What are Downey Public Records?
Under the CPRA, Downey public records include records created, used, or preserved by government entities. The CPRA states that all information, regardless of form, may be requested by city residents except where access is restricted by local or federal law. However, some or all parts of a public record may be exempt from public disclosure if it is any of the following:
- Some medical records
- Records of active law enforcement investigation
- Any record that violates an individual's right to privacy
- Preliminary drafts and notes
- Intelligence information
- Records of pending court cases where the agency is one of the parties
- Employee relations information
Downey Crime Statistics
Downey crime statistics are published annually by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. Figures published for 2019 revealed that Downey recorded a total of 2,825 crimes, including 352 violent crimes and 2,472 property crimes. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter was the least common violent crime, with 4 reported cases. Others include 30 rape cases, 151 robberies, and 167 aggravated assaults, the most common violent crime in 2019. Larceny-theft was the most common property crime, with 1,566 reported occurrences. Other property crimes include 344 burglaries and 563 cases of motor vehicle theft. Arson was the least committed property crime, with 4 cases. Overall, Downey's total crime rate fell by 5.2% compared to the UCR's 2018 figures.
Are Downey Criminal Records Public?
Members of the general public cannot access most Downey criminal records. California law states that access to criminal history information is only open to some authorized entities. In most cases, some employers of labor – such as law enforcement bodies and organizations that deal with a child or elderly care – may access criminal history information. Residents are also free to obtain their own criminal history reports. In some cases, crime victims and witnesses may also obtain a third-party criminal history report.
How to Obtain Downey Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Downey Police Department (DPD) issues police reports and arrest records of related incidents that take place in the city. Anyone interested in obtaining a Downey police report or arrest record may contact the DPD's Records Bureau. To order, visit the Records Bureau or send a written request containing information about the incident or arrest. The information may include dates, location of arrest or incident, the arresting officer, charge information, incident description, and any other available details. Send the written request or visit the Records Bureau using the details below:
Downey Police Department
Records Bureau
10911 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
Phone: (562) 904-2315 (Records Bureau)
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Downey
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) provides public access to statewide information on registered offenders in the city of Downey. Interested persons may find Downey sex offenders using the name and map search provided on the California Megan's Law Website. For the name search, users must provide the offender's last name, with the option of entering a first name to streamline the search results. Using the map search, Downey residents may enter an address, set a search mile radius around the address, and include transient offenders in the result. Available information on registered sex offenders includes known aliases, physical description, last known address, and a photograph.
How to Find Downey Inmate Records
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) maintains an online database with details of persons incarcerated in the county. Use the LASD's search function to find inmate information by providing the inmate's last and first names. Users may also include the inmate's middle name and date of birth if known. Available information includes the inmate's booking number, full name, race, gender, and other physical descriptors. The search result also displays arrest date and time, booking date and time, location description, bail information, court details, and the inmate's current housing location. Case information and court details are also available. Note that the online database may not contain information on inmates booked within the last two hours.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Los Angeles County Jails?
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department operates multiple detention facilities that house offenders throughout the county. Prospective visitors must first confirm that the inmate can receive visitors by calling (213) 473-6100. Visitors may only bring minimal personal belongings into visiting areas. Each visitor must submit a check of their person or property before entering the facility. Visitors must arrive at least 30 minutes before the visit is scheduled to begin. Persons under the age of 17 may only visit in the company of a parent or legal guardian who has appropriate paperwork to confirm legal guardianship. Visitors who have been to state prison, are currently on probation or parole, or have active warrants will not be allowed to visit. However, a parolee or probationer may be allowed after receiving prior approval from the Unit Commander.
Intending visitors are advised to use the following information for each facility's visitation hours, professional visits, and other specific information.
- Century Regional Detention Facility
- Men's Central Jail
- Twin Towers Correctional Facility
- NCCF & Pitchess Detention Center
Court Records
Los Angeles County has a Superior Court and a Juvenile Court in the city of Downey. The Superior Court hears civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, traffic, and juvenile cases. Although Downey has a separate location for juvenile matters, the juvenile court is a division of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Locations of Courts in Downey
Los Angeles Superior Court - Downey
Downey Courthouse
7500 East Imperial Highway
Downey, CA 90242
Phone: (562) 803-7044
Los Angeles Superior Court - Juvenile
Los Padrinos Juvenile Courthouse
7281 East Quill Drive
Downey, CA 90242
Phone: (562) 658-0799
Are Downey Court Records Public?
Members of the general public may gain access to most Downey court records. Information on court proceedings, including charges, litigants, case details, court dates, and sentences, are available as part of court records. However, not all court records are accessible by Downey residents. Sealed or expunged court records are exempt from public disclosure. In addition, juvenile and adoption court records may only be obtained by persons directly related to the case. This may include the juvenile's parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, and attorneys.
