Humboldt County Arrest Records

After an arrest in Humboldt County, California, suspects are processed and booked at local police precincts or county jail facilities. This process includes collecting personal data, photographs, and fingerprints alongside details of the suspected crime. The outcome is the creation of a Humboldt County arrest record, which becomes part of the judicial framework used in the prosecution of the arrestee and county crime analytics.

Law enforcement agencies in Humboldt County maintain these arrest records. Although primarily created by the arresting agency, they may also become available through other state or local government bodies, such as the Humboldt County Superior Court and the California Department of Justice (DOJ), which manage Humboldt County court records and related criminal history information.

Arrests are performed by law enforcement agencies in accordance with the provisions of the California Penal Code. Depending on the specifics of the case, they may be done with or without a warrant. Following the arrest, the individual may be released on a citation or held in custody until their initial court appearance.

Are Arrest Records Public in Humboldt County?

Yes. The California Public Records Act (PRA) allows public access to arrest records in Humboldt County, barring specific exemptions designed to protect sensitive information. Records that may interfere with active law enforcement proceedings, endanger individuals, or reveal investigative techniques are generally exempt from public disclosure.

Humboldt County arrest records may still be accessible to the arrestee, legal representatives, or government officials. County law enforcement is required to comply with public records requests, subject to the limitations imposed by the PRA.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Per Section 7923.610 of California's Public Records Act (PRA), the following information in a Humboldt County arrest record is releasable to the public:

• The suspect's full name and date of birth
• The suspect's physical description, including gender, height, weight, scars/tattoos/marks, and eye and hair color
• The suspect's occupation
• The arrest date, time, and location
• If applicable, the suspect's booking information (time, date, location, etc.)
• Factual details regarding the arrest
• Charges the arrestee currently faces
• Parole/probation holds and outstanding warrants for the suspect
• The manner and time of release or the current location of the suspect's detention

Humboldt County Crime Rate

The California Office of the Attorney General (OAG), through its Criminal Justice Statistics Center (CJSC), compiles crime data from local law enforcement agencies and publishes them on its Open Justice Portal. According to the OAG's 2023 report, Humboldt County recorded 607 violent crimes and 2,437 property crimes.

Violent crimes included 382 incidents of aggravated assault as well as 121 robberies, 94 rapes, and 10 homicides. In Humboldt, aggravated assault was the most frequent violent crime, accounting for the majority of reported incidents.

On the other hand, there were 386 reports of burglary, 394 motor vehicle theft, and 1,657 larceny theft. Larceny-theft was the county’s most common offense, comprising over 50% of the county's index crimes in that year.

Humboldt County Arrest Statistics

In 2023, Humboldt County law enforcement agencies recorded 5,233 total arrests, an approximate 10% decrease from the preceding year. Of these arrests, 3,922 were for misdemeanor offenses, while 1,238 were felony arrests. The county also reported 557 arrests for violent offenses, 206 for property offenses, 136 for drug offenses, and 319 for other offenses.

Find Humboldt County Arrest Records

Arrests in Humboldt County are typically handled by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office or the Eureka Police Department. The sheriff's office provides arrest and inmate information, including an online Inmate Search Tool for those in custody. To search, individuals can enter a person's name or booking number. The tool will display details like the booking date, bail amount, and next court appearance. Inquirers may also send mail-in queries to the Records Division of the office at:

Humboldt County Sheriff's Office
826 Fourth Street,
Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 445-7251
sheriff@co.humboldt.ca.us

Similarly, people seeking arrest information from the Eureka Police can submit requests using the department's Request for Incident Report form. Applications may be submitted online or via mail to:

Eureka Police Department Contact Information
604 C Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 441-4060

Free Arrest Record Search in Humboldt County

Individuals can view arrest and inmate information for free on the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office website or the California Department of Corrections site. Some third-party websites also offer arrest record searches, though these may require a fee for detailed reports.

Get Humboldt County Criminal Records

Criminal records offer more detailed information than arrest records and are available through the Humboldt County Superior Court and other state entities.

