California Free Public Records | Criminal | Arrests

Where can I find access to and a copy of my divorce decree in California?

Divorce decrees are requested from the superior court in the county where the divorce was filed. The certificate of record for divorces between 1962 and June 1984 from the California department of public health does not say whether the divorce was finalized in court. The CDPH gives you links to both superior county courts and county recorders' offices.
How do I obtain a full copy of my criminal history in California?

Many different services and methods are used to conduct a criminal history search. You have more access to your records than others in the general public since the privacy of personal information is not a concern. You can request your arrest records directly from the police department. When you conduct your search, the records can supplement a background check used by the public. You can request a California Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint criminal history check. Even this search requires a consent form to be submitted when requesting the search. Please look at their coverage; it's comprehensive regarding criminal records compared to many private services. If you believe there may be criminal records, you can check court records on your own; where and how depends on which court/county, as courts are the source of records found in a typical background check. The link below (California Criminal Records) will take you to the state and FBI criminal history checks.
How do I find mugshots, arrest records, and active warrants online for free in California?

You will have to dig it up; you can start by looking up local periodicals such as news publications, arrest logs, and inmate lists provided by law enforcement. Arrest records are provided by the law enforcement agency which created the report. You can check the department's site for warrants. Larger departments tend to have better online resources.
How can I get a copy of my discovery in California?

There are circumstances where the public can obtain discovery and other circumstances where they are not. Was the discovery introduced into evidence or filed in court? Or was the discovery used as evidence, such as photos/images of a traffic violation by the police? Court hearings on discovery are presumed open to the public; however, discovery (not presented in court) such as document productions, interrogatories, and depositions are not. You can check California law more, specifically about discovery; there are other factors to consider before seeing whether it's open to the public. Civil and criminal rules differ; you will need to check how they apply separately.
Where can I find, in California, access to my trial transcripts from July 10th, 2013, through July 13th, 2013?

Court procedures, costs, and policies can vary from venue to venue. However, court transcripts are public records and available to request from anyone. To answer it specifically, one must know which court it was in. Generally, you will need information you probably already have or can get with a case search. You will need to know the court reporter's name, case number, date of proceeding, and name of the judge or department. For Riverside county court, a form is provided for the public to use and request the transcripts online or by mail. The court reporter's name can be found in the minute order for that hearing date.
How do I find, in California, a case number for a traffic ticket?

Traffic citations are issued by state highway patrol (CHP), county sheriffs, and city police. In some counties, you can look up information online, and it's whether that particular agency makes it accessible online or not. There are instructions for public record copy requests within county web pages, including traffic violations. Larger counties are more likely to have better public search services.
Where can I find information for free on an individual with a criminal background in California?

Free public records, criminal or other types, are scattered throughout the internet. Some of which you can easily find, and others, a simple SERP search, is not going to be enough. California is a state which strives to stay ahead with technology, and its largest cities employ services with the help of the web. If you don't know the different addresses under the person you are checking, a search of all residences will help with where to look for records, not in the current location. Free searches do not jump out of the SERPs; however, many do not appear easily. When looking for free criminal records, a single site cannot show everything, as small bits of information can be found on different sites. Criminal courts can be found online with their policy and services to request criminal case files. Police departments, including the LAPD, LASD, and many others, have free online arrest logs and inmate/in-custody searches with photos/mug shots. There may be databases with free criminal information known by others; by mentioning the area/county/city, there may be posts to help with searches you may have missed.
Where can I find in California how to remove my public record?

All records do not come from the same place; some may have common providers, but not a single place has all the records. Therefore, no one place can eliminate them. There may be services that do that or claim to do so. If you find the source, you will see what you need to remove or strike erroneous data. Once the record/information is out from the initial source, it can take a life of its own and go to many other databanks or work in conjunction with other data. Information removal and procedures are specific to the record type and its custodians or departments.
Where can I find the California Public Records Act and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)?

Open public record and meeting statutes, sunshine laws, freedom of information act are just a few ways to describe the same thing, the right to request and obtain copies from the government. Although the federal government was not the first to face transparency issues, when the federal freedom of information act passed, many states modeled their laws after the federal government's.

As states pass their public records and open meeting laws, some are more favorable toward transparency and others privacy. However, these statutes are amended to meet new technologies for obtaining information. An example of this scenario was when there was a debate regarding government employee emails and whether this type of information is subject to disclosure.

