San Francisco County Arrest Records

After an officer executes an arrest warrant or apprehends a suspect at the scene of a crime, the next steps involve taking them into secure custody, collecting their information, and documenting the arrest details. The collated data forms the arrestee's arrest records. The arresting agency, San Francisco County courts, and some state departments all serve as custodians of these records.

Members of the public generally seek arrest records to verify the details of their loved ones' detainment (such as the jail location) and provide necessary support, including making bail arrangements and picking them up at the San Francisco Sheriff's Office Intake and Records Center. People looking to seal their records also require arrest records to find out the details of their arrests.

Further, legal professionals use arrest information, especially details in official San Francisco County court records, to argue legal cases and support their motions. Law enforcement, researchers, and victims also review arrest records for investigations, tracking offender statuses, and compiling criminal statistics.

Are Arrest Records Public in San Francisco County?

Yes. The California Public Records Act ensures that the public can access records and information maintained by government bodies, including arrest records kept by the San Francisco Sheriff's Office, local police departments, state agencies, and courts.

Be that as it may, state and federal laws restrict certain information from public access to protect sensitive information and avoid undue intrusion into personal privacy.

Restricted information includes the following:

• Information related to victims, confidential informants, and certain witnesses
• Records tied to ongoing investigations and other law enforcement proceedings
• Certain juvenile arrest and criminal records
• Medical and other health-related information
• Sealed arrest and criminal records
• Criminal offender information, as defined in Cal. Pen. Code §11075

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Cal. Gov. Code § 7923.610 permits San Francisco county law enforcement agencies to release the following arrest information to the public:

• A suspect's personal details, including their full name, occupation, date of birth, and physical description
• Arrest details, such as the time and date, location, and circumstances surrounding the arrest
• Booking date and time
• Bail information
• Alleged charges
• Release information

San Francisco County Crime Rate

The California Office of the Attorney General (OAG), through its Criminal Justice Statistics Center (CJSC), gathers crime data from local law enforcement agencies and publishes the compiled statistical reports on its Open Justice Portal. The OAG's 2022 report shows that San Francisco County recorded 353 arson incidents (down by 7.11% from 2021), 48,411 property crimes (6.95% higher than in 2021), and 5,456 violent crimes (9.87% up from the previous year).

Aggravated assault, at 2,645 offenses, was the most frequent violent crime reported, with robbery coming a close second at 2,444. Homicide was the least reported offense, with 56 incidents. On the other hand, larceny-theft (36,046) was the most reported property crime, while burglary (6,006) was the least.

San Francisco County Arrest Statistics

According to the CJSC, San Francisco law enforcement agencies recorded 11,380 total arrests in 2022, 6,314 of which were misdemeanors, and the remaining 5,066 being felonies. The same year, arrests went up 18.07% from the previous year's 9,638.

Apprehensions related to property offenses totaled 1,043, violent crimes accounted for 1,762 arrests, and 661 arrests were made in relation to drug offenses.

Find San Francisco County Arrest Records

Finding arrest information in San Francisco County entails knowing which law enforcement agency to approach and verifying that the information one seeks is publicly disclosed.

People seeking arrest records on recently detained individuals awaiting their first arraignment can contact the arresting agency. Usually, the agency is the local police department in the region where the alleged crime was committed or the suspect was apprehended. For example, individuals can approach the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) to confirm whether an individual is in their custody. The SFPD also allows the public to request records online, in person, by mail.

Individuals must note that they can only request these records through the Crime Services Unit located at the following address if they want to do it in person:

San Francisco Police Department
Crime Information Services Unit / Records Management
1245 3rd Street
1st Floor
San Francisco, CA 94158

Individuals who wish to submit mail requests can do so by filling out the Request for Incident Report form and sending it to:

San Francisco Police Department
Report Management Section
1245 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94158-2102

Requesters are advised to upload (if using the online portal) or attach proof of identification (a passport, state-issued ID card, valid driver's license, or SF City ID card) for timely processing.

