Fontana Arrest Records Lookup

Fontana arrest records are managed by the Fontana Police Department. This city in San Bernardino County has its own police force that handles all local law enforcement. The department maintains booking records and can help you get copies of arrest reports. People arrested in Fontana typically go to county jail after booking. For current custody status, you will need to check with the county sheriff as well.

Fontana Police Records Unit

The Fontana Police Department Records Unit handles arrest record requests. You can reach them at (909) 356-7103. This is the direct line to the records section. Staff can answer questions about available records and how to submit requests.

You can also email the records unit at recordsunit@fontana.org. Email is good for simple questions and starting the request process. For formal requests, you may need to follow up with paperwork. Include your contact info and details about what records you need.

Police reports cost $18 each in Fontana. This covers the cost of processing and copying. You pay when you pick up the report or can sometimes pay by mail. Victims of crimes may get free copies in some cases. Ask the records unit about victim fee waivers.

The department is at 17005 Upland Avenue in Fontana. You can visit in person during business hours. Bring ID and be ready to fill out a request form. Staff can help you identify which records are available for your situation.

How to Request Fontana Arrest Records

Getting arrest records in Fontana follows the California Public Records Act. You submit a request. The police review it. They release what the law allows. Some things are exempt.

Start by contacting the records unit. Tell them what you need. Be specific about dates, names, and case numbers if you have them. Vague requests take longer. The more info you give, the faster they can find your records.

The law gives agencies 10 days to respond. This is a response, not the records themselves. They tell you if records exist and what it will cost. Complex requests may take longer. Simple ones often come back faster. Ask about timing when you submit.

You can request records by:

• Calling the records unit at (909) 356-7103
• Emailing recordsunit@fontana.org
• Visiting the station at 17005 Upland Avenue
• Mailing a written request to the department

Note: Active investigation files are usually not released until the case closes.

San Bernardino County Jail Records

After arrest in Fontana, people are often transferred to county custody. The San Bernardino County Sheriff runs the jail system. For current inmates, use the county inmate locator online. It shows who is in custody right now.

The county jail is at West Valley Detention Center. You can call them at (909) 350-2476. They can confirm if someone is there and give you basic booking info. For detailed records, you need to go through the county records request process.

Fontana and the county keep separate records. A Fontana arrest shows in city police files. The jail stay shows in county records. You may need to request from both agencies to get the full picture of what happened.

California Criminal History Access

The California Department of Justice keeps statewide criminal records. Fontana Police send arrest data to the DOJ. This builds a central database of all California arrests. For a complete history, the DOJ record is the most thorough source.

You can get your own criminal history from the DOJ. Go to a Live Scan site and submit fingerprints. The fee is $25 for a personal record review. You get a summary of all your arrests and cases across California. This shows more than any single city or county would have.

Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ is the official keeper of criminal history. Local agencies contribute data but the DOJ has the master file. Background check companies pull from the DOJ database for employment and licensing checks.

California law provides automatic record relief for some old arrests. The DOJ reviews records and grants relief to eligible cases. This happens automatically without a petition. It helps people move past old mistakes by limiting what shows on background checks.

Fontana Arrest Record Laws

California balances public access with privacy rights. Arrest records are partly public. Basic arrest info can be released. Full investigation files often stay private until cases end. Each request gets reviewed individually.

The Fair Chance Act affects how employers use arrest records. Companies with five or more employees cannot ask about criminal history on job applications. They must wait until later in hiring. This gives people a fair shot at getting interviewed before background checks happen.

If you have a Fontana arrest that did not lead to conviction, you may be able to seal it. California has petition processes for this. You file in court and ask to seal the record. If granted, the arrest will not show on most background checks. Law enforcement can still see it.

Juvenile arrest records have extra protection. They are not public in most cases. Adults cannot access juvenile records even if they are the subject. The juvenile court handles those records separately from adult criminal cases.

Other Inland Empire Cities

Fontana is in the heart of the Inland Empire. Nearby cities have their own police departments or use the county sheriff.