Los Angeles arrest records document when someone is taken into custody by law enforcement in Los Angeles County. These records are created when police believe a person has committed a crime. The details within these records include personal information about the arrested person, the date, time, and reason for the arrest, and where the arrest happened. Knowing how to locate and interpret these records is important for many people, from family members to legal professionals and those doing background checks.
In Los Angeles County, local police departments and the Sheriff’s Department keep these records. The information they hold can vary based on the stage of the legal process. An arrest record is usually the first official document made after someone is taken into custody. It is separate from a full criminal record, which tracks a person’s journey through the justice system, including court outcomes and convictions. Recent changes in California law, like Senate Bill 731 and Penal Code section 851.93, have changed how some arrest records are handled, making it easier to seal or automatically clear certain types of records, especially if no conviction happened.
What Los Angeles Arrest Records Contain
Los Angeles arrest records log important facts about an arrest event. These documents serve as an official account of a person’s initial contact with the justice system. The specific details found in an arrest record help track the event and the individual involved.
Key Details in an Arrest Record
- Full Name and Date of Birth: The complete name of the person arrested and their birth date.
- Physical Description: Features like gender, height, weight, hair and eye color, and any tattoos or scars.
- Occupation: The job or profession of the person arrested.
- Arrest Date, Time, and Spot: When and where the arrest took place.
- Booking Information: If the person was booked, this includes the time, date, and location of booking.
- Facts of the Arrest: A description of what happened leading up to the arrest.
- Charges: The specific crimes the person is accused of.
- Parole/Probation Holds: Information about any existing parole or probation conditions or outstanding warrants.
- Release Details: How and when the person was released, or where they are held.
It is important to note that information about juvenile arrests is generally not public. However, if a minor aged 14 or older is arrested for a serious felony, some details may be shared by law enforcement agencies. These rules help protect the privacy of young people while still allowing for public safety needs.
Public Access to Los Angeles Arrest Records
The California Public Records allows people to look at arrest records in California counties, including Los Angeles. This law helps keep government actions, like law enforcement activities, open to the public. So, anyone can ask for an arrest record from police in Los Angeles County. However, the PRA also lists some cases where records are not public. These rules protect ongoing investigations, keep people safe, and make sure trials are fair.
When Records May Not Be Public
- Information that could hurt an ongoing investigation or legal action.
- Details that might put a witness or other person in danger, such as a home address or phone number.
- Information that shows police methods for investigations.
- Criminal offender record details.
- Information that identifies juveniles.
- Any detail that could stop someone from having a fair trial.
- Parts of a report that show an officer’s thoughts, suggestions, or conclusions.
- Medical records or similar private information.
Even if a record is not public, some people can still see it. This includes the person who was arrested, their lawyer, and government offices for official work. These rules balance the public’s right to know with the need to protect privacy and legal fairness.
Los Angeles County Crime and Arrest Statistics
Los Angeles County keeps track of crime and arrest numbers. These numbers show how crime changes over time and how law enforcement works in the area. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) publishes these statistics, often comparing data year to year.
Recent Crime Data for Los Angeles County
In 2024, Los Angeles County recorded 192,305 arrests, a slight increase from 2023. The City of Los Angeles also saw notable changes in crime in 2024, with homicides going down by 14% and the number of people shot dropping by 19%. Deadly hit-and-run crashes decreased by about 6.5%, and deadly DUI-related crashes fell by nearly 37%. Burglaries also decreased in 2024 compared to 2023.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) provides crime and arrest statistics. These statistics are updated regularly, and they follow the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines. The LASD offers a Crime Stats Dashboard with 10 years of data for areas it serves.
How to Search for Los Angeles Arrest Records
Finding Los Angeles arrest records involves knowing which agency made the arrest. Most arrests in Los Angeles County are made by local police departments or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). Each agency has its own way to handle record requests.
Searching Through Local Law Enforcement
To get an arrest record, you should contact the Records Bureau or Unit of the police department that made the arrest. Many departments let you ask for records in person, by mail, or online. You might need to provide the arrested person’s full name, date of birth, the date and place of the incident, and your contact information. A valid government ID may be needed for certain records.
