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Kern County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kern County

Arrest records in Kern County are generally considered public information under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). Pursuant to Government Code § 6253, public agencies must make non-exempt records promptly available upon request. Law enforcement agencies in Kern County maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records are subject to public disclosure with certain limitations.

The distinction between arrest records and conviction records is significant under California law. An arrest record documents the apprehension and booking of an individual suspected of committing a crime, while conviction records indicate that a person has been found guilty of a criminal offense through legal proceedings. Under California law, both types of records are generally accessible to the public, though arrest records that did not lead to conviction may have greater privacy protections under certain circumstances.

The California Department of Justice maintains policies governing the release of criminal history information, including arrests. However, certain information within arrest records may be exempt from disclosure under Government Code § 6254, particularly if release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.

What's in Kern County Arrest Records

Kern County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. These official documents serve as the formal record of an arrest and generally include the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

  • Full legal name (including aliases or known nicknames)
  • Date of birth
  • Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
  • Gender
  • Race/ethnicity
  • Home address
  • Identifying marks (tattoos, scars, or other distinguishing features)
  • Fingerprints
  • Photograph (mugshot)

Arrest Details:

  • Date and time of arrest
  • Location of arrest
  • Arresting agency
  • Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
  • Circumstances leading to arrest

Charge Information:

  • Criminal charges filed
  • Statute numbers of alleged violations
  • Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, infraction)
  • Description of alleged criminal activity

Warrant Information (if applicable):

  • Warrant number
  • Issuing court
  • Date of issuance
  • Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)

Booking Information:

  • Booking number
  • Date and time of booking
  • Facility where individual was processed
  • Property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

  • Bail amount set
  • Bond type
  • Whether bail was posted
  • Conditions of release (if applicable)

Court Information:

  • Court of jurisdiction
  • Case number
  • Scheduled court appearances
  • Name of assigned judge

Custody Status:

  • Current detention status
  • Facility where individual is being held
  • Expected release date (if applicable)

Additional Information May Include:

  • Prior arrest history
  • Probation or parole status
  • Immigration holds
  • Medical alerts
  • Gang affiliation (if documented)
  • Victim information (often redacted in public records)

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Kern County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Kern County may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary agencies maintaining these records include the Kern County Sheriff's Office and the Superior Court of California, County of Kern.

To request arrest records in person:

Kern County Sheriff's Office
1350 Norris Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
(661) 391-7500
Kern County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.

The following steps should be followed when requesting arrest records:

  1. Complete a Public Records Request form, available at the Sheriff's Office or downloadable from their official website.
  2. Provide specific information about the record being sought, including:
    • Full name of the individual
    • Date of birth or approximate age
    • Date or approximate date of arrest
    • Case number (if known)
  3. Present valid government-issued photo identification.
  4. Pay applicable fees for record searches and copies.
  5. Allow processing time as specified by the agency (typically 10 business days for standard requests).

Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(c), agencies must respond to requests within 10 days, though complex requests may require additional time.

For court records related to arrests:

Superior Court of California, County of Kern
1415 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 868-5393
Superior Court of California, County of Kern

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding court holidays.

Written requests may also be submitted by mail to either agency, accompanied by a notarized signature, copy of identification, and appropriate fees.

How To Find Kern County Arrest Records Online

Kern County provides several digital resources for accessing arrest records electronically. The following online methods are currently available to the public:

  1. Kern County Sheriff's Office Inmate Search The Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate search portal that provides information on currently incarcerated individuals and recent arrests. This database includes:

    • Arrestee name
    • Booking number
    • Charges
    • Custody status
    • Next court date
    • Bail amount

  2. Kern County Superior Court Case Index The Superior Court's online case index allows searches for criminal cases resulting from arrests. Users can search by:

    • Defendant name
    • Case number
    • Filing date
    • Case type

  3. California Department of Justice Criminal History Information For official criminal history records including arrests, individuals may request their own records through the California DOJ's Live Scan fingerprinting service. Third-party requests for another person's criminal history require legal authorization.

When using these online systems, users should note:

  • Information may be updated with varying frequency
  • Some details available in physical records may be omitted from online versions
  • Certain sensitive cases may be restricted from public online access
  • Historical records may not be fully digitized

How To Search Kern County Arrest Records for Free?

