San Diego Criminal Records Search

Criminal records in San Diego are held by two main agencies. The San Diego Police Department manages police reports and arrest records for crimes that take place within city limits. Court records go through the San Diego Superior Court, which serves all of San Diego County. You can look up both types of records online. The city is the second largest in California by population, and its law enforcement agencies process a high volume of reports each year. Whether you need a police report copy or want to check a court case, San Diego provides specific tools for each record type.

SDPD Police Records in San Diego

The San Diego Police Department handles police reports and arrest records for the city. You can request copies through the SDPD Records Division.

Crime reports cost $12 each. Arrest reports are priced differently. The first page of an arrest report costs 50 cents, and each page after that is the same rate. You can submit requests by mail, email, or in person at the Records Division. The mailing address is 1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. Send email requests to sdpdreportrequests@pd.sandiego.gov. The phone number for questions is 619-531-2846. Walk-in hours are limited, so calling ahead is a good idea if you plan to go in person.

The SDPD processes a large number of report requests given the size of the city. Turnaround time depends on how many requests they have in the queue. Standard processing can take a few weeks. If you have the report number ready when you file, it speeds things up. Reports are public records, so most people can request them. However, some records tied to open investigations or juvenile cases may not be available right away.

Note: Arrest reports from the SDPD are separate from court records. Getting a police report does not give you access to what happened in court after charges were filed.

San Diego Court Criminal Cases

Criminal cases in San Diego are filed at the San Diego Superior Court. This is the county court system. It handles all criminal matters from the city as well as the rest of San Diego County. You can search criminal case records online through the Court Index Search portal. The system lets you look up cases by defendant name and returns case numbers, filing dates, and courthouse locations. Copies of court documents cost 50 cents per page. Document downloads are $1.00 per page for the first five pages and 40 cents for each page after that.

The court also offers a Register of Actions search at a separate portal. This gives more detail on case events, hearings, and rulings. Both tools are useful depending on what you need. The main courthouse phone number is (619) 844-2233. Staff can help you locate the right courthouse if you are not sure where a case was filed. San Diego County has multiple court locations spread across the region.

Certified copies of court documents cost $40. If you need certified records for legal purposes, plan ahead because the clerk's office can take several business days to process these requests. Walk-in service is available at most courthouse locations during regular business hours.

San Diego Inmate Lookup

People arrested in San Diego are booked into the county jail system run by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The SDPD makes arrests but does not operate jails. Once someone is booked, they appear in the sheriff's online lookup tool. The Who's In Jail search lets you find inmates by name. Results show custody status, charges, bail amount, and facility location. Call the sheriff at 858-974-2222 for questions about current inmates.

County jail holds people who are awaiting trial or serving sentences of one year or less. People sentenced to longer terms go to state prison. For state inmates, use the CDCR's CIRIS search tool at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. That system covers anyone in California state prison, regardless of which city or county they were sentenced in.

Criminal Background Checks in San Diego

San Diego has many Live Scan locations for fingerprint-based background checks. The California DOJ maintains the statewide criminal history database. To check your own record, visit a certified Live Scan site and bring form BCIA 8016RR. The DOJ charges $25 for the check. Each Live Scan location adds its own rolling fee on top of that. Find a nearby location through the DOJ Live Scan locator. San Diego has sites at police stations, UPS stores, and other private businesses throughout the city.

Employers in San Diego who need background checks on job applicants use the same DOJ system. They must be an authorized requesting agency. Once fingerprints are submitted, track your results at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov using your ATI number and date of birth. Processing usually takes 48 to 72 hours when no criminal record is found. Cases with a hit on the database take longer because a technician must review the match.

The sex offender registry at meganslaw.ca.gov is free to search. You can look up registered sex offenders by name or by location within San Diego. The database is maintained by the California DOJ and updated regularly.

Clearing Criminal Records in San Diego

California law provides several options for clearing a criminal record from San Diego. The most common path is Penal Code Section 1203.4, which lets you petition to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. You file the petition with the San Diego Superior Court in the courthouse where your case was heard. The conviction stays on your record but shows as "dismissed." This can help with job applications and housing.

Other relief options exist for different situations. Penal Code Section 851.87 allows sealing of arrest records when no conviction resulted. Proposition 47 covers resentencing for certain old drug and theft felonies. Proposition 64 addresses past marijuana convictions. Each option requires filing paperwork with the court. None of these happen on their own.

• PC 1203.4 dismissal after completing probation
• PC 851.87 sealing of arrest records with no conviction
• Prop 47 resentencing for nonviolent felonies
• Prop 64 marijuana conviction relief
• Certificate of Rehabilitation for prison sentences

Note: Legal aid organizations in San Diego offer free or low-cost help with record clearing petitions for people who qualify based on income.

San Diego County Criminal Records

San Diego is in San Diego County. All criminal court cases from the city go through the San Diego County Superior Court system.

Nearby California Cities

These nearby cities also have criminal record resources and their own police departments.