Orange County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Orange County are official documents generated when a person is apprehended by law enforcement and booked into custody. They typically include basic information, such as the individual's name, booking number, charge, arrest date, and custody status.

The California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250 et seq.) ensures transparency and allows citizens to access government records. California Penal Code Section 13300 restricts law enforcement from sharing sensitive "criminal offender record information" to protect privacy, safety, and case integrity.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in California?

Yes, arrest records are public according to the California Public Records Act. This Act gives the public the right to inspect or copy any arrest records maintained by state and local law enforcement agencies. Record seekers can view arrest records online through the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS) portal or Inmate Locators on County Sheriff's Office websites. Alternatively, they can visit the arresting agency in the county where the arrestee was arrested to obtain copies of their arrest records. Requesters need to know that not all arrest records or information are available to the public under the California Public Records Act. For example, no law enforcement agency in California will release investigative, juvenile, or arrest records containing victim or witness information to the public.

Orange County Arrest Search

Orange County arrest information can be obtained through both state and federal sources. At the state level, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) provides arrest information of inmates whose commitment county is Orange County. This information is disseminated online and in person at any CDCR Facility. Online requests can be made using the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS). A name or CDCR number is required for the search. Subjects of records can also find arrest information in criminal history records maintained by the California Department of Justice (DOJ). To submit a request, complete a Live Scan Form (English or Spanish) and take it to any Live Scan site for fingerprinting services in Orange County.

At the federal level, individuals can find Orange County arrest records at federal law enforcement agencies. Most agencies provide arrest records for free through their online portals. A typical example is the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which issues arrest records to the public through its Online Detainee Locator System. Users will need the detainee's A-Number or biographical information to search. Similarly, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides arrest records without charges through its Inmate Locator. The search criteria are name or number.

Orange County Inmate Locator

The Sheriff's Department's inmate locator is one of the simplest ways to determine if someone has been arrested in Orange County. This internet service can be used to find people in county custody or have recently been booked. New portal users are required to create an account using an email address and password, while returning users must sign in to access their account. Afterwards, users must provide a name, birthdate, booking number, or gender to search.

Members of the public can also visit the Orange County Sheriff's Department during business hours to obtain copies of non-confidential arrest records. The records staff will give them a request form to complete, which will be used to find the desired record. Once the record is found, the staff will ask the requester to pay the necessary copy fee. Subjects of record can submit a request to examine their own arrest records. They would need to complete the Application to Examine Local Arrest Record Form, attach a government-issued photo ID, a completed fingerprint card, and return it, along with a $67 fee, to:

Active Warrant Search in Orange County

The CA Penal Code § 813 mandates a magistrate in Orange County to issue an arrest warrant when a complaint reveals probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed and a defendant is guilty. Per CA Penal Code § 815, an arrest warrant contains the defendant's name or any name (if the specific name is unknown), the magistrate's signature and office title, and the time of issuing the warrant. It also contains the name of the city or county where the warrant is issued and the name of the court issuing it.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department maintains warrants and makes them available through the E-services tab on its website. Upon getting to the tab, select "Arrest Warrants" to view all active warrants in Orange County. Individuals can also conduct an active warrant search by phone at (714) 834-6472.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Orange

The Orange County Sheriff's Department and the Superior Court are the most easily available and free sources of arrest information. The Orange County Sheriff's Department's Public Services Portal allows the public to check the arrest information of individuals recently booked into the county jail and those currently in custody for free. Users will need a name, booking date, birthdate, booking number, or gender to perform a search.

When a case enters the court system, the Orange County Superior Court's Criminal and Traffic Cases Systems allows individuals to study criminal case information and registers of action for free. The same information is also available on public kiosks within courthouses, which may be helpful for people who prefer in-person access.

It is crucial to remember that while these tools are useful, they only cover fundamental case facts. The free searches do not include older arrests, full police reports, or certified documents. Obtaining these data requires a formal request to the Sheriff's Department or the Superior Court and payment of appropriate costs. However, Orange County's inmate locator and court site are usually the most practical and free solutions for quick inspections.

Orange Arrest Report

In Orange County, an arrest record and an arrest report have different purposes.

An arrest record is a brief entry in official systems confirming that a person has been arrested. It includes basic information, including the individual's name, booking number, charges, arrest date, bond, custody status, and jail location.

An arrest report is a thorough narrative prepared by the arresting officer that describes the basis for the arrest, the evidence, or probable cause. It may also contain police observations and witness accounts.

While arrest records are typically made available to the public, arrest reports are frequently restricted or censored to protect investigations, sensitive evidence, or the privacy of victims and witnesses.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Orange

According to the California Penal Code section 851.8, a person can petition the Orange County Superior Court to expunge their arrest records when:

• The prosecutor has not filed charges, and the arresting agency has denied the petitioner's request to seal or destroy their arrest record.
• The prosecutor filed charges, the action was dismissed, and the court has determined that the petitioner is factually innocent.

Eligible individuals must file a completed Petition to Seal and Destroy Adult Arrest RecordsForm with the arresting agency within 2 years from the arrest date or the date the complaint was filed. If the agency denies the petition, file a Petition and Order to Seal and Destroy Arrest Records Form with the Orange County Superior Court. A copy of the petition must be sent to the District Attorney or City Attorney and the Law Enforcement Agency, which has authority over the offense. These agencies have 10 days to respond to the petition.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Sealing and expunging the arrest records through the courts is the best method to prevent arrest information from appearing online. When this is approved, the court instructs the state agencies, like the California DOJ and the FBI, to change their databases. This reduces the possibility of the record reappearing online and prevents new postings.

Once there is evidence that shows that the record has been dismissed, sealed, or expunged. Users can use it as proof to take down information from profitable background check businesses and mugshot websites. These platforms offer an Opt-Out process that allows the arrest records to be removed. If the website refuses to take down the information, users can follow up with a legal request stating that the information is inaccurate or invalid.

Search results may still contain cached information after removal from the original websites. Google's "Remove Outdated Content" tool can clear these links after the original page has been removed or changed.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

According to the California Public Records Act and Penal Code § 13300, public arrest records in California may contain the following non-restricted information:

• Full name of the arrested person
• Booking number assigned at the time of arrest
• Date and time of arrest
• Location of arrest
• Arresting agency (e.g., police department, sheriff's office)
• Charges filed or alleged offenses
• Bail or bond amount and whether bail has been posted
• Custody status (in jail, released, or transferred)
• Jail facility location
• Warrant number(s) if the arrest was based on a warrant
• Court case number if charges are filed and connected to the Superior Court