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD): For arrests made by LAPD, you can contact their specific jail facilities for information. The LAPD operates 10 jail facilities citywide.
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD): If the LASD made the arrest, or if the person was transferred to a county jail after court, the LASD Inmate Information Line can help. The LASD also has an Inmate Information Center online for records, including arrest details, about people in a Los Angeles County jail. You need at least a first and last name for this search.
Searching for Inmates and Bookings
If someone was recently arrested and jailed, you can check with the arresting police department or their jail division. For example, if the Santa Monica Police Department made the arrest, their jail can be contacted. If the person was sent to county custody after court, the LASD’s Inmate Information Line at (213) 473-6100 can provide information 24 hours a day. This number gives details for people in jails run by both LAPD and LASD.
The Los Angeles County Jail system includes facilities like Men’s Central Jail, which has a capacity for 5,640 inmates. The official LASD Inmate Locator gives real-time information for inmates in all LA County jail facilities. You can search by name, date of birth, or booking number. This search is free and shows charges, bail, and court details.
Federal or State Agency Arrests
If a federal or state agency made an arrest in Los Angeles County, the search process is different.
- State Agency Arrests: Check with the local sheriff’s office. The person will likely be taken to the nearest county jail for booking. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) only holds convicted people in state prisons, not those newly arrested.
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Arrests: People arrested by the FBI are usually held in federal custody. The Federal Inmate Locator can help locate them by name or number.
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Arrests: The Online Detainee Locator System from ICE helps find people detained for immigration reasons. You can search by name, country of birth, and birth date, or by their 8- or 9-digit A-number. If the online system does not show results, contacting a local ICE field office or the specific detention facility is advised. Note that children under 18 arrested in the U.S. may not appear in the online system.
Los Angeles Criminal Records
A criminal record goes beyond an arrest record. It includes all interactions a person has had with criminal justice agencies. This includes arrests, charges, the results of court cases (dispositions), sentencing details, and other related information. There is no single place to search for all criminal records, as they can exist at county, state, and federal levels.
Getting Local Criminal History
For Los Angeles County criminal records, you can start with the local sheriff’s office. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shares local criminal history for arrests within its area, but there is a fee. California law (Penal Code § 13300) limits who can get these records. Only the person named in the record, those with their permission, and authorized agencies for official work can receive them.
Eligible people can send a written request to the sheriff’s Public Services Unit by mail or make an appointment. You will need the person’s full name, any other names used, date of birth, incident date and place, and the type of ID you will use. If sending by mail, you must include your mailing address, signature, and a valid ID.
Records and Identification Bureau
Attention: Records Inquiry Non-Law Enforcement Section
12440 East Imperial Highway, Suite 400 West
Norwalk, California 90650
Statewide and Nationwide Criminal Records
For criminal history across California, you can request a “rap sheet” from the California Department of Justice (DOJ). People living in California must complete a Live Scan Form, pay a $25 fee (unless a waiver applies), and submit their fingerprints through a Live Scan operator. The DOJ then sends the results directly to the person who applied. More details are on the DOJ’s website. For nationwide criminal records, requests can be made to the FBI for $18.
Arrest Records Versus Criminal Records
While people often use “arrest record” and “criminal record” to mean the same thing, they have different meanings in Los Angeles. A criminal record, also called a “criminal history record,” shows a person’s entire journey through the criminal justice system. This includes everything from the initial arrest to any convictions and beyond. It gathers information from many agencies, such as local police, state law enforcement, courts, prosecutors, and correctional facilities. The California Department of Justice keeps this main file.
An arrest record is a simpler document. It is kept by the police agency that made the arrest. It holds details about the person arrested, the event, and what happened right after the arrest, like if the person was released. It does not show court outcomes or other criminal data that comes later in the legal process.
How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?
In California, arrest records generally stay on your record indefinitely. There is no set time limit for removing or erasing them. Even though local police may have their own schedules for keeping records, they share arrest information with state and federal agencies, which have their own rules for how long they keep data. The California DOJ, which holds the state’s most complete criminal files, keeps those records until a person turns 100 years old.
The main way to remove an arrest from your record in Los Angeles or California is by getting an expungement or sealing order from a court. Recent laws like Penal Code § 851.93 provide for automatic sealing of certain arrest records, especially if no conviction occurred, starting October 1, 2024.
Expunging and Sealing Los Angeles County Arrest Records
Expungement and sealing are legal actions that can remove arrests from public view, but they work differently. California’s expungement laws usually apply to criminal convictions, specifically for certain felonies and misdemeanors. An eligible person asks the court to reopen their case, change their “guilty” plea to “not guilty,” and close the case without a conviction. This process does not remove the records of the arrest or charges, nor does it seal the conviction itself. More details are on the California judiciary’s Clean Your Record page or in Cal. Pen. Code §§ 1203.4 and 1203.4a.
Sealing Arrest Records
California’s sealing laws for adult arrest records typically apply when no charges or convictions were made against a person. For example, Cal. Pen. Code § 851.8 allows sealing when an adult was arrested but found “factually innocent.” This means the person was never charged after an arrest, was found not guilty in court, or the prosecutor dropped the charges. In these cases, the person can file Form BCIA 8270 (Seal and Destroy Adult Arrest Records) with the arresting police department if no charges were filed, also sending a copy to the city or district attorney’s office. If the court was involved but no remedy was found, or if charges were dismissed or an acquittal occurred, the petition can be sent to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. There are no fees to file this petition.
Cal. Pen. Code § 851.91 also allows sealing for people whose arrests did not lead to a conviction. This includes situations where:
- The person was arrested but no charges were filed.
- The person completed a diversion program, and charges were dismissed.
- The person was arrested and charged, but the charges were dismissed.
- The person completed a deferred entry of judgment (DEJ), and the charges were dismissed.
- The person went to trial and was found not guilty.
An affected person can file a Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records (Form CR-409) with the court. Form CR-409-INFO gives details on how to complete and submit this petition. For sealing juvenile arrest records in Los Angeles County, people can look at the judiciary’s Guide to Sealing Juvenile Court Records or Welfare and Institutions Code § 781.
Los Angeles County Arrest Warrants
An arrest warrant is a written order signed by a judge. It gives a peace officer permission to arrest a person. In Los Angeles County, law enforcement can make arrests with or without a warrant (Cal. Pen. Code § 836). An arrest without a warrant is allowed if there is a good reason, like when a crime happens in front of a police officer.
In many cases, an investigating officer will ask the court for an arrest warrant. To get this warrant, the officer must show there is a good reason, usually by giving a sworn statement to a judge. An arrest warrant can also be issued after a grand jury review or when a city or district attorney files a criminal complaint after looking at a police report.
Details on an Arrest Warrant
According to Cal. Pen. Code § 815, a Los Angeles County arrest warrant includes these details:
- The name of the person to be arrested.
- The date the warrant was issued.
- The city or county where it was issued.
- The crime the person is accused of.
- The judge’s signature and title.
- The court or agency that issued it.
- The bail amount.
Los Angeles County Arrest Warrant Search
To search for an active warrant in Los Angeles County, people generally have two ways. They can go in person to a local police department or sheriff’s station with a photo ID. Warrant information is usually not given over the phone. Los Angeles County does not have one central online database for warrant searches by law enforcement.
Another way is to contact or visit the Los Angeles County Superior Court to find out if an arrest warrant was issued for a case. The court also offers various online case access services. You typically need a name or case number for an online search.
Do Los Angeles County Arrest Warrants Expire?
No, arrest warrants in Los Angeles County do not expire. Once a warrant is issued, it stays active until the person surrenders, is arrested, or dies. However, a court can cancel or “quash” a warrant if someone argues that the warrant is illegal or invalid. It is important to address outstanding warrants promptly, as ignoring them can lead to unexpected arrests and further legal problems.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) plays a large role in law enforcement across the county. It runs one of the biggest jail systems in the world. The Custody Services Division is in charge of managing the county’s jails and caring for inmates.
