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Sacramento County Criminal Records

What Is Sacramento County Criminal Records

Sacramento County criminal records are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within Sacramento County, California. These records are maintained pursuant to California Penal Code § 13100-13326, which establishes the statewide criminal record repository and reporting requirements.

Criminal records in Sacramento County encompass several distinct categories:

  • Arrest Records: Documentation of detentions and arrests by law enforcement agencies, including the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, Sacramento Police Department, and other municipal police departments within the county
  • Court Records: Official proceedings and dispositions from the Sacramento County Superior Court
  • Correctional Records: Information regarding incarceration in the Sacramento County Main Jail or Rio Cosumino Correctional Center
  • Probation/Parole Records: Supervision documentation maintained by the Sacramento County Probation Department

The fundamental distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document instances where an individual was taken into custody but do not necessarily indicate guilt. Conviction records, conversely, confirm that a court has determined the individual committed the offense. Under California Labor Code § 432.7, employers face restrictions on using arrest records that did not result in conviction.

Sacramento County criminal records differentiate between:

  • Felonies: Serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
  • Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail
  • Infractions: Minor violations usually resulting in fines only

Juvenile records receive special protection under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, which generally seals these records from public view. Adult records, however, are typically accessible unless specifically sealed or expunged through court order.

The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in Sacramento County include:

Sacramento County Sheriff's Office
711 G Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5115
Sacramento County Sheriff's Office

Sacramento County Superior Court
720 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5522
Sacramento County Superior Court

Sacramento County District Attorney's Office
901 G Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-6218
Sacramento County District Attorney

Are Criminal Records Public In Sacramento County

Criminal records in Sacramento County are generally considered public information pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including most criminal justice information.

The California Public Records Act states: "Access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state." This principle extends to criminal records, though with important limitations and exceptions.

Records that are typically available to the public include:

  • Adult conviction records
  • Court proceedings and calendars
  • Booking information and mugshots
  • Inmate custody status
  • Sex offender registration information

However, several categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:

The Sacramento County Superior Court maintains public terminals where members of the public may search case information. Additionally, the Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder provides access to certain public records, though criminal records are primarily maintained by the court and law enforcement agencies.

Law enforcement agencies in Sacramento County may withhold certain information if disclosure would endanger an investigation, reveal confidential sources, or compromise public safety. This discretion is granted under Government Code § 6254(f), which states that "records of investigations conducted by... any state or local police agency" may be exempt from disclosure.

For individuals seeking their own criminal history information, the California Department of Justice provides a process for criminal record review, allowing individuals to obtain their complete criminal history and challenge any inaccuracies.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Sacramento County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Sacramento County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The appropriate approach depends on the specific type of record sought and its intended use.

For court records, individuals may:

  1. Visit the Sacramento County Superior Court's public access terminals located at:

Sacramento County Superior Court - Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse
720 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5522
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sacramento County Superior Court

  1. Submit a written request to the Criminal Records Division using the court's official request form. Requests must include:

    • Full name of the subject
    • Date of birth (if known)
    • Case number (if known)
    • Requestor's contact information
    • Purpose of request

  2. Access the court's online case information system through the Sacramento Superior Court Public Portal. This system provides:

    • Case summary information
    • Register of actions
    • Future court dates
    • Case disposition

For arrest and custody records, individuals may:

  1. Contact the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau:

Sacramento County Sheriff's Office - Records Bureau
711 G Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5115
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sacramento County Sheriff's Office

  1. Check the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Inmate Information portal for current custody status and booking information.

  2. Submit a formal public records request through the Sheriff's Office website or in person.

For comprehensive criminal history information ("rap sheets"), individuals may only obtain their own records through the California Department of Justice by:

  1. Completing a Request for Live Scan Service form
  2. Visiting an authorized Live Scan provider for fingerprinting
  3. Paying the required fee (currently $25 plus fingerprinting fees)
  4. Receiving results by mail within 2-4 weeks

Pursuant to Penal Code § 11105, complete criminal history information is restricted to authorized agencies and the subject of the record. Members of the general public cannot obtain another individual's complete criminal history directly from law enforcement agencies.

How To Find Criminal Records in Sacramento County Online?

Sacramento County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital portals offer varying levels of detail and accessibility depending on the type of record sought.

The primary online resources include:

  1. Sacramento Superior Court Public Case Access

    • Available at: https://services.saccourt.ca.gov/PublicCaseAccess/
    • Provides: Case summaries, register of actions, future court dates, case status
    • Search methods: By name, case number, or citation number
    • Limitations: Does not include complete case files or documents
    • No registration required for basic searches

  2. Sacramento County Sheriff's Inmate Information

    • Available at: https://www.sacsheriff.com/inmate_information/
    • Provides: Current custody status, booking information, charges, bail amounts, next court date
    • Search methods: By name or booking number
    • Updated daily
    • No registration required

  3. Sacramento County Sheriff's Who's In Jail Search

  4. California Department of Justice Megan's Law Website

When using these online resources, users should note:

  • Information may not be comprehensive or reflect sealed/expunged records
  • Case disposition information is crucial for determining if charges resulted in conviction
  • Some detailed information may require in-person requests
  • Online records typically do not include complete criminal history ("rap sheets")
  • Document images and exhibits generally require in-person requests and fees

For more comprehensive searches, the Sacramento County Public Law Library offers public access to legal research databases that may contain additional case information:

Sacramento County Public Law Library
609 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-6012
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sacramento County Public Law Library

Can You Search Sacramento County Criminal Records for Free?

