San Bernardino County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in San Bernardino County
Arrest records in San Bernardino 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 Bernardino County Sheriff's Department maintains these records as part of their official duties in law enforcement documentation.
The public status of arrest records is subject to the following provisions:
- Records of arrests that did not result in conviction may have limited public accessibility after specific time periods as outlined in California Penal Code § 851.8
- Juvenile arrest records are generally confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily exempt from disclosure
- Certain personal identifying information may be redacted to protect privacy rights
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department serves as the primary custodian of county-wide arrest records, while municipal police departments maintain records for arrests within their jurisdictions.
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department 655 East Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 (909) 387-3545 San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
Requests for public arrest records may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the department's public records portal. The Sheriff's Department processes these requests in accordance with California Government Code § 6253, which requires a response within 10 calendar days under normal circumstances.
What's in San Bernardino County Arrest Records
San Bernardino County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals taken into custody. These records are maintained in accordance with California Penal Code § 13100-13103, which establishes requirements for criminal history information systems.
Standard information contained in San Bernardino 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
- Enumeration of charges with corresponding California Penal Code sections
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Bail amount, if applicable
- Case disposition information (when available)
- Fingerprint classification data
The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office may supplement these records with additional information regarding charging decisions and case progression through the criminal justice system.
San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office 303 West Third Street, 5th Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415 (909) 382-3800 San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office
Pursuant to California law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and victim identifying information in specific case types.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in San Bernardino County in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in San Bernardino County as of 2025. The appropriate method depends on the specific information sought and the requestor's relationship to the case.
To obtain arrest records, members of the public may utilize the following procedures:
- Submit a Public Records Act request through the Sheriff's Department public records portal, citing Government Code § 6253
- Visit the Records Division at Sheriff's Headquarters during public counter hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
- Check the City of San Bernardino Arrest Logs for recent municipal police arrests
- Access the inmate locator system for currently incarcerated individuals
- Review court records through the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino for cases that have been filed
For comprehensive criminal history information, including arrests throughout California, individuals may request their own records through the California Department of Justice by submitting fingerprints via Live Scan. Locations offering this service can be found through the California DOJ Live Scan directory.
Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino 247 West Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 (909) 384-1888 Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino
When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information to locate the specific record, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
How To Find San Bernardino County Arrest Records Online
San Bernardino County provides several digital platforms for accessing arrest-related information online. These resources vary in comprehensiveness and are subject to regular updates in accordance with California Government Code § 6254.4 regarding electronic access to public records.
The primary online resources for arrest records include:
- The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Inmate Locator provides real-time information on currently detained individuals, including booking date, facility location, and scheduled court appearances
- The City of San Bernardino Police Department maintains online arrest logs for municipal arrests
- The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino offers an online case information system for searching criminal cases that have been filed with the court
- The San Bernardino County Government Portal provides links to various departmental resources related to criminal justice information
Users of these online systems should note that:
- Information may be subject to delays in updating
- Not all arrest records are available through online portals
- Some detailed information may require formal records requests
- Older records may not be digitized and accessible online
For arrests occurring in incorporated cities within San Bernardino County, the respective municipal police departments may maintain separate online systems for their jurisdictional records.
Can You Search San Bernardino County Arrest Records for Free?
Limited free access to San Bernardino County arrest records is available through several public resources. The availability of free information is governed by California Government Code § 6253, which permits agencies to charge only direct costs of duplication for public records.
Free resources for arrest record information include:
- The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Inmate Locator provides basic information on currently incarcerated individuals at no cost
- Arrest logs published by the City of San Bernardino Police Department are freely accessible online
- Public terminals at the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino allow free searches of basic case information
- The Sheriff's Department Records Division permits in-person review of certain non-confidential records without charge
For more comprehensive records, fees may apply:
- Certified copies of arrest records typically incur a fee of $25-$40 per record
- Background checks through the California Department of Justice require payment of state-mandated fees
- Extensive research requests may incur additional charges based on staff time required
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Records Division 655 East Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 (909) 387-3700 San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
Public counter hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
How To Delete Arrest Records in San Bernardino County
The process for sealing or expunging arrest records in San Bernardino County is governed by several California statutes, including Penal Code § 851.8 for factual innocence and § 1203.4 for expungements after successful completion of probation.
