Kern County Arrest Records

Kern County arrest records are important documents for police investigations and legal proceedings. They are generally open to the public to allow arrestees to understand their charges, prepare their legal defenses, and seal or expunge their records. Information in arrest records can also help victims track an arrestee's criminal justice progress.

While arrest documents do not show whether an individual has been found guilty, they are a critical part of Kern County court records, as prosecutors use them to charge offenders and defense attorneys to prepare legal arguments. Arrest records typically identify the person arrested and explain the events necessitating the apprehension. These records can include every incident that led police officers to take a person into custody if the individual has been arrested on multiple occasions.

Members of the public can retrieve arrest records from various public agencies, including local law enforcement, courts, and state departments.

Are Arrest Records Public in Kern County?

Yes. The California Public Records Act (PRA) requires law enforcement agencies, courts, and other custodians to dispense arrest records in response to requests from members of the public. However, they are not permitted to release records protected by law. These records include victim information, records connected to open criminal investigations, juvenile records, sealed and expunged arrest records, and criminal offender information (per Cal. Penal Code § 11075).

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Local law enforcement in Kern County disseminates the following arrest records to the public:

• Arrestee's name, photograph, age, and physical description
• Arrest time, date, and location
• Booking number, date, time, and type
• Offense code, type, description
• Number of counts
• Bail amount, source, and restriction
• Crime case number
• Holding location
• Release date and details
• Court case number (if the suspect is charged)
• Arresting agency

Kern County Crime Rate

The 2022 incident report released by the California Attorney General's Criminal Justice Statistics Center (CJSC) on its Open Justice Portal reveals statewide crime rates based on data collected from local law enforcement. According to the report, violent crime dropped in Kern County by 0.46% in 2022, from 6,718 in 2021 to 6,687 in 2022. On the other hand, property crimes rose by 1.14%, from 28,208 in 2021 to 29,542 in 2022, and arson incidents decreased by 9.4%, from 468 in 2021 to 424 in 2022.

Among the reported violent crimes, homicide fell from 124 in 2021 to 101 in 2022 (an 18.55% drop), robbery rose to 1,276 in 2022 from 1,249 in 2021 (a 2.16% increase), and aggravated assault increased to 5,017 in 2022 from 4,990 in 2021 (a 0.54% rise).

Meanwhile, among the reported property crimes, burglary increased to 6,444 incidents in 2022 from 5,507 in 2021 (a 17.01% decline). Motor vehicle theft increased from 8,843 in 2021 to 9,061 (a 2.47% increase). However, larceny-theft reduced to 14,037 in 2022 from 14,858 in 2021 (a 5.53% decrease).

Kern County Arrest Statistics

Per the data published in the Open Justice Portal, Kern County law enforcement recorded 25,274 arrests in 2022. Felonies accounted for 10,606 arrests, misdemeanors for 14,657, and status offenses (non-criminal acts by juveniles) made up 11 arrests.

Violent offenses (3,342) were the primary cause of felony arrests, while sex offenses (183) caused the least arrests under the felony category in the same year.

Find Kern County Arrest Records

Individuals can check for Kern County arrest information through the following public bodies:

Kern County Law Enforcement

Individuals can visit or call the police department they believe made an arrest to find related details. This may involve contacting or visiting the Records Section of the Kern County Sheriff's Office or a similar division at the nearest municipal police department. Requesters must note that law enforcement may not release arrest information to the public under certain circumstances, especially information tied to an active investigation.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office also manages information on inmates in the county's custody, including pretrial suspects. The office maintains that the public can access arrest information if a suspect's release date is not over 60 days or if the suspect is currently in custody.

Individuals can utilize the Sheriff's Inmate Information web portal to find arrest and other information on pretrial and sentenced inmates. While the page displays a list of inmates by default, individuals can also use the search function to pull up specific subjects. Selecting an inmate displays when and where they were arrested, their booking details, where they are being held, bail details, and offense information (offense type, description, and number of counts).

