Access Sacramento Criminal Records

Criminal records in Sacramento are available from the city police department and the county court system. The Sacramento Police Department handles police reports and arrest records for crimes within city limits. Criminal court cases are managed by the Sacramento County Superior Court. As the state capital, Sacramento is home to both local and state-level criminal justice agencies. The city's police department serves a population of over 500,000 and processes a large number of reports each year. Sacramento County has eliminated fees for online court searches, making it one of the easiest places in California to look up criminal case information.

Sacramento Police Records

The Sacramento Police Department handles police reports and arrest records for incidents in the city. The department uses a NextRequest portal for public records requests. This is the primary way to get copies of police reports from the SPD.

Submit your request through the Sacramento PD records portal. The system lets you describe what you need, upload supporting documents, and track your request online. You will get email updates as the request moves through the review process. Response times vary based on how many requests are in the queue and the complexity of what you are asking for. Simple report requests may take a few business days. Larger or more complex requests can take weeks.

In-person requests and general questions about police records can be directed to the SPD Records Division. The department is responsive to requests and follows California Public Records Act guidelines for timing and disclosure. If you have a case number or report number, include it with your request. It cuts down on the time needed to locate the right documents.

Note: Sacramento PD records are only for incidents handled by city police. For crimes outside city limits but within Sacramento County, contact the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Sacramento Court Criminal Cases

Criminal cases from Sacramento are filed at the Sacramento County Superior Court. The court offers a free online search tool for criminal case records. This is a big deal because most California courts charge for online access. The Sacramento court has discontinued all fees for online searches and document downloads. Visit the Public Case Access system to search criminal cases from 1989 to the present.

You can look up cases by defendant name or case number. The search results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and disposition information. For questions about criminal records or if you need certified copies, call the Criminal Records Front Counter at (916) 874-8881. The courthouse is at 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Certified copies are $40 and regular copies cost 50 cents per page when you need physical documents from the clerk's office.

The free online access makes Sacramento one of the most transparent court systems in the state. You can check case details without creating an account or paying a fee. Other counties in California still charge for similar access, so Sacramento stands out on this front.

Sacramento Inmate Search

People arrested in Sacramento are booked into the Sacramento County jail. The sheriff's department operates the jail system. You can search for current inmates on the sheriff's website. The inmate search lets you look up people by name to check custody status, charges, and bail information. The jail phone number is 916-874-6752 for general inmate questions.

Sacramento County has two main jail facilities. The main jail is downtown, and the Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center is in Elk Grove. Which facility someone is held in depends on their charges, classification, and available space. The online search covers both locations. For people sentenced to state prison, the CDCR inmate search at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov is the right tool. State prison and county jail are separate systems managed by different agencies.

Criminal Background Checks in Sacramento

Sacramento has numerous Live Scan locations for fingerprint-based background checks. The California DOJ headquarters is actually in Sacramento, though you do not go there for a background check. Instead, visit any certified Live Scan site. Bring form BCIA 8016RR if you want to check your own record. The DOJ fee is $25, plus a rolling fee charged by the Live Scan operator. The DOJ Live Scan locator lists all certified sites in the Sacramento area.

After submitting fingerprints, check results at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov. Enter your ATI number and date of birth. Processing takes 48 to 72 hours when no record is found. Employers in Sacramento use the same system through their authorized accounts. Given that Sacramento is the state capital, there are a high number of government employers who require background checks for state jobs.

The sex offender registry at meganslaw.ca.gov lets you search for registered offenders in Sacramento. The tool is free and you can search by name, address, or map. It is maintained by the California DOJ.

Clearing Records in Sacramento

California law provides several ways to clear or reduce a criminal record from Sacramento. Penal Code Section 1203.4 is the most used option. It lets you petition to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. File the petition at the Sacramento County Superior Court where your case was heard. If granted, the conviction notation changes to "dismissed" on your RAP sheet. This helps with employment, but it does not restore gun rights or eliminate sex offender registration requirements.

Additional options include PC 851.87 for sealing arrest records when charges were never filed or were dismissed. Proposition 47 covers resentencing for certain nonviolent drug and theft felonies. Proposition 64 provides relief for old marijuana convictions. Each option has specific eligibility rules. You have to file paperwork with the court for any of these. Nothing happens automatically.

• PC 1203.4 conviction dismissal after probation
• PC 851.87 arrest record sealing
• Prop 47 resentencing for reclassified felonies
• Prop 64 marijuana conviction dismissal
• Certificate of Rehabilitation for prison terms
• Governor's pardon for full record relief

Note: Legal Services of Northern California and other groups in Sacramento provide free help with record clearing for eligible residents.

Sacramento County Criminal Records

Sacramento is the county seat of Sacramento County. Criminal cases from the city go through the Sacramento County Superior Court system.

Nearby California Cities

Other cities near Sacramento with criminal record resources and police departments.