Find Pasadena Arrest Records

Pasadena arrest records are kept by the Pasadena Police Department. The city has its own police force that handles law enforcement within city limits. When you need arrest information from Pasadena, you can use their online public records portal or call the records unit directly. The city offers an electronic request system that makes the process easier. People arrested in Pasadena go to the LA County jail system for booking. Here is how to search and request arrest records in this city.

Pasadena Public Records Portal

The City of Pasadena runs an online system for public records requests. You can access the Pasadena Public Records Portal to submit requests electronically. This works for arrest records and other police documents.

The portal lets you describe what you need and track your request online. You create an account, fill out the form, and submit it. The city responds through the same system. This is faster than mailing paper forms and easier to follow up on.

Not all records can be released. California law limits access to investigation records under Government Code 6254(f). The city reviews each request and tells you what they can provide. Some parts of arrest reports may be redacted or withheld.

The city has 10 days to respond under the California Public Records Act. Complex requests may take longer. Check the portal for updates on your request status.

Pasadena Police Records Unit

The Pasadena Police Department records unit handles all requests for arrest reports and related documents. Call (626) 744-4565 to reach the records staff. They can answer questions about what records exist and how to get copies.

You can also submit requests by mail or in person at the police station. Include your name, contact info, and as much detail as you can about the arrest. The date, location, and names involved all help staff find the right file.

Processing time depends on how busy the unit is and how complex your request is. Simple requests may be ready in a few days. Larger requests take longer. Staff will contact you about any fees before releasing the records.

Victims of crimes can typically get their case reports at no charge. Other requesters may pay per page or a flat fee for certain types of documents.

Note: The records unit cannot release information over the phone about ongoing investigations.

Where Pasadena Arrests Are Booked

People arrested in Pasadena get booked into the Los Angeles County jail system. The LA County Sheriff's Department runs the jails that serve all cities in the county. Even though Pasadena police make the arrest, the county handles custody.

To find someone in jail after a Pasadena arrest, use the LA County Inmate Information Center. Search by name or booking number. New arrests may take 2 to 6 hours to appear in the system after booking.

The county inmate line is (213) 473-6100. It runs 24 hours a day. Staff can help locate someone in custody and tell you which facility holds them. LA County has several jails in different locations.

If you know someone was arrested in Pasadena but cannot find them in the county system, call the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4565. They can confirm the arrest and give you the booking number to search with.

Pasadena Criminal Background Checks

Arrests in Pasadena feed into the California Department of Justice statewide criminal database. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains records on all arrests reported by local agencies.

You can request your own criminal history for $25. This requires fingerprints through Live Scan. The state record shows all your arrests and case outcomes from across California. It is more complete than what any single city can provide.

Live Scan services are available at police stations and private locations in Pasadena. You pay the state fee plus whatever the location charges for fingerprinting. Prices vary, so call ahead to compare.

Employers must follow the Fair Chance Act when running background checks. This law stops employers from asking about criminal history until after making a conditional job offer. It applies to companies with five or more workers in California.

Pasadena Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases from Pasadena go to the Los Angeles Superior Court. The court has a location in Pasadena at the Pasadena Courthouse. Cases can also be handled at other court locations in the county.

The LA Superior Court has an online case search. You can look up cases by defendant name to see what happened after an arrest. The search covers felony cases from 1980 and misdemeanors from 1988 to present.

Guest users pay $4.75 per search. Registered users with accounts get lower rates. Document copies cost $1.00 per page for the first five pages and less after that.

Court records show more than arrest records alone. You can see if charges were filed, what plea was entered, and the final outcome. This helps you understand the full story of a case from arrest through disposition.

Sealing Arrest Records in Pasadena

If you were arrested in Pasadena but not convicted, you may be able to seal the arrest record. Penal Code 851.91 allows petitions to seal records when arrests did not lead to conviction.

You file the petition in court. The judge reviews the case and decides whether to grant sealing. If approved, the arrest will not show on most background checks. Law enforcement can still see it, but employers and landlords cannot.

California also has automatic record relief for certain older arrests. The DOJ reviews records each month and grants relief when people qualify. This is separate from the court petition process and happens without you having to apply.

An attorney can help you figure out if you qualify for record sealing or relief. Legal aid organizations in the Pasadena area offer help to people who cannot afford private lawyers.

Nearby Cities in the Area

Pasadena is in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County. Several other cities are close by. Each has its own police department if the population is over 50,000. Make sure to contact the right city for your records request.