San Luis Obispo County Public Records /San Luis Obispo County Criminal Records

San Luis Obispo County Criminal Records

What Is San Luis Obispo County Criminal Records

Criminal records in San Luis Obispo County constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. These records encompass a comprehensive chronology of criminal proceedings from initial arrest through final disposition. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13100-13103, criminal records are maintained to provide accurate information for law enforcement, judicial, and public safety purposes.

Criminal records in San Luis Obispo County include several distinct categories:

Arrest Records: Documentation of detentions by law enforcement agencies where probable cause existed to believe a crime was committed
Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas resulting in criminal convictions
Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 years or older at the time of offense
Juvenile Records: Proceedings for minors under 18, which are generally sealed and confidential under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest issued by judicial authorities
Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal proceedings regardless of outcome

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records within San Luis Obispo County:

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office
1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 781-4550
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office

Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo
1035 Palm Street, Room 385
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 706-3600
Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office
County Government Center, Room 450
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 781-5800
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney

Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole information. The California Department of Justice maintains the statewide criminal history repository that incorporates records from San Luis Obispo County agencies.

Are Criminal Records Public In San Luis Obispo County

Criminal records in San Luis Obispo County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA) and applicable state statutes. Government Code § 6250 establishes that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state."

The California Public Records Act specifically states in Government Code § 6253(a) that "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record, except as hereafter provided."

However, important exceptions and limitations apply to criminal records access:

Adult Conviction Records: Generally available to the public
Court Proceedings: Most criminal court proceedings and associated records are open to public inspection
Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active investigations are typically exempt from disclosure under Government Code § 6254(f)
Sealed Records: Cases that have been judicially sealed are not accessible to the public
Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to minors are confidential and not publicly accessible except in limited circumstances
Expunged Records: Records of convictions that have been expunged pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4 may have limited public accessibility

The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court maintains publicly accessible criminal case records, while the Sheriff's Office and District Attorney maintain records related to arrests, bookings, and prosecutions. Certain sensitive information within these records, such as social security numbers, medical information, and victim identification in specific cases, is redacted prior to public disclosure.

Members of the public seeking criminal records in San Luis Obispo County must follow established procedures for record requests, which may vary by agency. The California Department of Justice also maintains a statewide criminal history database, though access to comprehensive criminal history information ("rap sheets") is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In San Luis Obispo County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in San Luis Obispo County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county currently maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each providing different types of information.

To conduct a criminal records search in San Luis Obispo County, individuals may follow these procedures:

Online Court Records Search:

Visit the Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County's online case lookup system
Register for an account with re:SearchCA if not already registered
Enter the subject's name or case number in the search fields
Review available case information, including charges, hearing dates, and case disposition
Request copies of specific documents if needed (fees may apply)

In-Person Court Records Search:

Superior Court of California, County of San Luis Obispo
1035 Palm Street, Room 385
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 706-3600
Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Visit the court clerk's office during regular business hours
Complete a records request form providing the subject's name or case number
Pay applicable search and copy fees
Review records on-site or request certified copies

District Attorney Records:

San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office
County Government Center, Room 450
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
(805) 781-5800
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Access the District Attorney's public case search portal
Enter search criteria including name and case information
Review available prosecution records
For additional information, submit a written request to the District Attorney's Office

Sheriff's Office Records:

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office
1585 Kansas Avenue
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 781-4550
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Submit a written request for specific booking or arrest information
Provide subject's name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known
Pay applicable fees for record searches and copies
Allow processing time as specified by the agency

For comprehensive criminal history information ("rap sheets"), individuals must contact the California Department of Justice and submit fingerprints through the Live Scan system. Self-requests for personal criminal history information can be made through the California Department of Justice Criminal Records Request process.

How To Find Criminal Records in San Luis Obispo County Online?

San Luis Obispo County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital portals offer varying levels of detail and may require registration or fees depending on the specific system and information requested.

The primary online resources for criminal records in San Luis Obispo County include:

Superior Court Case Management System:

Access the Superior Court's online case lookup portal
The system utilizes re:SearchCA, requiring user registration
Search by defendant name, case number, or filing date
View case information including charges, hearing dates, and disposition
Access to certain documents may require additional fees
System contains records for criminal, civil, family, and probate cases
Some older records may not be available electronically

District Attorney Case Search:

Visit the District Attorney's public case search system
Search by defendant name or case number
View information on current prosecutions and case status
System provides charging information and court dates
Information is updated regularly but may not reflect real-time status

Sheriff's Office Custody Information:

Access the Sheriff's Office Custody Information Center
Search current inmate population by name
View booking information, charges, and custody status
System only displays currently incarcerated individuals
Updated daily but does not maintain historical booking information

County Clerk-Recorder Document Search:

Use the County Clerk-Recorder's document search system
Search for recorded legal documents that may relate to criminal matters
System requires registration and may involve fees for document retrieval
Contains various public records beyond criminal case information

Users should note several important limitations of online criminal records access:

Certain sensitive cases may be restricted from online viewing
Complete case files typically require in-person inspection
Juvenile records are not available through public online portals
Historical records prior to digital conversion may require in-person requests
Registration requirements vary by system
Some detailed information may only be available through formal records requests

For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals must still utilize the California Department of Justice's formal criminal history review process, which requires fingerprint submission and cannot be completed entirely online.

