Riverside County Public Records /Riverside County Criminal Records

Riverside County Criminal Records

What Is Riverside County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Riverside County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to California Penal Code § 13100-13326, which establishes the framework for criminal history information management throughout the state.

Criminal records in Riverside County typically include:

Arrest records documenting when law enforcement takes an individual into custody
Booking information collected during processing at detention facilities
Formal charges filed by the Riverside County District Attorney's Office
Court proceedings including arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials
Case dispositions showing the final outcome (e.g., conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
Sentencing information for convicted individuals
Probation and parole records for those under supervision

Several agencies maintain different components of criminal records:

Riverside County Sheriff's Department
4095 Lemon Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-2400
Riverside County Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff's Department maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records for the county.

Riverside County Superior Court
4050 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court

The court maintains case files, hearing schedules, judgments, and sentencing information.

Riverside County District Attorney's Office
3960 Orange Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-5400
Riverside County District Attorney

The District Attorney's Office maintains records related to criminal prosecutions.

Important distinctions exist between different types of criminal records:

Arrest records document detentions by law enforcement but do not necessarily indicate guilt
Conviction records show final determinations of guilt following court proceedings
Felony records involve more serious offenses potentially punishable by state prison terms
Misdemeanor records involve less serious offenses typically punishable by county jail terms or probation
Adult records are generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions
Juvenile records are typically sealed and confidential under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827

Are Criminal Records Public In Riverside County

Criminal records in Riverside County are generally considered public information, subject to specific limitations established by state law. The California Public Records Act (CPRA) governs access to government records, including criminal records. Under Government Code § 6253, "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."

However, several important exceptions apply to criminal records access:

Active investigations are exempt from disclosure under Government Code § 6254(f)
Records sealed by court order are not publicly accessible
Juvenile records are confidential pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
Records expunged under Penal Code § 1203.4 have limited accessibility
Certain identifying information may be redacted to protect privacy

Adult conviction records are the most accessible type of criminal record in Riverside County. These records document final determinations of guilt and are available through the Riverside County Superior Court. Court proceedings, including criminal trials, are presumptively open to the public under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the California Constitution.

The California Department of Justice maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information. Access to these comprehensive records is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals with specific statutory authority. Members of the public seeking their own criminal history information may request a copy through the California Department of Justice's Live Scan fingerprinting process.

Law enforcement agencies in Riverside County, including the Sheriff's Department and local police departments, maintain daily logs of arrests and other significant incidents. These logs are public records under Government Code § 6254(f), which states that "the current address of every individual arrested by the agency and the current address of the victim of a crime" may be withheld if disclosure would endanger the individual.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Riverside County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Riverside County may utilize several methods to access this information. The appropriate approach depends on the specific type of record sought and its current status within the criminal justice system.

For court records, individuals may:

Visit the Riverside County Superior Court's Public Access system to search case information online
Submit a records request form to the court clerk at any Riverside County Superior Court location
Visit the courthouse in person to review public case files
Request certified copies of court documents for an additional fee

Riverside County Superior Court - Main Courthouse
4050 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

For arrest and booking information, individuals may:

Contact the arresting agency directly (Sheriff's Department or local police)
Check the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Inmate Information System for current inmates
Submit a formal public records request to the appropriate law enforcement agency

Riverside County Sheriff's Department - Records Bureau
4095 Lemon Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 955-2400
Riverside County Sheriff's Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For comprehensive criminal history information:

Individuals may request their own criminal history through the California Department of Justice's Live Scan fingerprinting process
Authorized agencies may access criminal history information through secure channels
Employers conducting background checks must follow procedures outlined in the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act

California Department of Justice - Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
(916) 210-3000
California Department of Justice

When requesting criminal records, individuals should be prepared to provide:

The subject's full name and any known aliases
Date of birth or approximate age
Case number (if known)
Date of arrest or court appearance (if known)
Identification showing legal authority to access records (if applicable)

How To Find Criminal Records in Riverside County Online?

Riverside County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient access to various components of the criminal justice system.

The primary online resources include:

Riverside County Superior Court Public Access
The court's online case information system allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or citation number. This system provides:
- Case summary information
- Charges filed
- Hearing dates and times
- Case status and disposition
- Document indexes (actual documents must be obtained in person)
Users must create a free account to access the system. The database includes criminal, civil, family, and probate cases.
Riverside County Sheriff's Department Inmate Information System
The Sheriff's inmate lookup tool provides information on currently incarcerated individuals, including:
- Booking number and date
- Charges
- Bail amount
- Next court date
- Expected release date (when available)
This system is updated regularly but may not reflect very recent bookings or releases.
Riverside Police Department Crime Reports
The Riverside Police Department maintains an online crime mapping tool that shows recent criminal activity by location and type. While not providing individual criminal records, this resource offers insight into crime patterns and incidents.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Locator
The CDCR: California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) allows users to locate individuals currently incarcerated in state prisons or under parole supervision. This system provides:
- Current location
- CDCR number
- Admission date
- Parole eligibility date (when applicable)
California Courts Case Information
The statewide court case information portal provides links to all county court systems, including Riverside County.

