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  1. Ventura County Court
  2. Ventura County Arrest Records

Ventura County, California Arrest Records

Ventura County arrest records are documents and information that are maintained by law enforcement in connection with the taking of an individual into custody. Because most county arrests are executed by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, a significant number of these records are created and maintained by the Sheriff's Office. City law enforcement agencies such as the Oxnard Police Department and the City of Ventura Police Department also maintain arrest records within their respective jurisdictions. 

Recording and the dissemination of arrest records are governed by the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code Sections 6250–6270, and other statutory frameworks such as the California Penal Code § 11105 and § 13300 that governs the release of more detailed criminal history records based on privacy concerns. 

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Ventura, California?

Per California Public Records Act, all records regarding the conduct of the public's business are public information. Consequently, because arrests are done to protect public peace and safety, arrest records are generally classified as public records. This means every person has a right to inspect or copy specific records. Records are usually available during regular business hours at the office of the appropriate custodian or online through web-based portals.

However, some records are exempt from public disclosure by express provision of law. Consequently, an arresting agency is allowed to withhold records if it can demonstrate that,  on the facts of the particular case, the public interest served by withholding the records clearly outweighs the public interest served by disclosure.

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

The content of an arrest record typically varies by the unique circumstances of each arrest. However, most search results for a Ventura County arrest record typically provide the following details:

  • The full name of the arrested individual
  • Physical descriptors such as race, height, and date of birth
  • The charge
  • The date, time and location of arrest
  • The arresting agency
  • Booking details,  including booking number
  • Bail information;
  • Custody status; active or released

The exempted portions often include:

  • The arrested individual’s given statement after arrest 
  • Expunged records - records of arrest that have been expressly prohibited from disclosure by the order of a competent court 
  • The arrest record of a minor
  • Records that are material to an ongoing investigation
  • The identifying information of a witness or an informant

State law strives to balance the privacy of the arrested individual with the legitimate right of the public to view public records. The retention of sensitive information is used as a strategy to protect individuals against risk of reputational injury.

Ventura County,  California Arrest Search

Individuals can look up Ventura County arrest records in different ways, depending on how far the case has progressed.

If an arrest resulted in charges, case information is available via the Ventura County Superior Court Case Inquiry system. Searches can be performed by using the case number or defendant’s name.

Cases not appearing in the system can be researched in person through the Records Department  or by mailing a request to the department at:

Ventura Superior Court

Attn: Records Department

800 South Victoria Avenue

Ventura, CA 93009

Telephone: 805-289-8668

Telephone hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday

A search request costs $15 with a maximum of 15 names per request. Requests should be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order for the appropriate amount

If an individual was arrested by a federal law enforcement agency, the record of their arrest can be retrieved via the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) System. PACER is a federal government designated search tool for viewing criminal case files, including arrests and final dispositions of federal detainees from virtually anywhere within the country, including Ventura County, California. Registered users may utilize this online resource to search for criminal case files tied to an arrest by name or case number for a fee. 

The Bureau of Prison also offers the BOP Inmate Locator Tool for conducting online searches for incarcerated individuals by name or file case number.

Ventura County Inmate Locator

There are three main detention facilities in Ventura County: the PreTrial Detention Facility (PDTF), the Todd Road Jail, and the East County Jail. Ventura County arrestees are usually processed into one of these jails. The Ventura County Sheriff's Office features a search option for looking up details about individuals who have been arrested and are currently in custody. To use this tool:

  • Visit the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office website 
  • Locate the “Inmate Search" button”,  and click it.
  • The individual will be prompted with a search field where they can search for inmates by name, date of birth, or booking number
  • Next, follow the search clues and fill out the search fields appropriately
  • Click on “Search” below to initiate a database query.
  • Search results will return all relevant information related to the inmate's custody status.

