Napa County Arrest Records

Arrests are required in Napa County, California, when law enforcement officials have reason to suspect someone of committing a crime. (Penal Code of California, Chapter 5, 833–851.93) This may happen in a number of circumstances, including regular traffic stops, criminal investigations, or when law enforcement personnel observe a crime being committed. A court will usually issue an arrest warrant allowing law enforcement to detain a person in circumstances when the crime is more serious or continuing.

After being taken into custody, detainees are usually housed at the Napa County Jail, which is situated in Napa City. This prison houses inmates serving short-term sentences and those awaiting trial. The Napa County Sheriff's Office runs the detention and booking procedure, which involves taking pictures, fingerprinting, and recording the arrestee's personal details and the charges brought against them.

The principal authority in charge of creating and keeping arrest records is the Napa County Sheriff's Office. These documents contain comprehensive details regarding the arrest, including the arresting officer's date, time, charges, and identity. Arrest records are a subset of more general public records, which also contain police reports, criminal history data kept by the California Department of Justice (CDOJ), and Napa County court records maintained by the Superior Court.

Are Arrest Records Public in Napa County?

In Napa County, California, arrest records are considered public documents. Under California's Public Records Act (CPRA), these documents are available to the general public; however, certain information may be withheld to preserve privacy or the objectivity of ongoing investigations. Only authorized individuals, such as the record's subjects or their attorneys, or those granted access by a court order, would have access to such documents. The following are a few legal exemptions that relate to arrest records:

• Information that could disrupt an ongoing investigation or imperil a legal procedure would not be made public.
• Any information, including name, address, or other personal data, that could put someone's life in jeopardy, including that of an informant.
• Records pertaining to juveniles, especially those containing minors, are private.
• Financial or medical records are kept private.
• Information about victims of crimes, including those who have been raped or sexually assaulted, is kept private.
• A sealed or purged record would not be accessible to the general public.
• Investigation-related law enforcement officer records and background investigation files are kept private.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Napa County, the following arrest details are disclosed to the public in accordance with California Government Code Section 7923.610:

• The full name and occupation of every individual arrested by the agency
• Physical characteristics of an arrested person, such as height, weight, sex, color of eyes and hair, and date of birth
• The arrest's time and date
• The time and day of the booking
• The place where the arrest took place
• The specific facts pertaining to the arrest
• The amount of bail stipulated (if any).
• The place where the person is being kept, as well as the time and mode of release
• All charges for which the person is being detained, including any pending warrants from other courts, parole holds, and probation holds

Napa County Crime Rate

Based on the Department of Justice Crime statistics, Napa County recorded 4,500 reported crimes as of the most recent report from 2022. Reports of crimes are categorized into two main categories: violent crimes and property crimes. Of the total, 900 incidents accounted for 20% of the reported crimes, while 3,600 incidents accounted for 80% of the reported crimes.

With 600 cases (13.3% of all crimes) in the violent crime category, aggravated assault was the most frequent offense, followed by robbery with 200 cases (4.4%) and rape with 100 cases (2.2%). Larceny-theft accounted for 2,500 cases (55.6% of all crimes) in the property crime category, with auto theft coming in second with 700 cases (15.6%) and burglary coming in third with 400 cases (8.9%).

With larceny-theft accounting for over half of all reported crimes in Napa County, this category had the highest crime rate. These statistics show that property crimes, especially those related to theft, are a major focus, which may lead local law enforcement to direct resources toward prevention and investigation of these incidents in order to lessen their prevalence in the community.

Napa County Arrest Statistics

Napa County had 3,250 arrests as of the most recent report from 2022. The arrests are broken down into three categories: felonies, misdemeanors, and other offenses. Of the total arrests, felonies accounted for 850 cases, or 26.2% of the total; misdemeanors, on the other hand, accounted for 2,100 cases, or 64.6% of all arrests; and the remaining 300 cases, or 9.2%, were for other offenses, which included infractions and lesser violations.

When the categories were broken down, misdemeanors comprised a variety of less severe infractions like small-time larceny, driving under the influence, and minor drug charges. At the same time, felonies included severe crimes like violent offenses and serious property crimes. Infractions such as breaking local ordinances and traffic violations were other offenses. Misdemeanors had the most significant arrest rate of any category, making up about two-thirds of all arrests in Napa County.

Find Napa County Arrest Records

Since the local law enforcement agencies in Napa County carry out the majority of the county's arrests, arrest records are initially created and kept locally for reference. A person with an interest in accessing arrest records may also contact state and federal law enforcement agencies.

