San Bernardino County Arrest Records

A San Bernardino County arrest record is the official document created when someone is taken and booked by police, showing details like the person’s name, description, charges, and booking information. The California Public Records Act requires that certain parts of this "current arrest information" be made public, such as the name, time, and place of arrest, charges, and bail, unless releasing it would put someone in danger or interfere with an investigation (Gov. Code §§ 7923.610-7923.615). A separate set of rules covers criminal offender record information (CORI), a complete history of someone’s arrests and case results. CORI is defined in Penal Code § 11075 and regulated by Penal Code §§ 11105 and 13300, which ensure these complete records stay private and are only shared with approved agencies or the person the record is about.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in California?

Yes. Most arrest records are open to the public, meaning anyone can typically request and view them per California’s Public Records Act (CPRA). To preserve privacy or the integrity of investigations, some information is off-limits. For example:

• Juvenile arrest records are almost always confidential.
• Ongoing investigations may keep some records sealed until the case is closed.
• Personal information, like Social Security numbers, medical details, or victim names, is removed or blacked out.
• Some records connected to officer conduct (such as use of force cases) may be released under state transparency laws, but even those may be partially redacted.

In practice, the public can usually see the basic facts about an arrest, who, when, where, and why, but not all of the background details. If someone needs official or more sensitive copies, identification and proof of connection to the case are often required.

San Bernardino County Arrest Search

San Bernardino County residents and researchers who need arrest records or inmate information have several reliable places to turn. One major pathway is through various resources, providing broad access to law enforcement and corrections information.

The San Bernardino County Superior Court offers a medium through the court’s online portal and courthouse records where requesters can search to obtain details about the legal side of an arrest, such as case filings, upcoming hearings, or the outcome of a trial. For anyone following a case or confirming whether an arrest led to formal charges, the Superior Court is the official source.

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) provides a more complete look at a person’s history within the state. Through a Record Review (RAP sheet) process, individuals can request their own statewide criminal history. This requires fingerprinting through Live Scan and a fee, but it returns a comprehensive report showing every arrest and case reported in California.

At the national level, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) allows people to request an Identity History Summary, sometimes referred to as a federal background check. Unlike local searches, this record covers arrests and convictions reported to the FBI by federal agencies and other law enforcement bodies across the country. Requests are made online through the FBI’s secure portal, mail, or FBI-approved channeler and can be used for everything from personal review to employment clearance.

San Bernardino County Inmate Locator

While state and federal databases provide broader arrest records, residents of San Bernardino County often rely on local resources for the most immediate updates on who is currently in custody.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department runs an Inmate Locator that is often the first stop for families and attorneys. By entering a person’s name, date of birth, or booking number, users can quickly see if someone is in custody, where they are housed, what charges they face, and whether a release date has been set. This tool provides the most direct and up-to-date picture of who is currently held in county jails.

Beyond the inmate search, residents can also obtain arrest records directly from local enforcement agencies. The Sheriff’s Department and municipal police departments across the county, such as the San Bernardino Police Department, Ontario Police Department, and Fontana Police Department, maintain Records Divisions that handle requests for arrest reports, booking information, and arrest logs from their jurisdictions. Some agencies post daily arrest bulletins online, while others require a formal records request.

Active Warrant Search in San Bernardino County

A judge can authorize law enforcement to make an arrest of a specific individual by issuing an arrest warrant. Warrants are issued when there is enough evidence (probable cause) to charge someone with a crime but the person is not already in custody.

Most of the time, a warrant will have:

• The name and other identifying information of the suspect
• The crime that was said to have happened
• The judge’s signature and the date it was issued
• Information about bail, if it applies

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department does not issue or maintain warrants; its role is limited to serving them once they have been authorized by the court (San Bernardino Superior Court), which is the official body that issues and keeps track of arrest warrants.

The Sheriff’s Office does not provide an online warrant search tool for the public. Instead, warrant status can be checked through the Superior Court’s online case information portal, which allows searches by name or case number. If a warrant exists, it will appear in the related case file. Members of the public may also inquire directly with the court’s criminal division, or, if on probation, through their probation officer. In some situations, attorneys or bail agents may assist with verification.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in San Bernardino

Several resources allow the public to access information at no cost.

For example, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department provides a free online Inmate Locator, which makes it possible to check current custody status without charge. In addition, many local police departments, including the San Bernardino Police Department, publish daily arrest logs that give residents an overview of recent law enforcement activity.

Members of the public can visit law enforcement offices in person at no cost to inspect arrest records. While viewing records in person is free, requesting and receiving copies (whether printed or digital) typically incurs a fee.

Likewise, requesters can search arrest records freely using third party websites. Although many require payment to view full details. These platforms often use old or incomplete data, which can make them less accurate.

San Bernardino Arrest Report

An arrest record in San Bernardino County is a summary entry in the county’s custodial or case systems that shows that someone was taken into custody. It has information that can help identify the person, like their name, booking number, arrest date, and the charges against them. The arrest report, on the other hand, is the story that the officer who made the arrest wrote. It tells what happened during the arrest, including what was seen, what evidence was gathered, and why the person was taken into custody.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in San Bernardino

The members of the public in San Bernardino County can clear their records in different ways, with Penal Code §1203.4 allowing those convicted of a misdemeanor or certain felonies to ask the court to erase their record once they have completed probation, paid all fines, and stayed out of trouble. This means getting copies of their court papers, filing a request with the court, and sometimes going to a hearing. If the judge agrees, the conviction is dismissed. A new law, SB 731, also allows some people who went to prison to apply after two years of release. If someone was arrested but never convicted, they can ask the court to seal the arrest record under Penal Code §851.91, and young people with juvenile records can ask the juvenile court to seal theirs too. For people who served prison time, a Certificate of Rehabilitation may help them show they have changed and can even lead to a Governor’s Pardon. While the record is not entirely removed, these actions make it more difficult for the public to view, which may facilitate employment, housing, and a new beginning.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

The only reliable way to get rid of an arrest record online in San Bernardino is to first have it sealed by the San Bernardino County Superior Court. If someone was arrested but not convicted, they can ask the court to seal their arrest under California Penal Code § 851.91. The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, Superior Court, and other agencies must update their records once the judge gives the order.

Once the person has the court order, they can contact the websites that posted the arrest information and ask that it be taken down. Under California’s AB 1475, mugshot sites cannot charge a fee to take records down, and most will comply once proof of sealing or dismissal is provided. After the source site removes the content, the person should use Google’s "Remove Outdated Content" tool to ensure the deleted pages no longer appear in search results.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A San Bernardino County public records list the following:

• Full legal name (and any other names)
• Date, time, and place of the arrest
• Facility name and booking number
• Arresting agency and officer IDs
• Charges, with the appropriate sections of the Penal Code
• Height, weight, and other identifying details about the person
• The amount of bail, if any
• Case or booking disposition when possible