Search Berkeley Criminal History

Criminal history records in Berkeley are split between the city police and the county court system. The Berkeley Police Department handles arrest reports, incident files, and booking records for the city. All criminal cases go through the Alameda County Superior Court since Berkeley is part of Alameda County. Court records can be searched online for free through the county portal. Police reports require a separate request to the city. This guide walks through the main sources and methods for finding criminal records in Berkeley, California.

Berkeley Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases from Berkeley are filed in the Alameda County Superior Court. The county has several courthouse locations. Berkeley cases typically go to the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland, which handles most criminal matters for the northern part of the county. Some cases might be assigned to the George E. McDonald Hall of Justice in Hayward depending on the charge and circumstances. The specific courthouse depends on where the offense took place and how the court assigns its calendar.

The Alameda County Superior Court public portal provides online access to criminal case information. You search by name or case number. Results display the charges, court dates, case status, and assigned department. It is free to use. No registration is needed. The portal covers cases from all Alameda County court locations, making it easy to find Berkeley cases alongside records from Oakland, Fremont, and other cities in the county.

For copies of court documents, you can go to the clerk's office or send a mail request. Standard copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies run $40 per document. Mail requests should include the case number and a check made out to the Alameda County Superior Court.

Berkeley Police Criminal Records

The Berkeley Police Department keeps its own set of records. Arrest reports, incident files, and call logs all sit with the department. These records are separate from what the court holds. If you need a police report from Berkeley, you submit a request directly to the department. They do not post individual reports online. Each request gets reviewed to make sure the records can be released under California law.

The Berkeley Police records request portal handles requests for police reports and other city public records.

This system uses NextRequest. You describe what you need in the form and submit it. A report number makes the search faster, but you can also provide a date, location, or names involved. The city responds within the timeline required by the California Public Records Act. Most standard requests are processed within 10 days. Some records are exempt from disclosure. The department will tell you if something cannot be released and cite the specific exemption.

Note: Berkeley Police Department records requests cover only incidents within city limits; the Alameda County Sheriff handles unincorporated areas nearby.

Getting Criminal Records in Berkeley

There are multiple ways to get criminal records in Berkeley. Court records, police reports, and statewide background checks each come from a different source. The fastest free option is the online court search. Police reports require a formal request. A DOJ background check through Live Scan is the broadest search you can get.

For a complete state criminal history, go to a Live Scan site in or near Berkeley. The California DOJ runs the statewide database. You get fingerprinted, pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee, and results come back in a few business days. This pulls records from all 58 California counties. It is the best option if you need a thorough background check. Berkeley has Live Scan locations available, and you can also find them across the bay in Oakland and other nearby cities. The process is governed by Penal Code 11105.

You can also go to the Berkeley Police Department in person. The main station is at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to request records at the window. Call (510) 981-5900 to check hours first. Walk-in availability can change.

Berkeley Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in Berkeley change based on the source. The court uses a statewide fee schedule. The police department sets its own rates for copies. Knowing the costs up front helps you plan.

Typical fees for criminal records in Berkeley:

• Court name search (over 10 minutes): $15
• Court copies per page: $0.50
• Certified court copy: $40 per document
• DOJ background check: $25 plus Live Scan rolling fee
• Police report copies: varies by request size

If you cannot afford court fees, ask the clerk about a fee waiver. You need to show low income or that you receive public benefits. The judge reviews the request. Fee waivers only cover court costs. DOJ and police department fees are separate and not covered by the waiver.

Clearing Berkeley Criminal Records

California offers several ways to clear a criminal record. If you have a conviction from Berkeley, you may qualify for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. You petition the Alameda County Superior Court after completing your probation. The court changes the plea and enters a dismissal. This helps with jobs and housing. It does not erase the record entirely, but most private employers will not see the conviction on a background check after that. AB 1076 has automated this process for many eligible cases. The state DOJ identifies qualifying records and grants dismissal without the person needing to file anything.

Arrest records from Berkeley can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87. This applies when charges were never filed or the case ended in dismissal or acquittal. You file a petition at the courthouse where the case was handled. Once sealed, the arrest is hidden from most background searches. Legal aid organizations in Alameda County can help with record clearing if you need assistance and cannot afford a private attorney.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Berkeley. Each city's criminal cases go through their local county court system.

Alameda County Criminal Records

Berkeley is in Alameda County. All criminal cases from the city are filed through the Alameda County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more on court searches, sheriff records, and county-level resources.