Los Angeles County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Los Angeles County
Arrest records in Los Angeles County are generally considered public information pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250-6270. Members of the public may access these records with certain limitations established by state law and county ordinances. The public nature of these records serves the dual purpose of maintaining transparency in law enforcement activities while providing citizens with access to information that may affect public safety.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department maintains arrest records for unincorporated areas of the county and contract cities, while individual police departments within incorporated cities maintain their own arrest records. These records become part of the public domain after processing, though certain information may be redacted to protect privacy rights or ongoing investigations as specified in Government Code § 6254(f).
Exceptions to public access include:
- Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (protected under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827)
- Arrests that have been sealed by court order
- Records related to active investigations where disclosure would compromise law enforcement activities
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office maintains information regarding prosecution decisions following arrests, which may also be accessible to the public with similar restrictions.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Records Bureau
211 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 229-1700
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
What's in Los Angeles County Arrest Records
Los Angeles County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal activity. These records are maintained in accordance with California Penal Code § 13100-13103, which establishes requirements for criminal history information systems.
Standard information contained in Los Angeles County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name and known aliases of the arrested individual
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Booking number and facility information
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Charges filed (including California Penal Code sections)
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Bail amount (if applicable)
- Case disposition (if available)
- Fingerprint classification
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Pursuant to California Government Code § 6254(f), certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license information
- Medical information
- Information about victims or witnesses
- Details that might compromise ongoing investigations
The California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) provides additional information for individuals who were transferred to state custody following conviction, including commitment offense details and current status.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Los Angeles County in 2025
Los Angeles County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through multiple channels established by county agencies. The procedures outlined below reflect the current protocols for 2025, which have been updated to incorporate both traditional and digital access methods.
In-person requests may be submitted at:
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Records Bureau
211 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(213) 229-1700
To obtain arrest records, requestors must:
- Complete a Public Records Act Request Form (available online or at the Records Bureau)
- Provide specific information about the arrest, including:
- Full name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case or booking number (if available)
- Present valid government-issued identification
- Pay applicable fees ($25 for standard record search as of January 2025)
For arrests made by municipal police departments within Los Angeles County, requestors should contact the specific agency directly. The County of Los Angeles website maintains a directory of all law enforcement agencies operating within county boundaries.
Individuals on probation may access their own records through the Los Angeles County Probation Department, which maintains separate files related to supervision and compliance.
How To Find Los Angeles County Arrest Records Online
Digital access to Los Angeles County arrest records has been expanded in recent years to improve public accessibility while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations. Online resources provide varying levels of information depending on the requesting party's status and the nature of the records sought.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Center offers limited online access to current custody information at:
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Center
Inmate Information Center
Available 24 hours daily
This system provides:
- Current custody status
- Booking number
- Charges
- Next court date
- Bail amount
For more comprehensive arrest record searches, authorized users may access:
- The Los Angeles County Superior Court Portal (for case information related to arrests)
- The California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) - restricted to law enforcement personnel
- The Los Angeles County Justice Information System (LACJIS) - available to authorized criminal justice agencies
Members of the public seeking detailed arrest records online must register with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Records Management System and pay applicable fees. The Alternate Public Defender of Los Angeles County provides guidance for individuals seeking to access their own records for purposes of legal representation or record clearing.
Can You Search Los Angeles County Arrest Records for Free?
Limited free access to Los Angeles County arrest records is available through several public resources, though comprehensive searches typically require payment of established fees. The California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6253) permits agencies to charge reasonable fees to recover the direct costs of duplication or electronic transmission of records.