Statutes are now better in tune with technology. There have been many statutes passed in recent years to serve the public's need better, especially when investigating a government department. The California Public Records Act (CPRA) was passed in 1968 by the state's voters and, more recently, proposition 59 in 2004. Groups, organizations, and concerned citizens feel that open records promote government accountability. These laws have many agencies appointing a public information officer in charge of requests.

When requestors believe that the agency violates public record laws, they go to court. Many of these cases set precedence for related upcoming issues. There are many gray areas, but the public information officer's role is not to determine whether or not open records laws apply.

Here are a few organizations: National Freedom of Information Coalition, First Amendment Coalition in San Rafael, Californians Aware in Carmichael, CA, and First Amendment Project.
Where can I find what information will appear in criminal background histories in California?

Criminal records are generally of convicted offenders. Arrests alone and warrants may not appear in background checks you order from a company or the state. The sources of information are usually from the agency that shows up on the current or archived article. So if a person is charged and arrested without a conviction, the information will most likely not appear on background criminal histories. There are many sources to conduct background checks for prior criminal convictions. Some private companies, as well as state agencies, provide this service. What they cover can vary quite a bit between the companies and various government agencies. So checking to see the coverage listed on their site will give a good picture of what you should expect. Some only show criminal records and others can include other public information such as assets, recorded real property, addresses, and so forth. There is no one standard background check for everyone. What you can get depends on the sources you have used. Employers within guidelines are common requestors of background checks. When concerned about what others will see about you, try to use the same source used by the possible employer. If the arrest updates scroll through, chances are the employer is not monitoring for a particular name. The greatest challenge may be finding out what source an employer uses to conduct background searches. The prospective employees can request a copy of their background checks, and you will be able to see what is in the report, but by then, it may be too late. The next application may be to an employer using a different service. Some employers, mostly larger ones, will state a background search will be ordered directly on the application. Many of the applications from companies are available online. So, by doing your homework, you can find what you need from your computer anywhere. The news information may be archived for some time, and it is probably better for an employer to search there if the history dates back far enough to be worth the effort. Another point to consider is the level of security required by the position being sought. For higher security clearances, even by private firms that may be contracted by the government or working with proprietary products, background checks can include the services of a private investigator searching.
How do I find out in California where someone is in jail?

If you don't have the inmate number or location, you can do a name search on California's department of corrections website. These are generally post-conviction and will show the current locations, some even in other states such as Arizona. There's a direct link to the facility next to inmates' names, and you can then navigate through the facility's site for contact information. For recent arrests or before conviction, arrest logs are published here or by location in various county sheriffs or police sites.
Where can I find, in California, a copy of real estate liens?

Do you know where or in which county the real estate property is located? Land ownership documents are generally at the county registrar's office, and legal filings are at county courts.
How can I determine what I've been charged in California if I have my booking number?

Check with county logs from LA, OC, and San Diego to Sacramento. All you need to do is go directly to the police's website, then look for booking, jail, inmate, or any other similar term link, then to where you can look up recent bookings.
Where do I find in California my school records if I didn't graduate from high school?

I went back to my old school after a long time trying to get the diploma at an adult school, and they still had my records, even though I didn't graduate and several years had passed.
Where do I find out if someone has changed their last name in California?

The California courts have a self-help webpage on legally changing a name. There's a part about filing the name change where it says, "The clerk will stamp your forms with "Filed," keep the original, and return the copies to you," which means the clerk can provide copies. Also, in most cases, the "Order to Show Cause for Change of Name" form must be published in a newspaper. The court should have a list of the ones which publish the legal notices. You can see more information about it on that page.
Where do I find in California if I have an arrest warrant?

County sheriff's departments publicly list warrants on their web pages, for example, in San Diego and Orange counties. Sometimes it has its page from the county government, such as the one in Napa; in other cases, the superior court's website will publish warrants (ex., Kern). Generally, these are county-level records.
Where do I find it in California? When is my court date?

In which county? Most cases are in county superior courts in CA. Court calendars should be open to the public; some will make it easy and put it online.
Where can I find in California, my divorce records?

The county superior court where the divorce was filed.
Where can I find in California, my attorney's name?

If you don't have the lawsuit/case filing with the name on it, you can do a court records search under your name; depending on which county, it can be free to the public.
Can I find out if a person has a criminal record in California?

