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Cedar Falls Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Cedar Falls, Iowa?

Yes, arrest records are public in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This accessibility is governed by the Iowa Public Records Law (Iowa Code Chapter 22), which establishes that records maintained by government agencies shall be available to the public. The statute specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest information, as public documents subject to certain exceptions. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.2, "Every person shall have the right to examine and copy a public record and to publish or otherwise disseminate a public record or the information contained in a public record."

The Cedar Falls Police Division maintains these records in accordance with state law to ensure transparency in governmental operations. Members of the public seeking arrest information may access these records through established procedures, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Iowa Code § 22.7.

How to Look Up Cedar Falls Arrest Records in 2025

The Cedar Falls Police Division provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. The following methods are available for obtaining this information:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Records Unit of the Cedar Falls Police Division, located at 220 Clay Street, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Electronic requests can be submitted through the Cedar Falls Police Records Unit portal, which provides 24-hour access to certain public records.
The Police Division Arrest Report archive contains regularly updated arrest information that can be searched by date range.
For comprehensive searches, the Black Hawk County Courthouse maintains judicial records related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. The courthouse is located at 316 E 5th Street, Waterloo, Iowa 50703.

Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.3, a reasonable fee may be charged for the retrieval and copying of records. The current fee schedule is available at the Records Unit or on the official Cedar Falls website.

Contents of a Cedar Falls Arrest Record

Cedar Falls arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Iowa law and departmental policies. These records typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Date of birth and demographic information
Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint data and other biometric identifiers
Case number and incident report references
Initial court appearance information
Bail or bond amount, if applicable

It should be noted that pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.7(5), certain investigative reports or information may be classified as confidential if disclosure would jeopardize an investigation or pose a clear and present danger to an individual. In such cases, portions of the arrest record may be redacted or withheld from public disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Cedar Falls

The State of Iowa provides legal mechanisms through which certain arrest records may be expunged or sealed from public view. Under Iowa Code Chapter 901C, individuals may petition for expungement under the following circumstances:

Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal of all charges
Cases where the defendant was not prosecuted due to deferred judgment or deferred prosecution
Certain simple misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period of eight years
Alcohol-related offenses committed while under legal age, after a two-year waiting period

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court of jurisdiction where the case was originally heard. For Cedar Falls arrests, this is typically the Black Hawk County District Court. The petition must include:

Complete case information including docket number
Date of arrest and charges filed
Final disposition of the case
Statement of grounds for expungement under applicable Iowa law
Verification that all court costs, fees, and restitution have been paid

Upon successful expungement, records are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies and the judicial system for certain purposes as specified in Iowa Code § 901C.3. The Cedar Falls Police Division complies with court-ordered expungements by restricting access to the specified records within their systems.

Search Arrest Records in Cedar Falls

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Cedar Falls may utilize the following official resources:

Cedar Falls Police Division
220 Clay Street
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
Phone: 319-273-8600
Official Website

Black Hawk County Courthouse
316 E 5th Street
Waterloo, Iowa 50703
Phone: 319-833-3012
Official Website

The Cedar Falls Police Division Records Unit maintains and processes all official arrest records for the jurisdiction. Requests for records may be submitted during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For emergency situations requiring immediate police response, individuals should contact the emergency services number 911. For non-emergency situations requiring police assistance, the public may call 319-273-8612.

Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.4, each government body is required to delegate an official custodian responsible for implementing the requirements of the public records law. In Cedar Falls, the Records Unit Supervisor serves as the designated custodian for police records and can provide guidance regarding the proper procedures for obtaining arrest information.