Sacramento County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Sacramento County are available through the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Department. Sacramento is the state capital and the county has more than 1.5 million residents. The Sacramento Superior Court stands out among California courts because it has dropped all fees for online searches and document downloads. This makes it one of the easiest and cheapest places to look up criminal cases in the state. The court's digital system covers criminal cases from 1989 to the present. Between the free court access and the sheriff's inmate search, Sacramento County offers solid online tools for finding criminal records.

Sacramento County Criminal Case Access

The Sacramento Superior Court runs a Public Case Access system at services.saccourt.ca.gov. This is the tool you use to search criminal cases. Enter a defendant name or case number and the system pulls up matching records. It covers criminal cases from 1989 to the present. The best part is that Sacramento has eliminated all fees for online searches and document downloads. You can view case details, hearing dates, charges, and dispositions without paying anything.

The screenshot below shows the Sacramento Superior Court's criminal case access system at services.saccourt.ca.gov.

This free access makes Sacramento County different from most other counties in California. Many courts charge per-page fees for copies or per-name fees for searches. Sacramento dropped those charges, which makes it a lot easier for the public to look up criminal cases. The system is well-organized and covers felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. You can see the full case history, including all filings and hearing outcomes.

If you need physical copies or certified documents, contact the Criminal Records Front Counter at (916) 874-8881. The courthouse is at 720 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Walk-in service is available during business hours. Certified copies still cost $40 under state law, even though online access is free.

Sacramento Sheriff Inmate Search

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Department operates the county jail system. The main facility is the Sacramento County Main Jail in downtown Sacramento. The Rio Cosumnes Correctional Center in Elk Grove is another major facility. You can search for current inmates at sacsheriff.com. The tool lets you search by name. Results show the inmate's booking number, charges, bail amount, and current facility.

Call 916-874-6752 for jail information if you cannot find someone online. The inmate search only shows people currently in Sacramento County jail custody. If someone has been released, they will no longer appear in the system. For people sent to state prison after a Sacramento County conviction, check the CDCR's CIRIS inmate search.

Note: There is sometimes a delay between when a person is booked and when their record appears in the online search tool.

California Criminal Record Resources

Sacramento County residents have a unique advantage when it comes to state-level criminal records because the California DOJ is headquartered in Sacramento. The DOJ's main offices are in the city, and there are many Live Scan locations nearby. To request your own RAP sheet, go to a Live Scan provider and pay the $25 DOJ fee. Find a site through the DOJ locator. Processing takes 48 to 72 hours for people with no criminal history. Longer for those who do.

The DOJ mailing address for record review requests is PO Box 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. This is where out-of-state residents send manual fingerprint cards. California residents must use Live Scan instead of mailing in cards. You can track your background check at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov with your ATI number.

The sex offender registry is at meganslaw.ca.gov. Sacramento County has a sizable number of registered offenders given its large population. You can search by name, address, or zip code.

Clearing Records in Sacramento County

Sacramento County courts process many record relief petitions each year. Penal Code Section 1203.4 is the most commonly used. It lets people who finished probation petition to have their conviction dismissed. File the petition at the Sacramento Superior Court. The record stays on your RAP sheet but changes to a "dismissed" status, which helps with job searches and housing applications.

Arrest record sealing under PC 851.87 is also available when no conviction resulted. Proposition 47 resentencing lets people with certain nonviolent felony convictions petition to have them reduced to misdemeanors. Proposition 64 covers old marijuana convictions. Sacramento County has active legal aid organizations that assist with these petitions. The Sacramento County Public Defender's office and organizations like Legal Services of Northern California can help people who cannot afford attorneys navigate the record relief process.

How to Get Criminal Records in Sacramento

Sacramento County gives you multiple ways to access criminal records. The free online court system is the best starting point for most people. Here are the main options available.

• Free online case search at services.saccourt.ca.gov covering 1989 to present
• Criminal Records Front Counter at 720 9th Street, Sacramento
• Phone inquiries at (916) 874-8881
• Sheriff inmate search at sacsheriff.com
• Sacramento Police records through the NextRequest portal
• Live Scan for your own RAP sheet at $25

Sacramento Police Department records can be requested through the city's NextRequest portal at pdcityofsacramentoca.nextrequest.com. This covers police reports, arrest records, and other law enforcement records for incidents that happened within the city of Sacramento. Other cities in the county like Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and Folsom have their own police departments and record request processes.

The fact that Sacramento County offers free online criminal case access puts it ahead of most California counties. Take advantage of this if you need to search criminal records. You can view case details, download documents, and check case status without paying the per-page fees that other counties charge.

Note: Free online access applies to searches and downloads. Certified copies still cost $40 at the clerk's window if you need an official certified document.

Cities in Sacramento County

Sacramento County includes the state capital and several other cities. Criminal cases from these areas go through the Sacramento Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Sacramento County is surrounded by several other counties in the Central Valley and Sierra foothills. Check these for cross-county criminal record searches.