El Dorado County Arrest Records

El Dorado County arrest records are official documents that provide an official account of an individual's apprehension. They are generated and maintained by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies that perform arrests. These records form part of the broader criminal history data kept by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and may be referenced in El Dorado County Court Records for use in criminal proceedings.

Arrest records are typically generated during the booking process of an individual's detention. They contain information regarding the suspect's identification and their alleged offense.

Are Arrest Records Public in El Dorado County?

Yes, arrest records in El Dorado County are generally public records. Under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), outlined in California Government Code Sections 6250-6270, members of the public have the right to inspect and request copies of arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies unless the records are exempt from disclosure. However, certain exceptions to public access apply to protect privacy and ensure public safety. These exceptions include:

• Juvenile arrest records (California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827)
• Specific information about crime victims
• Identifying information regarding confidential informants
• Details related to pending litigation
• Information that, if released, would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or pose a threat to public safety
• Medical or psychological files
• Investigative files used by law enforcement agencies
• Sensitive identifying details, such as social security numbers, phone numbers, or driver's license numbers (CPC Section 293)

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

El Dorado County public arrest records typically contain the following:

• The full name and date of birth of the suspect
• A physical description of the suspect, including gender, height, weight, scars/tattoos/marks, and eye and hair color
• The suspect's occupation
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• If applicable, the booking details of the suspect (time, date, location, etc.)
• The factual circumstances surrounding the arrest
• Charges the suspect is facing
• Any parole or probation holds, as well as outstanding warrants
• The time and manner of release or the location of the suspect's detention

El Dorado County Crime Rate

El Dorado County Crime statistics are published annually on the Open Justice Portal of the California Department of Justice. According to the 2023 publication, El Dorado County law enforcement agencies recorded 1,832 property crimes and 564 violent crimes. A breakdown of these statistics showed 2 homicide reports, 103 forcible rape (definitions as before 2014), 44 robbery incidents, and 415 reports of aggravated assault.

Among property crimes, there were 293 burglary reports, 157 incidents of motor vehicle theft, and 1,382 reports of various types of larceny. In that year, law enforcement also recorded 18 incidents of arson within county limits.

El Dorado County Arrest Statistics

In 2022, the DOJ recorded 4,175 total arrests in El Dorado County. These included 1,168 felony arrests, 3,005 misdemeanor arrests, and 2 arrests for status offenses. A breakdown showed that 458 arrests were made for violent offenses, 209 for property offenses, 106 for drug offenses, 22 for sex offenses, and 373 for other offenses.

Find El Dorado County Arrest Records

Arrest records for El Dorado County can be accessed through the county's local law enforcement agencies, such as the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. The procedures for obtaining records vary depending on the agency involved; however, in most cases, inquirers will be required to make their request verbally (in person or by phone) or submit written requests (by mail or online) to the Records Unit of the department.

For queries directed to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, requests must contain adequate information, such as the individual's name, arrest date, and other details to assist in identifying the record. Applications may then be mailed or hand-delivered to either of the following units:

Placerville Office Records Unit
200 Industrial Drive
Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 621-5703

South Lake Tahoe Office Records Unit
1360 Johnson Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Phone: (530) 573-3000

Get El Dorado County Criminal Records

Criminal records in El Dorado County detail an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, and dispositions. Also known as RAP sheets or summary criminal history information, these records are managed per California Penal Code § 13300 (for local criminal records) and California Penal Code § 11105 (for statewide criminal records).

To request a local criminal history check in El Dorado County, individuals can visit or mail the El Dorado County Sheriff's Records Division at:

Physical Address
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office
200 Industrial Drive
Placerville, California 95667
Phone: (530) 621-5655

Mailing Address
El Dorado County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
200 Industrial Drive
Placerville, CA 95667

The Records Division provides clearance letters alongside processing local CORI requests.

Clearance letters cost $30, and is payable via money order or cash. Under California Penal Code § 13300, such records are only accessible to the subject of the record or their authorized legal representative.

If an individual has a criminal history in other counties, they may request a statewide criminal background check from the California DOJ for $25 by submitting a Live Scan Form and providing fingerprints through a certified Live Scan operator (in this case, the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office).

El Dorado County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The terms "arrest record" and "criminal record" are often used interchangeably but refer to distinct records. An arrest record documents specific arrest incidents, while a criminal record includes detailed information about charges, convictions, sentencing, and probation/parole status. Consequently, a criminal record is a more comprehensive summary of a person's criminal history.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In El Dorado County, arrests may remain on an individual's record until it is expunged or sealed. California law does not provide for the automatic removal or erasure of arrest records. However, it is common practice for the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to retain criminal records until the record holder reaches 100 years of age. Eligible record holders may have arrest information removed from their criminal history through legal processes like expungement or sealing, depending on the circumstances of the arrest and the outcome of any charges.

Expunge El Dorado County Arrest Records

Expungements in El Dorado County typically apply to criminal convictions but not arrests. The process allows eligible individuals to have a conviction set aside, but it does not erase or seal the arrest record. Under California Penal Code § 1203.4, an individual may petition the court to withdraw their plea and enter a plea of "not guilty," after which the case is dismissed. This only applies to certain felonies and misdemeanors, and eligibility depends on the nature of the offense and whether the individual successfully completed probation.

If an arrest in El Dorado County did not lead to a conviction, the individual may be eligible to have the arrest record sealed under California Penal Code § 851.91. This law allows for the sealing of records if the following conditions are met:

• No charges were filed after the arrest.
• Charges were filed but later dismissed.
• The individual completed a pretrial diversion program.
• The individual was acquitted or found not guilty in court.

To initiate the process of sealing an arrest record, individuals must file Form CR-409 (Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records) with the court. If approved, the record is sealed, although law enforcement agencies may still have access to it.

California Penal Code § 851.8 also provides a specific remedy for arrested individuals who are factually innocent. This applies when:

• The individual was arrested but never charged.
• The individual was charged but acquitted in court.
• Charges were dropped before trial.

In these cases, a person can file Form BCIA 8270 (Seal and Destroy Adult Arrest Records) to request the sealing and destruction of their arrest record. The petition must be submitted to the arresting law enforcement agency. If the agency denies the request, the individual may petition the El Dorado County Superior Court.

Juvenile arrest records in El Dorado County can also be sealed under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 781. Sealing juvenile records may be done if the individual has successfully completed their rehabilitation. Once sealed, juvenile records are no longer accessible to the public or most employers.

El Dorado County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in El Dorado County is a formal order directing/authorizing the arrest or detention of an individual. Under California Penal Code § 817, an arrest warrant can be issued upon the establishment of probable cause. The responsibility for establishing probable cause rests with the law enforcement officer or prosecutor who files an affidavit while petitioning the court for a warrant. In El Dorado County, warrants typically feature the following information:

• The suspect's name and the alleged offense;
• The date and time of issue;
• The name of the city or county where it was issued;
• The signature of the issuing official, along with their title;
• The name of the issuing court or agency;
• Any applicable bail amount.

El Dorado County Arrest Warrant Search

To find active arrest warrants in El Dorado County, individuals can query the county sheriff's office or search court records available on the El Dorado County Superior Court website. Users can search by case number or citation without needing to log in. These searches typically require the name of the individual listed on the warrant as well as information pertaining to its issuance.

Do El Dorado County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in El Dorado County do not expire. Once the county court issues an arrest warrant, it remains active indefinitely until either executed or recalled by the court. Execution occurs when the suspect is apprehended by law enforcement. Alternatively, individuals who discover they have an outstanding warrant can choose to surrender voluntarily at a local police station or courthouse to resolve the issue.