Searching For Free California Arrest Records Online

By Ben Kingsley


In today's world, it pays to do your homework. In this case, it pays to carry out a background check. A background check has many uses. In fact, one can use it to check on the history of a possible employee or to check if the arrest made during one's juvenile days can be sealed and destroyed. Doing a background check on a possible nanny can ensure that one will not be hiring a registered sex offender. It is therefore important to get a person's record; however, the State of California criminal records are restricted and one can only get one's own criminal records. With that said, one can get criminal records that have already received convictions from the court or those that have been made public records. More often than not, records that are restricted are those records of domestic violence in nature, probation/arrest reports, records that contain the contact information of the victim and those records that are still pending litigation.

For one to make a background check on oneself or request their own criminal records, they have to send their request to the Department of Justice. For California residents, they have to submit a Live Scan fingerprint together with the Record review application form. Bring the form to one of the Live Scan sites in their area to have the fingerprint service done.

For residents who are not currently in California, they may send requests for their records by submitting a downloadable form available at the DOJ website and contact the fingerprint agency near their place. Mail the request to the DOJ Record Review unit and pay a $25 processing fee. Only payments made through money orders or checks that are drawn from US banks will be accepted. Do note that although the State prohibits the government agencies to charge for more than the cost of the photocopy of the record, however, the State allows agencies to collect rolling out fees. Rolling out fees is charged by agencies for Live Scan materials.

For those who are interested in searching for a criminal case made public, they need to have the case number of the report. In some instances when the case number is unknown, one can get the case number by searching the criminal case index of the Superior court, visit the County Clerk Office where the case was filed and the last option is to mail the Clerk's Office to request for the copies. Fees and charges do apply for searches that will take the Office more than ten minute to look for. For those who have the case number, the Office will process their request.

Another convenient way for one to retrieve arrests search or criminal records is to use third party providers who offer public search records. One can take advantage of the services, as they no longer need to make a written request, visit the courts and go in person to their local police offices. Some third party sites also accept the use of credit cards in purchasing these records so it is convenient especially if one is too busy to go to the bank or requires the records urgently.




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