Mendocino County booking and release records are kept by the Sheriff's Office through a centralized inmate inquiry system. The county maintains live custody data on all persons booked into the jail facility. You can look up current inmates or request info on past bookings. The Sheriff's Office also handles public records requests for arrest details, booking logs, and release information. Search tools let you find people by name or case data. Most records are open to the public under state law.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office runs an online inmate inquiry tool that shows who is in jail right now. This database updates regularly and lets you search by last name or first name. The system shows booking dates, charges, and bail amounts. It's a free public service.
To use the Mendocino County inmate search, enter at least part of a name. The tool will pull up matching records from the county jail. Results include the person's full name, booking number, and current status. You'll also see what charges they face and when they got booked. The system only shows current inmates, not past releases.
The NewWorld inmate inquiry platform is the official lookup tool for Mendocino County. It runs 24/7 and you don't need to make an account. Just type in a name and hit search.
Booking records contain details about when someone got arrested and taken to jail. These documents include the time of arrest, location, charges filed, and booking date. California law says most of this info must be public. Under Government Code Section 7923.610, agencies have to release arrestee names, physical descriptions, arrest times, booking dates, locations, factual circumstances, bail amounts, and all charges including warrants and holds.
If you need a full booking report, you'll contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Records Division. They keep files on every person booked into the county jail. You can ask for copies of booking sheets, mugshots, and related arrest paperwork. Some details might be withheld if they're part of an active investigation, but basic booking data is almost always available.
Jail reports show the daily population and who got booked or released. The Sheriff's Office maintains these logs as public records. You can request them through the county's public records process.
Mendocino County handles public records requests through a formal process. The Sheriff's Office has a page dedicated to Public Records Act requests. You submit your request in writing and describe what you're looking for. The agency has 10 days to respond under state law. They might ask for more time if your request is complex.
Note: Some records are exempt from disclosure, like ongoing investigations or confidential informant data.
When someone gets released from Mendocino County Jail, that info becomes part of the public record. Release data includes the date and time of release, and sometimes the reason. People get released for different reasons. Maybe they posted bail, or charges got dropped, or they finished their sentence. Sometimes a judge orders release on their own recognizance.
You won't always see release info in the online inmate search because it only shows current inmates. For past release records, contact the Sheriff's Records Division. They can confirm if someone was released and when. This helps if you're trying to verify someone's custody status or need proof of release for legal purposes.
For people in state prison, use the California Incarcerated Records & Information Search. That's the statewide inmate locator run by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. It won't show county jail inmates, only those in state facilities. If you're not sure where someone is, check both the county system and the state CIRIS tool.
The California Department of Justice also maintains criminal history records, but those aren't freely searchable. Only the subject of the record can request their own criminal history summary. Third parties can't get someone else's rap sheet. More info at the DOJ Record Review page.
Old booking records may or may not be online. The inmate search only shows current detainees. For historical data, file a public records request with the Sheriff's Office. Specify the name, approximate date, and what you need. The county will search their archives and let you know what's available.
Keep in mind that really old records might be harder to get. Some counties have paper files that take time to locate. Digital records are easier. Mendocino County has been using electronic booking systems for years, so recent records should be accessible without much delay.
California's Public Records Act requires agencies to disclose most government documents. That includes booking logs and arrest reports. Government Code Section 7923.600 lists exemptions for investigatory files, but basic booking info is not exempt. Penal Code Section 11105 governs DOJ criminal records and limits who can see full rap sheets.
Penal Code Section 13125 sets standards for what data must be collected during booking. Agencies have to record personal ID info, arrest details, charges, and case dispositions. This ensures uniform record-keeping across the state.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is in Ukiah. They handle all jail operations and records requests. If you have questions about an inmate or need help with a records request, call or visit their office. Staff can walk you through the process and tell you what forms to fill out.
You can also check the Sheriff's website for more info on visiting hours, inmate mail policies, and how to deposit money into an inmate's account. These services are separate from records requests but may be useful if you have someone in custody.
If you're searching for someone who might be in a neighboring county, try these resources: