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  1. Santa Barbara County Court
  2. Santa Barbara County Arrest Records

Santa Barbara County, California Arrest Records

Generally, arrest records are documents created by law enforcement to detail the arrest and detention of individuals suspected of violating the law. In Santa Barbara County, local law enforcement agencies, including the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Maria Police Department,  and the Santa Barbara Police Department, create and maintain arrest records. Law enforcement agencies create arrest records during booking processes, not as proof of guilt. Rather, it is evidence that an arrest occurred based on probable cause. An arrest record details the arrestee’s identity, the charges at the time of the arrest, and the location of the arrest. 

While California classifies arrest records as public documents, Section 7923.610 of the California Government Code (Law Enforcement Disclosure Rule) outlines the information individuals can access. However, this does not include Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI); access to these documents is governed by Section 13300 of the California Penal Code.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Santa Barbara, California?

Yes, arrest records are public in Santa Barbara County. Access to Santa Barbara County arrest records is governed by Section 7923.610 of the California Government Code (California Law Enforcement Disclosure Rule). Under this legislation, an arresting agency must make basic information about arrests available to the public. 

Access to public-facing Santa Barbara County arrest records does not require requesters to provide identifying documents, unless they seek certified copies. Additionally, Santa Barbara County arrest records are also accessible to non-residents.

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

While California allows public disclosure of arrest information, the information accessible is governed by the Law Enforcement Disclosure Rule. Under this legislation, individuals can access only basic information contained in arrest records. Consequently, a public-facing Santa Barbara County arrest record displays:

  • Full name of the arrestee
  • Date, time, and location of the arrest 
  • Alleged offenses at the time of arrest 
  • The arresting agency 
  • Booking number 
  • Housing location 
  • Bail amount (if applicable)
  • Custody status. 

However, not all arrest records are public. There are statutory restrictions on public access to juvenile, sealed, and expunged records. Additionally, California redacts information protected by privacy laws from public arrest records. 

Santa Barbara County,  California Arrest Search

Individuals seeking access to Santa Barbara County arrest records can use state and federal resources to search for these documents. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains a central repository for criminal records from law enforcement agencies and courts across the state. Interested parties can request the rap sheets through the DOJ background check system. Other state resources that can provide access to Santa Barbara County’s arrest records include the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Incarcerated Records and Information Search portal. This access tool allows users to find information about state inmates arrested by Santa Barbara County law enforcement agencies. 

Information seekers can also access Santa Barbara County arrest records through federal pathways. The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal provides access to arrest details, indictments, and court proceedings of Santa Barbara County arrestees prosecuted under federal laws.

Santa Barbara County Inmate Locator

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office's Who Is In Custody portal provides direct access to the county’s arrest records. Users can perform name and number-based searches for arrest information through inmate records. To access arrest records through Santa Barbara County’s jail roster:

  • Visit the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office website.
  • Locate and click the Who's In Jail link.
  • Enter the inmate’s name and County Identification Number (CID) into the search tool.
  • Click “Search” to submit. 

In addition to online access, record seekers can also make phone, mail-in, and in-person requests for Santa Barbara County arrest records through the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office at:

4434 Calle Real,

Santa Barbara, 

CA 93110

Phone: (805) 681-4100.

Active Warrant Search in Santa Barbara County

An arrest warrant in Santa Barbara County is a legal document issued by a judge of the Santa Barbara Superior Court authorizing law enforcement to detain and bring a named individual before the court. The Santa Barbara County Superior Court issues arrest warrants after law enforcement or prosecutors submit affidavits establishing probable cause. Judges also issue arrest warrants for:

  • Failure to appear (FTA)
  • Disregard of court orders 
  • Grand jury indictment 
  • Violation of probation or parole.

A typical arrest warrant contains:

  • The name of the wanted person and the physical description of the individual 
  • Date of issuance 
  • The alleged offense 
  • The issuing court or judge 
  • Bail amount (if applicable)
  • Instructions directing law enforcement to take the named individual into custody. 

In Santa Barbara County, the Sheriff’s Office and the Superior Court of California, Santa Barbara County maintain arrest records. However, for safety, privacy, operational concerns, and to avoid compromising active investigations, these agencies do not maintain public online databases for arrest warrants. To verify warrant status in Santa Barbara County, information seekers should consult an attorney or submit public records requests to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office at:

4434 Calle Real,

Santa Barbara, 

CA 93110

Fax: (805) 618-5346

Email: records@sbsheriff.org.