When using these online systems, users should note:

Information may not be comprehensive or reflect sealed or expunged records
Some case details may only be available by visiting the courthouse in person
Certain sensitive cases may have restricted online access
Historical records may not be fully digitized or searchable online
Official certified copies of documents cannot be obtained through these online systems

Can You Search Riverside County Criminal Records for Free?

Riverside County provides several options for accessing criminal records at no cost, though certain specialized services may incur fees. The California Public Records Act establishes the right to inspect public records during regular business hours without charge, though agencies may recover direct costs for copying documents.

Free access options include:

In-Person Inspection
Members of the public may visit the Riverside County Superior Court during regular business hours to review publicly accessible case files at no charge. Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(a), "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency."

Riverside County Superior Court - Main Courthouse
4050 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Online Case Information
The Riverside County Superior Court's Public Access system provides free access to basic case information after creating an account. This includes:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Party names
- Hearing schedules
- Case status and disposition
- Lists of documents filed (though not the documents themselves)
Inmate Information System
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department Inmate Information System offers free searches for currently incarcerated individuals.
Law Enforcement Daily Logs
Police departments and the Sheriff's Office maintain daily logs of arrests and significant incidents that are available for public inspection at no charge, as required by Government Code § 6254(f).

Services that typically require fees include:

Document Copies
The court charges for copies of documents ($0.50 per page for standard copies, $15.00 for certified copies of most documents).
Background Checks
Comprehensive criminal history information from the California Department of Justice requires fingerprinting and payment of associated fees (currently $25 for the state fee plus additional rolling fees).
Research Services
Court staff may charge for research services beyond basic record retrieval, particularly for older cases or those requiring extensive search time.
Specialized Reports
Custom reports or data compilations may incur fees based on staff time and resources required.

What's Included in a Riverside County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Riverside County contain comprehensive information documenting an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system. The content varies depending on the record source and case status, but typically includes several key components.

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth
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 (for driving-related offenses)

Arrest Information:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer
Booking number and facility
Initial charges filed by law enforcement
Bail amount and status
Pre-trial detention information

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction
Criminal charges filed by the prosecutor
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
Attorney information (prosecution and defense)
Plea entered
Trial information (if applicable)

Disposition and Sentencing:

Final verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Dismissed or reduced charges
Sentencing details, including:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and fees imposed
- Restitution ordered
- Community service requirements
- Treatment programs mandated
Post-conviction relief (expungements, pardons)
Appeal information

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
Probation or parole status
Specialized court participation (drug court, veterans court)
Risk assessment scores (when applicable)

The level of detail available depends on the source consulted. Court records typically provide the most comprehensive case information, while law enforcement records focus on arrest and booking details. Records maintained by the California Department of Justice include statewide criminal history information across multiple jurisdictions.

Certain information may be redacted or restricted, including:

Victim identifying information
Witness details
Confidential informant information
Juvenile proceedings
Sealed or expunged matters
Medical or mental health information
Social Security numbers

How Long Does Riverside County Keep Criminal Records?

Riverside County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by California law and local policies. These schedules vary based on record type, offense severity, and case outcome. The Government Code § 26202 authorizes counties to establish records retention policies, while specific criminal record retention is governed by various statutes.

Court Records Retention:

The Riverside County Superior Court retains criminal case records according to the following general guidelines:

Felony case files: Permanent retention for cases resulting in imprisonment in state prison
Other felony cases: 75 years from the filing date
Misdemeanor cases: 5 years from case disposition
Infractions: 3 years from case disposition
Probation records: Duration of probation plus 5 years
Index and register of actions: Permanent retention

These retention periods align with the California Rules of Court, Rule 10.850, which establishes minimum retention periods for court records statewide.

Law Enforcement Records Retention:

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department and local police agencies typically retain:

Arrest records: 5 years for misdemeanors, 10 years for felonies
Booking photographs: 5 years for misdemeanors, 10 years for felonies
Incident reports: 2-5 years depending on case type
Homicide and sexual assault cases: Permanent retention
Daily logs and dispatch records: 2-5 years

Department of Justice Records:

The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history information according to the following guidelines:

Felony offenses: Lifetime retention
Serious misdemeanors: Lifetime retention
Other misdemeanors: 10 years from arrest date if no conviction; lifetime if convicted
Arrests without charges filed: 5 years unless the agency requests earlier purging

It is important to note that even after the retention period expires, records may still exist in various databases or archives. Additionally, certain serious offenses such as homicides, sexual assaults, and crimes against children may be retained permanently regardless of general retention schedules.

Digital conversion has extended the practical retention of many records beyond their scheduled destruction dates. The Riverside County Superior Court has digitized many of its records, allowing for longer-term accessibility even after physical documents may have been destroyed.

Lookup Criminal Records in Riverside County

Riverside Police Department

CDCR: California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS)