San Diego County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in San Diego County
Arrest records in San Diego 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 and federal privacy laws. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department maintains custody of most county-level arrest records and makes them available through established protocols.
Public access to arrest records serves several governmental purposes:
- Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
- Enables community oversight of police activities
- Facilitates background checks for employment and housing
- Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
However, certain arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure under specific circumstances, including:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
- Juvenile arrest records (with limited exceptions)
- Records sealed by court order
- Arrests that resulted in successful diversion program completion
The San Diego County Sheriff's Department processes public records requests for arrest information at their headquarters:
San Diego County Sheriff's Department 9621 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 974-2222 San Diego County Sheriff's Department
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Requestors should note that while basic arrest information is public, certain details may be redacted to protect privacy interests as mandated by California law.
What's in San Diego County Arrest Records
San Diego County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained in accordance with California Penal Code § 13100-13103, which establishes standards for criminal history information.
Standard arrest records in San Diego County typically include:
- Full legal name and known aliases of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Specific charges filed (including California Penal Code references)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint records and other biometric data
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking number and facility information
- Case disposition information (if available)
The level of detail contained in arrest records may vary depending on the arresting agency. The San Diego Police Department maintains records for arrests within city limits, while the Sheriff's Department maintains records for unincorporated areas and contracted municipalities.
Arrest records may also contain supplementary information such as:
- Property inventory taken during booking
- Medical screening information (with certain privacy protections)
- Bail amount and status
- Court appearance dates
- Detention facility assignment
Pursuant to California law, certain sensitive information is typically redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information protected by HIPAA, and information that could compromise ongoing investigations.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in San Diego County in 2025
San Diego County residents and other authorized individuals may access arrest records through multiple channels established by local law enforcement agencies. The process varies depending on the requesting party's relationship to the case and the intended use of the information.
To obtain arrest records in person:
-
Visit the Records Division of the appropriate law enforcement agency:
-
For arrests by San Diego Police Department: San Diego Police Department Headquarters 1401 Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 531-2000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
-
For arrests by Sheriff's Department: San Diego County Sheriff's Records Division 9621 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 974-2110 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
-
-
Complete a Public Records Request form (available on-site or downloadable from agency websites)
-
Provide proper identification (government-issued photo ID required)
-
Pay applicable fees (as of 2025, $25 for standard arrest record copies)
For mail requests, individuals must submit:
- Completed request form
- Notarized authorization (if requesting records of another person)
- Check or money order for applicable fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
The San Diego County Sheriff's Calls for Service portal provides limited information about recent law enforcement activities but does not contain comprehensive arrest records.
Processing times typically range from 7-10 business days for standard requests, though complex requests may require additional time pursuant to Government Code § 6253(c).
How To Find San Diego County Arrest Records Online
San Diego County provides several digital platforms for accessing arrest-related information online. These resources vary in comprehensiveness and accessibility based on the specific information sought and the requesting party's status.
The primary online resources for arrest record information include:
-
San Diego County Court Case Search - Provides access to court cases associated with arrests, searchable by name, case number, or District Attorney case number. Users should note that records may be limited to a 10-year period for certain case types.
-
San Diego Police Dispatch Online - Offers real-time information about active police calls and recent law enforcement activities within city limits. This resource provides preliminary information about incidents but not comprehensive arrest records.
-
Sheriff's Department Inmate Lookup - Allows verification of current custody status for individuals held in county detention facilities. Searchable by name and booking number.
To access complete online arrest records, authorized individuals must:
- Register for an account on the appropriate agency portal
- Provide verification of identity and legal right to access (varies by system)
- Pay applicable online processing fees
- Agree to terms of use regarding information dissemination
Certain limitations apply to online record access pursuant to California law:
- Records subject to court-ordered sealing are not available online
- Juvenile records have restricted accessibility
- Some sensitive case types may require in-person verification
Professional users such as attorneys, bail agents, and authorized background check companies may qualify for enhanced access credentials through agency-specific verification processes.
Can You Search San Diego County Arrest Records for Free?
San Diego County provides limited options for free access to arrest record information, though comprehensive records typically involve processing fees established by county ordinance and state law. The availability of free resources varies based on the specific information sought and its intended use.
Free arrest record resources include:
-
Public access terminals at the San Diego County Sheriff's Department Records Division (9621 Ridgehaven Court, San Diego, CA 92123) and San Diego Police Headquarters (1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101) during regular business hours
-
Basic inmate custody status verification through online jail population databases
-
San Diego Police Department's online incident reports for certain non-sensitive cases
-
Public court calendars displaying upcoming appearances for individuals with pending cases
Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253, agencies may charge fees to recover the direct costs of duplication when providing copies of records. Current fee schedules (as of 2025) include:
- $25 for standard arrest record copies
- $15 for certified copies of specific documents
- $5-10 per page for associated reports depending on complexity
- Additional fees for research time exceeding 15 minutes
Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances:
- For individuals demonstrating financial hardship (requires submission of fee waiver application)
- For certain governmental and educational research purposes
- When records are requested by the subject for employment or housing purposes
Members of the media may qualify for expedited processing and reduced fees when requesting records for journalistic purposes, though standard duplication costs typically apply.
