California Jail Bookings, Court Cases and Criminal History Checks
California arrest information is split between county sheriffs, Superior Courts, the Department of Justice and CDCR. Use this guide to identify the correct county, locate current custody, find the court case, request your own fingerprint-based history and correct inaccurate information without confusing one database for another.
California Arrest Records Search Quick Facts
Use the arresting county sheriff or jail portal, not CDCR.
Use the Superior Court in the county where charges were filed.
Request a fingerprint-based Record Review from California DOJ.
Use California Incarcerated Records and Information Search.
The state fee is $25; the Live Scan provider may charge a separate rolling fee.
Call 916-227-3849 for Record Review questions or status.
Call 916-445-6713, weekdays 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Pacific, excluding holidays.
Use the court record to check filed charges and the final disposition.
Someone Was Arrested Today? Use This Order
- Confirm the arresting police department, sheriff and county.
- Search the county jail using the surname first.
- Allow time for transportation, medical clearance and booking.
- Save the booking number, facility, charges, bail and every listed hold.
- Find the county Superior Court after the case is filed.
- Do not use CIRIS unless the person may be in CDCR state-prison custody.
- Never pay an unknown caller promising immediate release.
Which California Record System Should You Search?
“California arrest records” can mean a recent jail booking, a court file, your own DOJ history or a state-prison record. These sources are not interchangeable.
Your question | Best official source | Information to prepare | What to do next |
|---|---|---|---|
Was someone booked recently? | County sheriff, police jail or detention portal | Legal name, date of birth, arresting city and approximate date | Confirm booking number, facility, bail, holds and current custody. |
What happened in the criminal case? | County, legal name, case number and filing period | Check filed charges, hearings, orders and disposition. | |
What is on my California DOJ record? | Record Review form, photo ID and fingerprints | Review the mailed result and challenge errors when necessary. | |
Is the person in state prison? | Name, CDCR number or age | Confirm location, commitment county and available custody details. | |
Is the person in federal prison? | Name or federal register number | Confirm federal location and record availability. | |
Can I obtain another person’s full DOJ history? | Usually not through public Record Review | Determine the lawful purpose and authorised process | Use a legally authorised background-check route when applicable. |
How to Find a Recent California Jail Booking by County
County jail systems are the correct starting point for most fresh arrests. A city police department may temporarily hold the person before transfer to a county facility.
Major California County Inmate Search Routes
County | Official lookup | Useful search detail | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | Search custody information and use the help number when identity or location is unclear. | Booking number, facility, release status and court information | |
San Diego | Use a booking number when available and contact the facility for confirmation. | Housing facility, booking date, charges and next court information | |
Orange | The county page routes users to inmate search, visitation and arrest-log services. | Booking number, intake facility, bail and release information | |
Riverside | The direct search requires a last name and accepts additional identifying details. | Current facility, booking number and next court information | |
San Bernardino | Search by the 10-digit booking number or use name and birth-date details. | Facility, visitation route, bail and custody status | |
Sacramento | Search by name, XREF or booking number where available. | Charges, custody location and release-notification options |
How to Request Your Own California DOJ Criminal History
California DOJ Record Review is designed for individuals who want to see their own state summary criminal history for accuracy and completeness. It is not a public name-search service for checking another person.
California residents who meet income or public-assistance requirements may use the official fee-waiver process.
A DOJ fee waiver does not remove the separate fingerprint-rolling fee charged by the selected Live Scan provider.
Call the Record Review Unit at 916-227-3849. Keep your submission information ready.
Requesting Your Record From Outside California
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Analysis
Record Review & Challenge Section
P.O. Box 160207
Sacramento, CA 95816-0207
Do not mail an out-of-state request until you have checked the current DOJ page and completed the correct form.
How to Search California Criminal Court Records
California criminal cases are handled by county Superior Courts. There is no single statewide public portal containing every county’s criminal case information.
