Petaluma Arrest Records Lookup

Petaluma arrest records are maintained by the Petaluma Police Department. This southern Sonoma County city has a population around 60,000. It sits along the Petaluma River about 40 miles north of San Francisco. When police make an arrest, a report gets created and stored in the records system. You can request copies by contacting the department. The Sonoma County Sheriff handles jail custody, so inmate searches go through county resources. This page walks through how to find and request Petaluma arrest records from the different sources available.

Petaluma Police Department Records

The Petaluma Police Department keeps arrest records for incidents in the city. Contact the records division to request copies. Staff can tell you what is available and explain any fees. Requests can be made by phone, mail, or in person.

Bring details when you reach out. The incident date matters most. A case number speeds up the search. You can also provide the name of the person arrested. With this info, staff can locate the record quickly. They will tell you what portions can be released under California law.

Not all information is public. Government Code 6254(f) exempts certain investigation files from release. Active cases stay confidential. Witness names and victim details often get removed. The California Public Records Act requires a response within 10 days. Extensions are possible for complex requests.

Victims of crimes can usually get a free report copy. Mention your status when contacting the records division.

Sonoma County Jail Records

Petaluma Police handle city arrests. The Sonoma County Sheriff runs the jail. After an arrest, most people go to county custody. Use county resources to check if someone is locked up.

The Sonoma County Sheriff has an inmate search at inmatesearch.sonomasheriff.org. Type in a name to find inmates. The system shows charges, bail amount, and housing location. It updates through the day as people are booked and released. This is the best tool for current custody status.

Call the jail at 707-565-1400 for questions. Staff can help with inmate location, visit scheduling, and records. The main detention facility is in Santa Rosa. Petaluma arrests transfer there after initial booking.

Note: City arrest records and county jail records are separate systems managed by different agencies.

How to Search Petaluma Arrest Records

Multiple sources have arrest information. Each one serves a different need.

• Police department for city arrest reports
• County inmate search for custody status
• Superior Court for case outcomes
• California DOJ for statewide criminal history

Check the county jail search first if you want to know where someone is now. Contact the police for official report copies. Court records show what happened after arrest, including charges and verdicts. For complete background info, the California DOJ keeps records from all counties.

You can request your own RAP sheet for $25 through Live Scan. Third parties need authorization to access DOJ records. Employers use licensed background check companies. Those services pull from court records and other public sources.

California Arrest Record Laws

State law controls arrest record access. Penal Code 11105 covers state criminal history. The DOJ keeps RAP sheets with data from all counties. Local police records fall under Penal Code 13300. Petaluma records are local only.

Some Petaluma arrest records can be sealed. Penal Code 851.91 allows sealing if you were arrested but not convicted. Sealed records vanish from public searches. Employers and landlords will not see them. The process needs a court petition.

Expungement is another path. Under Penal Code 1203.4, you can ask for dismissal after finishing probation. The conviction shows as dismissed on your record. This helps with jobs and housing. Not all convictions qualify, so check with an attorney.

California has automatic record relief too. The DOJ reviews records under Penal Code 851.93 and 1203.425. Qualifying cases get relief notations automatically. No petition needed. Visit the Attorney General website for eligibility info.

Employment and Arrest Records

The Fair Chance Act affects hiring. Under Government Code 12952, employers with five or more workers cannot ask about convictions on job applications. They wait until after a conditional offer. Petaluma employers follow this rule.

Arrests without conviction usually cannot factor into hiring decisions. Employers can consider convictions but have to follow rules. They must give applicants a chance to respond. The law helps people with records find work. More details are at calcivilrights.ca.gov.

Employment background checks use third-party companies. These services search court records and public databases. They report convictions, not arrests alone. Some old convictions may not show due to age limits on reporting.

Victim Notification in Petaluma

Crime victims can track offenders through VINE California. Sign up at vinelink.vineapps.com or call 1-877-411-5588. VINE alerts you when custody status changes. Get notifications by phone, text, or email. The service is free and runs 24 hours.

Petaluma Police have victim assistance too. As a victim, you may be entitled to a free report copy. California's Marsy's Law gives victims rights to information about their case. Contact the department for help navigating the process and finding local support resources.

Nearby Sonoma County Cities

Petaluma sits in southern Sonoma County. Santa Rosa is the county seat and largest city. Other cities in the region have separate police departments and records systems.

Smaller towns in Sonoma County rely on the sheriff. If an arrest occurred outside Petaluma city limits, check county records. The sheriff handles Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, and unincorporated areas.

Sonoma County Court Records

After arrest, charges may go to Sonoma County Superior Court. Court records show filings, hearings, and outcomes. The court system is separate from police records.

Check the Sonoma County Superior Court website for case searches. Many criminal cases are searchable by defendant name. You can find case numbers, hearing dates, and status. For certified copies, contact the clerk. Fees apply for official documents. The main courthouse is in Santa Rosa with a branch in Petaluma.

Court records often have more detail than police reports once a case progresses. They show plea deals, verdicts, and sentences. If you need proof of case outcome, court records are the source.