Unless you request statewide criminal records search from a paid service, you will need to go to individual counties and look them up. For example, the county courts in LA let you search criminal cases on the net. Go to the county search at the top of this page and then click on the Los Angeles drop-down menu. That will take you to the links list, and click on "Los Angeles County Court Records:" which will take you to a list of case searches you can do online. If you're unsure which counties to search, you can start with a people finders search that shows a list of addresses and present and past addresses to search other areas/counties.
Where can I find, in California, a police report of my arrest?

Have you tried to request the arrest report directly from the police department? Was there a defense attorney who may provide you (the client) with a copy? Police departments have their sites with a webpage explaining the process of requesting a police report. You can also see whether it will cost you anything since some departments don't charge the person arrested for the first copy.
Where can I find in California the birthday of an inmate?

The information you will see when searching the California Department of Corrections is a line that shows the inmate's age and the current location, admission date, and cdcr number. The age is helpful before you look for the date of birth. If the person you are searching for has a common name, the age will let you sort through the ones that are off from the current age. It can narrow down and tell if you're looking at the correct date of birth and person. Finding records is about digging them up all over the net, even at physical locations like the courthouse. Put the inmate search, birthday search, and people finders search together and pinpoint the date if you can.
Where can I find in California if someone has a legal California driver's license?

You can contact the DMV, but there are policies such as a minimum damage amount to qualify.
Where can I find in California, a divorce record if I don't know the county?

You can try to conduct an address history search. It should be easier if the spouse's name also appears in that search. The last address under both names is an excellent place to look.
Where can I find information on violence or disturbing the peace in California, where police were called?

Try crime mapping; you can find them on some police sites or do a SERP search, it does not include all agencies, but it can help with many significant areas.
How do I find property records in California on the house?

Depending on the type of records, simply a deed or ownership information, the county recorders offices can give you copies. Another is scouring past sales, which are lingering on the net. They will also list ownership and more. For LA, it is on Norwalk; you can walk in and request them or do it online for property records since 1850; their site says, "Any member of the public can search and request real estate records." It may be worth the money, certified copies are six dollars, and plain copies are five.
How can I view my California arrest report?

Go to their site, which will tell you how to request them. Defense attorneys usually order a copy also and can provide it to their clients. The LAPD's site, for example, tells you what you need to give the clerk to request it. There are policies with requirements when an attorney or another person asks for the police report; however, if it is of your own, the privacy issue doesn't exist. The process to get them is not the same for all departments; it depends on the county or department which made the arrest.
How do I find out what county and courthouse in California a 20-year-old murder case was tried in?

It depends on how much you know about the case, the names of defendants, victims, and other factors. Even the attorney's name can help, as you can see where they practice online, telling you where/which court to look into.
How do I find out if my boyfriend went to jail in California?

You can check court records for convictions at the county courthouse. Also, police reports are public records, although they tend to be more challenging to obtain than court records.
How do I find out my court date in California?

Court calendars are publicly open online. You can use the link http://www.courts.ca.gov/From there, select the superior court and the county. Once you're on the county court's page, you will see a portal for civil or criminal calendars.
Are autopsy reports in California public records, and how do I obtain one?

According to the medical examiner in Santa Clara, autopsy reports are public under California state open records laws. This includes laboratory/toxicology reports. Where to request them depends on the county you are requesting them from. Let's take Santa Clara county, the first one that came up on my SERPs; it takes up to 3 to 6 months for completion; after that, you can submit your request for the report. There's a number to call and check whether the report is completed or restricted (see The California Public Records Act (PRA), Government Code Sections 6250 to 6270). SC county costs less than six dollars and takes about two weeks. Videos and photos taken by the coroner of the deceased body are not public and need a court order to obtain them.
Can I see in California if I currently have an arrest warrant?

Which county/city is the warrant from? Law enforcement departments, such as LA, and San Diego, will sometimes have their warrants posted online.
How can I get a copy of court minutes for a particular case in California?

You can reach the court for transcripts without knowing precisely which county; it's hard to tell exactly what is required.
How do I check if someone is in custody in California?

You can go directly to the area's police department or sheriffs; depending on the department's online services, their website can show recent arrests. Cities such as LA, OC, and others put their arrest logs online for the public to check. Newspapers/online publications also show recent arrests. You'll need to know which city to save you a lot of time.
How and where do I request police dash cam or body camera footage in California?

