The California Department of Justice (DOJ) provides data to various entities throughout the country to assist with research and program evaluations related to improving the criminal justice system and informing data-driven policy. The Department of Justice Research Center (DOJRC) facilitates the release of DOJ data to qualified departments, agencies, and researchers on a need to know right to know basis to ensure the protection of all individuals’ personal information.
If you are seeking de-identified public criminal justice data, please visit the DOJ Open Justice Data Portal for direct access to data: https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/data
If you are seeking government records via the Public Records Act (PRA), please visit https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/pra to learn more.
Data Request Process
The steps below outline the high-level process for requesting access to DOJ data. All inquiries and questions regarding the Data Request process should be directed to datarequests@doj.ca.gov.
Requestor completes and submits Data Request Application Package.
DOJ reviews and approves or denies submitted Data Request Application Package.
DOJ data request project approvals are valid for one year. Renewals for additional time can be requested 90 days prior.
Submit
All requesting agencies or researchers will be required to submit the following documents and send their data application package to datarequests@doj.ca.gov:
Review
- DOJ reviews and approves or denies the submitted data request package.
- If applicable, all listed team members who will be accessing specified DOJ data must complete and pass a Department background check prior to data receipt.
Approve
- DOJ data request project approvals are valid for one year.
- If the project will continue past one year, the requestor will be required to complete the renewal process.
- When the project is closed, the requestor will be required to destroy all DOJ data in their possession.
Databases
The DOJ is authorized to release Department data from particular departmental data systems. Each system has its own requirements for who may request such information based upon statute. Please review the description for the data system that you wish to request data. If you would like to request access to such information, complete and submit the appropriate data request application.
- Automated Criminal History System (ACHS)
Per Penal Code 13202, every public agency or bona fide research body concerned with the prevention or control of crime, the quality of criminal justice or the custody of correction offenders may request Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) data for research purposes.
Additional requirements for access to this data:
- Fingerprint background check required
- Curriculum Vitae for Principal Investigator
- IRB Approval
- Human Subjects Protection Training Certifications
- CORI Conditions of Release
- Juvenile Court Probation Statistical System (JCPSS)
Per Penal Code 13010.5(b), the department may make available data collected pursuant to this section in the same manner as data collected pursuant to Penal Code Section 13202.
Additional requirements for access to this data:
- Fingerprint background check required
- Curriculum Vitae for Principal Investigator
- IRB Approval
- Human Subjects Protection Training Certifications
- CORI Conditions of Release
- Controlled Substance Utilization Review & Evaluation System (CURES)
Per Health and Safety Code 11165(c)(2)(A), CURES Data may be provided to public or private entities, as approved by the Department of Justice, for educational, peer review, statistical, or research purposes, if patient information, including any information that may identify the patient, is not compromised.
Governing regulations for CURES can be found here
Additional requirements for access to this data:
- DOJ Notary Identity Verification required
- Curriculum Vitae for Principal Investigator
- IRB Approval
- Human Subjects Protection Training Certifications
- CURES Acknowledgements for Conditions of Release
- California Restraining and Protective Orders System (CARPOS)
Per Penal Code 14231.5, Notwithstanding any other law, the Department of Justice shall make information relating to gun violence restraining orders that is maintained in the California Restraining and Protective Order System, or any similar database maintained by the department, available to researchers affiliated with the University of California Firearm Violence Research Center, or, at the department’s discretion, to any other nonprofit educational institution or public agency immediately concerned with the study and prevention of violence, for academic and policy research purposes, provided that any material identifying individuals is not transferred, revealed, or used for other than research or statistical activities and reports or publications derived therefrom shall not identify specific individuals.
Governing regulations for CARPOS can be found here
Additional requirements for access to this data:
- Fingerprint background check required
- Curriculum Vitae for Principal Investigator
- IRB Approval
- Human Subjects Protection Training Certifications
- Conditions for CARPOS Data Release
- Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA)
Government Code section 12525.5, subdivision (d) prohibits law enforcement from reporting the name, address, social security number, or other unique personal identifying information of the person stopped to the Department and it prohibits the Department from releasing stop data to the public that contains unique identifying information of the officer. Per California Code of Regulations, title 11, § 999.228, subdivision (h), the Department will not release any personally identifying information or the Officer’s I.D. Number to the public. California Code of Regulations, title 11, § 999.228, subdivision (h) allows the Department to disclose confidential stop data to advance public policy and/or for scientific study, if the requestor can maintain certain security measures as described in the regulations. Those requesting confidential stop data must submit a request through the Confidential Stop Data Requestor process outlined in the regulations. Members of the public seeking non-confidential stop data may obtain the data through either a Public Records Act request, or by downloading the data posted to the OpenJustice Data Portal.
Governing regulations for RIPA can be found here
Additional requirements for access to this data:
- DOJ Notary Identity Verification required
- RIPA Acknowledgments for Conditions of Release
- Curriculum Vitae for all request team members
