Riverside Custody Records and Inmate Search
Riverside bookings and releases are managed by the Riverside County Sheriff Department. When Riverside Police Department makes an arrest, the person goes to county jail facilities for booking and processing. You can search for inmates currently held in Riverside County jails through the online inmate locator system. This database shows booking information including names, charges, bail amounts, and custody locations. The sheriff maintains these records for all cities in Riverside County including the city of Riverside. Search tools are free to use and update throughout the day as new arrests occur and releases happen. California law requires public access to booking information which is why these online systems exist for Riverside arrests.
Riverside Quick Facts
Riverside County Inmate Locator
The Riverside County Sheriff inmate locator is the main tool for finding people in custody. This online database covers all jail facilities in the county including those serving the city of Riverside. You can search by name or booking number to find current inmates.
Search results show basic booking information. You will see full name and date of birth. The booking number helps track the case. Arrest date and booking date appear along with charges filed. Bail amount shows what a judge set for release. Current facility location tells you which jail holds the person arrested in Riverside or elsewhere in the county.
The system updates regularly throughout the day. New bookings appear after processing is complete. This can take several hours from arrest time. Released inmates are removed from the search database. You need a booking number to look up someone no longer in custody.
Police Department Records
The Riverside Police Department Records Bureau maintains arrest reports and police records separate from jail custody information. When RPD makes an arrest in the city, they generate a police report that stays with the department even after booking at county jail.
You can request police reports from the Records Bureau. This includes arrest reports, incident reports, and traffic collision reports. The bureau is located at 4102 Orange Street in Riverside. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Some reports are available immediately while others need processing time. Active investigations may delay release of certain information. Call (951) 826-5700 to inquire about obtaining Riverside Police reports. Staff can explain what documents are available and how to request them.
Police reports contain details about the arrest and investigation. This is different from booking records which focus on custody status. You may need both types of records depending on your purpose for requesting information about a Riverside arrest.
Detention Facilities Serving Riverside
Riverside County operates multiple jail facilities. The Riverside County Sheriff Corrections Division manages all detention centers. People arrested in the city of Riverside may be held at any of these locations depending on classification and bed space.
Robert Presley Detention Center sits in downtown Riverside. This is the main jail for the area. Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility is in Banning. Southwest Detention Center is in Murrieta. Indio Jail serves the eastern part of the county. Each facility has specific custody levels and housing classifications.
The inmate locator shows which facility currently holds someone. This matters for visits, mail, and phone calls since each jail has its own procedures. Riverside arrestees typically start at Robert Presley Detention Center before possible transfer to other facilities based on their case and custody classification.
Requesting Custody Records
You can request booking records from Riverside County Sheriff under the California Public Records Act. Written requests should describe what records you need. Include the full name of the person arrested in Riverside. Add the approximate date of arrest if you know it. The more specific your request, the easier it is for staff to locate records.
The sheriff must respond within 10 days. This response may provide the records or explain when they will be ready. Complex requests involving multiple people or date ranges may take longer to process. Riverside County can extend response time by 14 days for unusual circumstances.
Fees apply for copying and staff time when requests require extensive work. Simple one-person booking record requests typically cost less than multi-record searches. Ask about fees before requesting so you know the expected cost for Riverside booking records.
Some records may be exempt from disclosure. Active investigation files stay confidential until cases close. Basic booking information must be released even during ongoing investigations per California law. The sheriff will explain if any exemptions apply to your request.
California Booking Disclosure Law
Government Code section 7923.610 mandates public disclosure of booking information. Law enforcement agencies must make public the full name and occupation of arrestees, physical description including date of birth, arrest time and date, booking time and date, location of arrest, factual circumstances surrounding arrest, bail amount, release time and manner or current location, and all charges including warrants and holds.
Riverside County Sheriff follows this law through the online inmate locator. Agencies can withhold information only when disclosure would endanger someone or harm an active investigation. This exception is narrow and rarely applies to basic booking data for Riverside arrests.
The California Public Records Act provides broader access rights to government records. Government Code section 7923.600 exempts certain investigatory files from mandatory disclosure. Booking logs and arrest records remain public even when police reports stay confidential during active cases in Riverside.
Criminal History Information
Criminal history summaries are different from local jail records. The California Department of Justice maintains statewide rap sheets with compiled arrests and court outcomes. Penal Code section 11105 restricts access to criminal history summaries. Only authorized agencies and the record subject can obtain them.
You can request your own criminal history for $25. California residents must use Live Scan fingerprinting. Out of state residents submit manual fingerprint cards to the DOJ. Processing takes 2 to 3 days normally. Complex records may require up to 2 weeks.
You cannot give your criminal record copy to employers or third parties. Penal Code section 11142 prohibits this. No one can require you to provide your record under Penal Code section 11125. Both statutes carry misdemeanor penalties for violations.
Custody Notification Service
VINE provides free notifications about custody status changes. Victim Information and Notification Everyday operates in Riverside County. Register online or by phone to receive alerts when someone is released from jail, transferred to another facility, or has upcoming court dates.
The service sends updates by phone, text, or email based on your preferences. This helps victims and concerned parties stay informed without constantly checking the inmate locator. Registration is free and available 24 hours a day. You can update contact information anytime online.
VINE covers all Riverside County jail facilities. This includes all locations where people arrested in the city of Riverside may be held. The service provides reliable updates about custody status changes.
Other Riverside County Cities
Riverside County spans a large area with many cities. Moreno Valley is nearby. Corona sits to the west. Temecula and Murrieta are in the southwest part of the county. Palm Springs and Indio are in the desert region. All these cities use the Riverside County Sheriff custody system.
The inmate locator covers arrests from all Riverside County cities. You search the same database regardless of which city made the arrest. This centralized system makes finding custody information easier across the county.
Riverside County Detention Information
The city of Riverside is in Riverside County. All jail operations go through the Riverside County Sheriff system. The county manages multiple detention facilities serving the city and surrounding areas. For complete information about county jails, search procedures, legal requirements, and additional resources, visit the Riverside County page.