Can You Look up a Downey Court Case Online?
The Los Angeles County Superior Court provides remote access to court case information through its online services function. Interested persons may select one of the available case types provided on the page's drop-down menu, including civil, criminal, appellate, traffic, family law, probate, and others. An interested party may either register or search as a guest user. Registered users are charged based on the number of monthly searches performed. Each registered user will pay between $1 and $4.75 for conducting between 1 and more than 10,0001 searches. Guest users are charged a flat fee of $4.75 per search, notwithstanding the number of searches performed.
How to Obtain Downey Court Case Records
Interested persons may obtain copies of Downey court case records by contacting the Los Angeles Superior Court in the Downey courthouse. Anyone may gain access to civil and criminal court case information unless the record has been sealed or expunged. To access a record, the requester must provide information specific to the desired record, including the names of involved parties, court dates, charge details, court judgment, and other related information. Interested parties may also view these cases for free, using public access terminals provided at the Downey Courthouse. To obtain physical or certified copies of Downey court records, contact the court using the following information:
Los Angeles Superior Court - Downey
Downey Courthouse
7500 East Imperial Highway
Downey, CA 90242
Phone: (562) 803-7044
Requestors may also use the court's online services to find court case records. Court records filed from 1910 to 2004 are requestable from the Archives and Records Center. An interested party may send a written request with a case number and year of filing. Requestors must also specify in the written requests if certification is needed. Allow up to 10 weeks for processing. Send the request by mail to:
Archives and Records Center
222 North Hill Street
Room 212
Los Angeles, CA 90012
What are Downey Vital Records?
Downey vital records contain details of major life events that happen in the city. These vital records include records of marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Downey vital records are created and maintained by government entities that issue copies of the records to requestors. Vital records are accessible to the general public. However, access to certified copies is restricted to the registrant named on the record and other related persons.
Where and How to Obtain Downey Divorce Records
The Los Angeles County Superior Court keeps records of all divorces finalized in the county. Interested parties may obtain copies of Downey divorce records by sending mail requests or visiting the courthouse in person. To order by mail, send a written request that contains the divorce date, court judgment, the divorced parties' names, and other relevant information. Send the request or visit the courthouse using the details below:
Los Angeles Superior Court
Downey Courthouse
7500 East Imperial Highway
Downey, CA 90242
Phone: (562) 803-7044
Interested persons may also access Downey divorce records online using the court's online services function if the case number is available.
Where and How to Public Downey Marriage Records
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder maintains records of all marriages solemnized in the county. All interested persons may obtain public information copies of Downey marriage records. Note that a public copy is only for informational purposes and is not a valid document to establish identity. Requestors may obtain marriage records by mail or in person. Records are only available for marriage licenses issued since 1852. To order a Downey marriage record by mail, complete a public marriage record application. Fill the application with the names of both married persons and the date of marriage. Ensure to complete and notarize the Certificate of Identity attached to the form. Each copy costs $15, payable by check or money order made out to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Send the completed form and payment to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Where and How to Get Confidential Downey Marriage Records
Interested persons may request copies of confidential copies of Downey marriage records. However, a certified copy of a marriage record may only be requested by the following persons:
- One of the married parties
- A parent, legal guardian, grandparent, child, grandchild, domestic partner, or spouse of one of the married parties
- An attorney or legal representative of any of the above eligible persons.
To order a certified Downey marriage record, complete an application for a confidential marriage record. Provide the full names of both married parties, the date of marriage, and the requestor's relationship to the married parties. Each record costs $15. Mail requests are payable by check or money order made out to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The requestor must fill the attached Certificate of Identity and have it notarized. Send the request to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Where and How to Find Downey Birth Records
Downey birth records are public records and are accessible by all residents. Although the details contained are public, certified copies of Downey birth records are only accessible to the person named on the record and any of the following related persons:
- Child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Attorney or legal representative
- Law enforcement officer on official business
Each record costs $28 payable by check or money order made out to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Fees are nonrefundable. To request, complete an application for a birth record with details on the registrant. Ensure to fill the attached Certificate of Identity and have it notarized. Send the completed form with payment to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
Where and How to Find Downey Death Records
Members of the general public may request informational copies of death records from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder. However, access to certified copies of Downey death records is restricted to the following persons:
- A parent or legal guardian of the decedent
- The decedent's child, grandchild, grandparent, spouse, domestic partner, or sibling
- An attorney representing any of the above persons
- A law enforcement officer requesting official business
Complete an application for a death record to order a Downey death certificate by mail. Each record costs $21 payable by check or money order to the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The requestor must also fill and notarize the Certificate of Identity attached to the form. Send all documents to:
Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
Birth, Death and Marriage Records Section
P.O. Box 489
Norwalk, CA 90651-0489