In addition, the San Francisco County Sheriff's Office maintains information on pretrial detainees, offenders currently serving jail time, and released inmates on parole or probation. Individuals can access the office's online inmate search tool to find inmate information. The website allows searchers to enter the first three letters of a subject's first and last name to begin their search. They can also use other search parameters, including a subject's jail or booking number. The web app displays different details, including a person's booking date, total bond, and next court date. It also shows the statute that was allegedly violated, the description of the offense, and the court case's docket number.

People who want to obtain incident reports from the Sheriff's office can use the following contact details:

Central Records and Warrants
850 Bryant Street
Room 460
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 553-9505
Email: sfsd.foia@sf.gov

Members of the public can also obtain information on individuals arrested in San Francisco County but incarcerated for state and federal crimes by approaching the following institutions:

• The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: Individuals can contact the CDCR's Identification Unit at (916) 445-6713 during business hours to locate a state inmate and obtain other information. They can also use the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS) system to find details about state inmates. Site users can start a search by entering the inmate's name or CDCR number. They can also filter name searches by providing other information, including commitment county and age range. The search results show basic details of each matching inmate, such as their current location, commitment county, age, CDCR number, and admission date. Opening an inmate's page pulls up additional details, including their parole eligibility dates.

The information collected from the CIRIS can be used to submit PRA requests to the CDCR to obtain inmate records.

• US Bureau of Prisons: The BOP's inmate locator provides limited information about persons serving time in federal prison or held in federal custody. However, submitting a FOIA request might help the requester obtain more information.

Free Arrest Record Search in San Francisco County

Individuals can generally view arrest information for free on online resources provided by criminal justice agencies. However, they must usually pay to obtain physical copies of arrest documents.

Some third-party aggregate websites also provide arrest record searches for free. These are private businesses that collect publicly available information from different governmental bodies in California and other states and present them to members of the public through a single interface. On such websites, individuals can run name searches to find arrest details from multiple states and counties, not just San Francisco County. However, users may have to pay a fee if they want to obtain copies of records.

Get San Francisco County Criminal Records

Arrest records do not contain complete details about a person's criminal past. People seeking comprehensive information must usually obtain a subject's criminal record, popularly called a RAP sheet (Record of Arrests and Prosecutions). Criminal records can be obtained via a background check or by requesting court records.

The San Francisco Superior Court offers the following online options for viewing criminal case details:

• Criminal Index Records: This online application only lists filed criminal cases. It allows the public to search by name and displays the defendant's case number, file date, and charges (only criminal codes are available).
• Criminal Case Portal: This web application allows individuals to search by case number, attorney name, or defendant name. It displays each case's event history.

People who want to view or obtain physical copies of criminal records can complete and submit a criminal records request form to the San Francisco Court Records Department by mail or in person. Requesters who do not wish to order copies can select the form's View Only option. In such cases, an appointment will be scheduled to allow them to inspect the records in a viewing room.

Background checks are another method for obtaining comprehensive criminal history records. The process is limited by law to specific employers, professionals, and private individuals.

California law mandates that certain organizations, such as caregiving agencies and security contractors, verify the criminal histories of people under employment consideration. Private individuals can also request their own criminal histories for visa applications and employment or to verify the accuracy of their RAP sheets.

People have the following options for running background checks:

• The San Francisco Police Department: Individuals can head to the following address to obtain their own San Francisco criminal history record or mugshot:

San Francisco Police Department
Hall of Justice
850 Bryant Street
Room 475
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 553-1415

• The California Department of Justice: Any entity seeking criminal history information on a job applicant must provide the DOJ with the Request for Live Scan Service (BCIA 8016) form. The applicant will fill out the form and take it to an authorized Live Scan Operator alongside proof of ID. The operator will verify the candidate's identity before collecting and transmitting their personal information and fingerprints to the DOJ. They will provide the candidate with an ATI (applicant transaction identifier) after this process.

Once received, the DOJ will run the fingerprint against other fingerprints on its database. If the DOJ finds a match, technicians will review the applicant's RAP sheet to find matching dispositions. They will also apply other statutory mandates for the specific application as outlined in Cal. Pen. Code § 11105(k)-(p).

The department will send the record by mail in paper form or electronically to the applicant entity.