Individuals can also contact the Sheriff's Central Receiving Facility for inmate data at the address below.

Kern County Sheriff's Office
1415 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 868-6850

The Central Receiving Facility holds inmates awaiting their first court appearance or release. Pretrial suspects involved in ongoing cases and those serving their sentences are generally held at the Lerdo complex.

California Department of Corrections (CDCR)

The CDCR maintains information about individuals sentenced for committing serious crimes and people on supervision programs, such as parole and probation. Interested individuals can use the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS) tool to look for state inmates in the department's custody or submit a public records request for more information.

However, the CDCR does not provide details on people still on trial, nor can they offer arrest records created in Kern County.

Federal Agencies

Individuals can use the Bureau of Prisons' Federal Inmate Locator to find people arrested in Kern County by federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). They can use the information from the website to submit a FOIA request with the BOP or visit the holding facility for more details.

They can also search the Online Detainee Locator System for people held by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Free Arrest Record Search in Kern County

Online resources, such as inmate search tools provided by the BOP, Kern County Sheriff's Office, and California Department of Corrections, are free to use when looking up information related to an arrested person. The Kern County Superior Court online databases are also entirely free, and individuals can generally view court records in person at no cost.

Additionally, many third-party public records websites provide arrest records searches at no cost. These platforms are usually searchable by name.

However, requesters may need to cover reproduction costs to order copies through official or third-party sources. They may also have to pay delivery fees for non-in-person orders.

Get Kern County Criminal Records

Criminal records provide information about a person's encounters with the criminal justice system. They reveal arrests, criminal proceedings, sentencing, and parole and probation details.

The best way to find comprehensive criminal records from Kern County is to request a background check on a person. One can order a background check on themselves through the California Department of Justice by filling out a Live Scan Form (BCIA 8016RR) form, getting their fingerprints taken at a Live Scan Operator location, and submitting the request through the Live Scan Operator.

Individuals can get fingerprinting services at the Kern County Sheriff's Office Licensing Unit during business hours. The background check costs $25, and the Sheriff's Office will charge a $10 to $25 rolling fee, depending on the live scan site.

Eligible organizations looking to run checks on potential employees must provide their applicants with a different form (BCIA 8016) and have them submit their fingerprints at an authorized Live Scan Operator location. The operator will transmit the application, and the DOJ will contact the employer when the results are processed.

Another way to obtain criminal records is to use the Kern County Superior Court's offline and online resources to access court records, which reveal what happened after an arrest or indictment. Unlike records disseminated by the DOJ, anyone can access court records in Kern County unless a case is restricted from the public. To obtain copies of court records or inspect case files, one must visit the presiding court location or order copies of the document electronically.

People looking to view court files in person can visit the criminal court location in charge of the case. They can head to the customer service window or counter at the facility and provide a government-issued photo ID to make their request. The court generally limits viewing to 10 documents at a time.

The Kern County Superior Court also allows people to request criminal case copies online (through the Judicial Records Request page) and by mail, telephone, or email. Those who want to send requests by mail, telephone, or in person can use the following contact information:

Metro Building
1415 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 610-6000

Delano
1122 Jefferson Street
Delano, CA 93215
Phone: (661) 610-7300

Lamont
12022 Main Street
Lamont, CA 93241
Phone: (661) 610-7100

Mojave
1773 State Highway 58 Business
Mojave, CA 93501
Phone: (661) 610-7400

Ridgecrest
132 East Coso Avenue
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
Phone: (661) 610-7450

Shafter
325 Central Valley Highway
Shafter, CA 93263
Phone: (661) 610-7200

Requesters can also view criminal case information online in Kern County, but they will not have access to court documents. However, the court's Criminal Case Information System can allow individuals to track down the specific court location where a person is being tried and look up other case information they might need to submit a records request. The online tool displays the defendant's arrest date, bail status, court case number, and offense information, including the number of counts, violated code, and charge description. The system also allows the public to view the court's calendar and search for pending cases using a defendant's name.

