Are Riverside County Records Public?

Yes. Existing laws and regulations in California, such as the California Public Records Act (or CPRA) (Cal. Gov. Code § 7920.000 et seq.), emphasize the rights of members of the public to access state and local government records—or public records. Per the CPRA, public records include all papers, photographs, audio tapes, visual tapes, and other documentary materials owned, used, or maintained by government agencies (such as law enforcement agencies) while conducting their official businesses.

Notably, the CPRA does not apply to the state courts and legislature. However, Riverside County court records are public documents by virtue of case law, and legislative records are open to the public under the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA).

What is Exempted Under the California Public Records Act?

The California Public Records Act promotes maximum access to records of governmental entities to foster accountability and transparency. However, the Act also recognizes the need to keep specific information confidential or private in particular situations. Accordingly, government agencies in Riverside County are justified in refusing access to a record if they determine the nondisclosure of a record serves the public interest (Cal. Gov. Code § 7922.000).

The following records are exempt from disclosure under the CPRA and other applicable laws:

• Trade secrets
• Records pertaining to pending litigation
• Test questions and similar materials used to administer a licensing, academic, or employment examination
• Preliminary drafts, notes, and memoranda not retained in an agency's ordinary course of business
• Law enforcement investigatory files
• Personnel and medical records
• Records related to juvenile cases
• Records sealed by the court
• Summary criminal history information

Confidential records may still be accessible to the record's subject, their legal representatives, or parties authorized by a court.

Riverside County Public Records Search

The first and most crucial step in conducting a Riverside County public record search is discovering the official record custodian. Not only does this ensure compliance with the CPRA and other relevant laws, but it also improves the chances of obtaining accurate and up-to-date information while reducing the possibility of a request denial.

Below is a partial list of record custodians in Riverside County and the information they provide:

• Riverdale County Sheriff's Department: public law enforcement records and inmate information
• Riverside County Recorder: fictitious business names, vital records searches, etc
• Riverside Superior Court: Riverside County court records
• Riverside County Public Health Department’s Office of Vital Records: birth and death records

Individuals unsure of the appropriate record custodian can email the Executive Office at pra@rivco.org.

After determining the record custodian, requesters can contact the office to inquire about submission procedures. Many custodians allow in-person visits during business hours and may also accept online, mail, email, or phone requests. For example, public requests to the District Attorney’s office can be emailed to cpra@rivcoda.org, while the sheriff's department makes some records available on its official website.

Requesters should note that they can easily submit a public records request to most departments in Riverside County by utilizing the Public Records Act portal. They can also obtain readily available public information from most offices via the Open Data Source Portal.

The following tips help conduct efficient public record searches in Riverside County:

• Requesters should provide accurate information about a record to facilitate and streamline the search process
• While verbal requests are accepted, requesters are advised to opt for written submissions for clarity, tracking, and dispute resolution in the event of a denial
• Requests should be as specific and clear as possible

Find Public Records For Free in Riverside County

Many public records are available for free inspection through the aforementioned official sources. However, costs generally apply for document reproduction and certification. Individuals may opt for public record searches on third-party websites to avoid paying a fee, but such services may only provide limited free searches.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

Interested persons can remove their unwanted personal information from public records by sending a request to the official record custodian. Each agency outlines its procedures for redaction or removal. Subjects of records should note, however, that specific eligibility criteria must be met for such requests to be honored. For example, individuals who wish to clean their criminal records must meet the state’s expungement eligibility requirements. Also, information mandated by law to remain public cannot be removed from public view.

Individuals should note that the best way to keep unwanted information from public view is to ensure that it is not included in any document submitted to a government body for filing, except such information is required by statute. Once submitted, such documents become accessible for public viewing and copying.

Who Can Access Riverside County Public Records in California?

In Riverside County, any person can submit a request for public information to any government agency (Cal. Gov. Code § 7921.000). Cal. Gov. Code § 7920.520 defines "person" as natural persons, corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, firms, and associations. Also, a requester does not need to be a resident of California to request or obtain public documents.

It must be noted, however, that for the purpose of obtaining access to Riverside County public records, officers, employees, members, and agents of government agencies (local, state, or federal) acting within the scope of their membership, agency, office, or employment are not "persons".

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

While record custodians in Riverside County must make records promptly accessible to requesters, officials may also deny requests for these reasons:

• The CPRA or other relevant laws exempt the requested record from public disclosure.
• The requested record failed the "balancing" or "catchall" test highlighted in Cal. Gov. Code § 7922.000.
• The agency is not the appropriate record custodian.
• The request does not contain adequate details about the sought-after records or is not specific enough.
• The record does not exist.

If a public records request is denied, the agency must provide a written explanation to the requester. If the requester believes the denial is unjustified, they can petition the Riverside County Superior Court for a writ of mandate compelling the record custodian to release the records (Cal. Gov. Code § 7923.000 - 79223.500). The agency may also be mandated to pay the requester’s court costs and attorney fees if the courts find the records were improperly withheld.