Mailing address 

P.O. Box 6427,

Santa Barbara, 

CA 93160-6427

Alternatively, search for arrest warrants through the Santa Barbara Superior Court Public Portal. 

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Santa Barbara County

Several options are available to individuals seeking free access to Santa Barbara County arrest records. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office's Who's in Custody Portal provides free access to arrest records. Interested parties can find Santa Barbara County arrest records through the county’s inmate roster. Likewise, the Santa Barbara County Superior Court Public Portal allows users to view basic details for free. Local police departments,  such as the Santa Barbara and Santa Maria Police Departments, also provide free access to arrest information through press releases, arrest logs,  and crime reports.  

Free search for Santa Barbara County arrest records does not require an ID. However,  users of free online tools are required to spell the subjects’ names correctly and provide additional information to aid the search process. Additionally,  while Santa Barbara County’s arrest records may be accessible at no cost, information seekers should note that there are limitations. For instance, most online search tools only provide details of recent arrests. Furthermore, users cannot find redacted information through free-tier online tools. 

Santa Barbara County Arrest Report

There are dissimilarities between Santa Barbara County arrest records and arrest reports. Generally, arrest records are basic public-facing entries into judicial/custodial systems. In Santa Barbara County,  arrest records are accessible through inmate locators and case access portals, and typically display basic information, such as:

  • The names of the arrested persons 
  • Dates, times, and locations of the arrests
  • The alleged offenses 
  • Arresting agencies 
  • Bail amount (if applicable).

In contrast, Santa Barbara County arrest reports are detailed accounts of arrest events. They are created by arresting officers after arrest incidents. Arrest reports give more comprehensive information about arrests. A typical Santa Barbara County arrest report includes:

  • A description of events leading to the arrest 
  • The arresting officer’s observations 
  • Witness statements 
  • Victim information 
  • Evidence collected at the arrest scene
  • Charges and reference to the applicable California Codes.

California classifies Santa Barbara County’s arrest records and arrest reports as public documents, but maintains stricter control over arrest reports. While the public can access Santa Barbara County’s arrest records through online search tools, obtaining arrest reports requires formal requests. Furthermore,  Santa Barbara County law enforcement agencies heavily redact public versions of their arrest reports and frequently deny access if the records relate to ongoing investigations. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Santa Barbara County

California does not expunge (destroy) an arrest record unless the subject proves factual innocence. Rather, the state dismisses or seals eligible criminal records (including arrest records). Under Section 851.93 of the California Penal Code, a Santa Barbara County arrest record is eligible for automatic sealing if there were no charges, the court acquitted the defendant, or the arrestee completed a diversion program, and the judge dismissed the case. Likewise,  Section 1203.4 of the California Penal Code permits the dismissal of arrest records for misdemeanors and non-violent felonies if the offender completes the sentence for the crime (including probation and parole),  commits no new crimes, and observes the applicable waiting period. 

Sealing a Santa Barbara County arrest record hides it from the public. On the other hand, a dismissed record will still exist, but its status will change from “Convicted” to “Dismissed in the Interest of Justice “. To seal a Santa Barbara County arrest record that does qualify for automatic sealing:

  • Obtain a certified copy of the case docket from the branch of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court that handled the associated case.
  • Complete Form CR-409 (Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records) or Form CR-180 (Petition for Dismissal).
  • Serve a copy of the petition to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. 
  • Submit the original copy of the completed petition form and proof of service to the clerk's office of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court that handled the case.
  • Attend the hearings related to the case (if required).
  • If the District Attorney does not object and the applicant fulfills the requirements, the judge will seal or dismiss the arrest record. 

How Do You Remove Santa Barbara County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Sealing alone may not remove a Santa County arrest record from the internet. While sealing makes the record inaccessible through official channels, the information may be public through third-party platforms. 

The following steps outline how to remove a Santa Barbara County arrest record from the internet:

  • Seal or dismiss the record at the relevant Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
  • Identify the online platforms that possess the arrest record.
  • Invoke Section 1798.91.1 of the California Civil Code to prevent private websites from selling the arrest information or charging fees to take it down.
  • Send “Request to Delete” to search engines and data aggregators, citing that the record is sealed and the information is no longer accurate. Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), individuals have the “Right to Opt Out” and “Right to Deletion” after the court seals their records.