How To Delete Arrest Records in San Diego County
The process for removing or sealing arrest records in San Diego County follows specific statutory procedures established under California law. Individuals seeking to delete or restrict access to their arrest records must petition through appropriate legal channels rather than directly through law enforcement agencies.
California offers several pathways for arrest record remediation:
-
Record Sealing Under Penal Code § 851.87 - Available when:
- Arrest did not result in a conviction
- Case was dismissed or resulted in acquittal
- Individual completed diversion program successfully
-
Expungement Under Penal Code § 1203.4 - Available when:
- Conviction occurred but probation was completed successfully
- No current charges or incarceration for other offenses
- Certain waiting periods have elapsed
-
Certificate of Rehabilitation - For more serious offenses with completed sentences
To initiate the process, individuals must:
-
Obtain a copy of their criminal history record (LiveScan fingerprinting required)
-
File appropriate petition with the San Diego County Superior Court: San Diego County Superior Court - Central Division 1100 Union Street San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 450-5700 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
-
Pay filing fees (approximately $120-150 as of 2025, with fee waivers available)
-
Attend scheduled court hearing if required
The San Diego County Public Defender's Office offers free record clearing clinics: San Diego County Public Defender 450 B Street, Suite 1100 San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 338-4700 Hours: Clinics held monthly, pre-registration required
Successful petitions result in sealing records from public view, though certain government agencies may retain limited access for specific purposes pursuant to state law.
What Happens After Arrest in San Diego County?
Following an arrest in San Diego County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by California state law and local procedures. This process includes several key stages with specific timelines and requirements.
The post-arrest procedure typically follows this sequence:
-
Booking Process
- Occurs at detention facility operated by San Diego County Sheriff's Department
- Includes fingerprinting, photographing, and personal property inventory
- Medical screening conducted to identify immediate health needs
- Initial custody classification determined
-
Bail Determination
- Bail amounts set according to San Diego County Bail Schedule
- Bail review hearings available within 48 hours of arrest
- Pretrial services assessment conducted for possible supervised release
-
Arraignment
- Must occur within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends/holidays) for in-custody defendants
- Formal charges presented by District Attorney's Office
- Constitutional rights advised and public defender appointed if needed
- Plea entered and future court dates scheduled
-
Case Processing
- Preliminary hearings for felony cases
- Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
- Pretrial motions and conferences
- Possible diversion program referral for eligible cases
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department audit report, the department processes approximately 80,000 bookings annually through its detention facilities.
Individuals in custody can be located through the Sheriff's Department Inmate Information Center, and family members may contact:
San Diego County Sheriff's Department - Detention Information 9621 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 (619) 610-1647 Hours: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in San Diego County?
San Diego County maintains arrest records according to retention schedules established by California state law and local ordinances. The duration of record retention varies based on case disposition, offense severity, and other statutory factors.
Standard retention periods for arrest records include:
-
Misdemeanor Arrests
- Records maintained for 5-10 years from date of arrest
- Extended to 10 years if conviction resulted
- Searchable in court databases for 10 years pursuant to court policy
-
Felony Arrests
- Records maintained indefinitely for most serious offenses (violent/sexual)
- Non-violent felony arrest records maintained for 75 years
- Conviction records permanently maintained in criminal history systems
-
Arrests Without Charges/Convictions
- Records eligible for sealing after 1-2 years under Penal Code § 851.87
- Maintained for 3 years if no petition filed
- Automatically limited in dissemination after 7 years under employment reporting laws
The San Diego County Superior Court maintains associated case records according to Judicial Council of California retention guidelines, which may differ from law enforcement retention periods.
Physical arrest records are stored at: San Diego County Sheriff's Records Division 9621 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 974-2110
Digital records are maintained in the Sheriff's Records Management System and the countywide Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS).
How to Find Mugshots in San Diego County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered part of the arrest record in San Diego County. Access to these images is governed by California law and departmental policies that balance public information rights with privacy considerations.
San Diego County law enforcement agencies do not maintain public-facing mugshot galleries online. This policy aligns with California Assembly Bill 1475 (effective January 2022), which restricts the publication of booking photos for non-violent offenses.
To obtain mugshot records, authorized individuals must:
- Submit a specific request for booking photographs through standard public records request procedures
- Demonstrate legitimate purpose for access (media, research, legal proceedings)
- Pay applicable reproduction fees ($10 per photograph as of 2025)
Requests may be submitted to:
San Diego Police Department Records Division 1401 Broadway San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 531-2000 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
San Diego County Sheriff's Records Division 9621 Ridgehaven Court San Diego, CA 92123 (858) 974-2110 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office maintains separate records for deceased individuals, including identification photographs in certain cases, which are subject to different disclosure rules.
Commercial websites that aggregate and publish mugshots may contain San Diego County booking photos obtained before restriction policies were implemented. These third-party sites are not officially affiliated with county agencies and may charge fees for photograph removal.
Lookup Arrest Records in San Diego County
San Diego County Sheriff's Calls for Service
San Diego County Court Case Search
San Diego Police Dispatch Online
Get a Police Report in San Diego