Access Fullerton Arrest Records

Fullerton arrest records are managed by the Fullerton Police Department. This northern Orange County city has about 140,000 residents and is home to California State University, Fullerton. The police department keeps records of all arrests made within city limits. The North Justice Center courthouse is located in Fullerton, making it a hub for criminal cases from the area.

Fullerton Police Department Records

The Fullerton Police Department handles arrest records for the city. To get copies, you file a California Public Records Act request. The department has 10 days to respond by law. Some requests take longer if they are complex.

Contact the records division for help. They can tell you what is available and how much copies cost. Fees vary by document type and page count. Ask for an estimate before they start processing. This prevents surprises later.

Not all records can be released. Investigation files may be exempt under state law. The police can withhold information that would harm an active case. Basic arrest data is usually public. The detailed investigation often is not.

Orange County Jail and Fullerton Arrests

People arrested by Fullerton Police often go to the Orange County Jail. The sheriff runs the jail system. Search for inmates at apps.ocsheriff.gov. Type a name and see if someone is in custody.

The booking log shows recent arrests countywide. Fullerton arrests appear once the person is booked into the county system. Updates happen throughout the day. New bookings may take a few hours to show up. Check back if you do not see someone right away.

The search shows charges, bail amount, and booking date. It is free to use. For copies of jail records, email the sheriff at prarequests@ocsheriff.gov. The fee is $0.15 per page.

Note: The jail search shows current custody status only, not arrest history.

Fullerton Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases from Fullerton go to the Orange County Superior Court. The North Justice Center is located right in Fullerton at 1275 N. Berkeley Avenue. Many cases from the area are heard there. Search for court records at visionpublic.occourts.org.

Court records show what happened after an arrest. Were charges filed? Was there a trial? What was the outcome? You can find case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions in the court system. This tells you more than the arrest record alone.

Some records are sealed. Juvenile cases do not appear in public searches. Expunged cases may be hidden too. The court follows state law on what stays public and what gets sealed.

California Arrest Record Laws

Arrest records in Fullerton follow California state law. Penal Code 13300 covers local summary criminal history information. This is what police departments keep about arrests. The law controls who can access these records and for what purposes.

The California Public Records Act gives the right to request government documents. Police records have exemptions though. Under Government Code 6254(f), investigation records can be kept confidential. Agencies can refuse requests that might harm ongoing cases. You can usually get basic arrest facts but not the full investigation file.

For your statewide criminal record, contact the California DOJ. They maintain RAP sheets with all California arrests and court outcomes. The fee is $25 plus fingerprint rolling costs. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review for instructions.

Sealing Fullerton Arrest Records

If your arrest in Fullerton did not result in a conviction, you may seal the record. Penal Code 851.91 allows this. File a petition with the Orange County Superior Court. A judge reviews and decides.

Sealed records do not show on most background checks. This helps with jobs and housing. Private employers will not see them. Law enforcement and some government agencies still can. But for most purposes, sealing makes a big difference.

California has automatic record relief under Penal Code 851.93. The DOJ reviews records monthly. Old arrests without conviction may get relief granted without you doing anything. A note gets added showing relief was given.

For factual innocence, Penal Code 851.8 lets you petition to have the record sealed and destroyed completely. This offers the strongest protection but is harder to obtain.

How to Search Fullerton Arrest Records

There are several ways to find arrest records from Fullerton. Each gives you different information.

• OC Sheriff jail search at apps.ocsheriff.gov for current custody
• Public records request to Fullerton PD for arrest reports
• Orange County court search for criminal case outcomes
• California DOJ Record Review for your own statewide record
• VINE for custody alerts and notifications

The jail search and court search are free. Arrest reports cost money and take time to process. The DOJ charges $25 and requires fingerprints for your own record. Choose based on what you need.

To track an inmate, register with VINE at vinelink.vineapps.com. You get alerts when someone is released or transferred. Call 1-877-411-5588 to register by phone.

Background Checks and Employment in Fullerton

Employers in Fullerton must follow the Fair Chance Act. Companies with five or more workers cannot ask about criminal history on applications. They wait until after making a conditional job offer.

If an employer wants to deny you based on your record, they tell you first. You get a copy of the report and time to respond before a final decision. The California Civil Rights Department handles complaints. Call 800-884-1684 to report violations.

Background check companies search many sources. An old Fullerton arrest might show even if charges were never filed. Sealing your record is the best way to keep it from appearing on future checks.

Note: Some positions like law enforcement and childcare have different rules and can see more of your history.

Nearby Orange County Cities

Fullerton is in northern Orange County. Neighboring cities have their own police and records systems.

For arrests by county deputies or in unincorporated areas, see the Orange County arrest records page. It covers the county jail and sheriff records.