Shasta County Arrest Records

One major reason a person may be apprehended in Shasta County is if law enforcement officers have probable grounds that a person is culpable for a crime. California law classifies these common offenses as felonies, infractions, or misdemeanors. Anyone caught in the act or reported for committing these public offenses is liable to immediate seizure and denial of freedom unless proven otherwise in court or further criminal investigation.

Once the suspect is in custody, what follows is processing “booking” at the Shasta County jail or police station pending arraignment. Booking involves documenting the person’s name, personal descriptors, mugshots, personal property, type of offense, date and time of arrest, statute, and other necessary details. Subsequently, the person may be summoned to court for arraignment, released on bail, or remanded in custody if the court decides otherwise.

This entire process creates an official file termed an arrest record. Arrest records are one of the important documents that a district attorney's office analyzes when determining charges to file. They may also appear in the public record, like Shasta County court records. These records are typically created by the law enforcement agency that made the arrest.

Finally, arrest records promote transparency and accountability within the criminal justice system. Thus, they serve as important resources for people curious to know why someone was arrested or find out the location of their local detention facility.

Are Arrest Records Public in Shasta County?

Yes. Under the California Public Records Act (PRA), Contra Costa arrest records are publicly accessible. This means anyone can inspect and make copies of records maintained by public entities without stating the reason for use. This includes files generated by law enforcement agencies during official business, such as arrest records.

However, members of the public may not access certain confidential arrest information and records. Public access may be withdrawn if the arrest record contains the following:

• Criminal justice agencies' investigatory information
• Juvenile arrest information
• Offender record information
• Sensitive victim information (Cal. Gov. Code § 7923.615)
• Confidential information regarding a pending litigation
• Medical documents and information
• Personally identifying information, like social security numbers, and driver’s license numbers.
• Information whose disclosure may interrupt a pending law enforcement investigation or proceeding
• Information whose disclosure would jeopardize the life or physical safety of the informant or witness

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Publicly accessible arrest records in Shasta County typically feature the following important information under Cal. Gov. Code § 7923.610):

• An arrestee's personal identifying information and physical descriptors, including first and last name, address, age, gender, mugshot, height, weight, scars, and tattoos.
• Information regarding the alleged charges for which the arrestee was seized, including the offense statute and description
• The arrest time, date, and place
• The arresting law enforcement agency and officer
• The time and date of discharge or transfer from the custody of the arresting department (if the individual is incarcerated)
• Existing warrants
• Bail/Bond type and amount

Shasta County Crime Rate

The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) published the Shasta County crime rate on its Open Justice Portal. According to the report, the county’s crime total is 695 in 2022. The 2022 crime rate in Shasta Costa County documents 70 violent crimes, 622 property crimes, and 3 arson incidents.

Of the reported property crimes, the topmost offenses were larceny-theft (303 incidents), motor vehicle theft (245 incidents), and burglary (74 incidents).

Shasta County Arrest Statistics

The Shasta County arrest statistics documented by the BSCC reveal 9,220 local arrests in 2022. Of these arrests, felony arrests account for 1,925, while misdemeanor arrests were 7,249.

In the felony arrest category, violent crimes were the most prevalent arrests at (475) of the total, followed closely by property crimes at (387 arrests) and drug crimes at (333 arrests).

Find Shasta County Arrest Records

The first point of call for anyone to find a Shasta County arrest record is the law enforcement agency that made an arrest. Each local law enforcement agency, like the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office and city police departments, provides specific instructions for inspecting or obtaining arrest records. This could be in person, by mail, via email/fax, or online database. Copies of arrest records and incident reports are released following Section 6254 of the California Government Code. Most arrest information is generally released to interested persons as defined by state or county codes, or by a subpoena or court order

To request arrest records from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, individuals can complete and submit a records application form for a crime/incident report. Under the direct supervision of the California Department of Justice, the records custodian preserves all arrest information. Individuals can also request a copy of the application form from the records unit. Applicants are expected to fill out important details like the applicant’s full name, area code, case number, type of incident, location, and date of incident.