Can You Search San Luis Obispo County Criminal Records for Free?

San Luis Obispo County provides several options for free inspection of criminal records in accordance with the California Public Records Act. Government Code § 6253(a) establishes that "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency" and that "every person has a right to inspect any public record."

Free criminal records access is available through the following methods:

In-Person Inspection:

Members of the public may visit the Superior Court Clerk's Office during regular business hours to inspect publicly available case files at no cost
The District Attorney's Office provides free public terminal access for reviewing case information
The Sheriff's Office allows inspection of arrest logs and certain booking information without charge

Free Online Resources:

The District Attorney's public case search system provides free access to basic case information
The Sheriff's Office Custody Information Center offers free searches of current inmate status
Basic case information through the Superior Court's online portal is available without charge, though registration is required

While inspection of records is generally free, fees may apply for the following services:

Copies of court documents ($0.50 per page for standard copies)
Certified copies of court records ($25.00 per document)
Extensive record searches requiring staff research time
Printed copies of electronic records
Specialized reports or compilations of data

The California Public Records Act permits agencies to charge fees that cover the direct costs of duplication or statutory fees, but not for the costs of searching for or retrieving records. San Luis Obispo County agencies follow this requirement by allowing free inspection while charging only for copies and specialized services.

Individuals seeking their own criminal history information from the California Department of Justice must pay established fees, though fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals with financial hardship.

What's Included in a San Luis Obispo County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by San Luis Obispo County agencies typically contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's interaction with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the maintaining agency and the nature of the case, but generally includes the following categories of information:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Booking photograph ("mugshot") when available
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Driver's license number

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at time of arrest with corresponding penal code sections
Bail amount and status
Detention facility information

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction
Charges filed by prosecution with corresponding statutes
Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
Plea entered
Attorney information (public defender or private counsel)
Judge assigned to the case
Hearing dates and proceedings

Disposition Information:

Verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines, fees, and restitution ordered
- Alternative sentencing (community service, diversion programs)
Appeals filed and outcomes
Probation or parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants or holds
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/DWI history
Traffic violations connected to criminal matters
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history references

Criminal records in San Luis Obispo County are maintained in compliance with state regulations regarding content and retention. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records, including social security numbers, medical information, and victim identification in specific cases.

The level of detail available varies significantly between public-facing record systems and comprehensive criminal history information maintained by law enforcement agencies. Complete criminal history information ("rap sheets") containing all arrests and dispositions is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals.

How Long Does San Luis Obispo County Keep Criminal Records?

San Luis Obispo County maintains criminal records in accordance with California state law and established records retention schedules. The duration for which different types of criminal records are preserved varies based on record type, offense severity, and maintaining agency.

The retention of criminal records in San Luis Obispo County is governed by several authorities:

Government Code § 26202 (County records retention)
Government Code § 68152 (Court records retention)
California Judicial Council Records Retention Guidelines
San Luis Obispo County Records Management Program

Standard retention periods for criminal records in San Luis Obispo County include:

Superior Court Records:

Felony case files: Permanent retention for cases resulting in imprisonment; 75 years for other felony cases
Misdemeanor case files: 5 years after case disposition
Infractions: 3 years after case disposition
Domestic violence cases: 75 years
DUI cases: 10 years
Juvenile delinquency records: Until subject reaches age 38, unless ordered sealed earlier
Index and register of actions: Permanent retention

Sheriff's Office Records:

Arrest records: Minimum of 5 years; longer for serious offenses
Booking photographs: Minimum of 5 years
Jail records: 5 years after release from custody
Investigation reports: 7 years for misdemeanors; permanent for felonies
Sex offender registration: Lifetime or as required by statute

District Attorney Records:

Case files for filed cases: Follows court retention schedule
Rejected cases: 3 years
Investigation files: 7 years after close of investigation

Criminal history information maintained in the California Department of Justice statewide system is generally retained for the lifetime of the subject, though certain offenses may be purged earlier under specific circumstances.

It is important to note that even after physical or electronic records are purged according to retention schedules, reference to cases may remain in indices, registers, or databases. Additionally, records that have been ordered sealed or expunged follow different retention guidelines as specified in the court order.

The retention periods listed reflect current county policy and state law requirements. Actual retention may exceed these minimums, particularly for serious offenses or cases of significant public interest.

Lookup Criminal Records in San Luis Obispo County

Superior Court case records search

County recorded documents search system

District Attorney public case information

California Public Records Act information

Request your own criminal history record