How and where to request police dashcams or body camera footage is a relatively new question, as more departments across the United States are increasingly utilizing these. The answer to many of the questions surrounding recorded video by police is straightforward and not surprising as it is similar to so many other requests from law enforcement departments. Police and sheriffs are under state open records laws, not the freedom of information act which is for requesting federal records. Available records, laws, and procedures can vary from one state or department to another. In addition, you have the individual department's records division to deal with. It is not uncommon for law enforcement departments to deny access to public records for various reasons. Reasons can be that the case is under investigation or must be requested as part of discovery.
How do I find divorce records from 1989 to 1991 in California?

In California, divorce records are available from the superior court in the county where the divorce was filed. The California department of public health issues a "Certificate of Record" for divorces from 1962 to 6/1984. A certificate of the record is not considered a certified copy and does not include information such as whether the divorce was finalized. The certificate of record will show the name of the parties, where the divorce was filed, and its case number.
How do I find out someone's parole probation status in California?

You can check the board of parole hearings proceeding schedules online from July to December. Use the key terms: Parole Hearing Schedule, California Department of Corrections. That should land you on the page where you will see a link to the year listing the schedule. On the same page, the menu to the right will have a set of links, one of them being "Proceedings" when you click on that; it will drop down to a hyperlink where you can see about requesting parole suitability hearing transcripts. According to this web page, the Board of Parole Hearings (BPH) will provide free electronic transcripts upon request. If the transcripts are from before 2001, they can be requested from the microfilm but comes with a per-page charge, which is relatively low.
How do I check my court records for tax lien and creditor debts to fix my TRW in California?

You can begin your search by checking the case finder above that's open to the public. You can choose the case type, bankruptcy, civil, criminal, or all case type. You can search private companies involved with lawsuits by looking up keywords associated with their name(s).
Where can I find in California a case number for my divorce in 1992?

Where was the case filed? Court records can be searched under parties' names.
How do I get free copies of death certificates and arrest records in California?

If you want free public records, you'll have to dig them up where ever you can find them. Arrest records, for example, can be found in criminal case files, which means a trip to the courthouse. Some cases can be found online, but there are access charges. The information about arrests or deaths can be published throughout the net by looking up death notices, jail inmate logs, and more. However, there will be charges from the department or agency providing certificates and official reports. There are exceptions; some police departments will waive the fee for a police report if the requester is in the information.
How can I find out an upcoming court date in California?

Check the calendar for that specific court. They're free and open online to the public.
Where can I find in California the need for an expungement, and how to have your record removed?

Multiple firms offer record expungement services. These are attorneys that go and petition the court to have your record removed from public view. Not sure if that covers high-security clearances. You may be asked if you were ever convicted, and I wouldn't think deleting your record changes that fact. Before considering the expungement of your record, it is recommended that you search your background to see what others, such as employers, can obtain about you. If you can find out which service the employer uses, you can see precisely what they see. However, we don't know in most cases, or they conduct their own by taking your information and having you sign a release. Still, in many cases, the prospective applicant does not know which background check service is utilized.
Where do I find how to place documents on a public record site in California?

The information is from external independent sources, generally, government sites that are custodians of public records. Public documents are recorded and maintained by numerous government agencies throughout California at various levels. Registrar offices in California counties record, maintain and provide copies of deeds, marriage certificates, and many other documents. Public record sites are a directory to directly connect to departments and entities that provide specific data or official documentation.
Where can I find in California the large sum of money in an unknown bank account for my daughter as a result of a car accident in 2001?

Check the unclaimed property website in the state she was in the accident. It should be at the county clerk's office as unclaimed property.
Where can I find in California a report of my brother's death?

There are different kinds of documentation on a death, depending on if it is a natural death, expected death ie, from an illness, accidental death, or death due to criminal intent. Each has distinct criteria for record keeping. You will need to know the county of the death and go from there either contacting vital statistics to get a death certificate, the coroner for an autopsy report, or the investigating agency. Sorry for your loss. Also, if the death is due to criminal intent, contact the District Attorney's office for several victim advocates' offices.
Where can I find in California access to arrests for felony DUI in 2012?

Arrest records are generally requested from the police department which made the arrest. If looking for 2012 stats from the LAPD, the archives page shows up to 2011, which is too recent to be listed there. The tab which takes you to 'year in review' will have the 2012 annual report and crime statistics summary, which goes up to 2013.
Where can I find out if anyone has died in my home in California?

