Westminster Arrest Records Search

Westminster arrest records are managed by the Westminster Police Department. This city of about 92,000 people is known as the heart of Little Saigon, the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. The police department handles arrests within city limits and maintains records that you can request through the public records process.

Westminster Police Department Records

The Westminster Police Department keeps records of all arrests in the city. To get copies of arrest reports, you submit a California Public Records Act request. The department has 10 days to respond under state law. Complex requests may take longer.

Contact the records division for help with your request. They can tell you what is available and how much copies cost. Processing times vary based on what you need. Simple requests come back faster than complex ones.

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

Orange County Jail and Westminster Arrests

People arrested by Westminster Police usually go to the Orange County Jail. The sheriff runs the jail system. Search for inmates at apps.ocsheriff.gov. Enter a name to check custody status.

The booking log shows recent arrests from across the county. Westminster arrests appear once the person is booked into the jail. 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 at the county level.

Note: The jail search shows current custody only, not historical arrest records.

Westminster Criminal Court Records

The Orange County Superior Court handles criminal cases from Westminster. The Westminster Courthouse is located right in the city at 8141 13th Street. This makes it convenient for local cases. Search court records at visionpublic.occourts.org.

Court records show what happened after an arrest. Were charges filed? Was there a trial or plea deal? What was the outcome? You can find case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and dispositions. The court record 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. The court follows California law on what stays public.

California Law on Arrest Records

Arrest records in Westminster follow California state law. Penal Code 13300 covers local summary criminal history. This is what police departments keep 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 refuse requests that might harm ongoing investigations.

For your own statewide record, contact the California DOJ. They maintain RAP sheets with all California arrests and court outcomes. The fee is $25 and requires fingerprints. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review for the full process.

Sealing Westminster Arrest Records

If your arrest did not result in a conviction, you may be able to seal the record. Penal Code 851.91 allows this. 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. Private employers will not see them. This helps with jobs and housing. Law enforcement and some government agencies can still see sealed records.

California also has automatic record relief under Penal Code 851.93. The DOJ reviews records monthly. Old arrests without conviction may get relief granted automatically. You do not need to apply. A note gets added showing relief was given.

For factual innocence, Penal Code 851.8 lets you petition to seal and destroy the record completely. This is harder to get but provides the strongest protection.

How to Search Westminster Arrest Records

There are several ways to find arrest records from Westminster. Different methods give different information.

• OC Sheriff jail search at apps.ocsheriff.gov for current custody
• Public records request to Westminster 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 cost money and take time. The DOJ charges $25 and requires fingerprints for your own record. Pick based on your needs.

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

Background Checks and Employment in Westminster

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

If an employer plans 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 databases. An old Westminster arrest could show even if charges were dropped. Sealing your record is the best way to prevent that from appearing.

Note: Jobs in law enforcement, childcare, and healthcare have different rules about criminal history checks.

Nearby Orange County Cities

Westminster is in central Orange County. Neighboring cities have their own police and records systems.

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