Huntington Beach Felony Records
Huntington Beach felony records are kept by Orange County Superior Court and Huntington Beach Police Department. All criminal cases for the city go through the county court system. HBPD maintains arrest reports and police records for crimes in Huntington Beach. Orange County Sheriff operates jails and tracks custody status. Court searches are free online. Police reports are also free from HBPD making this one of the most accessible systems in California.
Huntington Beach Felony Records Quick Facts
Orange County Superior Court
Huntington Beach felony cases are handled by Orange County Superior Court. The West Justice Center in Westminster at 8141 13th Street serves Huntington Beach. Criminal cases may also be heard at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
Search for cases using the Vision portal at visionpublic.occourts.org. Look up by name, case number, or citation. The system shows criminal and traffic cases with details on charges, filing dates, and hearing schedules. The search is free.
Government Code section 68152 requires the court to keep felony records for at least 75 years. Misdemeanors have shorter retention periods. Traffic citations may not appear in the online system for up to 21 days from the date the ticket was issued.
Copy requests are filled within seven to 10 business days. Mail a request form to the courthouse with a check for fees. Do not send cash. Call the court for current copy fees and processing times.
Free Police Reports from HBPD
Huntington Beach Police Department offers free police reports to the public. This is rare in California where most agencies charge fees. Visit the HBPD reports page at huntingtonbeachca.gov to learn about the process.
Submit your request through the online system. Include the report number if you have it. If not, provide the incident date, time, location, and names of people involved. HBPD reviews each request to see if the record can be released.
Some reports may be withheld for ongoing investigations or privacy concerns. But there is no fee for reports that are released. The report is emailed to you at no cost. Processing times range from a few days to a few weeks depending on the complexity of your request.
Call HBPD Records at (714) 960-8825 for questions about your request or the status. This free service makes Huntington Beach one of the most transparent cities for police records access.
Orange County Jail Custody Search
Orange County Sheriff operates the jail system for all county cities. Use the inmate information system at apps.ocsheriff.gov to search for people in custody. The tool is free and shows current inmates at county facilities.
Search by name or booking number. Results include booking date, charges, bail amount, and housing facility. The main jail facilities are in Santa Ana. The booking log is updated throughout the day as people are processed.
For VINE victim notification, call (800) 721-8021. This service alerts you when an offender is released from custody. Register online at vinelink.com or by phone.
Orange County DA Office
The Orange County District Attorney prosecutes all felonies from Huntington Beach. The DA office works with HBPD to file charges and pursue cases. Once an arrest is made, police send reports to the DA for review. Prosecutors decide whether to file charges based on the evidence.
Victims of crimes can contact DA Victim Services for case updates and support. This service is free. The DA office is at 401 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. Call for information on victim assistance and case status.
Legal Aid in Huntington Beach
Legal Aid Society of Orange County serves Huntington Beach residents. They offer free help to low-income people with criminal record expungements and sealing. Visit legal-aid.com or call (800) 834-5001 to see if you qualify.
Orange County Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a lawyer. If you are charged with a felony and meet income requirements, the court appoints a public defender. Call the Public Defender office for information on how to request representation.
Community groups run legal clinics on criminal records. The Huntington Beach Public Library hosts workshops on expungements and record sealing. Check branch calendars for upcoming events.
Other Orange County Cities
Other cities in Orange County include Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, and Garden Grove. All use the same court system and sheriff. Each has its own police department. Felony cases from all county cities go through the Superior Court.