Applicant agencies can also request FBI criminal background checks through the DOJ. The FBI will check the person's criminal history on the national database and return the result to the California DOJ, which will then furnish the results to the requester.

Individuals who want to check their criminal history information maintained by the DOJ can fill out the Live Scan Form (BCIA 8016RR), select Record Review for Type of Application and Reason for Application, and take it to an authorized Live Scan Operator for fingerprinting and transmission to the DOJ.

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation: Individuals can approach the FBI directly to obtain criminal history information. However, they can only request their records, as the FBI does not provide records to third parties. Upon each submission, the FBI checks the information on its database, including reports submitted by various law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Requesters are expected to fill out the Applicant Information Form, get their fingerprints taken on a standard fingerprint card, and mail the documents to the bureau. People using the FBI's online application method must have their fingerprints electronically submitted at any participating US post office. Each background check costs $18. Interested parties can find more information and instructions on the FBI's website.

San Francisco County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest and criminal records document different phases of a person's criminal past. Arrest records do not go beyond the person's initial arrest and first arraignment. Members of the public cannot tell whether an arrestee was convicted or exonerated by looking at their arrest records, as these details can exist without criminal prosecution.

Conversely, criminal records document a person's entire criminal history, including their arrests. They show whether a defendant was charged and found guilty or innocent. They also show their post-conviction information, such as incarceration, parole, and probation records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information can stay on a person's criminal record permanently. However, depending on the charge for which they were arrested and whether they were convicted, an eligible person may petition a court to have their records sealed or destroyed.

The Department of Justice is also statutorily mandated to review certain eligible arrests every month and provide automatic record relief without the need for court petitions. However, there are no set timeframes for this manner of relief.

Expunge San Francisco County Arrest Records

As mentioned above, people whose arrests meet the requirements of Cal. Pen. Code § 851.93 may not need to submit a petition to seal or expunge their records, as the DOJ regularly reviews records for automatic sealing. To confirm automatic sealing, one can request their criminal history from the department using the methods discussed earlier. However, California law does not prevent a record holder from submitting a petition to the San Francisco Superior Court to seal or destroy (expunge) their arrest records.

Individuals who want to seal or destroy their records are generally required to obtain their RAP sheets from the California DOJ, as they will need the following:

• Case number
• Arrest or conviction date
• Code section of the arrest or conviction
• County where the individual was arrested or convicted

The following individuals can submit petitions to have their records sealed or destroyed:

• Persons who were never charged, had their cases dismissed, were found factually innocent, or completed pretrial diversion programs.
• People with certain misdemeanor convictions who are not on parole or probation in any other case and have no new cases pending.
• Individuals with marijuana-related convictions. (California courts are now required to purge certain marijuana conviction records automatically.)
• People younger than 18.

Parties having non-conviction records can follow instructions on the California Courts' Record Cleaning: Arrest with No Conviction page to seal or destroy their arrest records. People with misdemeanors or felony convictions can follow the prompts on the state judiciary's Clean Your Record page to find the relevant forms and instructions.

San Francisco County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a legal demand for San Francisco law enforcement agencies to apprehend and detain someone suspected of committing a crime. Judges and magistrates issue arrest warrants after reviewing law enforcement applications and finding probable cause for arrest per Cal. Pen. Code § 817. Arrest warrants can also be issued when defendants disobey direct court orders, such as failing to appear in court or violating parole/probation programs.

Every arrest warrant in San Francisco County names the defendant, cites the statute they violated, identifies the issuing jurisdiction, and commands a law enforcement officer to make the arrest.

San Francisco County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can obtain details of bench warrants using the San Francisco Superior Court's Bench Warrants tool. They can search by name or case number to pull up information, such as a person's case number, the warrant date, and the warrant type.

Those seeking arrest warrants can also visit the San Francisco County Sheriff's Central Records and Warrants Unit (CRW) during regular business hours. A photo ID is required to request a warrant check on oneself.

Do San Francisco County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. San Francisco County arrest warrants generally remain active until the defendant is apprehended, they turn themselves in, or a court recalls the warrant.