Several no-cost options exist for members of the public seeking arrest record information in Kern County:

  1. Kern County Sheriff's Office Public Website The Sheriff's Office provides a free inmate lookup tool that displays basic information about current inmates and recent arrests. This resource is updated regularly and requires no registration or fees.

  2. Public Access Terminals at Government Facilities The following locations offer free on-site computer terminals for searching public records:

    Kern County Law Library
    1415 Truxtun Avenue, Room 301
    Bakersfield, CA 93301
    (661) 868-5320
    Kern County Law Library

    Kern County Superior Court - Access Center
    1415 Truxtun Avenue, Room 212
    Bakersfield, CA 93301
    (661) 868-5393
    Kern County Superior Court

  3. Daily Arrest Logs Pursuant to Government Code § 6254(f), law enforcement agencies must make public certain information about arrests within specified timeframes. The Bakersfield Police Department and Kern County Sheriff's Office maintain public logs of arrest activities that can be viewed at no cost.

  4. Court Calendars Daily court calendars listing scheduled criminal proceedings are available for public viewing at no charge through the Superior Court's website.

When utilizing these free resources, members of the public should be aware that:

  • Information may be limited compared to official record requests
  • Historical records may not be available through free resources
  • Some information may be redacted for privacy or security reasons
  • Free resources typically do not provide certified copies needed for official purposes

How To Delete Arrest Records in Kern County

California law provides several mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records under specific circumstances. The processes of record sealing, expungement, and dismissal are governed by different statutes and serve distinct purposes.

Record Sealing vs. Expungement

Record sealing restricts public access to arrest records but preserves them for limited official use. Expungement (dismissal under Penal Code § 1203.4) does not physically destroy records but changes their status to reflect that the conviction was dismissed after completion of probation or sentence.

Eligibility for Record Relief

The following situations may qualify for record relief in Kern County:

  1. Arrests Not Resulting in Conviction Under Penal Code § 851.8, individuals who were arrested but never charged, or whose charges were dismissed, may petition for sealing and destruction of arrest records.

  2. Successful Diversion Program Completion Participants who successfully complete pretrial diversion, drug diversion, or mental health diversion programs may qualify for record sealing under Penal Code § 1000.4.

  3. Juvenile Records Juvenile arrest records may be sealed under Welfare and Institutions Code § 781 under certain conditions.

  4. Convictions Eligible for Dismissal Many convictions may be dismissed under Penal Code § 1203.4 after successful completion of probation or sentence.

  5. Automatic Relief As of January 1, 2021, certain low-level convictions may qualify for automatic relief under Penal Code § 1203.425 without requiring a petition.

Process for Seeking Record Relief

To initiate the process in Kern County:

  1. Obtain a copy of your criminal history record from the California Department of Justice.

  2. File the appropriate petition with the Kern County Superior Court:

    Kern County Superior Court - Criminal Division
    1415 Truxtun Avenue
    Bakersfield, CA 93301
    (661) 868-5393
    Kern County Superior Court

  3. Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals).

  4. Attend any required court hearings.

  5. If granted, ensure the court order is forwarded to all relevant agencies.

Legal assistance is strongly recommended for navigating these complex processes. The Kern County Public Defender's Office may provide assistance to eligible individuals.

What Happens After Arrest in Kern County?

Following an arrest in Kern County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process with several key stages:

1. Booking Process Upon arrest, individuals are transported to a detention facility where they undergo booking, which includes:

  • Photograph and fingerprinting
  • Personal property inventory
  • Medical screening
  • Criminal history check
  • Assignment of booking number

2. Initial Custody Determination Within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), one of the following occurs:

  • Release on citation ("cite and release") for minor offenses
  • Bail determination according to the Kern County Bail Schedule
  • Detention pending arraignment

3. Arraignment The first court appearance typically occurs within 48-72 hours of arrest for in-custody defendants. During arraignment:

  • Charges are formally presented
  • Constitutional rights are explained
  • Legal representation is established
  • Plea is entered
  • Bail may be reviewed
  • Future court dates are scheduled

4. Pre-Trial Proceedings Cases proceeding beyond arraignment enter the pre-trial phase, which may include:

  • Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
  • Pre-trial motions
  • Plea negotiations
  • Preliminary hearing (for felony cases)
  • Diversion program placement (if eligible)

5. Trial If no resolution is reached during pre-trial proceedings, the case proceeds to trial:

  • Misdemeanor trials typically last 1-3 days
  • Felony trials may extend from several days to weeks
  • Jury selection and trial procedures follow California law

6. Sentencing Following conviction (either by plea or verdict):

  • Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
  • Victim impact statements may be presented
  • Judge imposes sentence according to California sentencing guidelines
  • Sentencing options include probation, jail/prison time, fines, restitution, and alternative sentencing

7. Post-Conviction After case disposition, individuals may:

  • Serve imposed sentences
  • Appeal convictions or sentences
  • Seek record relief as permitted by law

Throughout this process, the Kern County District Attorney's Office prosecutes cases, while defendants may be represented by private counsel or the Kern County Public Defender.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Kern County?

Arrest records in Kern County are subject to retention requirements established by California Government Code § 34090 and the California Law Enforcement Records Management Guidelines. These regulations establish minimum retention periods, though agencies may maintain records longer than required.

Standard Retention Periods

Law enforcement agencies in Kern County typically retain arrest records according to the following schedule:

  • Felony Arrests: Records for serious offenses such as homicide, sexual assault, and kidnapping are permanently retained.
  • Other Felony Arrests: Minimum retention of 7 years after final case disposition.
  • Misdemeanor Arrests: Minimum retention of 5 years after final case disposition.
  • Juvenile Arrests: Maintained until the individual reaches age 18, then for an additional 5 years, unless sealed by court order.
  • Arrests Not Resulting in Charges: Minimum retention of 5 years, unless sealed by court order.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office Records Retention Schedule provides specific guidance on local implementation of these requirements.

Digital vs. Physical Records

Modern record-keeping practices in Kern County involve both digital and physical storage:

  • Digital arrest records may be maintained indefinitely due to minimal storage costs
  • Physical fingerprint cards and booking photos may be converted to digital format after initial retention periods
  • Original arrest reports typically transition to archival storage after active periods

Records Maintained by Multiple Agencies

It is important to note that arrest information is often maintained by several different agencies, each with their own retention schedules:

  • Law enforcement agencies (arrest reports, booking information)
  • Court systems (case files, dispositions)
  • California Department of Justice (statewide criminal history repository)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (national criminal history database)

Even if records are purged from local systems after retention periods expire, information may remain in state and federal databases for substantially longer periods.

How to Find Mugshots in Kern County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots, also known as booking photographs, are official photographs taken during the arrest booking process. These images serve as visual identification records of arrested individuals and typically include front-facing and profile views. In Kern County, mugshots are created as part of standard booking procedures at county detention facilities.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

Mugshots in Kern County are primarily maintained by:

Kern County Sheriff's Office - Records Section
1350 Norris Road
Bakersfield, CA 93308
(661) 391-7500
Kern County Sheriff's Office

Finding Mugshots

To locate mugshots in Kern County, members of the public may:

  1. Submit a formal public records request to the Kern County Sheriff's Office specifying:

    • Full name of the arrested individual
    • Date of birth (if known)
    • Approximate date of arrest
    • Case number (if available)

  2. Visit the Sheriff's Office Records Section during public counter hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to submit requests in person.

  3. Mail written requests to the Sheriff's Office Records Section with required identifying information and appropriate fees.

Can They Be Found Online

The Kern County Sheriff's Office does not currently maintain a public-facing online database specifically for mugshot searches. While the inmate search function provides information about current inmates, it does not typically include mugshot images.

Some third-party websites claim to aggregate mugshots from various jurisdictions, including Kern County. However, these sites:

  • May contain outdated or inaccurate information
  • Often charge fees for removal of images
  • Are not officially affiliated with Kern County law enforcement
  • May not comply with California laws regarding mugshot publication

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

Official requests for mugshots should be directed to the Kern County Sheriff's Office Records Section. Requesters should:

  • Complete the required public records request form
  • Provide specific identifying information
  • Pay applicable fees (currently $15 per photograph)
  • Allow 10 business days for processing as required by Government Code § 6253(c)

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots in Kern County is subject to certain limitations:

  • Juvenile mugshots are generally confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
  • Images related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld
  • Certain sensitive cases (e.g., those involving confidential informants) may have restricted access
  • Commercial publishers of mugshots may face legal restrictions under California Civil Code § 1798.91.1

Lookup Arrest Records in Kern County

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