Mendocino County Arrest Records

When someone in Mendocino County violates the law or is accused of committing a crime, law enforcement will temporarily detain them. A police officer may make an arrest and then hold the person at the Mendocino County Jail until they appear in court or pay bail or bond. In Mendocino County, each arrestee usually undergoes a booking procedure that generates an arrest record and other official documentation. These documents are filed and kept by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office. Arrest records also play a crucial role in the litigation process and, hence, can be found in Mendocino County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Mendocino County?

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) makes it easier for the general public to view various government documents, including arrest logs kept by state and municipal police enforcement. Therefore, information regarding arrests within the state is available for viewing or copying by any interested public member.

However, in California, the CPRA prohibits the public release of some records. This implies that people can only get the information or documents they need if authorized. Generally, a record custodian may keep a file private or consider specific parts of the record confidential. These exemptions include:

• Identifiable information of a juvenile arrestee
• Information that may jeopardize a witness’s safety
• Information that may endanger the completion of an investigation
• Information that may stop an individual from having a fair trial
• Information that may expose a confidential informant

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following details may be found in Mendocino County arrest records:

• Arrestee's Identifying Information: This includes the full name of the suspect, including first, middle, and last names, along with their date of birth.
• Arrestee's Physical Description: Information about the suspect’s physical appearance, including sex, race, height, weight, and hair and eye color.
• Offense Details: This outlines the type of offense, whether a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction, and the statute violated.
• Arrest and Booking Details: This includes the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency (and sometimes the arresting officer’s name), the result of the arrest (whether the person was released or detained), bail amount, and the booking and release times.
• Outstanding Warrants and Holds: Any warrants or probation/parole holds relevant to the suspect.
• Circumstances of the Arrest: A summary of the factual basis or circumstances that led to the arrest.

Mendocino County Arrest Statistics

According to the California Department of Justice Open Justice database, 2,024 arrests were made by law enforcement agencies in Mendocino County. Four hundred eighteen of the total arrests made were for felonies. Violent and property offenses saw the highest number of arrests, with 180 and 170 arrests, respectively. This was followed by drug and sex offenses, which had 78 and 38 arrests each.

Find Mendocino County Arrest Records

The Mendocino County Jail is operated by the Sheriff's Office, making its inmate database available to the general public. To find prisoners by first or last name, booking number, or booking date range, use the Booking Page. An inmate’s demographic data, booking history, arresting agency, and charge description are included in the search results. The address of the Mendocino County Jail is:

Mendocino County Jail
951 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482

Free Arrest Record Search in Mendocino County

Interested parties can contact the Sheriff's or County Clerk’s Office to conduct a free search for arrest records. Both agencies maintain public records, including arrest records. Additionally, interested individuals can access Mendocino County's arrest data by visiting third-party websites. Skilled public record experts have hand-picked and examined these websites to guarantee their correctness and reliability. It is important to remember that many websites require money or a subscription to examine specific records. Furthermore, these websites might include false information because they are not government-run.

Mendocino County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The primary difference between an arrest record and a criminal record lies in the stage and outcome of the legal process each document represents. For instance, an arrest record documents the process of law enforcement taking a person into custody. It includes details such as the reason for the arrest, the date and location, and the charges initially brought against the person. An arrest record does not imply guilt; it only means that a person was arrested on suspicion of a crime.

However, a criminal record is an official document noting a person’s interaction with the criminal justice system. They contain details of a person’s criminal convictions. It includes information on offenses for which a person was found guilty or pled guilty in a court of law. Additionally, a criminal record indicates that a court has formally convicted the person of a crime. It reflects the completed legal process with a guilty outcome. Criminal records include details of convictions, sentencing, and any penalties imposed, such as jail time or fines. Criminal records are permanent unless expunged, indicating proven guilt rather than just suspicion.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An arrest stays on a person's record indefinitely. California has no deadline for expunging an arrest from a person's record. Arrest records are kept on file following agency retention schedules because the state does not set a date for sealing or expunging them. Several variables, including the record type and internal agency policies, affect retention timelines set out to meet legal, liability, and audit requirements.

Expunge Mendocino County Arrest Records

In California, individuals can petition to seal their arrest records under two primary statutes:

1. Cal. Pen. Code § 851.8: This statute allows individuals to seal and destroy their arrest records if they are found factually innocent. This means there was no reasonable basis for their arrest. Petitioners submit Form BCIA 8270, or a local equivalent, to the arresting law enforcement agency if no charges were filed. They may also submit the form to a superior court if the charges were dismissed, acquitted, or relief was denied by law enforcement. No court fees apply, but the petitioner must prove their arrest was without cause.
2. Cal. Pen. Code § 851.91: This statute enables individuals to seal records of arrests without a conviction. Eligibility includes cases where charges were dismissed, the individual completed a diversion or a deferred entry of judgment (DEJ), or they were acquitted. Petitioners may file Form CR-409 and can find detailed instructions in Form CR-490-INFO.

When an arrest record is sealed, it is generally withheld from disclosure, except in specific cases, such as applications for public office or peace officer positions. Additionally, for those with convictions, California’s Petition for Dismissal (expungement) allows for the reopening of a case to remove a sentence or withdraw a guilty plea. However, the arrest record would remain. Sealing juvenile arrest records follows a separate procedure under Welfare and Institutions Code § 781 through the juvenile court.

Mendocino County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a court's official decree authorizing the police to hold someone they suspect of committing a crime in Mendocino County. However, before the court can issue a warrant, law enforcement must prove probable cause with an affidavit and accompanying documentation. The warrant includes the suspect's full name, birth date, physical description, alleged offense, and the information of the issuing judge.

Do Mendocino County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Yes, arrest warrants in Mendocino County expire once the person for whom the warrant was issued is arrested. It can also expire if the charges against the individual are dropped.