ARTICLE 4. Criminal Records [11115. - 11117.]

Cal. Penal Code - PEN 4.

in effect

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 11115. Section 11115.

In any case in which a sheriff, police department or other law enforcement agency makes an arrest and transmits a report of the arrest to the Department of Justice or to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, it shall be the duty of such law enforcement agency to furnish a disposition report to such agencies whenever the arrested person is transferred to the custody of another agency or is released without having a complaint or accusation filed with a court. The disposition report in such cases shall be furnished to the appropriate agencies within 30 days of release or transfer to another agency. If either of the following dispositions is made, the disposition report shall so state: (a) “Arrested for intoxication and released,” when the arrested party is released pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 849. (b) “Detention only,” when the detained party is released pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 849 or issued a certificate pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 851.6. In such cases the report shall state the specific reason for such release, indicating that there was no ground for making a criminal complaint because (1) further investigation exonerated the arrested party, (2) the complainant withdrew the complaint, (3) further investigation appeared necessary before prosecution could be initiated, (4) the ascertainable evidence was insufficient to proceed further, (5) the admissible or adducible evidence was insufficient to proceed further, or (6) other appropriate explanation for release.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 11116.5. Section 11116.5.

Any dismissal and reason therefor provided by Section 11115 or 13151. 1 may be used by the person subject to the disposition as an answer to any question regarding his arrest or detention history or any question regarding the outcome of a criminal proceeding against him.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 11116.6. Section 11116.6.

The dispositions provided by Sections 11115 and 13151.1 must be entered on all appropriate records of the party arrested, detained, or against whom criminal proceedings are brought.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 11116.7. Section 11116.7.

Whenever an accusatory pleading is filed in any court of this state alleging a public offense for which a defendant may be punished by incarceration, for a period in excess of 90 days, the court shall furnish upon request of the defendant named therein a certificate of disposition which describes the disposition of the accusatory pleading in that court when such disposition is one described in Section 13151.1. The certificate of disposition shall be signed by the judge, shall substantially conform with the requirements of Section 11116.8, and the seal of the court shall be affixed thereto. In the event that the initial disposition of the accusatory pleading is changed, a new disposition certificate showing the changed disposition shall be issued by the court changing the same upon request of the defendant or his counsel of record.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 11116.8. Section 11116.8.

The certificate of disposition provided by Section 11116.7 shall describe the charge or charges set forth in the original and any amended accusatory pleading, together with the disposition of each charge in the original and any amended accusatory pleading.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 11116.9. Section 11116.9.

The clerk of the court in which the disposition is made shall provide the defendant or his counsel of record with additional certified copies of the disposition certificate upon the payment of the fees provided by law for certified copies of court records.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 11116.10. Section 11116.10.

(a) Upon the request of a victim or a witness of a crime, the prosecuting attorney shall, within 30 days of the final disposition of the case, inform the victim or witness by letter of such final disposition. Such notice shall state the information described in Section 13151.1. (b) As used in this section, “victim” means any person alleged or found, upon the record, to have sustained physical or financial injury to person or property as a direct result of the crime charged. (c) As used in this section, “witness” means any person who has been or is expected to testify for the prosecution, or who, by reason of having relevant information, is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, whether or not any action or proceeding has yet been commenced. (d) As used in this section, “final disposition,” means an ultimate termination of the case at the trial level including, but not limited to, dismissal, acquittal, or imposition of sentence by the court, or a decision by the prosecuting attorney, for whatever reason, not to file the case. (e) Subdivision (a) does not apply in any case where the offender or alleged offender is a minor unless the minor has been declared not a fit and proper subject to be dealt with under the juvenile court law. (f) This section shall not apply to any case in which a disposition was made prior to the effective date of this section.

Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 11117. Section 11117.

The Department of Justice shall prescribe and furnish the procedures and forms to be used for the disposition and other reports required in this article and in Sections 13151 and 13152. The department shall add the reports received to all appropriate criminal records. Neither the reports required in this article nor those required in Sections 13151 and 13152 shall be admissible in evidence in any civil action.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026