Field | What it generally indicates | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
Pending | The case has not reached a final disposition. | Review upcoming hearings and current release conditions. |
Dismissed | The listed charge or case was dismissed. | Obtain the official order and research record-cleaning eligibility. |
Convicted | A conviction was entered for the specified count. | Review sentence, probation, custody and later relief options. |
Warrant | The court record may indicate a warrant-related event. | Contact the court or a lawyer; do not rely on a third-party warrant page. |
Sealed | Public access may be restricted by law or court order. | Ask the clerk what access or proof is available to you. |
How to Use California CIRIS for CDCR Custody
CIRIS is for people currently in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation custody. It is not a county-jail booking search.
Use the county sheriff for people awaiting trial or serving local jail custody.
Use CIRIS after sentencing and transfer into California state-prison custody.
Use the Federal Inmate Locator for federal incarceration.
California Bail, Arraignment and Legal-Help Routing
Bail and release procedures depend on the charges, court and county. The inmate page may show an amount, but only the responsible jail and court can confirm current release conditions.
A visible bail amount does not guarantee immediate release when another case, warrant, immigration matter or hold remains.
The arraignment is generally where the defendant is informed of charges, enters a plea and addresses counsel and release issues.
Confirm amounts and methods directly with the county jail or court before sending money.
How to Find a Public Defender or Private Criminal Lawyer
If the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, the court may appoint counsel, commonly through the county Public Defender.
- Identify the court and case number.
- Ask the court or jail how appointed counsel is requested.
- Prepare income, asset and expense information.
- Attend the arraignment and follow the judge’s directions.
California Courts provides free and low-cost legal-help guidance.
Use the State Bar’s certified Lawyer Referral Service directory.
- Select the county.
- Choose criminal law where available.
- Ask about consultation terms.
- Verify the attorney’s State Bar profile.
- Request a written fee agreement.
California Jail and CDCR Visitation Guidance
County jail visitation and CDCR prison visitation use different rules. Always confirm the current facility before applying, scheduling or travelling.
- Open the county sheriff’s official visitation page.
- Confirm in-person, video or remote options.
- Check ID, age, clothing and property rules.
- Verify reservation and arrival requirements.
- Call before a long-distance or holiday visit.
- Use the official CDCR visitation hub.
- Receive and complete the visitor questionnaire.
- Wait for approval before scheduling.
- Check the institution’s visiting status.
- Schedule through VSA when required.
California Victim Notification and CDCR Services
Check whether the responsible county jail participates in VINE or another county notification system.
Use the Request for Victim Services process for available CDCR notifications and services.
CDCR lists Victim Services at 279-223-4800 and victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov.
Correcting, Sealing or Cleaning a California Record
Correcting an inaccurate DOJ history, sealing an arrest and asking a private website to update a page are separate processes.
Review California Courts guidance on sealing an arrest with no conviction.
Use the California Courts record-cleaning hub to identify possible relief.
Public Defender offices may offer record-cleaning assistance for convictions from their county, depending on local services.
California Criminal-Record Phone Numbers and Addresses
- Record Review questions/status: 916-227-3849
- Use for your own state summary criminal-history request.
- Do not visit a DOJ public office expecting an instant background report.
Sacramento, CA 95814-2919
- Main office: 916-445-9555
- This is not a walk-in Record Review processing counter.
- Main number: 916-324-7308
- Identification Unit: 916-445-6713
- Identification Unit hours: weekdays, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Pacific, excluding holidays
Sacramento, CA 94283
- Phone: 279-223-4800
- Email: victimservices@cdcr.ca.gov
San Francisco, CA 94105
- Main number: 415-538-2000
- The State Bar does not itself act as a lawyer referral service.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
- Main number: 213-765-1000
- Use the certified referral directory to find local assistance.
California Attorney General – Sacramento
Use official online instructions before visiting any office. DOJ Record Review is completed through fingerprints and the designated submission process, not an immediate walk-in name search.
Bring or prepare: the correct form, identification, case or transaction information and the exact question you need answered.