This county court provides access to criminal case information, including filed charges and case outcomes. Individuals may request records in person at the courthouse or online via the court's public access portal. Additionally, criminal records can be obtained by submitting a request to the court clerk at:

825 Fifth Street,
Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: (707) 445-7256

Under Cal. Penal Code § 11105, individuals and certain organizations can request a criminal background check for employment or licensing purposes. The DOJ provides background checks through the Live Scan system, which requires fingerprinting at an authorized location.

Those seeking their criminal history can submit a request for a Record Review via Live Scan. This review will provide them with an RAP sheet detailing all arrests, prosecutions, and court outcomes within California.

The CDCR also provides an online Inmate Locator tool for individuals convicted of more serious crimes and serving state prison sentences. This tool allows individuals to search by name or CDCR number to find information about inmates' status and parole eligibility. Similarly, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) offers an inmate locator for finding individuals held in federal custody. Additional information can be obtained through a FOIA request.

Humboldt County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records only indicate that an individual was apprehended and charged but do not show the final court outcome. Criminal records, however, include a full history of a person's legal encounters, including court verdicts, probation, or incarceration details.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) holds criminal records until the person reaches 100 years old, per Penal Code § 11105. Consequently, Humboldt County arrest records remain part of an individual's criminal history unless proactive steps are taken to remove them. These records are public and may appear in criminal checks performed by various organizations, institutions, and entities. Notwithstanding, eligible persons may seek to have these records removed from public view through sealing or expungement.

Expunge Humboldt County Arrest Records

In California, full expungement—where a record is entirely erased—is not available for arrest records. However, individuals can petition to have their arrest records sealed, making them inaccessible to the public except for limited government agencies, such as law enforcement. Sealing a record under Penal Code § 851.91 effectively ensures that the arrest is no longer visible to the public or private entities conducting background checks.

Eligibility to seal an arrest record in Humboldt County is limited to the following circumstances:

• The individual was arrested, but no charges were filed (Penal Code § 849.5).
• Charges were filed, but the case was later dismissed (Penal Code § 1385).
• The individual successfully completed a diversion program, resulting in dismissed charges (Penal Code § 1000.4).
• The person participated in and completed a Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ) program, leading to dismissed charges (Penal Code § 1000).
• A trial resulted in a finding of not guilty or factual innocence (Penal Code § 851.8).

Persons who meet any of these criteria may submit a Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records (Form CR-409) to the Humboldt County Superior Court. The process involves filing this form, along with supporting documentation, and attending a court hearing if required.

Dismissal of a criminal conviction is also an option for individuals with qualifying convictions. This process, governed by Penal Code § 1203.4, allows the court to reopen the case, withdraw the guilty plea, and enter a not-guilty plea, which effectively dismisses the case. However, even with a dismissal, the record remains visible, though it is updated to reflect that the conviction has been dismissed.

Humboldt County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Humboldt County, California, is a legal order issued by a judge or magistrate directing law enforcement officers to apprehend and detain an individual suspected of committing a crime. Under California Penal Code § 817, arrest warrants are typically issued based on a determination of probable cause after law enforcement submits an application. In some cases, an arrest warrant may be issued if a person violates court orders, such as failing to appear in court or breaching probation or parole conditions.

In Humboldt County, arrest warrants contain the name of the individual, the specific statute allegedly violated, the issuing court's jurisdiction, and instructions to law enforcement to execute the arrest.

Humboldt County Arrest Warrant Search

While there is no dedicated online search tool for bench or arrest warrants specific to Humboldt County, individuals can search statewide warrant information through the California Courts system. Alternatively, individuals can contact the Humboldt County Superior Court or visit the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to request a warrant check. Inquirers are typically required to provide information about the warrant being sought and a personal ID. While the Sheriff's Office may not provide detailed information over the phone, they may guide the individual on addressing the warrant or referring them to the appropriate court.

Do Humboldt County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Humboldt County, like elsewhere in California, arrest warrants do not expire. These warrants remain active until the person is arrested, surrenders to law enforcement, or the court recalls or quashes the warrant.