Orange County Jail Inmate Records

Orange County maintains a comprehensive jail system with around 60,000 bookings each year. The Orange County Sheriff's Department operates detention facilities in Santa Ana and Orange. Jail mugshots and inmate records are searchable through the Sheriff's online portal. You can look up booking information, view custody status, and access photos for people held in Orange County jails. The database updates throughout the day as new arrests occur. Anyone can use the system for free without creating an account. Search by name or booking number to find current inmates in Orange County.

Orange County Inmate Search Portal

The Orange County Sheriff provides an online portal for finding jail records. Go to the OC Sheriff's public services website to search. Enter a first name and last name in the search fields. The system looks through all current inmates at Orange County facilities. Results show booking dates, charges, bail amounts, and facility locations.

Most records include a mugshot you can view. Click on the person's name to see their full booking record. The photo appears along with detailed information about their arrest and custody status. Orange County updates these records regularly as people move through the jail system.

You can call (714) 710-8884 to reach the Inmate Information phone line. Staff can help you locate someone in custody. They provide booking dates, bail amounts, and release information. The line operates during business hours for public inquiries about Orange County inmates.

The database covers both Central Jails and Theo Lacy Facility. Search results tell you which location is housing the inmate. Each facility has a different address and contact number. Knowing where someone is held helps if you need to visit or send mail in Orange County.

Jail Facilities in Orange County

Central Jails are located at 550 North Flower Street in Santa Ana. Call (714) 647-4666 for information about this facility. It handles intake and houses many inmates waiting for court. Most bookings in Orange County start at Central Jails before inmates get moved elsewhere.

Theo Lacy Facility sits at 501 The City Drive South in Orange. The phone number is (714) 935-6940. This facility holds both pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates. It offers work programs and other services for people in longer-term custody in Orange County.

Both locations provide housing, medical care, and meals for inmates. Orange County classifies people based on their charges and behavior. Security level determines which facility an inmate goes to. Serious charges often mean higher security housing.

Searching for Booking Records

Start at the public services portal. You need a last name at minimum. First name helps narrow results if the last name is common. The search looks through active inmates only. People already released will not appear in Orange County search results.

Enter the name and click search. A list of matches appears. Look at the booking dates and charges to find the right person. Common names might return several results. Middle name or date of birth can help identify who you are looking for in Orange County.

Booking numbers work if you have one from court papers or bond documents. Type the number in the search box. This pulls up the exact record without sorting through multiple people. Each booking gets a unique number in Orange County.

For older records, contact the Sheriff's Records Division. Archives hold information from past bookings that no longer appear online. You may need to submit a public records request for historical Orange County jail records.

Note: The system does not show juvenile records. Anyone under 18 goes through a different system. Orange County Probation handles juvenile custody and records.

Public Access Laws

California requires release of arrest information under Government Code 6254(f). This law lists what must be public when someone gets booked. Names, descriptions, dates, times, locations, charges, and bail amounts are all public record. Orange County must provide this data to anyone who asks.

Mugshots fall under public records laws in most cases. The Sheriff can release booking photos unless an exemption applies. Orange County posts most mugshots online without restrictions. You do not need to show ID or explain why you want the information.

Penal Code 13665 limits how police share mugshots on social media. This rule does not change the Sheriff's official database. It only affects what law enforcement can post on Facebook or Twitter. The inmate search portal remains open to everyone in Orange County.

Civil Code 1798.91.1 bans charging fees to remove mugshots. Some websites used to post Orange County booking photos and demand money to take them down. This is now illegal throughout California. Victims can sue companies that engage in this practice.

Contacting Orange County Sheriff

Call (714) 710-8884 for inmate information. This line provides custody status, booking dates, and bail amounts. Have the inmate's name ready when you call. Staff can check both facilities to locate someone in Orange County custody.

Visit the VINE website or call 877-411-5588 to track inmates. This free service sends alerts when someone gets released or moved. You can sign up for text or email notifications about Orange County inmates.

For public records requests, contact the Sheriff's Records Section. They handle requests for booking reports, arrest records, and mugshot copies. Some requests involve fees for processing and copying. The Sheriff's office is in Santa Ana.

Inmate Services and Money Deposits

Orange County uses JailATM for inmate deposits and commissary. Go to their website to set up an account. You need the inmate's name and booking number. Money posts within hours so inmates can buy items from commissary or make phone calls.

Video visits may be available depending on custody level. Check the Sheriff's website for current visitation policies. Some Orange County facilities use remote video systems instead of in-person visits. You might need to schedule visits in advance.

Phone calls come through commercial providers. Inmates make collect calls or use prepaid accounts. Rates vary by company. Orange County does not control these fees. Contact the service provider if you have questions about call charges.

Cities in Orange County

Orange County includes many cities with their own police departments. All local agencies book arrestees into the Sheriff's jails. Someone arrested in Anaheim or Irvine ends up at Central Jails or Theo Lacy. The same search portal covers everyone in Orange County regardless of which city police made the arrest.

Anaheim Santa Ana Irvine Huntington Beach Garden Grove Orange Fullerton Costa Mesa

City police handle patrols and investigations. The Sheriff runs the jails and provides court security. This division of duties is common in California. Orange County centralizes detention services for all cities in the county.

Nearby Counties

Check other counties if you cannot find someone in Orange County jails. People sometimes get arrested in one place and booked elsewhere. Warrants can cause transfers between jurisdictions in California.

Los Angeles County San Bernardino County Riverside County San Diego County

Each county has its own jail system and search database. You must search each one separately. VINE can check multiple counties at once if you are not sure where someone is being held in California.