California Arrest and Criminal Record Troubleshooting
Problem | Likely reason | What to try | Next contact |
|---|---|---|---|
No county inmate result | The booking is new, the person remains in city custody or the name differs. | Use surname only, remove punctuation and check the arresting city. | County jail information desk |
No court case appears | The case may not be filed or indexed yet, or the wrong county was searched. | Use the booking county, case number and a broader filing period. | Superior Court criminal clerk |
No CIRIS result | The person may be in county jail, released, federal custody or not yet transferred. | Recheck county custody and search by CDCR number if available. | CDCR Identification Unit |
DOJ record lacks the disposition | Court information may be incomplete or not transmitted correctly. | Obtain the court disposition and follow the correction instructions. | Court clerk, then DOJ Record Review |
Private website shows an old arrest | The publisher has not reflected the official outcome. | Save the URL and obtain the official dismissal, sealing or disposition document. | Publisher after official verification |
Several people share the name | Name-only searches can create false matches. | Compare date of birth, booking number, county, case number and photograph. | Responsible jail or court |
Check the arresting city and county jail, allow booking time and call with the legal name and date of birth.
Use the county Superior Court rather than a jail page or mugshot website.
Complete DOJ Record Review through Live Scan or the authorised out-of-state fingerprint process.
Call the county, then check CIRIS or the federal locator depending on the destination.
Ask the court about appointed counsel or use a State Bar-certified Lawyer Referral Service.
Obtain the court document, request your DOJ record and submit a formal challenge with proof.
Continue With the California Mugshot and Jail Guide
Use the California Arrests.org and inmate-search guide when your main goal is locating a private mugshot listing and then verifying it through county jail, court and CDCR sources.
Verified California Arrest and Criminal Record Resources
California Arrest Records FAQs
Is there one official statewide California arrest-record search?
No. Recent arrest and jail information is generally maintained by county sheriffs, police departments and detention facilities. Court records are maintained by county Superior Courts, while California DOJ provides fingerprint-based access to a person’s own state summary criminal history.
How do I find someone arrested today in California?
Identify the arresting city and county, then search the official county sheriff or jail portal using the surname first. If no result appears, allow time for booking and check whether the person remains in a city jail before transfer.
How can I obtain my own California criminal record?
Use California DOJ Record Review. California residents complete form BCIA 8016RR and submit fingerprints through an approved public Live Scan provider. Applicants outside California generally follow the manual fingerprint-card process.
How much does a California DOJ Record Review cost?
The California DOJ processing fee is $25. A Live Scan provider may charge a separate fingerprint-rolling fee. Eligible California residents may apply for a waiver of the DOJ fee, but the provider’s rolling fee may still apply.
Can I request another person’s full California DOJ criminal history?
California DOJ Record Review is for individuals requesting their own criminal history. Access to another person’s confidential state summary criminal history is restricted and requires a lawful, authorised process.
How do I search a California criminal court case?
Identify the county where charges were filed, use the California Judicial Branch Find My Court tool and open that Superior Court’s criminal case-search or records page. Search by case number when possible and contact the clerk for complete or certified copies.
What is the California CIRIS inmate search?
CIRIS is the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation search for people currently in CDCR custody. Results may include the person’s name, CDCR number, age, current location, commitment counties and available custody information.
Why is a recent California arrest missing from CIRIS?
CIRIS is not a county-jail booking database. A recently arrested person may remain in city or county custody, be released, await court or never enter CDCR custody. Search the arresting county’s jail system first.
How do I correct an inaccurate California criminal history record?
Request your DOJ Record Review, obtain the correct court records and follow the challenge instructions included with the response. A Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Incompleteness must clearly explain the error and include supporting proof.
Can a California arrest record be sealed or removed?
Some arrests and convictions may qualify for sealing or another record-cleaning process, depending on the case and current law. Use California Courts self-help guidance or legal assistance. Removing a private website page does not itself seal the official record.
Official resources reviewed August 1, 2026
This website is an independent informational resource. It is not affiliated with the California Department of Justice, California Judicial Branch, CDCR, a county sheriff, the State Bar of California or another government agency.
Official links, fees, forms, telephone numbers and published service information were checked during the latest review. Jail custody, court access, office availability, provider fees, visitation and record-cleaning procedures can change. Confirm time-sensitive details with the responsible official source.
Responsible-use notice: An arrest is not a conviction. Do not use this guide, a mugshot page or an inmate record for employment, tenant screening, credit, insurance or another decision requiring a legally compliant consumer report.