Mendocino County Criminal Records
What Is Mendocino County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Mendocino County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13100-13103, these records document various stages of criminal proceedings from initial arrest through final disposition.
Criminal records encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of detentions by law enforcement agencies that may or may not lead to formal charges
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas resulting in criminal convictions
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
Adult and juvenile records are maintained separately, with juvenile records subject to heightened confidentiality protections under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827. Additionally, records may reflect active warrants for arrest or historical documentation of past proceedings.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Mendocino County:
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office
951 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4411
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office
Mendocino County Superior Court
100 North State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-2000
Mendocino County Superior Court
California Department of Justice
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
(916) 210-6276
California Department of Justice
A comprehensive criminal record typically includes documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole information. The Mendocino County Superior Court maintains records of court proceedings, while the Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and detention records.
Are Criminal Records Public In Mendocino County
Criminal records in Mendocino County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically under Government Code § 6250-6270. This statute establishes that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state."
The public accessibility of criminal records is subject to specific limitations and exceptions:
- Adult Conviction Records: Generally available to the public
- Court Proceedings: Most hearings and trials are open to public observation
- Ongoing Investigations: May be exempt from disclosure under Government Code § 6254(f)
- Sealed Records: Not accessible to the public pursuant to court order
- Juvenile Records: Confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
The California Public Records Act specifically addresses criminal history information in Government Code § 6254(f), which states that "records of investigations conducted by... any state or local police agency" may be exempt from disclosure except in limited circumstances. However, basic information about arrests and incidents must be disclosed unless disclosure would endanger an investigation or related proceedings.
Members of the public seeking access to public criminal records must follow established procedures through the appropriate agency. The Mendocino County Superior Court and Sheriff's Office maintain separate systems for public access to their respective records.
Certain criminal records may be subject to sealing or expungement under California law, including those eligible under Penal Code § 1203.4 (expungement), § 851.8 (sealing of arrest records), and § 1203.45 (sealing of misdemeanor records for minors).
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Mendocino County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Mendocino County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The appropriate method depends on the specific type of record sought and its maintaining agency.
For court records, individuals may:
- Visit the Mendocino County Superior Court in person at:
Mendocino County Superior Court
100 North State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Submit a written request for copies of court records using the court's Records Request Form
- Provide the following information:
- Full name of the person whose records are sought
- Case number (if known)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Date or approximate timeframe of the case
For arrest and booking records, individuals may:
- Contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office at:
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office
951 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4411
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Complete a Public Records Request form
- Provide specific information about the record being sought
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals may:
- Submit a request to the California Department of Justice through their Criminal Records Review Unit
- Complete the Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016)
- Visit an authorized Live Scan provider for fingerprinting
- Pay the required processing fee ($25 for personal records)
Pursuant to California Penal Code § 11105, individuals may obtain their own criminal history records, while third-party requests are subject to specific authorization requirements.
How To Find Criminal Records in Mendocino County Online?
Mendocino County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records digitally. These systems provide varying levels of information and may require registration or fees.
The primary online resources include:
-
Mendocino County Superior Court Case Information
- Access through the Court Information Online portal
- Search by name, case number, or filing date
- View case summaries, charges, hearing dates, and disposition information
- No registration required for basic searches
- Detailed documents may require in-person requests
-
Mendocino County Sheriff's Inmate Information
- Access through the Sheriff's Office website
- Search current jail population and booking information
- Information includes charges, booking date, and custody status
- Updated daily
-
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Locator
- Access through the California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS)
- Search for individuals currently incarcerated in state prison
- Information includes location, commitment offense, and parole eligibility
-
California Courts Case Information
- Access through the California Courts portal
- Search appellate cases and some superior court cases
- Information varies by jurisdiction
Users should note that online systems typically do not provide complete criminal history reports. Certain records, particularly older cases or those with special privacy protections, may only be available through in-person requests. Additionally, the information available online is generally limited to publicly accessible case information and may not include sealed or confidential records.
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals must still submit formal requests through the appropriate agencies as outlined in the previous section.
Can You Search Mendocino County Criminal Records for Free?
Mendocino County provides several options for free access to criminal records, though certain limitations apply. Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253, public agencies may charge fees that cover the direct costs of duplication or electronic production of records, but inspection of records must generally be provided without charge.
Free access options include:
- In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect publicly available criminal records at no cost during regular business hours at:
Mendocino County Superior Court
100 North State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-2000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Mendocino County Sheriff's Office
951 Low Gap Road
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 463-4411
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
-
Online Case Information: Basic case information is available at no cost through the Mendocino County Superior Court's online portal, including:
- Case numbers
- Party names
- Charges filed
- Hearing dates
- Case status
-
Sheriff's Inmate Information: Current inmate and booking information is available at no cost through the Sheriff's Office website.
While inspection and basic information are available without charge, fees apply for:
- Copies of court documents ($0.50 per page)
- Certified copies of court records ($25 per document)
- Complete criminal history reports from the California Department of Justice ($25)
- Specialized searches requiring staff research time
The California Public Records Act establishes that while agencies may charge for the direct cost of duplication, they may not charge for the time required to search for, retrieve, or redact records unless specifically authorized by statute.
What's Included in a Mendocino County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Mendocino County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The specific content varies based on the nature and extent of the person's criminal history.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail amount (if applicable)
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number
- Court of jurisdiction
- Filing date
- Formal charges and applicable statutes
- Classification of charges (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
- Plea information
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and restitution
- Court-ordered programs
- Appeal information
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations (if criminal in nature)
- Pending charges
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Department maintains arrest and booking records, while the Mendocino County Superior Court maintains case proceedings and disposition information. The California Department of Justice compiles comprehensive criminal history information from reporting agencies throughout the state.
How Long Does Mendocino County Keep Criminal Records?
Mendocino County retains criminal records according to schedules established by California law and local policies. Retention periods vary based on the type of record, severity of the offense, and outcome of the case.
The California Government Code § 68152 establishes minimum retention periods for court records, including:
-
Felony Cases: All papers and documents in cases where the defendant is sentenced to death or life imprisonment must be retained permanently. Other felony case records must be retained for a minimum of 75 years.
-
Misdemeanor Cases: Records must be retained for a minimum of 5 years after final disposition. DUI misdemeanors must be retained for 10 years.
-
Infractions: Records must be retained for a minimum of 3 years after final disposition.
-
Juvenile Records: Retention periods vary based on case type and outcome, with many records retained until the subject reaches age 38.
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records according to schedules established by the California Secretary of State's Local Government Records Management Guidelines. These typically include:
- Arrest Reports: Minimum 5-year retention
- Booking Records: Minimum 5-year retention
- Jail Records: Minimum 5-year retention after release
It is important to note that while records may be retained for the periods specified above, they may not remain publicly accessible for the entire retention period. Various sealing, expungement, and confidentiality provisions may limit public access to certain records.
Under California Penal Code § 1203.4, individuals who have successfully completed probation may petition for dismissal of their conviction, though this does not completely remove the record from all systems. Similarly, Penal Code § 851.8 provides for the sealing and destruction of arrest records in cases where no conviction occurred.
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history information indefinitely, though access is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals.
Lookup Criminal Records in Mendocino County
Mendocino County court records
Mendocino County Sheriff's Department records
California Public Records Act information
California Incarcerated Records & Information Search