Murrieta Police Department

If you, a loved one or a family member or you have been arrested by or are being investigated by the Murietta Police Department, it can cause insomnia worrying about what will happen, mostly just from not knowing what will happen or can happen.  Moreover, one is dependent upon the honesty, accuracy and competence of a police officer, who may or may not be experienced or have the same sense of urgency as you in having the police report properly written.  

Facing such a situation, knowing the bail amount (if any) associated with the offense or offenses at issue if police deny an own recognizance (OR) release may decrease one’s anxiety.  It is also good to know what evidence is needed to convict one for the crime or crimes that allegedly took place, the defenses possible and the sentence a judge can impose if one is convicted of the crime or crimes.

  
We at Greg Hill & Associates believe it is wise to know a few more things before interacting with any branch of law enforcement.  It can be prudent to know the size of the police or sheriff’s department, the area’s demographics, a bit of history about the town, city or area, and the most common types of crimes the department investigates to make one’s communication with law enforcement more meaningful, more savvy and perhaps, more respectful.  This can lead to a better outcome than if one lacks such perspective.

This article is presented with these goals in mind.

The Murietta Police Department is a medium to large force with 92 sworn police officers and 44 civilian support personnel assigned to it.  

The Murietta Police Department is responsible for patrolling the City of Murietta, which is 33.65 square miles and has a population of 110,949 as of the 2020 census.

Murrieta experienced a 133.7% population increase between 2000 and 2010, making Murrieta one of the fastest-growing cities in the state during that period.  Largely residential in character, Murrieta is typically characterized as a bedroom community.  Murrieta is bordered by the city of Temecula to the south, the cities of Menifee and Wildomar to the north, and the unincorporated community of French Valley to the east.  Murrieta is named for Juan Murrieta, a Californio ranchero who founded the town.

For arrests along the freeways crossing Murietta, the I-15, the I-215 and State Route 79, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will normally handle this work, although one may be thereafter transported to the Murietta Police Department for processing, a breath test (if a DUI) and booking.  The person may also be held at the Cois M. Bryd Detention Facility in Murietta until bail is posted or the person is transferred to the Riverside County Jail, also called the Robert Presley Detention Center in downtown Riverside.

As of 2020, the city’s population was 46.36% non-Hispanic white, 10.06% Asian, 5.63% African American and 30.58% Hispanic.

Most cases arising out of the Murietta Police Department’s areas of responsibility are brought at the Murietta Courthouse, but some are also brought at the Riverside Hall of Justice at 4100 Main Street in downtown Riverside.  Cases that may be filed at the Riverside Hall of Justice instead of at the Murietta Courthouse would be very serious cases needing specialized prosecutors trained in handling such cases.

Over the last 25 years, our office has handled perhaps 10 cases arising out the Murietta Police Station and brought in the Murietta Courthouse.  Such cases included several DUI’s, a shoplifting case and a possession of a controlled substance case.  We recall one particular DUI, where police arrested our client at the exit area of a local winery, where he had enjoyed a few glasses of wine.  

We find that locals to the Murietta area often distrust local criminal defense attorneys as being social friends with prosecutors and judges, so they are unwilling to fight too hard to preserve their friendships, so we are hired instead because we presumably have no such ties or loyalties.

Below is the Google Map to the Murrieta Police Department.