Which city is it in? Local periodicals carry stories of their local area, and the library closest to it may be able to be more helpful when it comes to these types of events. You can also look up on your own to see who the previous owners were and look up deaths by name and time, and that will narrow the timeline to which publication to look up. Also, you can look up the law as to what the seller's responsibility was to inform the buyer and does it cover all owners. The sellers may have purchased the home from previous owners who disclosed a death.
Where can I find access to arrest records by asking questions in open forums in California?

When faced with a problem, we have no answer; we look to others for assistance. With the internet being a big part of making our lives easier, many turn to blogs and forums looking for helpful tips. However, many go unanswered. The tips below are from a full-time blogger with over six years of experience in the field.

Be Concise

Provide the information. Organize your thoughts before typing them in, and organize them further once typed in. Make sure your message is getting across before posting it. Put yourself in a reader's place who has no background knowledge of you or your issue.

Check The Spelling
Spelling errors are an unnecessary hindrance to getting your question answered correctly. Remember, the person reading your post for the first time does not have any background information and may be easily confused. Additionally, there's no legitimate excuse other than lack of effort, as spell check is automatically in place.

Be Specific Without Giving Too Much Information

There is a balance between posting too much information and being too vague. Being too vague presents a good possibility of not having your question answered, whether due to the answer being too broad in return or not helpful at all. On the other hand, making your question too detailed can effectively lose your readers. Keep a balance of making your point as easily as possible and seemingly as possible with adequate information to respond.

Questions With Names Are Discouraged
Why is that? Why can't I ask if John Doe was convicted of this horrible crime I just described? The answer is made clear in this sample question. When posting a question, many forums will look to filter posts that refer to an individual's name, which can be incriminating.

Giving And Receiving Legal Advice
This one, to most readers, is a no-brainer! But others may ask for advice regarding a legal matter due to desperation. This is not recommended for obvious reasons. However, advice about legal procedures and where and how to find sources for the information is encouraged. Responses that cite the source and refer to answers found elsewhere are often posted with credit. Credible personal experiences that can be helpful are also passed on to readers.

There's nothing to say and guarantee that some unintended posts don't get through from time to time. Some may have hidden messages or slipped through under the radar. The best efforts are made as an unpopular forum is ineffective. In other words, there's great motivation to keep the blog and its posts within specific guidelines.
Where can I find out if public records are used to spy on others in California?

The answer is yes if you consider others looking at your public information spying. How far can a member of the public that I don't even know go into my records? How much can they find out? How do I know when someone is looking at my information? The answers are no longer as apparent to most people, even regarding public records.
How much can be found out from public records? The most accurate answer will come from you searching your records or hiring a professional. Searching for ourselves gives us the advantage of not looking for records, such as criminal history when we are aware that they will come back blank, so there is no need to bother and waste money. However, don't be easily fooled into getting too comfortable; this is only a minor setback, not to mention that the person searching may be better skilled in finding records than you are.
Do we know all the information out there about you? You will have a few of your peers say "Well, you already know all the information about yourself out there; what are you looking for?". Not necessarily! Self-background checks are conducted for just that reason. Many running a review on themselves, whether on their own at home from a computer or a hired service, are surprised at the amount of information out there. Even after tireless efforts are being made to fight identity theft, a wealth of information is still readily available. On one side, you have privacy protections, and on another side, the people's right to access public records.
When does the right to public records interfere with individual privacy? Individual privacy excludes companies and public entities as they do not have the same protections. Privacy and the right to access public records cross each other's paths. Financial information is protected, but bankruptcy filings can be requested from the courts, is everything within the record open to the public? Can the public see assets listed within a divorce case file? There are many questions regarding privacy, and cases should be looked at individually. Adding to the problem is erroneous information about you that is out there.
What are my options? Each individual's case can be different, and there is no single quick answer for everyone. The information available can vary significantly from one person to another. However, some tips can be helpful to the average person. Begin with conducting a fishing expedition of your records of anything that may contain your name, tel. Number, address, business/company, affiliations/association with others, and social networks. Remember that information about you can be in places where you'd never imagine. Are you skilled in looking and finding records? If not, hire private services for a better thorough job.
Why can't I get someone's name and residence from the California department of motor vehicles?

