Access Riverside Arrest Records

Riverside arrest records come from the Riverside Police Department and the county sheriff. The city of Riverside is the county seat and has its own police force. Arrests made within city limits go through the city police. For people held in county jail, you will need to check the county inmate database. Both agencies maintain separate record systems but work together on law enforcement in the area.

Riverside Police Department Records

The Riverside Police Department handles arrests within city boundaries. You can reach their dispatch at (951) 354-2007. This number is for non-emergency police business. Use it to ask about arrests, reports, and general information. For emergencies, always call 911.

The department takes reports in person at their main station. You can also call to ask about pending cases or check the status of an arrest. Staff can tell you if a case is active or closed. They can explain what records are available for your request.

Getting copies of arrest reports requires a formal request. You can submit a California Public Records Act request to the police. Include the date, names involved, and case number if you have it. The more details you provide, the faster they can find your records. Some records are exempt from release if the case is still open.

Note: Response times vary based on the complexity of your request and current workload.

Riverside County Jail and Sheriff

After an arrest in Riverside, the person usually goes to county jail. The Riverside County Sheriff runs the jail system. You can search for inmates online at the county inmate search database. The search is free and shows current custody status.

The county operates four jail facilities across the region. Robert Presley Detention Center in downtown Riverside is the main intake point. Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility is in Banning. Cois M. Byrd Detention Center is in French Valley near Murrieta. John J. Benoit Detention Center is out in Indio.

Each facility has its own phone number. Robert Presley is (951) 955-4500. Smith is (951) 922-7300. Byrd is (951) 696-3050. Benoit is (760) 863-8252. Call the intake facility first if you are not sure where someone is. They can point you to the right place.

For records from the sheriff, contact their Records Division at (951) 955-2440. The sheriff handles arrests made in unincorporated areas and cities that contract for law enforcement. Cities like Moreno Valley and Perris use the sheriff instead of their own police force.

Request Arrest Records in Riverside

You have a few options for getting arrest records in Riverside. The path you take depends on who made the arrest and what info you need.

For city police arrests, start with the Riverside Police Department. Call dispatch at (951) 354-2007 or visit the station. Ask about their records request process. You may need to fill out a form and pay a copying fee. Victims can often get free copies of their case reports. Others pay based on the document length.

For county arrests or jail records, go through the sheriff. The county uses an online public records portal. You can also submit requests by mail or in person. The sheriff reviews requests under California law and releases what is allowed. Active investigations and certain personal data may be withheld.

California gives agencies 10 days to respond to public records requests. They can ask for more time if the request is complex. You will get a letter explaining the status. Simple requests often come back faster. Big requests for many documents take longer to process.

California Criminal History Records

The California Department of Justice keeps statewide arrest records. Local agencies like Riverside Police send booking data to the DOJ. This creates a central database of criminal history info. The DOJ uses this for background checks and law enforcement purposes.

You can request your own criminal history from the DOJ. Go to a Live Scan location and submit fingerprints. The DOJ charges $25 for a personal record review. Results show arrests, charges, and case outcomes from across California. This is the most complete picture of your arrest history in the state.

Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains state summary criminal history. This includes arrests from all California law enforcement agencies. It is more complete than checking just one local department.

California has automatic record relief under Penal Code sections 851.93 and 1203.425. The DOJ reviews records monthly and grants relief to eligible cases. This is not the same as expungement. The record still exists but gets a notation that relief was granted. This can help with employment and licensing background checks.

Riverside Arrest Record Access Laws

California law balances public access with privacy concerns. Arrest records are partly public. The basic facts of an arrest are usually available. Detailed reports may be restricted depending on case status.

The California Public Records Act governs what you can get from local agencies. Police must release certain information upon request. This includes arrest logs with names, charges, and dates. Detailed investigation files are often exempt until the case closes.

Booking photos and basic arrest data are typically public. You can find this info through online databases and arrest logs. For copies of formal reports, you need to submit a request. The agency reviews each one and decides what can be released.

If you have an arrest on your record that did not lead to conviction, you may qualify to seal it. California law lets you petition under Penal Code 851.91. This is different from expungement. Sealing hides the arrest from most public searches while keeping it accessible to law enforcement.

Other Riverside County Cities

Riverside County has many cities. Some have their own police and others use the sheriff.