Contra Costa County Jail Bookings

Contra Costa County provides an in-custody locator for searching bookings and releases at detention facilities operated by the Sheriff's Office. You can find current inmates by name or booking number through their online database. The system shows custody status, charges, bail amounts, and facility locations for people currently held in county jails. Information updates regularly as new bookings are processed and inmates are released from custody. California law requires public disclosure of booking information under Government Code section 7923.610, and Contra Costa County makes this data accessible through their web portal. The database includes full names, physical descriptions, booking dates, and charge details for all individuals in custody at county detention centers throughout the region.

Finding Inmates in Contra Costa County

The Contra Costa County in-custody locator shows people currently held at detention facilities. Search by last name and first name. You can also enter a booking number for exact results. The database requires at least a last name to perform a search.

Results display full name and date of birth. Physical description includes height, weight, hair color, and eye color. You will see the booking date and time for each person. Charges appear with bail amounts set by the court. The system indicates which facility currently houses the inmate in Contra Costa County.

The database only shows current inmates. Once someone is released, their name disappears from search results. For historical booking information, you need to request records directly from the Sheriff's Office.

How to Search the Database

Start with a last name. Add a first name to narrow your results. The system may return multiple people if names are common. Check dates of birth to identify the correct person in Contra Costa County.

Booking numbers give exact matches. Use a booking number if you have one from court papers or previous searches. This helps when multiple inmates share the same name.

Information may change as cases move through the court system. Bond amounts can be modified by judges. Release dates may shift based on time credits or new charges. Check the database regularly for updates on custody status.

Recent arrests may not appear immediately. The booking process involves multiple steps. Officers must complete intake, enter data, and verify information. Complex cases with multiple charges or holds take longer to process through the system in Contra Costa County.

Detention Facilities in Contra Costa County

Martinez Detention Facility is the main jail. It is located in Martinez near the county courthouse. This facility handles intake and housing for adult male and female inmates. MDF serves as the primary booking location for arrests throughout the county. The facility includes multiple housing units with different security levels.

West County Detention Facility is located in Richmond. WCDF provides housing for sentenced and pre-trial inmates. It includes work programs and alternative sentencing options. The facility emphasizes rehabilitation services for inmates preparing to return to the community.

Marsh Creek Detention Facility is located in Clayton. This minimum security facility focuses on work furlough and alternative custody programs. Inmates at MCDF participate in community work projects and reentry services. The facility has a smaller capacity than the other two locations in Contra Costa County.

Combined capacity across all three facilities exceeds 3,200 beds. Daily population fluctuates based on arrests and releases throughout the region. The in-custody locator shows which facility currently houses each person.

Records and Identification Unit

The Sheriff's Records and ID Unit handles public records requests. This unit maintains booking records, arrest reports, and incident documentation. You can request copies of records under the California Public Records Act. The unit processes requests from the public and other agencies in Contra Costa County.

Include specific details when requesting booking records. Provide the full name of the person, approximate date of booking, and the facility if known. More information helps staff locate records faster. State clearly what documents you need related to the booking or arrest.

The California Public Records Act requires agencies to respond within 10 days. Contra Costa County may extend this deadline by 14 days for unusual circumstances. You will receive notification when records are ready or if delays occur in processing your request.

Fees cover the direct cost of copying records. The county charges for staff time when requests require extensive research or redaction. Simple booking record requests typically cost less. Ask about fees before the agency processes your request to understand costs in Contra Costa County.

California Booking Disclosure Requirements

California law mandates disclosure of specific booking information. Government Code section 7923.610 requires law enforcement to make public arrestee details. This includes full name and occupation, physical description, arrest time and date, booking time and date, location of arrest, factual circumstances, bail amount, release information, and all charges including warrants and holds.

Contra Costa County follows this statute by providing the in-custody locator. The law took effect January 1, 2023 statewide. Agencies can withhold information only when disclosure would endanger someone or compromise an investigation. This exception applies narrowly and does not allow blanket withholding of booking data.

The California Public Records Act grants broad access to government records. Investigatory files remain confidential during active investigations under Government Code section 7923.600. But basic booking information must still be disclosed even when investigations continue across Contra Costa County.

Criminal History Records Access

Criminal history records differ from booking logs. The California Department of Justice maintains statewide criminal history summaries. Access is restricted under Penal Code section 11105. Only law enforcement, authorized agencies, and the subject of the record can request them. Third parties cannot obtain criminal history records in California.

You can request your own criminal history for $25. California residents must use Live Scan fingerprinting at an authorized location. Out of state residents can submit manual fingerprint cards. The process takes 2 to 3 days for simple records. Complex records may take up to 2 weeks to process at the state level.

You cannot give your criminal record copy to an employer or other third party. California Penal Code section 11142 prohibits this. Penal Code section 11125 prohibits anyone from requiring you to provide your record. Violation of either section is a misdemeanor offense under California law.

Penal Code section 13125 establishes minimum data standards for arrest documentation. This statute specifies what information agencies must record. Personal ID data includes name, aliases, date of birth, physical description, and fingerprints. Arrest data covers agency, booking number, date, charges, and dispositions in Contra Costa County.

Fixing Errors in Booking Records

Booking records may have errors. Contact the Sheriff's Records and ID Unit if you find incorrect information. You need documentation that shows the error. This might include court orders or official records that contradict the booking information in Contra Costa County.

For state criminal history records, use the DOJ challenge process. Penal Code sections 11120 through 11127 establish procedures to review your record. You must first get a copy from DOJ. Form BCIA 8706 comes with your record. Use this form to claim inaccuracies.

Arrest and court information can only be changed by court order or direction from the arresting agency or district attorney. DOJ cannot modify entries on its own authority. The same applies at the county level. Sheriff staff cannot delete bookings without proper authorization from courts or prosecutors.

Victim Notification Services

VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. This free service notifies victims about custody status changes. You can register by phone or online. The system sends alerts when inmates are released, transferred, or have court dates. Contra Costa County participates in VINE.

Notifications come by phone call, text message, or email based on your preferences. You can update your contact information at any time. The service operates 24 hours a day. VINE helps victims stay informed about offender custody status without needing to check databases daily in Contra Costa County.

Cities in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County includes many cities throughout the East Bay region. Police departments in these cities book arrestees at county facilities. Check the in-custody locator regardless of which city made the arrest. The county jail system handles custody for the entire region.

City police departments maintain their own records for police reports and incident documentation. But all custody records appear in the county system. This centralized approach makes it easier to search for bookings and releases across Contra Costa County.

Note: The county includes several large cities, some of which may be found on our cities page for population centers over 100,000 residents.