Safety and liability are major concerns when dealing with personal information, whether private or public. One piece of information may be shared, such as the address, but when the department of motor vehicles puts it with a person's name, it can become a problem of intrusion for the individual. Different departments can enforce their policies as long as they are not interfering with the freedom of information statutes. Another example is deeds that show a person's spouse or family trust. Therefore, agencies sometimes need to set their policies. Electronic databases are not an exception. Many court records that are available online contain personal information that the agency would instead not be easily released. Although these records are deemed public, a requestor can be asked for a permissible purpose for the info. The data can be modified to have portions omitted from being released. Similar to how court records were blacked out.
Where can I find a copy of my arrest record in California, as I need it in court?

Since it is your arrest record, you can skip many privacy concerns connected to the information released. The arresting police department probably has a website with a page regarding the process of obtaining a police report, which is a commonly requested document from law enforcement. Depending on the department, in some instances, the individual arrested does not need to pay for the report, and most can be requested with a form online or mail it in. The LAPD's policy states that if the arrest occurred within six months, you could get it from the public defender or your private attorney. When representing yourself, you can call the city attorney for misdemeanors (punishable by a year in prison or less) and the district attorney for felony cases (offenses punishable by more than a year of imprisonment). Policies vary from one county/city to another. To be specific, it is essential to know which department or where the arrest occurred; however, the Los Angeles model may resemble or resemble the other agency records department's process.
Where can I find the service an employer orders criminal history checks from in California?

You may not need to know which background checks the employer uses if you use the one from the state that requires fingerprints. Some individuals looking for work may think that a police department is where you order a background check, which can be accurate, but as good as this source may be, it probably only covers that area, not the entire state. The state of California's justice department offers fingerprint-based background checks.
Where can I find in California if a background check can keep you from buying high-capacity magazines?

Restrictions on high-capacity magazines and background checks do not have much to do with each other. If a ban is in place, regardless of whether an individual passes the bill, they will not be able to obtain them as per law. These federal laws; states like California already have these rules, such as the ban on high-capacity magazines.
Where can I find the names and addresses of the people arrested last week in California?

One avenue to take is looking at the jail or in-custody lists from the arresting agency. You will probably not get the address. You can see the location where the arrest took place. You can look at news wires; some publications list recent arrests weekly. They may mention the city where offenders are from, but again, probably not the address.
Where can I find in California the largest city to go bankrupt?

Stockton will be the largest city in the U.S. to file for bankruptcy to date. Amongst the main contributing factors that led to the city's Chapter 9 filing are lower revenues from property taxes after the housing market downfall. Other factors in the city's path to bankruptcy were loans to build hotels, a promenade, a marina, and other amenities to attract conventions and businesses. A surplus of homes was also made to meet a hopeful future that has raised the amounts that residents and builders have loans that aren't being paid and property that is not producing income. The city not only suffers the second highest rate of foreclosures in the country, but it is also the second most violent city in the nation. One hundred ninety million dollars were spent on Stockton building the marina, city hall, city parking garages, and an entertainment center. There have been cuts to the city's budget, such as cutting the police force by 25%, fire, and rescue by almost a third, and pay reduction, lowering other city workers by 43%. Bondholders, retirees, and contractors will feel most of the cuts after the bankruptcy. The river port city voted and passed a law regarding debt mediation adding an essential tool to city officials' bargaining. Projections show the city's deficit between $20 to $38 million in 2012-2013. Incorporated on July 23, 1850, Stockton is in San Joaquin County, California's 13th largest city. There have been negative press articles about the town, with Forbes naming Stockton as the most miserable city in the United States. The Central Connecticut State University named it the least literate in the county in 2005 and 2006. The city's largest employers are the county government, the unified school district, and the medical center.
Where can I find in California if there are any requirements for being the custodian of records?

Custodian of records background checks. From January 1st, 2011, penal code 11102.2(b) requires 'custodians of records' to undergo a background check. All custodians or records must pass a fingerprint-based search of criminal records processed by the DOJ. Individuals applying for the custodian of records will be rejected if a history of felonies, offenses connected to fraud, deception, or other indications of dishonesty are found. The application process requires agencies to complete an annual notification, an application for confirmation, and a live scan request form and pay the processing fees by the department of justice and the federal bureau of Investigation. Every agency, whether state or federal, is urged to appoint a minimum of one custodian of records with the responsibility and duty to satisfy requests for information from the public under the law. This is to enforce the responsibilities of government agencies in providing public records and have specific personnel appointed with the responsibility of these tasks. This is to eliminate past frustrations of 'getting the runaround' from department employees, none of which are in charge of or responsible for lawful public requests. These regulations are in place addressing the responsibility of a government agency regarding their department's employees. Many other laws are in place to facilitate the public's request for records, such as guidelines for reasonable agency fees and timeliness to respond. There is a certain amount of time allotted to respond to requests. Since many types of records and the burden of providing them can be time-consuming, guidelines can vary fees are requested. To maintain a balanced budget, cutbacks affect the process.
Where can I find in California access to press releases directly from public officials?