Free resources for basic arrest information include:
- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Inmate Locator (provides current custody status only)
- Public terminals at the Los Angeles County Superior Court (case information only)
- Daily arrest logs maintained at local police stations (limited to recent arrests within that jurisdiction)
These free resources typically provide only current status information rather than historical arrest records. For comprehensive searches, standard fees apply:
- Basic arrest record search: $25
- Certified copies: Additional $10 per document
- Research fees for records older than 5 years: $15 per half hour
Fee waivers may be available for:
- Indigent individuals (requires submission of financial affidavit)
- Certain non-profit organizations conducting research
- Government agencies
The County of Los Angeles maintains information about fee schedules and waiver applications for public records requests across all county departments.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Los Angeles County
Under California law, individuals may petition for the sealing, expungement, or reduction of arrest records under specific circumstances. These processes do not physically destroy records but restrict their accessibility to the public. The legal mechanisms for addressing arrest records are governed by California Penal Code §§ 851.8, 1203.4, and 1203.4a.
Eligible individuals may pursue:
- Factual Innocence (PC § 851.8): For arrests that did not result in charges or convictions
- Expungement (PC § 1203.4): For convictions after successful completion of probation
- Record Sealing (PC § 851.87): For arrests not resulting in conviction
- Certificate of Rehabilitation: For certain felony convictions
The process requires:
- Filing appropriate petitions with the Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Paying filing fees (approximately $120-$150 as of 2025)
- Attending scheduled hearings
- Providing supporting documentation
Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office
210 W. Temple Street, 19th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
(213) 974-2811
The Alternate Public Defender of Los Angeles County provides resources for individuals seeking to clear their records, including self-help guides and referrals to legal assistance programs.
What Happens After Arrest in Los Angeles County?
Following an arrest in Los Angeles County, individuals enter a standardized processing sequence established by the California Penal Code and local protocols. This process includes several key stages that generate official records accessible through various county agencies.
The post-arrest sequence typically includes:
- Booking: Documentation of personal information, fingerprinting, photographing, and property inventory
- Initial custody determination: Assessment for citation release or continued detention
- Bail setting: Determination of bail amount according to the Los Angeles County Bail Schedule
- Filing decision: Review by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to determine whether charges will be filed
- Arraignment: Initial court appearance where charges are formally presented
- Case disposition: Resolution through dismissal, plea agreement, trial, or diversion program
Throughout this process, records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies:
- Arresting agency (Sheriff or local police department)
- Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
- Los Angeles County Superior Court
- Los Angeles County Probation Department (if applicable)
For individuals placed on probation, the Los Angeles County Probation Department maintains supervision records that become part of the overall criminal history file.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Los Angeles County?
Arrest records in Los Angeles County are maintained according to retention schedules established by California Government Code § 26202 and Los Angeles County Records Management policies. These records are generally permanent unless modified through legal processes such as expungement or sealing.
Standard retention periods include:
- Arrest reports: Permanent retention
- Booking photographs: Minimum 5 years, typically permanent
- Fingerprint records: Permanent retention
- Arrest logs: Minimum 5 years
Digital records maintained in the Los Angeles County Justice Information System are retained indefinitely, though access restrictions may apply to older records. Physical records may be archived after specified periods but remain retrievable through formal request procedures.
Exceptions to standard retention include:
- Juvenile records (subject to sealing at age 18 under certain conditions)
- Arrests for minor offenses (may be purged after 5 years if no subsequent arrests)
- Records ordered sealed or expunged by court order
The California Department of Justice maintains a separate Criminal History Information system that incorporates Los Angeles County arrest data, which is retained according to state guidelines established by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
How to Find Mugshots in Los Angeles County
Booking photographs, commonly known as "mugshots," are considered part of arrest records in Los Angeles County. Access to these images is regulated by California Government Code § 6254(f) and departmental policies designed to balance public information rights with privacy considerations.
Members of the public seeking mugshots must:
- Submit a formal Public Records Act request to the arresting agency
- Provide specific information about the arrest (name, date, booking number)
- State the purpose for requesting the photograph
- Pay applicable reproduction fees ($10 per photograph as of 2025)
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Records Bureau
211 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(213) 229-1700
Important limitations on mugshot access include:
- Photographs related to ongoing investigations may be withheld
- Images of juvenile arrestees are not publicly available
- Commercial use restrictions may apply
- Digital watermarking is applied to all released photographs
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and municipal police agencies within the county have implemented policies to prevent the misuse of booking photographs, particularly by commercial websites that publish mugshots and charge for removal.
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