Searches for arrest records can also be made in person at:

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

800 S. Victoria Ave

Ventura, CA 93009

Phone: 805-654-2380

Open: Monday – Friday

08:00 am – 05:00 pm

Closed: Saturday – Sunday

City law enforcement agencies such as the Ventura Police Department also maintain records of arrests occurring within their respective jurisdictions. Individuals can obtain Ventura City arrest reports by utilizing the NextRequest Portal for electronic requests. Users will need to fill out the Police Report Information Application. Upon request, the Ventura Police Department will provide arrest log information in compliance with Government Code 6254(f)(1), with the exception of arrest deemed “detention only.” 

Individuals can also choose to make a Public Records Request. They will need to describe the record as accurately as possible and provide their personal information. 

Active Warrant Search in Ventura County

An arrest warrant is a document issued by a judge authorizing the arrest of an individual based on the suspicion of a crime. It is typically issued upon the application of a law enforcement agency and the presentation of evidence that a crime occurred within Ventura County and that the individual committed it. If the judge is convinced by the evidence, the judge issues a document known as an arrest warrant which usually contains the following details:

  • The name of the court
  • The name of the suspect
  • A command that the individual should be arrested
  • The agency or officer to whom it is addressed
  • The allegations against the individual
  • Signature of the judge

Once issued,  they don't expire and they remain active until the named individual is arrested. 

Under California Law, warrants are public records but there is no full public database of all wanted persons. However, because these documents are issued by the courts, the best search option would be through the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura.

Use the case inquiry system to search by name or date of birth or visit the courthouse in person, the Ventura Hall of Justice. Court clerks or their designee can help check records or the individual can use the public access terminals available in the court lobby to check for warrants directly.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Ventura County

The gateway to finding Ventura County arrest records for free is to utilize the free inmate search feature available on the Ventura County Sheriff's Office to search by name or booking number. The service is completely free; no ID needed. The only drawback is that search results typically contain summaries and the comprehensive record. 

Requests for more comprehensive or certified information may be gotten in person at the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office:

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

800 S. Victoria Ave

Ventura, CA 93009

Phone: 805-654-2380

Open: Monday – Friday

08:00 am – 05:00 pm

Closed: Saturday – Sunday

Although there are no charges for inspection, individuals may have to pay a fee to make copies. 

Ventura County Arrest Report

An arrest report and an arrest record are related but distinct documents. An arrest report is prepared by an arresting officer and contains notations of the officer's direct observation during an arrest, including the suspect's conduct prior to arrest, overt actions leading to probable cause for arrest, weapons recovered, personal identifying information, as well as the date, time and location of arrest. 

In contrast, an arrest record is typically created during the booking process, which is the administrative process that records a suspect’s entry into custody following an arrest. It contains administrative and identifying information such as the individual's name, fingerprints, photographs, charges, and booking details. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Ventura County

The legal remedy for removing an arrest record under California Law is by dismissal, not expungement. Unlike expungement which totally erases a criminal record,  a dismissal order only restricts the public's access to a criminal record, while allowing criminal justice agencies, courts, and some licensing agencies to still view it. 

Nevertheless, the individual is able to lawfully tell a potential employer or anyone else that they have never been convicted.

While certain violent and sexual offenses cannot be expunged, individuals may petition the court for dismissal if they have met the following eligibility criteria under California Penal Code s 1203.4:

  • They have successfully completed the probation associated with the misdemeanor or felony
  • The probation was terminated early by the court
  • They were convicted without probation and at least one year has passed
  • They are not currently facing charges, neither are they on probation, or serving another sentence.
  • The sentence was served in a county jail with probation conditions satisfied; the condition did not result in a state imprisonment.

Once the eligibility criteria have been met, the individual must complete Form CR-180, and pay the associated fee, which typically ranges from $60 to $120. They will also need to attend a hearing if required. Additionally, California’s Clean Slate Law ( SB 731) allows some records to be cleared automatically after a waiting period, without filing a petition.

How Do You Remove Ventura County Arrest Records From the Internet?

A dismissal order will naturally cause criminal justice agencies and the court to remove a conviction record, including arrest records, from all official public-facing databases. However, third-party websites are not automatically bound by the same legal rules unless extra steps are taken. Each platform has its own deletion process which may require individuals to submit proof of identity, a certified copy of sealing or dismissal order, and the specific link where the information appears.