The Los Angeles county website lists press releases by the public office and individual government departments. The first through the fifth district press releases of each supervisor is listed along with department from the assessor's office to the recorder's office. These press releases are a means for the department or council members to communicate with the public and get their message out. The assessor's office is an excellent example of one of many purposes of their press releases. In a press release, the assessor's office discusses the issue of declining home prices and their assessments. The press release offers details regarding the approach the department will be taking. The district attorney's office press releases list charges and arrests within its jurisdiction dating as far back as 2003 when accessing the department's archives. The clerk recorder's office releases information on election results and other voter events. Other agencies, such as the California highway patrol and many other law enforcement departments, have live incident reports.
Where can I find which area has the highest auto theft in California?

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) releases statistical information regarding auto thefts in the U.S. These statistics are compiled from National Crime Information Center for each area. In the latest reports, Fresno is listed as number one in auto thefts in 2010, with 7,559 cars stolen and 7,621 in 2011. Modesto is in second place with less than four thousand thefts. Bakersfield Delano area had just over five thousand thefts but ranked third. The rankings are not solely based on the number of thefts but are calculated using the census bureau's previous year's population estimates and the number of thefts. The NICB vehicle theft study methodology shows explicitly how the numbers are compiled. These statistics are not the same as pointing to the highest overall crime rates. Other cities, such as St. Louis, Chicago, and Oakland, have higher violent crime rates. The latest news offers information that is more specific than statistical information. The Fresno police department announced that they would try to curtail the rising crimes in their areas by increasing law enforcement. There have been complaints in certain areas nearby Fresno State University's campus by students attending school.
Where can I acquire, in California, a copy of my divorce certificate?

Where was the divorce? In which county? I never heard of tonga! According to their site, you can try the California Department of Health, but they only accept mail-in requests. You can look up a County Registrars and Recorders list on the CDPH website and see where you can walk in and what to do about getting the record from either courts or recorders' offices.
Where do I find up-to-date information on a suspect in California jail? I am the mother of the injured child?

California prisons have a free search if you haven't done so. Search for: State of California Inmate Locator. Serps should have it on top. The first page that pops up should be the disclaimer. You will only need the last name; I could search with only the first two letters. If you need to look into county jails, type in your search engine: "Search for an inmate online in the following counties." You should get a webpage from the state's website with a list of counties, from Alameda to Ventura. Each of these links takes you to local jail searches within that county. LA and OC both have arrest logs, booking information, and arrest reports you can request online. How old are the case and its disposition? You can pull the case file from the court if it is recent. How much do you know about the case?
Where can I find information on a code section violated, a code violated, a disposition, and a case number for a past arrest in California?

Begin with the link to court records http://www.courts.ca.gov/to find the local court and its forms. The state of California publishes 29 codes covering different subject areas. Search for: Find California code, which should include the site with the state constitution and statutes. There is a keyword search that is helpful for people not familiar with the investigation.
Where can I find in California any records of divorce filed?

You will need to look in the courthouse where the suit was filed. If you are unfamiliar with court filings, California's judicial branch has a webpage on filing and records, including forms. Look for the self-help tab and then go to the divorce or separation page. Under the same self-help tab, you will see "find court resources" that page will take you to individual superior/county courts and their online services; many counties (most likely not all) have open case searches online.
Where can I find in California, my DUI arrest information?

A DUI arrest is similar to other arrests; the arresting officer makes their reports. Therefore, the report would be requested from that department. The arresting department will often mention what you need to do to order it on their sites. If the arrest is recent, you may see a lineup of people in custody on many of the department's sites, such as the mug shot.
Where can I find in California, old arrest records?