Sacramento County residents and members of the public may access certain criminal records at no cost, pursuant to the California Public Records Act and local policies. The availability of free access varies by record type and access method.

Free in-person inspection options include:

  • Sacramento County Superior Court Public Terminals

    • Located at: 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
    • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Provides: Basic case information, register of actions, future court dates
    • No fee for viewing; printing fees may apply ($0.50 per page)

  • Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau

    • Located at: 711 G Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
    • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    • Provides: Limited arrest and booking information
    • No fee for basic information; certified copies require payment

Free online resources include:

While basic record searches are available at no cost, fees apply for:

  • Certified copies of court records ($25 per document)
  • Complete case files ($0.50 per page)
  • Background checks through the California Department of Justice ($25 plus fingerprinting fees)
  • Expedited or specialized searches
  • Records requiring extensive staff time to compile

The Sacramento County Superior Court may waive fees for individuals who qualify for fee waivers based on financial need. Fee waiver applications are available at the courthouse or on the court's website.

Government Code § 6253(b) permits agencies to charge fees that cover the direct cost of duplication, but not for the staff time required to search for records. This provision ensures that while copies may incur reasonable fees, the right to inspect records remains accessible regardless of financial means.

What's Included in a Sacramento County Criminal Record?

Sacramento County criminal records typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the type of record and maintaining agency, but generally includes several key categories of information.

Identifying Information:

  • Full legal name and known aliases
  • Date of birth
  • Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
  • Booking photograph ("mugshot")
  • Last known address
  • State Identification Number (SID)
  • FBI number (if applicable)
  • Driver's license number (if applicable)

Arrest Information:

  • Date and time of arrest
  • Arresting agency
  • Booking number
  • Charges filed at booking (including California Penal Code sections)
  • Bail amount and status
  • Detention facility
  • Arresting officer information (may be redacted)
  • Arrest circumstances (limited information)

Court Case Information:

  • Case number
  • Court of jurisdiction
  • Filing date
  • Charges filed by prosecutor (may differ from booking charges)
  • Statutory citations and offense classification (felony/misdemeanor)
  • Plea entered
  • Attorney information
  • Judge assigned
  • Court proceedings and appearances
  • Continuances and delays
  • Preliminary hearing information

Disposition Information:

  • Verdict or case outcome
  • Conviction date (if applicable)
  • Sentencing details:
    • Incarceration length and facility
    • Probation terms and conditions
    • Fines and fees imposed
    • Restitution ordered
    • Alternative sentencing (community service, diversion programs)
  • Appeals filed and outcomes
  • Probation/parole status and violations
  • Completion of sentence

Additional Information:

  • Active warrants
  • Protective or restraining orders
  • Sex offender registration requirements
  • DUI/DWI history
  • Traffic violations (if criminally charged)
  • Pending charges
  • Probation/parole status
  • Risk assessment information (limited availability)

Criminal records maintained by the Sacramento County Superior Court focus primarily on case proceedings and dispositions, while Sheriff's Office records contain more detailed arrest and custody information. The California Department of Justice maintains the most comprehensive criminal history records, integrating information from all reporting agencies throughout the state.

Pursuant to Penal Code § 13125-13128, criminal justice agencies must report specified information to the state repository, ensuring standardized record content across jurisdictions.

How Long Does Sacramento County Keep Criminal Records?

Sacramento County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by California state law and local policies. These retention periods vary based on record type, offense severity, and maintaining agency.

The Sacramento County Superior Court retains criminal case records pursuant to Government Code § 68152, which establishes the following minimum retention periods:

  • Felony cases: Permanent retention for cases resulting in imprisonment in state prison
  • Felony cases (non-prison sentence): 75 years from date of disposition
  • Misdemeanor cases: 5 years from date of final disposition
  • Infractions: 3 years from date of final disposition
  • Probation records: 5 years after termination of probation

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office maintains records according to departmental policy and state guidelines:

  • Arrest records: 5 years for misdemeanors, 10 years for felonies
  • Booking photographs: Retained with corresponding arrest records
  • Jail records: 5 years after release from custody
  • Investigation reports: Varies by case type; homicide and sexual assault cases retained permanently

The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history information in the state repository indefinitely, unless specifically ordered expunged or sealed by court order. This includes:

  • Fingerprint records
  • Arrest data
  • Disposition information
  • Incarceration records

Records may be removed from public access through several legal mechanisms:

  • Expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4: Does not destroy records but changes disposition to "dismissed"
  • Sealing under various statutes: Removes records from public view but maintains them for limited official purposes
  • Destruction pursuant to court order: Complete elimination of records, typically only available for arrests not resulting in charges

The Sacramento County Records Management Program oversees compliance with retention requirements for all county agencies. While records may be maintained longer than minimum requirements, they cannot be destroyed earlier without specific authorization.

Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as physical records. As Sacramento County has transitioned to electronic record-keeping systems, many older physical records have been digitized for permanent retention.

Lookup Criminal Records in Sacramento County

Sacramento County Clerk/Recorder

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