Santa Ana Arrest Records

In Santa Ana, California, arrest records are official files concerning arrest events in the city. These records typically provide information on the arrestee, arrest charges, arresting agency, and post-arrest events.

Arrests are a necessary legal procedure for apprehending persons who violate state or federal laws. Peace officers have the legal right to conduct arrests, and they may do so with or without arrest warrants. Arrestees may be detained at the county jail, pending the outcome of further investigations.

The Santa Ana Police Department mostly creates arrest records after an arrest event. Furthermore, the agency maintains such records and may disclose them to interested parties.

Santa Ana arrest information is a major constituent of most crime-related public files. Interested parties can look up arrest information via public files like California court records and inmate records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Santa Ana?

Most Santa Ana arrest records are accessible to the general public. Under the California Public Records Act, interested parties can inspect or obtain copies of arrest records from designated public bodies. The law requires these bodies to release records upon requests from the public. For example, the Santa Ana Police Department will attend to in-person inquiries for arrest records at this address:

60 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 245-8665

However, certain arrest information is not open to the public. Per Government Code Section 6255, public bodies have the right to redact arrest documents that may violate the privacy or safety of concerned persons. The state law also exempts the following records from public view:

• Personal information on crime victims and witnesses.
• Arrest documents that are sealed or expunged under statutes or court orders.
• Medical information that was collated in the course of an investigation.

Santa Ana Arrest Statistics

The FBI's Crime Data Explorer maintains an online statistics report for all arrests conducted in Santa Ana. Per the agency's report, the city's police department made 8,085 arrests in 2023.

There are no incarceration statistics reports for Santa Ana. Nevertheless, the state's correctional facilities housed 132,104.

The Santa Ana jail is the primary detention center for arrestees. Inquirers may find the county jail at this address:

62 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701.
Phone: (714) 245-8100

Find Santa Ana Arrest Records

Public members can find arrest records through resources or options provided by government entities. Some of the options for locating arrest records include inmate databases and court records. For instance, inmate records typically include the arrestee's personal information, arrest charges and date, booking number, and bond amount.

The Santa Ana jail maintains an online list of recently arrested persons. Likewise, the Orange County jail maintains an inmate search portal. Inquirers must fill in relevant information to view inmate records on the portal.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation also maintains an online database for inmates held in state-owned correctional centers. To access records on the database, inquirers must search using the inmate's name or prison number.

Alternatively, the Federal Bureau of Prisons' inmate locator maintains records of inmates held in federal penal institutions. Inquirers may search inmate records by providing the inmate's name or prison number on the platform.

Santa Ana Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

Santa Ana arrest records are not the same as criminal records. These records are quite different in terms of their content, where to find them, and social implications.

Based on content, arrest records typically cover arrest-related events, including the arrestee's personal data, criminal charges, booking number, and bond amount. In contrast, criminal records contain an individual's criminal history. These records include information on arrests, court activities, and incarceration.

The records also differ based on where you can locate them. You will mostly find arrest records under the purview of law enforcement agencies. The agencies create and keep records of arrest events. However, criminal records are obtainable through the California Department of Justice. The agency creates arrest records by gathering all crime-related data from other public entities.

Arrest records have almost no negative impact on a record subject's life. However, this is not the case for those with a criminal record. A criminal record may lead to negative consequences, such as loss of driving privileges and societal discrimination.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Santa Ana arrests stay on your public records unless they are sealed or expunged. There are legal procedures for sealing or expunging arrest records. For instance, arrestees must first meet the state-outlined eligibility criteria before they can expunge records.

Santa Ana Arrest Warrants

Santa Ana arrest warrants are court documents that authorize the arrest of suspected offenders. The court magistrates often issue arrest warrants upon receiving an affidavit or complaint from an arresting officer. The complaint must show enough proof that the defendant violated the law.

Under California laws, an arrest warrant issued in Santa Ana may reveal the following information:

• The defendant's name and physical features.
• Arrest charges
• Arrest warrant issuance date and location.
• A statement that the offender must be arrested or brought before the court.
• A court document number.
• The court official's signature.

Do Santa Ana Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire until they are resolved or the court revokes them. Warrants generally remain active even after the statute of limitations for the crime has elapsed. Interested parties can find active warrants through the city police department or the courts. For example, the Santa Ana Police Department maintains an online list of active warrants.

Expunge Santa Ana Arrest Records

Santa Ana residents can expunge arrest records by filing a petition with the Orange County Superior Court. Upon receiving the petition, the court may consider factors like the eligibility criteria before making a decision. If the petition is granted, the court will issue an order of expungement to all concerned agencies.

Who is eligible to expunge arrest records in Santa Ana?

Per California laws, you are generally eligible to expunge arrest records if:

• You were arrested, but no charges were filed.
• The statute of limitations for the crime has elapsed.
• You were acquitted in court.
• You went to trial, but the court passed a not-guilty verdict.

How to expunge arrest records in Santa Ana

Follow these steps to expunge Santa Ana:

1. Complete a Petition to Seal Arrest Records and Related Records.
2. File the petition with the Orange County Superior Court at:
   700 West Civic Center Drive
   Santa Ana, CA 92701
   Phone: (657) 622-5800
3. Create copies of the petition and send them to the arresting agency and the county prosecutor's office at:
   300 North Flower Street
   Santa Ana, CA 92703
   Phone: (714) 834-3600