Data Request Process

The California Department of Justice (CADOJ) 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) oversees the release of all CADOJ data to ensure that the requesting agencies and qualified researchers only receive the data that is required for completing their projects or mandated reports. The DOJRC releases CADOJ data on a need to know right to know basis to ensure the protection of all individuals’ personal information.

Databases

The CADOJ 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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.