Modoc County Jail Records

Modoc County operates a small jail facility on South Court Street in Alturas. The Sheriff's Office handles all arrests and detentions for this rural county. Unlike larger counties, Modoc does not maintain a public online database for searching jail mugshots and booking records. You can request inmate information through the county's public records portal or by contacting the jail directly. The facility has about 48 beds and serves the entire county. Public records requests go through a formal process under California law. You can obtain booking photos and arrest records by submitting a request to Modoc County. Staff will respond within the timeframe required by state law for public records access.

Requesting Modoc County Records

Modoc County provides a public records request portal at modoccountyca.nextrequest.com. This is the official system for requesting jail records, booking photos, and arrest information. You can submit a request online describing what records you need. The county will process your request according to California law.

Use the portal to ask for specific inmate information. Include the person's name and any other details you know. You can request booking records, mugshots, and arrest reports from the Modoc County Sheriff. The system lets you track your request as it is processed.

California law gives agencies 10 days to respond to most public records requests. This timeline comes from Government Code 7922.535. Modoc County follows this rule when handling requests for jail records. Complex requests may take longer if the county needs additional time to gather documents.

Note: Some fees may apply for copying records and staff time. The county will notify you of any costs before fulfilling your request.

Detention Facility Details

The Modoc County jail is at 102 South Court Street in Alturas, California. This is a small facility with 48 beds. It serves the entire county despite the limited capacity. The Sheriff's Office operates the jail and handles all custody operations for Modoc County.

Call (530) 233-4416 to reach the jail by phone. Staff can tell you if someone is currently in custody. They can provide basic information about booking dates and bail amounts. For detailed records or official documents, you need to submit a public records request through the online portal or in writing to Modoc County.

The facility houses both male and female inmates. People arrested anywhere in Modoc County are brought here for booking and detention. The small size means the jail may transfer some inmates to other facilities if space is needed.

Finding Inmate Information

Start by calling the jail at (530) 233-4416. Ask if the person you are looking for is in custody. Staff can confirm whether someone is currently held at the facility. They can give you basic details like booking date and charges over the phone in Modoc County.

For booking photos and detailed records, use the public records portal. Go to modoccountyca.nextrequest.com and create a request. Describe what information you need. Include the inmate's full name and date of birth if you have it. Submit the request and wait for the county to respond.

You can also submit a written request by mail. Send your request to the Modoc County Sheriff's Office at 102 South Court Street, Alturas, CA 96101. Include your contact information so they can respond. Written requests take longer to process than online submissions.

The county does not have a searchable online database like larger counties. All jail mugshot and booking record requests go through the public records process in Modoc County.

California Public Records Act

California requires disclosure of arrest information under state law. Government Code 6254(f) specifies what must be public. This includes name, physical description, date of birth, time of arrest, booking time, location of arrest, charges, and bail amount. Modoc County must provide this data when you request it.

Mugshots are public records unless an exemption applies. Law enforcement can release booking photos to anyone who asks. You do not need to explain why you want the information. Submit a public records request to get jail mugshots from Modoc County.

The county has 10 days to respond to your request. They must tell you whether they will provide the records. If they need more time, they can extend the deadline by 14 days. This timeline applies to most public records requests under California law for Modoc County.

Contacting Inmates

VINE provides victim notification for Modoc County. Visit vinelink.dhs.gov or call 877-411-5588 to register. The system sends alerts when an inmate is released or transferred. This free service covers all California counties including Modoc. You can sign up for text or email notifications.

VINE also works as an inmate locator. Search by name to see if someone is in any California jail. This helps if you are not sure where someone is being held. The system checks multiple facilities at once across the state.

For phone calls, video visits, and sending money, contact the jail at (530) 233-4416 to ask about current vendors and procedures. Small jails may use different systems than larger counties. Policies can change, so check with the facility for the latest information in Modoc County.

Tips for Record Requests

Be specific in your request. Include the person's full name and date of birth if you know it. Say exactly what records you want. For example, ask for booking photos, arrest reports, or custody records. Clear requests get processed faster in Modoc County.

Provide your contact information. The county needs a way to respond to your request. Include your email address or phone number. They will contact you if they have questions or need clarification about what you want.

Ask about fees upfront. Some records involve copying costs or staff time. The county will tell you if there are fees before providing the records. You can decide whether to pay or withdraw your request.

Follow up if you do not get a response. The county should acknowledge your request within 10 days. If you do not hear back, call the Sheriff's Office to check on the status of your public records request in Modoc County.

Other Search Options

Court records may contain arrest information. The Modoc County Superior Court maintains case files that include booking details. These records are separate from jail databases but can help you find information about criminal cases. Court records are public in most criminal cases.

Check nearby counties if you cannot find someone in Modoc. Small counties sometimes house inmates in other facilities. Warrants from other areas can also result in people being held elsewhere. Each county has its own jail system in California.

VINE searches across all California counties at once. This saves time if you are not sure where someone is being held. Go to vinelink.dhs.gov and enter a name to search. The system checks Modoc County and all other counties in the state.

Mugshot Privacy Laws

California restricts how police share mugshots on social media. Penal Code 13665 limits posting booking photos for certain crimes. This does not affect public records requests. The law only applies to social media accounts run by law enforcement. You can still request jail mugshots through the public records process in Modoc County.

Websites cannot charge fees to remove mugshots. Civil Code 1798.91.1 bans this practice statewide. Some companies posted Modoc County mugshots and demanded payment to take them down. California law now prohibits these mugshot extortion schemes.

Records of arrests that did not lead to charges can sometimes be sealed. Penal Code 851.87 through 851.92 cover sealing arrest records. If charges were never filed, the person may petition to seal their arrest record. Sealed records are not available through public records requests in California.

Nearby Counties

If you cannot locate someone in Modoc County jail, check neighboring counties. Small facilities sometimes transfer inmates to larger jails. Warrants from other areas can affect where someone is booked in California.

Lassen County Shasta County Siskiyou County

Each county operates its own jail system. You need to search or contact each one separately. The VINE system can search multiple counties at once, which helps when you are not sure where someone is being held in California.