• To search for an arrest record from a local law enforcement agency, one must first determine which agency owns the record and then submit a request in person, by mail, or online. For instance, the primary repository for arrest records is the Records Bureau of the Napa County Sheriff's Office. Interested parties can contact them by phone at (707) 253-4440 or in person at 1535 Airport Boulevard Napa, CA 94558, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Visit the official website to learn more.
• Those interested in accessing arrest data can also contact the Napa County Superior Court. Arrest data can be found in criminal records, including case files and judgments. Users can search the court's online case search information tool. Additionally, an individual can receive the criminal history record form or any other case, fill it out with the required information (names, for example), pay the applicable costs, and mail or personally deliver it to any of the following addresses:

Civil, Family, and Probate
825 Brown Street, 1st F.L.
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 299-1140

Criminal, Minor Offense, and Traffic
1111 Third Street, 1st F.L.
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 299-1180

• Those interested can also obtain a complete criminal history check or a statewide search for arrest and conviction records from the California Department of Justice (CDOJ). The Public Records Coordinator can be reached by phone at (916) 210-6183, online by completing a form, or by downloading and mailing one.

Attorney General's Office,
Public Records Coordinator,
P.O. Box 944255,
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550.

The DOJ charges 10 cents per page for direct document duplication and has 10 days to decide whether to release the requested records.

• People can use the Online Detainee Locator System to look up arrests conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If the information is unavailable online, the interested party may contact a local field office or, if it is known, the particular ICE detention facility.
• When the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) makes an arrest, the subject is usually detained in federal custody until their arraignment. A search can be conducted using the Federal Inmate Locator by name or number to locate an inmate's holding facility. The person might then get in touch with the establishment to request details.

Free Arrest Record Search in Napa County

The law states that the public may generally access Napa County arrest records for free, though requesters may need to pay a fee for copies of the documents. As was previously mentioned, the Napa County Superior Court provides free online search access for users to view arrest information; the sheriff's office allows the public to view arrest records for free; the Napa Department of Corrections publishes daily and weekly reports of booking, in-custody, and release reports on their official website; all of these resources are available to the public for free.

Consulting with third-party websites is another way to perform a free search for arrest records in Napa County. These aggregate sites provide basic information about county arrests, including name, charges, date, and location, among other details. However, the requester would have to pay a fee for a more thorough search or criminal history report.

Get Napa County Criminal Records

Criminal records, sometimes referred to as "rap sheets" or "criminal histories," are formal records that provide specifics about a person's dealings with the criminal court system. These documents usually contain details regarding charges, convictions, court cases, arrests, and punishments (Cal. Pen. Code Section 11075). Employers, law enforcement, and other organizations utilize criminal records to evaluate a person's criminal history.

Depending on what the requester is looking for, the county has a few different sources where they can access criminal records. The public can obtain information about arrests by contacting local law enforcement authorities in the county, including the Napa County Sheriff's Office, through phone, mail, or in person. The Superior judicial also provides information about charges and convictions related to judicial proceedings. According to state law, the public has access to these records.

Additionally, the California Department of Justice (CDOJ) office can send requesters certified or non-certified copies of criminal records for a more thorough and comprehensive record. The California Penal Code Chapter 1, Article 2.5 states that only those who meet the requirements can view complete criminal histories. A copy of an individual's criminal history can be obtained by shipping the completed request form, fingerprint cards, $25 processing fee, and other necessary materials to:

California Department of Justice
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Analysis
Record Review & Challenge Section
P.O. Box 160207
Sacramento, CA 95816-0207

Both residents inside and outside the state boundaries can apply for the record, and those who qualify can get fee waivers.

The only permitted applicant agencies, such as a district attorney's office or law enforcement agency, and certain state agencies to which the CDOJ releases certified copies of criminal histories are those engaged in legitimate law enforcement operations (California Penal Code Section 11105). These approved parties may fill out the request form and submit it by FAX at (916) 731-3618, via email at Keeperofrecords@doj.ca.gov, or by mail to the following address:

California Department of Justice
Attn: Custodian of Records
Bureau of Criminal Information and Analysis
P.O. Box 160207
Sacramento, CA 95816-0207

For $18, record subjects can obtain national criminal records from the FBI.

Napa County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The scope and intent of Napa County, California, arrest records, and criminal records are different. Criminal records are thorough papers that include every aspect of a person's past criminal activity within the county. They contain details about accusations, court cases, verdicts, sentencing, and any related outcomes. These records are usually kept up to date by the county court system and are frequently utilized by law enforcement for legal purposes and background checks.

Arrest records, on the other hand, precisely record the times that the police detain a person. These documents contain information regarding the arrestee's details, the arresting agency, the charges or suspicions that led to the arrest, and the arrest date, time, and place. Arrest records do not always mean guilt or lead to a criminal conviction because the court may find the person guilty, or the charges may be dismissed.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest records in Napa County usually stay on a person's record for as long as they are not sealed or removed. State law in California allows for sealing arrests that result in no conviction if specific requirements are met, such as finishing a diversion program. A lot of convictions can be expunged, but that doesn't mean the record is gone; instead, it just modifies the disposition to "dismissed". Even after being sealed or expunged, law enforcement and specific organizations can still view the arrest record.