Eligible individuals may pursue the following pathways to restrict access to their arrest records:
- Petition for factual innocence (PC § 851.8) if no charges were filed or the case was dismissed
- Apply for expungement (PC § 1203.4) after successful completion of probation
- Seek record sealing under Clean Slate provisions (PC § 1203.425) for qualifying convictions
- Request sealing of juvenile records under Welfare and Institutions Code § 781
- Apply for Certificate of Rehabilitation for certain felony convictions
The process typically requires:
- Filing appropriate petition forms with the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino
- Paying applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for qualifying individuals)
- Attending scheduled court hearings
- Serving copies of petitions to the District Attorney's Office and arresting agency
San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, Room 307 San Bernardino, CA 92415 (909) 382-7639 San Bernardino County Public Defender's Office
The Public Defender's Office provides assistance with record clearing for eligible individuals, including those with financial limitations. Successful petitions result in sealing records from public view, though certain government agencies may retain access for limited purposes.
What Happens After Arrest in San Bernardino County?
Following an arrest in San Bernardino County, individuals enter a standardized processing system established under California Penal Code § 849 and related statutes. This process includes several key stages with specific timeframes mandated by law.
The post-arrest procedure typically follows this sequence:
- Transportation to a detention facility operated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
- Booking process including fingerprinting, photographing, and collection of personal information
- Background check through state and federal databases
- Initial bail determination based on the county bail schedule
- Arraignment before a judicial officer within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays)
- Assignment of counsel for indigent defendants
- Case filing decision by the District Attorney's Office
For misdemeanor offenses, individuals may be:
- Released on citation with a promise to appear in court
- Released on bail or own recognizance
- Held in custody pending arraignment
For felony charges, the process includes:
- Preliminary hearing within 10 court days if in custody
- Possible grand jury indictment in certain cases
- Assignment to appropriate court division based on offense severity
San Bernardino County West Valley Detention Center 9500 Etiwanda Avenue Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 (909) 463-5000 San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
Arrestees have constitutional rights throughout this process, including the right to remain silent, the right to counsel, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in San Bernardino County?
Arrest records in San Bernardino County are maintained according to retention schedules established under California Government Code § 34090 and departmental policies. These records remain in various systems for different durations depending on case disposition and record type.
The standard retention periods for arrest records include:
- Arrest reports for adult felonies: Permanent retention
- Arrest reports for adult misdemeanors: Minimum 5-year retention
- Juvenile arrest records: Until age 18, then sealed under specific conditions
- Booking photographs: Retained with corresponding arrest reports
- Fingerprint records: Permanent retention in state and local databases
- Arrest logs and summaries: Minimum 2-year retention
Records may be subject to different accessibility standards even when retained:
- Records of arrests not resulting in conviction become limited in accessibility after one year
- Records of arrests for certain minor offenses may be restricted after successful completion of diversion programs
- Sealed or expunged records remain in secure archives but are not publicly accessible
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department maintains these records in accordance with departmental policies and applicable state laws. Digital records systems have expanded the practical retention period for many records beyond the minimum requirements.
How to Find Mugshots in San Bernardino County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are maintained by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department as part of the official arrest record. Access to these photographs is governed by California Government Code § 6254(f) and departmental policies regarding dissemination of identifying information.
Members of the public seeking mugshots may:
- Submit a formal Public Records Act request to the Sheriff's Department Records Division
- Provide specific identifying information including full name, date of birth, and booking number if available
- Specify the purpose for which the photograph is being requested
- Pay applicable reproduction fees if the request is approved
Important limitations on mugshot availability include:
- Photographs related to ongoing investigations may be withheld
- Juvenile booking photographs are generally confidential
- Photographs from expunged or sealed cases are not publicly available
- The Sheriff's Department may exercise discretion in releasing photographs based on privacy considerations and public interest
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Records Division 655 East Third Street San Bernardino, CA 92415 (909) 387-3700 San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
Unlike some jurisdictions, San Bernardino County does not maintain a public-facing database of booking photographs. Each request is evaluated individually in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
Lookup Arrest Records in San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
Sheriff's Department Public Records
City of San Bernardino Arrest Logs
Superior Court of California - County of San Bernardino
San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office