Orange City Arrest Records
Arrest records in the City of Orange are handled by the Orange Police Department. Not to be confused with Orange County, this is a city of about 140,000 people within the county. The Orange PD has its own records system and handles arrests within city limits. People arrested in Orange may be held locally or transferred to the Orange County Jail for booking and custody.
Orange City Quick Facts
Orange Police Department Records
The Orange Police Department keeps records of arrests made within the city. To get copies of arrest reports, you submit a California Public Records Act request. The department follows state law and has 10 days to respond.
Contact the records division for help with your request. They can explain what records exist and how much copies cost. Processing time varies. Simple requests come back faster. Complex ones take longer. Always ask for a cost estimate first.
Some records are not public. Investigation files can be withheld under state law. The police may refuse to release information that would hurt an active case. Basic arrest facts are usually available. The full report may not be.
Note: The City of Orange is separate from Orange County; make sure you contact the right agency for your records request.
Orange County Jail for City of Orange Arrests
When Orange PD makes an arrest, the person often goes to the Orange County Jail. The county sheriff runs the jail. Search for inmates at apps.ocsheriff.gov. Enter a name and see if the person is in custody.
The booking log shows recent arrests from all over the county. People arrested in the City of Orange appear once they are booked in. The system updates throughout the day. It may take a few hours for new bookings to show up online.
The search shows charges, bail, and booking date. It is free to use. For copies of booking records from the jail, email the sheriff at prarequests@ocsheriff.gov. Copies cost $0.15 per page at the county level.
Criminal Court Records for City of Orange
The Orange County Superior Court handles criminal cases from the City of Orange. Search for court records at visionpublic.occourts.org. This shows case numbers, charges, and outcomes.
Court records go beyond what the arrest record shows. You can see if charges were filed, if there was a conviction, or if the case was dismissed. Cases from the City of Orange may go to the North Justice Center in Fullerton or the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. It depends on the charges and court scheduling.
Some records are sealed by law. Juvenile cases never show in public searches. Expunged cases may be hidden too. The court follows California rules on what stays public.
California Law and Arrest Records
Arrest records in the City of Orange follow state law. Penal Code 13300 covers local summary criminal history. Police departments keep these records about people they arrest. The law sets rules for access.
The California Public Records Act lets you request government documents. Police records have limits though. Under Government Code 6254(f), investigation records can be kept confidential. Agencies can also deny requests that might harm ongoing investigations.
For your own statewide record, you can go to the California DOJ. They keep RAP sheets with all California arrests and outcomes. The fee is $25 and requires fingerprints. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review for the full process.
Sealing Arrest Records in Orange
If your arrest in Orange did not lead to a conviction, you may be able to seal it. Penal Code 851.91 allows this. You file a petition with the Orange County Superior Court. A judge decides whether to grant it.
Sealed records do not show on most background checks. This helps with employment and housing applications. Law enforcement can still see sealed records. Private employers cannot. The difference matters for job hunting.
California has automatic record relief too. Under Penal Code 851.93, the DOJ reviews arrests monthly. Old arrests without conviction may get relief granted automatically. You do not need to apply. A note gets added to show relief was given.
For factual innocence, Penal Code 851.8 lets you petition to have the record sealed and destroyed. This is harder to get but provides the most protection.
How to Search City of Orange Arrest Records
You have options for finding arrest records from the City of Orange. Different methods give you different information.
- OC Sheriff jail search at apps.ocsheriff.gov for current inmates
- Public records request to Orange PD for arrest reports
- Orange County court search for case outcomes
- California DOJ Record Review for your own statewide record
- VINE for custody status notifications
The jail search and court search are free online. Arrest reports from the police cost money and take time. The DOJ charges $25 and needs fingerprints for your own record. Pick based on your needs.
For tracking inmates, use VINE. Register at vinelink.vineapps.com to get alerts when someone is released or moved. You can also call 1-877-411-5588.
Employment Background Checks in Orange
Employers in the City of Orange follow the Fair Chance Act for background checks. Companies with five or more workers cannot ask about criminal history on applications. They wait until after a conditional job offer.
If an employer plans to reject you based on your record, they must tell you first. You get a copy of the report and time to respond. The California Civil Rights Department handles complaints about employers who break the rules. Call 800-884-1684.
Background checks pull from many sources. An old arrest from the City of Orange could show even if charges were dropped. Sealing your record is the best way to prevent that.
Note: Some jobs have different rules and can see more of your history, like law enforcement and childcare positions.
Nearby Orange County Cities
The City of Orange is in north central Orange County. Neighboring cities have their own police departments and records systems.
For arrests by county sheriff deputies or in unincorporated areas, visit the Orange County arrest records page. It covers the county jail and sheriff records.