Expunge Napa County Arrest Records

In Napa County, an arrest record may be sealed or purged, although both actions have different consequences.

Criminal convictions are subject to California's expungement rules, but only for particular felonies and misdemeanors. In this instance, a qualified defendant files Form CR-180 with the court in an attempt to reopen the case, withdraw the guilty plea, enter a not-guilty plea, and finish the case without a conviction. Nevertheless, neither the conviction nor the arrest's record is sealed by this process. Additional details can be acquired by responding to inquiries on the Clean Your Record webpage of the California judiciary or by reading Cal. Pen. Code §§ 1203.4 and 1203.4a.

On the other hand, California's adult arrest record sealing regulations usually apply in cases where an individual has not been charged or found guilty.

Section 851.8 of the California Penal Code, for instance, permits the sealing and erasure of documents when an adult is detained but later found to be "factually innocent". This phrase refers to situations where a defendant was arrested but never charged, was found not guilty in court, or had the charges withdrawn by the prosecution. In these circumstances, the person may file Form BCIA 8270 (Seal and Destroy Adult Arrest Records) with the following agencies:

• The arresting police department, if no charges are brought.
• Additionally, a copy of the petition should be delivered to the district attorney's office or city appropriate. The Napa County District Attorney's office (DAO) established an Expungement Clinic to assist in hastening the expungement of criminal records that impede access to housing, employment opportunities, and services. A person has the right to have a conviction for a crime committed in Napa County removed from their record if they fulfill specific standards. The Napa County District Attorney's Office established a one-stop website to assist with this process:
• Assess a person's potential eligibility for expungement and;
• If yes, electronically complete and submit the necessary forms for the judge and the DAO. When Probation, the District Attorney's Office, and the Court receive this petition, they will decide if one has the right to have the conviction overturned. The Napa County District Attorney's Office will provide the application at no cost, and it will cover all related court expenses.

Cal. Pen. Code Section 851.91, on the other hand, permits sealing for defendants whose arrests did not lead to a conviction. In other words:

• Despite being taken into custody, the defendant was not charged.
• Following the defendant's completion of the diversion, the charges were dropped.
• After the defendant was taken into custody, the charges were later dropped.
• The charges were dropped after the defendant filed a deferred entry of judgment (DEJ).
• Following a trial, the defendant was declared not guilty.

A Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records (Form CR-409) may be filed with the court by an impacted party. The petition must be completed and submitted using Form CR-409-INFO, which also includes information on alternative ways to limit or seal arrest records that are accessible to the public.

Welfare and Institutions Code Section 781 or the judiciary's Guide to Sealing Juvenile Court Records can be reviewed by anybody interested in learning about sealing juvenile arrest records in Los Angeles County.

Napa County Arrest Warrants

A written order signed by a court or magistrate constitutes an arrest warrant. It allows a peace officer to take a suspect into custody.

Ordinarily, Napa County law enforcement is authorized to make arrests with and without a warrant (Cal. Pen. Code § 836). When there is probable cause, as when a crime is committed in front of a police officer, an arrest without a warrant may be proper. Nonetheless, the investigating officer frequently asks the court for an arrest order. The officer must provide probable cause to get this warrant, typically by filing an affidavit or sworn declaration with a magistrate or judge. However, a grand jury indictment or filing of a criminal complaint by a city or district attorney following the assessment of a police report may also result in the issuance of an arrest warrant.

An arrest warrant for Napa County is issued with the following information, per Cal. Pen. Code Section 815:

• The name of the accused
• When the warrant was issued
• The issuing county or city
• The claimed offense of the defendant
• The title of office and signature of the issuing authority
• The court or organization that issued the
• The amount of bail

Napa County Arrest Warrant Search

Inquirers may consult the county's official website or contact the Napa County Sheriff's Office to determine what warrants are currently active. Warrant records are usually kept by the Sheriff's Office, which can offer information online or by phone at (707) 253-4209. Furthermore, the Napa County Superior Court should provide information on current warrants, especially those about court matters. By inputting a person's first name, last name, and case date of birth, one can search for active warrants using online case lookup tools.

Do Napa County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants in Napa County usually stay valid until the subject is taken into custody or the court revokes the warrant. Still, a few things can influence a warrant's validity. For instance, the warrant might be recalled if the underlying charge is dropped or handled. Furthermore, depending on the specifics of the crime, warrants may become void if the statute of limitations for the accused infraction runs out. While warrants for less severe acts may eventually be addressed or canceled, those for more serious crimes, such as felonies, typically have an indefinite validity.