Kern County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

People often interchange the terms "arrest records" and "criminal records" when referring to an individual's interactions with law enforcement or past criminal convictions. However, they are markedly different.

Criminal records contain everything about a person's criminal past, including their arrests and prosecutions. By reviewing such documents, a person can determine if someone was found guilty, see every crime they have been charged with, and inspect their post-conviction processes, including parole and probation (whether they completed these programs).

Arrest records usually do not contain details beyond an individual's initial arrest and first court appearance dates. They do not hold information that can help anyone determine the record subject's guilt or participation in a crime.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records generally stay on a person's criminal history in Kern County until sealed or expunged. Interestingly, the California Department of Justice routinely seals certain arrest records where no conviction occurs, but there are no guaranteed timelines. Individuals can petition courts and law enforcement agencies to seal or remove arrest information, but only if eligible.

Expunge Kern County Arrest Records

California law allows former defendants who qualify to seal and destroy (expunge) their arrest records. Different sections of the state's penal code regulate the sealing and expungement processes, depending on the specifics of the case.

For instance, individuals arrested but found not guilty, whose cases were dismissed, and who were never charged, can have their cases sealed. They can submit a petition to the arresting agency and also serve the prosecuting attorney the petition if they were arrested but never charged. If the agency approves the petition after finding that the individual is factually innocent, it will seal the records and destroy them after three years. The agency will also notify other bodies that maintain the arrest records to do the same.

If the defendant's case was dismissed or they were found factually innocent by a court, they can petition the court with jurisdiction instead. The court will grant the same relief if it finds the individual to be factually innocent. Cal. Pen. Code § 851.8-,851.8.,-(a)%C2%A0In%20any) outlines the specific steps and regulations for the process. Eligible persons without convictions can also find the required guides and forms on the California judiciary's Record Cleaning page.

Meanwhile, people who meet the requirements of Cal. Penal Code § 851.93 can have their records sealed automatically by the Department of Justice. The law mandates the California DOJ to conduct monthly reviews and provide relief to certain people, especially those arrested for misdemeanors and certain felonies who were never convicted or completed pretrial programs.

Other individuals who were convicted can follow the steps in the California Courts Self-Help portal and choose options that apply to their specific cases to seal or expunge their records. Additionally, people looking to seal juvenile records can visit the Sealing Juvenile Court Records page to discover what steps to take.

Kern County Arrest Warrants

Kern County arrest warrants are written court documents issued by judges or magistrates. They order police officers to arrest named individuals for violations of the law.

In Kern County, arrest warrants are issued after law enforcement officers produce affidavits with compelling evidence to convince a judge that a person has committed a crime and should be taken into custody.

Judges can also order police officers to arrest people who violated their parole or probation. People who fail to honor court appointments can also be subject to arrest warrants.

Every warrant issued in Kern contains the suspect's or defendant's name, the date and time of issuance, the alleged crime, the judge's or magistrate's signature, the issuing court, and the bail amount, if applicable.

Kern County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can obtain arrest warrants by contacting the Kern County Superior Court Clerk's Office or a local law enforcement agency. One can contact the court using the following numbers to confirm whether a warrant exists:

Felonies: (661) 868-5393, option 4
Misdemeanors: (661) 868-2482
Traffic: (661) 868-2382

Interested persons can also visit the courthouse to find out if an arrest warrant has been released.

On the other hand, the Kern Sheriff's Department maintains a Wanted Persons webpage for people with arrest warrants for serious offenses. Selecting a suspect shows their physical description, alleged crime, and warrant number. Members of the public can also view similar information on the Bakersfield Police Department's Wanted Warrant Suspects page.

People who believe they may have a warrant issued for their arrest can head to the Kern County Justice Facility Inmate Receiving Center with photo IDs to turn themselves in or confirm if the warrant exists. Below is the address:

17645 Industrial Farm Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308

Do Kern County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Kern County arrest warrants generally remain active until law enforcement apprehends the individual, they turn themselves in, or the court recalls or squashes the warrant.