Bakersfield Arrest Records

In Bakersfield, arrests are made when law enforcement has probable cause to believe a crime has been committed, when executing warrants, or during witnessed offenses. The Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) primarily handles arrests within city limits, while the Kern County Sheriff's Office may also make arrests in unincorporated areas or through joint operations. After an arrest, the individual is typically booked at the Kern County Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility, where personal info, fingerprints, and charges are recorded. These records become part of the arrest file and are integrated into various systems, including jail rosters, court prosecution dockets, and the Kern County arrest records repository. The maintenance of arrest records facilitates law enforcement coordination, public access, and the judicial process.

Are Bakersfield Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Arrest records in Bakersfield are generally public records under California's Public Records Act (CPRA), allowing access to government records, including arrest logs. However, certain exemptions restrict sensitive information, including:

• Attorney-client privileged information (Gov. Code, § 6254(b),(k))
• Ongoing investigations to protect case integrity and public safety (Gov. Code, § 6254(f))
• Medical or mental health details and victim identities in certain cases to comply with privacy laws (Gov. Code, § 6254(c)).

Access to some records may require proof of a "direct and tangible interest", particularly for sealed or expunged cases. As such, requestors may need to verify their identity or demonstrate legal or personal involvement to obtain restricted documents.

Bakersfield Crime Rate

According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, the Bakersfield Police Department reported 42,267 arrests between 2019 and 2023. 77.6% of arrestees were male (32,790 arrests). Arrests were mostly for drug and narcotic offenses (49.1%, 20,764 arrests), followed by all other offenses (17.1%, 7,208 arrests), and aggravated assaults (10.9%). These statistics suggest men in Bakersfield are more likely to be arrested, particularly for drug-related offenses, with nearly 1 in 2 arrests tied to narcotics violations. This trend may indicate ongoing substance abuse challenges and enforcement priorities in the city.

Find Bakersfield Arrest Records

1. Kern County Sheriff's Office: offers recent arrest logs, inmate booking details, and daily jail rosters.
2. Bakersfield Police Department – Records Division (In-Person): Police reports, arrest summaries, and clearance letters.
3. Kern County Superior Court – Criminal Case Search Portal: Criminal dockets, court dates, and case statuses.
4. California Department of Justice – Criminal History Requests: State-level background checks require fingerprinting and authorization.
5. Federal PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records): Search federal-level criminal cases filed in the U.S. District Courts.

Most databases allow requesters to search using one or more of the following:

• Full Name: Last and first name.
• Booking Number: Unique number assigned at time of arrest (used in jail logs).
• Date Range: Helpful for reviewing recent arrests or court activity within a specific window.

Free Arrest Record Search in Bakersfield

1. The Bakersfield Police Department located at, 1601 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. The office offers a free onsite public access terminal where records can be viewed for free. However, a photocopying fee of 2 cents per page applies if requesters wish to have their own personal copies. A valid ID is required to facilitate a search.
2. Kern County Superior Court Public-access terminals located at courthouse facilities, which is free to use in-person, allows requesters to view criminal dockets and court records by name or case number.
3. Third party aggregator websites also provide data on custody status and release alerts. However, they may have limitations, including:
   • Delayed updates compared to official sources
   • Payment for accessing full arrest details or booking photos
   • Potential data inaccuracies.

Hence requesters are advised to always verify with official county or state databases.

Criminal Background Check in California

In California, the Department of Justice (DOJ) handles criminal background checks via fingerprint-based Live Scan system. To obtain criminal records:

1. Fill out the Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016)
2. Visit a Live Scan provider
3. Pay the $25 processing fee

Results are mailed directly to requestors. For employer or landlord requests, written consent is required, and strict guidelines under California's Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA) apply.

Bakersfield Inmate Search

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) provides a free statewide inmate search tool for looking up information on persons housed in California state prisons, including those arrested initially in Bakersfield or Kern County.

Bakersfield Police Record Lookup

Citizens can submit a written request by mail or visit the Records Unit in person at 1601 Truxtun Avenue to obtain police records from the Bakersfield Police Department, such as incident reports, arrest affidavits, or computer-aided dispatch (CAD) call logs.

No public online portal is currently available to access these records, but updates may be posted on the department's website. Requests typically take ten to 14 business days to process. Certain information may be redacted from the records, particularly if it pertains to ongoing investigations, involves juvenile details, or contains victim information. A valid ID is required to facilitate the request. Additionally, some reports may include fees or require further authorization, depending on the case type.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Bakersfield?

In Bakersfield, arrest records typically remain on a criminal record indefinitely, per California Penal Code §11105, unless sealed or expunged through legal means. Even dismissed or dropped charges may still appear in background checks. Some databases, especially third-party aggregate websites, may retain records long after case resolution.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Bakersfield?

In Bakersfield, eligibility requirements for expungement under California Penal Code §1203.4 are:

• Successfully completed probation
• Had charges dismissed or not filed
• Convicted of a misdemeanor or less grave felonies.

If eligible, petitioners can file in without an attorney at the Kern County Superior Court using Form CR-180 (Petition for Dismissal) and request a fee waiver using Form FW-001.

Free legal aid is available through:

• Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA)
• Kern County Public Defender's Office may offer intake clinics for post-conviction relief.

Once filed, the court process can take up to five months, depending on the case type and court case load. If granted, the conviction is dismissed but not erased. Thus, the record will show as "expunged" for most employment purposes.

Bakersfield Warrant Search

In Bakersfield, arrest warrants are issued when law enforcement has probable cause that someone committed a crime. In contrast, a judge typically issues bench warrants for missing a court date, unpaid fines, or probation violations. To check if an individual has an active warrant, they can contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office by phone, search the Kern County Superior Court's online case index, or check with third-party databases. In-person inquiries are also possible at the courthouse or sheriff's office, but doing so carries the risk of immediate arrest if a warrant is active. It's safest to verify through official channels or legal counsel first.

Do Bakersfield Warrants Expire?

Most warrants in Bakersfield, including felony and misdemeanor types, remain active until served, recalled, or quashed. They typically do not expire. Exceptions include cases dismissed by prosecutors, the defendant's death, or a judge's clerical recall. Minor municipal warrants may lapse if the statute of limitations runs out before prosecution. Note that appearing in court or at the police department to resolve a warrant may result in an arrest on the spot. As such, persons with reason to believe they have a warrant should hire an attorney to mediate the resolution of their warrants.