Interested individuals can submit these requests in person or by mail to:

300 Park Marina Circle
Redding, CA 96001
Phone: (530) 245-6025
Fax: (530) 245-6173

It is advised for one to contact the records unit first to confirm the availability of the report at (530) 245-6000 or email the record request to sheriff@co.shasta.ca.us. Likewise, the records unit can also provide answers regarding delays during the process of review and preparation.

Besides, individuals can query municipal police agencies in Shasta County, such as the City of Reddington Police Department or Anderson Police Department, by following the detailed instructions on their websites. Further, individuals who wish to obtain a copy of a juvenile’s arrest record may petition the Juvenile Court Judge at 1500 Court Street, room 219.

The following should be noted:

• Certain arrest information is only disclosable to subjects of arrest records.
• A city police department can only provide records of arrests made by them.

Further, individuals can find information regarding anyone who is arrested or held in the custody of the state's Department of Corrections via the California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS). The search can be performed with a last name, birth date, or IDOC number.

Additionally, if a federal law enforcement agency arrests someone in Shasta County, people can contact a local field officer, or search the Federal Inmate Locator. Finally, if the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents made the arrest, one can determine the arrestee’s whereabouts on the Online Detainee Locator System. Generally, these online databases are accessible by name or number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Shasta County

In Shasta County, anyone can inspect arrest records for free under the Public Records Act. The PRA authorizes members of the society to make arrest inquiries from local law enforcement agencies without cost, although potential duplication charges may apply. Admittedly, some local law enforcement agencies provide web-based repositories for people to look up arrest information of inmates for free without submitting a request.

For instance, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office provides an Inmate-In-Custody Locator, which contains details of people arrested and booked into the Shasta County jail. Requesters can find the inmate’s name, date of birth, booking date, and bail amount.

Notably, people can also perform arrest record searches on third-party aggregator websites. These websites, operated by private entities, compile and aggregate public records via various government repositories for users. However, users may need to pay a one-time fee or subscribe to inspect an arrest record.

Get Shasta County Criminal Records

Shasta County criminal record chronicles a person’s criminal involvement with the criminal justice system. This includes arrest histories, custody, prosecutions, dispositions, and sentencing.

According to Cal. Pen. Code § 13320-13323, subjects of criminal history can obtain copies of local summary criminal history information. Local summary criminal history, also termed a "Background Check" or "No Record" letter, covers only arrest information generated by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.

To obtain a local criminal record, one must visit the Shasta County Sheriff’s Records Department in person. To aid record processing, inquirers must provide a valid photo ID, full name, a set of fingerprints (original card), birth date, and place of birth. Fingerprints must be placed on a standard (FD-258) fingerprint form. Record custodians generally provide police reports, out-of-custody inmate inquiries, and clearance letters.

Further, Cal. Pen. Code § 11105 authorizes subjects of record to request state criminal history information summary. Typically, people request these records for employment, licensing, housing, and bank loans. Applicants can also examine and refute any erroneous information on the RAP sheet.

To request a statewide criminal background check, subjects of record can contact the California Department of Justice (DOJ). Processing fee costs $25. Anyone requesting these records will be required to submit fingerprints and a Live Scan Form to the DOJ through a Live Scan operator.

Generally, live scan operators, like the county sheriff’s office records unit, charge a nominal fee. Request Your Own Criminal Record page on the DOJ’s website provides an in-depth guide for obtaining criminal record checks within and outside California.

Finally, subjects of records can obtain federal RAP sheets by submitting a record request to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. FBI record checks cost $18.

Shasta County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The critical difference between an arrest and a criminal record in Shasta County lies in the details and implications of the record. An arrest record is simply a summary of one’s arrests and offenses. On the other hand, Criminal records are a comprehensive report of one’s criminal run-ins with the law enforcement agency. These records typically detail which criminal charges were filed in court and possible conviction results from the legal proceedings.

Generally, arrest records do not include the prosecutor's filing judgments and court case outcomes. Thus, an arrest history does not establish one’s guilt in a criminal matter. In contrast, anyone who has an existing criminal record may suffer disadvantages in matters like gun/professional licensing, tenancy screening, and school admissions.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

A person’s arrest history in Shasta County stays forever on their criminal record unless sealed or expunged by the superior court. However, numerous law enforcement agencies employ retention schedules to preserve arrest records in their custody. Further, the California Department of Justice keeps a person’s records until they clock 100 years of age.

Expunge Shasta County Arrest Records

California law permits eligible persons to seal their arrest records. Sealing in this regard conceals the conviction history and charges members of the public. Conversely, expungement is simply a dismissal. This means that the record is yet open to public perusal and duplication.

The Shasta County Superior Court is the point of call for eligible applicants. According to Cal. Pen. Code § 851.91, non-guilty arrestees can request the court to seal or expunge their arrest information and related records. Typically, according to Cal. Pen. Code § 851.93, the DOJ may typically issue the subject of the record an immediate arrest record sealing. In this case, one does not need to file any petition with the court.

Eligible petitioners must meet any of these conditions to qualify for a record sealing or expungement:

• If the court issued them a fine, probation, county jail time, or a combination of these three types of punishment instead of a state prison incarceration.
• If the person has fulfilled all terms of probation, released from the original demands of probation, or not on probation.
• The petitioner has completed the entire sentence terms, including payment of all case fees and fines.
• According to Section 851.91, a defendant’s record must return as no charges filed, charges dismissed in court, or a "not guilty" verdict.

To seal a Shasta County arrest record, applicants can petition the court by filing Form CR-409 (a Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records). Once a petition is filed, the court will consider the request and may withdraw the guilty or no contest (nolo contendere) plea, and issue a not guilty plea. Next, the superior court is expected to send a copy of the petition to the county or city prosecutor, attorney general, arresting law enforcement agency, and other involved parties at least 15 days before the hearing date. Form CR-409-INFO provides the necessary information and instructions.

Further, if a juvenile wishes to seal their record, they may file a Request to Seal Juvenile Records (Form JV-595) with the Shasta County Superior Court at the Juvenile Division, 1500 Court Street, room 219. Form JV-595-INFO provides further instructions.

Finally, If the court grants a person’s request to seal or dismiss an arrest record, such person is deemed no longer “convicted” of the offense. Also, the record will be revised to show a dismissal rather than a conviction. Nevertheless, law enforcement agencies and other authorized persons can access the record.

Petitioners can follow the instructions on the California Judicial Branch's Clean Your Record page to expunge an arrest record history or conviction in Shasta County.

Shasta County Arrest Warrants

A Shasta County arrest warrant is a document issued by a magistrate or judge that empowers a law enforcement officer to arrest a named individual. In California, law enforcement officers are expected to provide probable cause before arresting anyone.

Per Cal. Pen. Code § 817 and the U.S. Fourth Amendment, this ‘probable cause’, establishes reasonable grounds that one is allegedly guilty and must be apprehended for said crime. The peace officer requesting an arrest warrant must file an affidavit alongside the official criminal complaint.

Generally, an arrest warrant will bear the personal identifying information of the suspect, alleged crimes, warrant issuing time and date, warrant city or county of issuance, signature and office title of issuing judge, court of issuance, executing criminal justice agency/officer, and bail/bond amount, if any (Cal. Pen. Code § 815).

According to Cal. Pen. Code § 840, the executing officer may arrest the named individual at any time, whether day or night. However, the statute allows arresting officers to execute misdemeanor warrants between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. except for peculiar circumstances.

Shasta County Arrest Warrant Search

Anyone who wants to find out if they have an existing arrest warrant can conduct a Shasta County arrest warrant search in person. Warrant inquiries must be done in person at the county sheriff’s office or police station. Such warrant information is not issued over the phone. However, the law enforcement agency may arrest anyone with an outstanding arrest warrant in their name.

Alternatively, warrant subjects can explore the Shasta County Online Case Records portal. Registered users can search the portal with the subject name or record number. However, per California Rules of Court 2.503, certain case categories are withdrawn from remote access. Individuals can also make warrant inquiries in person at the courthouse at 1515 Court Street, Redding, CA. 96001.

Do Shasta County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Shasta County arrest warrants are valid until the arresting officer executes the order by apprehending the named individual.