The LASD provides public information through its Inmate Information Center. This tool helps people find records, including arrest data, for individuals in Los Angeles County jail facilities. You need to enter at least a first and last name to search.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is responsible for law enforcement within the City of Los Angeles. The LAPD operates various jail facilities across the city. For information about someone in LAPD custody, you can contact the specific jail facility. The public can also call (213) 473-6100, 24 hours a day, to get information about people in jails operated by either the LAPD or the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Official Resources
- Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Inmate Information Center: lasd.org/inmateinfo/
- Los Angeles County Superior Court Online Services: lacourt.org/online/online.aspx
- Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator: bop.gov/inmateloc/
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Online Detainee Locator System: locator.ice.gov/odls//index
- California Courts Self-Help Guide to Cleaning Your Record: courts.ca.gov/2034.htm
- Los Angeles Police Department Jail and Custody Information: lapdonline.org/jail-and-custody-information/
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles Arrest Records
Many people have questions about Los Angeles arrest records, from how to find them to how they affect a person’s life. This section answers some common questions about these important documents and related legal processes.
What is the difference between an arrest record and a criminal record in Los Angeles?
An arrest record is a document created by police right after someone is taken into custody. It includes details like the person’s name, the date and place of arrest, and the charges. It does not show what happened in court. A criminal record, on the other hand, is a much broader document. It tracks a person’s entire journey through the justice system. This includes arrests, all court actions, convictions, and sentencing. The California Department of Justice keeps these full criminal records. So, an arrest record is just one part of a person’s complete criminal history.
Can I search for Los Angeles arrest records for free?
Yes, you can often search for some Los Angeles Arrest Records for free. The California Public Records Act allows people to ask for arrest records from local police departments without a fee for inspection. Many police agencies and sheriff’s departments offer online tools, like the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Inmate Information Center, where you can search for free using a person’s name. However, if you need a physical copy of a record, there may be a charge for reproduction. Third-party websites also exist, but they might charge a fee for full reports, even if the initial search is free.
How long does an arrest stay on a record in California?
In California, an arrest generally stays on a person’s record indefinitely. There is no automatic removal or expiration date. Arrest information is shared with state and federal agencies, which can keep these records for a very long time, often until a person reaches 100 years old. The only way to remove an arrest from public records is through a legal process called expungement or sealing. Recent California laws have made it easier for some arrest records to be automatically sealed, especially if no conviction resulted from the arrest.
What does it mean to have an arrest record sealed in Los Angeles County?
Sealing an arrest record in Los Angeles County means that the record becomes hidden from public view. This usually happens when an arrest did not lead to a conviction. For example, if someone was arrested but never charged, or if the charges were dismissed, or if they were found not guilty, they might be able to get their arrest record sealed. When a record is sealed, it will not appear on most background checks. However, some government agencies, like law enforcement, may still be able to access the sealed record for specific purposes. California Penal Code sections 851.8 and 851.91 are key laws that allow for arrest record sealing.
Can juvenile arrest records be accessed by the public in Los Angeles?
Generally, juvenile arrest information is not public in Los Angeles County. Laws are in place to protect the privacy of minors involved in the justice system. However, there are exceptions. If a minor, aged 14 or older, is taken into custody for a serious felony, law enforcement agencies might be able to share their name and the alleged offenses. For specific details on sealing juvenile arrest records, the California judiciary provides resources and information based on the Welfare and Institutions Code § 781.
Do Los Angeles County arrest warrants expire?
No, arrest warrants in Los Angeles County do not expire. Once a judge issues an arrest warrant, it remains active indefinitely. This means that a warrant can lead to an arrest days, months, or even many years after it was first issued. The warrant stays in law enforcement databases until the person named in it is arrested, or until a court officially recalls or cancels the warrant. Ignoring an outstanding warrant is not advisable, as it can lead to unexpected arrests and can complicate future legal situations.
How can I check if someone is currently in a Los Angeles County jail?
To check if someone is currently in a Los Angeles County jail, you can use the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Inmate Information Center online. This free tool provides real-time information for inmates held in all LA County jail facilities, including Men’s Central Jail and Twin Towers Correctional Facility. You can search by the person’s first name, last name, and ideally their date of birth. Alternatively, you can call the LASD Inmate Information Line at (213) 473-6100, which operates 24 hours a day and provides details for individuals in custody at both LASD and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) jails.