Search California Jail Mugshots
You can find jail mugshots in California through county sheriff websites and state databases. Each of the 58 counties runs its own jail system. Booking photos and arrest records are public in most cases. The state keeps a central database for inmates in state prison. Many counties post their jail rosters online. You can search by name, date, or booking number. Some counties update their systems every hour. Access is free for most databases across California.
California Jail Mugshots Quick Facts
Statewide Search Systems
California runs several statewide systems for looking up inmates and arrest records. These databases cover different parts of the justice system. Some track state prison inmates. Others help victims get updates. Each system serves a specific need for people searching for jail mugshots and custody info in California.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates CIRIS for state prison inmates. This is different from county jails. If someone is in state prison, you can find them here. The system shows their location, custody status, and release date if known. County jails are separate. Each county sheriff runs local jails for people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. CIRIS only covers state facilities run by CDCR across California.
To search the state prison database, visit the CDCR inmate locator online. You can search by CDCR number or by name and date of birth. The system updates daily with new bookings and releases from California state prisons.
The database shows current location and projected release dates for inmates in state custody. It covers all CDCR facilities statewide. You can also call the CDCR Identification Unit at (916) 445-6713 for inmate information 24 hours a day in California.
VINE is a victim notification system available across California. It lets you track an inmate and get alerts when they are released. The system covers both county jails and state prisons. You sign up with a case number or inmate name. VINE sends text messages or emails when custody status changes. Call 877-411-5588 or visit vinelink.dhs.gov to register. This service is free for all California residents.
The system runs 24 hours a day. You can check inmate status any time. VINE works in all 58 California counties. The California State Sheriffs' Association operates the system with Appriss Safety. Updates happen in real time when jails report changes to custody status.
County Jail Inmate Records
Most California counties provide online access to jail rosters and booking logs. Each sheriff runs their own system. Some use CitizenRIMS or CrimeGraphics software. Others built custom databases. The information available varies by county across California.
Large counties often have advanced search tools. Los Angeles County posts booking logs and inmate photos through their online portal. You can search by name, booking number, or date range. The system updates constantly as new arrests happen. Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County all have similar online tools. Each database covers only that county's jails, not other parts of California.
Smaller counties may post basic booking lists without photos. Some update once per day. A few counties require phone calls for inmate information. Alpine County and Sierra County have no jails of their own. They house inmates at neighboring county facilities in California. Check the county sheriff website for the specific jail where someone is held.
Booking information typically includes full name, age, booking date and time, charges, and bail amount. Many counties show the jail facility location. Some list the arresting agency. California law requires disclosure of this basic arrest data under Government Code 6254(f). Counties must provide it upon request even if not posted online.
Finding Jail Mugshots in California
Start your search at the county level. Figure out which county made the arrest. Go to that county sheriff's website. Look for links labeled Inmate Search, Who's in Jail, or Booking Log. These tools let you search by name or date in California.
Enter the person's full name. Some systems need a last name only. Others want both first and last names. If the database finds a match, it will show booking details. Many counties display mugshots with the arrest record. Click on the name to see more information about charges and bail. You can often view the full booking photo by clicking on a thumbnail image displayed in search results for California jails.
If you don't know the county, try VINE first. It searches across all California counties at once. You can also check major counties where the person lives or was last known to be. Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange counties handle a large share of bookings statewide. Their databases cover millions of arrest records from California jails.
For records requests, contact the sheriff's Records Division in the county where the arrest happened. They can provide certified copies of booking reports and mugshots. Some counties charge fees for copies. Public records requests in California must be answered within 10 days under state law. Extensions may apply for large requests or if the county needs extra time to process the information.
The California Department of Justice handles public records requests for state-level criminal data. Visit the DOJ records request form online to submit your request. The DOJ charges 10 cents per page for copies. Processing time is 10 days with a possible 14-day extension under California law.
You can also email the DOJ at EERROffice@doj.ca.gov for records questions. They handle requests for summary criminal history and other state-level arrest data in California.
Laws Governing Jail Mugshots
California has specific laws about arrest records and booking photos. These rules balance public access with privacy rights. The main statute is Government Code 6254(f). It lists what information must be public when someone is booked into jail across California.
Required disclosures include full name, occupation, physical description, date of birth, time and date of arrest, time and date of booking, location of arrest, arresting agency, charges filed, and bail amount. Counties must provide this data to anyone who asks. Most post it online without requiring a formal request in California. Mugshots are generally public but some restrictions apply.
Penal Code 13665 restricts how police share mugshots on social media. Law enforcement cannot post booking photos of people arrested for nonviolent crimes to social media accounts. If they do post a photo, they must remove it within 14 days of the arrest. This law aims to protect people from public shaming before conviction in California courts.
Civil Code 1798.91.1 bans mugshot extortion. It is unlawful to charge fees for removing booking photos from websites. Some companies used to post mugshots online and demand payment to take them down. California law now prohibits this practice statewide. Violations can result in civil penalties and lawsuits.
You can seal some arrest records in California. Penal Code 851.87 through 851.92 allow sealing when no charges were filed or the case was dismissed. A sealed record is hidden from public view. Background checks will not show it. The arrest still happened but is treated as if it never occurred under California law.
Criminal history records maintained by the state are confidential under Penal Code 11105. These summary records stay on file until the person turns 100 years old. Only certain agencies can access them. The public cannot get full rap sheets. You can get your own criminal history through the DOJ Live Scan process in California.
Note: Laws about mugshots and arrest records can change, so check current statutes for the latest rules in California.
Third-Party Inmate Services
Many California counties contract with private companies for inmate services. These systems handle phone calls, video visits, and money deposits. Common vendors include GTL, Securus Technologies, ICSolutions, and ConnectNetwork. Each company runs its own portal for California jails.
GTL serves major counties like Los Angeles, Alameda, and Santa Clara. Securus works with San Diego, Kern, and other California counties. ICSolutions provides services to Placer, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. Each system has different fees and procedures for California residents.
To find which vendor serves a specific jail, check the county sheriff website. They usually list phone and visitation information with links to the service provider. You need to create an account with that company to send money or schedule video visits in California.
VINE operates in all 58 California counties for victim notification. Visit vinelink.dhs.gov to sign up for alerts about inmate custody status. The service is free across California.
You can search for any inmate in California through VINE. The system shows current custody status and facility location. Sign up for notifications to get texts or emails when the person is released or transferred to a different jail facility in California.
California Jail Data
The state tracks arrest and custody data through OpenJustice. This portal provides statistics on bookings, releases, and jail populations across California. You can view trends by county, offense type, and demographics. The data helps show how the justice system operates statewide.
Access the OpenJustice data portal to explore arrest statistics and jail population trends. The site includes interactive charts and downloadable datasets for California.
The portal shows arrest rates, booking trends, and custody populations over time. You can compare counties or look at statewide totals. Data goes back several years for historical analysis of California jails.
California has around 60,000 bookings per year in Orange County alone. Los Angeles County books far more. Total statewide bookings run into the millions annually. Each county reports its data to the state for tracking and analysis purposes.
Browse by Location
Search by County
Each California county operates its own jail system with unique search tools and procedures. Find booking photos and inmate records by selecting a county below.
Los Angeles County San Diego County Orange County Riverside County San Bernardino County Sacramento County
View All 58 California Counties →
Search by City
Major California cities are served by county jails. Find out which facility handles bookings for your city and access local arrest records.