms required for the petition include Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records (CR-409) and the Order to Seal Arrest and Related Records (CR-410) forms. The petitioner must serve a copy of the petition to the arresting agency and the Alameda District Attorney's Office. The court will schedule a hearing to review the petition and hear any objections from the prosecutor. An order will be issued to seal the records if the statutory conditions are met and sealing the record is in the best interest of justice.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Arrest records can linger online, particularly on third-party websites, even after the court has sealed them. Removing these records from the internet typically involves the following steps:

• Verify the official status of the sealing order or, if one has not been obtained, file a petition with the court to have the records sealed.
• Contact relevant government agencies, such as the arresting law enforcement agency, that may have published the records online. Present the sealing order and formally request the removal of the records.
• Contact all commercial websites and data brokers that host arrest record databases and may still display the information. Provide a copy of the court order to demand the removal of the records.

Individuals must note that these agencies and third-party websites are generally only obligated to comply with a removal request if a formal court order to seal the record has been issued.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records typically contain basic facts about an arrest. These include:

• Arrestee identification: Name, age, aliases, occupation, and identifiers associated with the individual arrested
• Date, time, and Location of Arrest
• Arrest charges, including Penal Code section references (e.g., "459 PC" for burglary)
• Incident number and court case number
• The law enforcement agency that made the arrest