County sheriffs and city police departments make most arrests. Once you know the location, you can look up the particular department online on their website. Then, you can look for their public information or records division, how far back they go, and if archived, where they are kept. Older records are generally easier to obtain. Articles are naturally the first place research would look into. However, if you go to the county government's website, you can see where the archived records are kept. Knowing which area the arrest was in is helpful since you can go directly to that specific county/department's archives. Another critical factor is whether the arrest resulted in a case being filed, which will allow you to look up court records, another avenue to the arrest information.
Where can I find, in California, a copy of my entire public record?

You will need to request them from various departments and entities. For example, to get court records, you will need to check the courts' online services and see if you can request them online. Some services will go to the court and get them if it's not online. It's hard to imagine a single place or entity having everything.
Where do I find in California, If he has any warrants for his arrest?

Warrants are generally issued by the court, then given to the local police or sheriff's departments. For example, if you are in a larger county such as San Diego, you can do the warrants and arrest searches online using their department website directly.
Where can I find someone who shares the same last name with a public figure in California?

You have the same challenges as someone looking for a person with a common name that many others share. There are obvious ways to omit the wrong person, for example, middle name/initial, date of birth, and location. When you are searching, it is a collective of information that helps the most. A list of all past residences/addresses which come up under individuals is rarely identical and can be used to tell them apart. You will also pick up more information as your search continues, and it will eventually become easier to individualize seemingly similar records.
Where can I find in California, an online police report?

Have you checked to see if the case has been filed in criminal court? If so, in which county? Orange, LA, and a few others have online case summaries freely open to the public. You can also request more court documents/case files online, but there will be a fee from the court; it's relatively low for the convenience you get. There are plenty of free databases; you can start by narrowing down to which county/counties you can go to the courthouse even better, which is what a lot of firms do by sending couriers to do it for them.
Where can I find, in California, the owner's contact information for a specific property?

In California, property information and copies of deeds can be requested from the county registrars/recorder where the land is located. Different counties have different offices with their sites, and the property search webpage from the state will connect you to individual registrars' offices. You can see if the particular county office has walk-ins where searches can be performed at their physical location in real-time to view the information.
Where can I find someone in California whose I only know a nickname from the "streets?"?

By conducting an alias search, the doc and arrest information from places or the police department's inmate search. Former convicts that are on parole or released can also be searched. These various offenders list descriptions of tattoos, appearance, and known aliases. All these free searches can be done online from California's department of corrections and county/city jails.
Where can I find the court case and scheduled hearings and trials of the offender who assaulted me in California?

Court calendars will show upcoming cases set for trial. County courts in California have judicial webpages and services. Take LA, for example; there is free access to the upcoming cases by city. Searches can be conducted by name, case number, hearing date, or location, and cases can be looked up sixty days back. The information you will be able to see viewing the criminal court calendar is the judicial district the case is being heard, case number, party/criminal defendant name, arrest date, court house location, department, hearing time, and type of hearing. The civil court calendar shows the hearing date, time, event, case number, title, and file date. There is no limit to the number of searches you can conduct; it is a free access service from the county court.
Where can I find in California if the CHP provides police reports?

The CHP provides collision reports with instructions through their site. The reports are available by mail or in person, and you can obtain the report with only an approximate date and location.
Where can I find in California if I have a warrant for my arrest?

The court/judge generally issues warrants, and then the police receive them and put them in their system. It's helpful to know where the warrant was given out; some police websites have a free search of their most wanted, and larger cities in California have a contract look-up online.
Where can I find in California if I have a warrant out for my arrest?

A county judge/magistrate issues a majority of warrants. Each has its sites and policies for obtaining records (which can be identical). Warrants are also given to law enforcement for apprehension. Depending on the county, a visitor may post their personal experience requesting and obtaining warrant information.
Where can I find in California, contact information for an owner of a property?

Deeds in California are maintained by county recorders offices (registrar-recorder-county clerk)across the state. To specify how and where, you'll need to mention the county. However, most have the same policies. Deeds can be requested and viewed as they are considered public records. The registrar's office in Los Angeles, most likely the largest in California, does not provide an online search to the public; they recommend visiting the physical location in Norwalk. Other counties, such as Orange, allow a public index search, which means you see minimal information and not the entire recorded deed. The index search for OC can only be conducted with a name, doc. Type, doc. Several recording dates.
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California Public Records

Departments which record, maintain and provide official documents, certificates or information requested by the general public.

Information About People and Demographics