Kern County Booking Records

Kern County maintains an online inmate information database through the sheriff office website. You can search for people held at detention facilities across the county. The system shows current inmates and recent bookings. Law enforcement agencies throughout Kern County report arrests to the central database. Each record displays names, booking numbers, charges, and custody status. The search tool provides free access to police blotter information for the fifth most populous county in California.

Kern County Sheriff Detention Services

The Kern County Sheriff Office operates multiple detention facilities across the large county. The main jail complex sits in Bakersfield. Other facilities handle specialized populations and overflow. When law enforcement makes an arrest anywhere in Kern County, people get booked into one of these jails. Staff collect fingerprints and photos. They record charges and personal information. All data goes into the system that feeds the online search database.

Search inmate information at kernsheriff.org. The portal lets you look up current inmates by name or booking number. Results show booking dates, charges, and custody status. The system also displays bail amounts and facility locations. Due to recent system changes, the website notes that results may not reflect the most current information. For up-to-date results, you can also check the Kern County Courts portal as mentioned on the sheriff website.

For questions about custody status or the most current information, call the Detentions Inmate Search line at (661) 861-3110. Staff can search the system in real time. They can tell you which facility is holding someone and provide information about bail, court dates, and visiting hours in Kern County.

Search Kern County Inmate Database

Go to the sheriff website and find the inmate information page. Enter a name or booking number. You can search for current inmates or recent releases. Results display basic booking information and custody status. Click on a result to see more details about charges and bail amounts in Kern County.

If you cannot find someone online, call the inmate search line. Staff have access to the most current data. They can check multiple facilities at once. For historical arrest records beyond what appears online, file a public records request with the sheriff office. California law gives you the right to ask for booking logs from any date. The agency must respond within ten days under state law.

Note: Arrest does not equal conviction and all charges are allegations until proven in court.

Law Enforcement in Kern County

Bakersfield Police Department serves the largest city and county seat. Officers make hundreds of arrests each month within city limits. All arrestees get booked at county detention facilities. Other cities with their own police departments include Delano, Ridgecrest, and Taft. The sheriff office provides patrol for unincorporated areas and contract cities across Kern County.

The California Highway Patrol has a major presence in Kern County. CHP covers Interstate 5, Highway 99, and other busy routes through the Central Valley. CHP makes arrests for traffic offenses, DUI, and other violations. All of these agencies book people at county jails. Every booking appears in the sheriff online database regardless of which agency made the arrest in Kern County.

For police reports beyond booking information, contact the specific agency that handled your case. Bakersfield Police has its own records division. Many agencies use online portals like JustFOIA for public records requests. Response times and fees vary by department in Kern County.

California Arrest Record Laws

State law requires police to release certain booking information. Government Code Section 7923.600 lists what must be public. This includes the name and occupation of every arrested person, their physical description including date of birth, color of eyes and hair, sex, height and weight, the time and date of arrest, the time and date of booking, the location of the arrest, the factual circumstances surrounding the arrest, and the bail amount. Law enforcement must make this information public in California.

Some records stay confidential during active investigations. Complete criminal history summaries are protected under Penal Code Section 11105. Only law enforcement and authorized agencies can access these master records. The California Department of Justice maintains statewide criminal records. Local agencies like Kern County Sheriff compile their own summaries under Penal Code Section 13300. These can be released if doing so enhances public safety.

You can review your own criminal record through the DOJ Record Review process. This requires fingerprints at a Live Scan location. The fee is $25. You get a complete summary of arrests and convictions on file. If errors exist, you can challenge them through the Record Review Unit. This ensures Kern County arrest records in state databases stay accurate for background checks.

Kern County Detention Facilities

Kern County operates several jails to handle the high volume of arrests in this large county. The main jail downtown Bakersfield processes most bookings. Other facilities provide additional capacity. Men and women are housed separately. Booking happens around the clock as arrests occur throughout the county.

Processing includes fingerprints, photos, medical screening, and classification. Staff enter all information into the jail management system. This feeds the online inmate database. Inmates can make phone calls using prepaid accounts or collect calls. Mail goes through security screening before delivery. Photos and letters are allowed but packages are not permitted at Kern County jails.

Visiting schedules vary by facility. Check the sheriff website or call ahead to confirm when and where you can visit. Visitors must follow dress codes and behavior rules. Bring valid ID when you come. Registration may be required before your first visit to Kern County detention facilities.

Court Records in Kern County

The Kern County Superior Court handles criminal cases after arrest. Courthouses operate in Bakersfield and other locations across the county. You can search case information online through the court website. The sheriff notes that the Kern County Courts portal has up-to-date results that may be more current than the sheriff database. Dockets show charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. Some records are sealed or confidential. Most adult criminal cases are public once filed with the court in Kern County.

The District Attorney prosecutes crimes in Kern County. Their office keeps files on thousands of active cases. You can request public records from the DA through standard channels. The Public Defender represents people who cannot afford private attorneys. Both offices have locations at the courthouse complexes. They handle cases that begin with arrests shown in the police blotter for Kern County.

For people sent to state prison, use the CDCR inmate search instead of county resources. State inmates are no longer in county custody. The CIRIS database tracks prison locations and release dates. County jails hold people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Longer sentences get served in state facilities after transfer from Kern County.

Major Cities in Kern County

Bakersfield is the largest city in Kern County. See the dedicated city page for information about Bakersfield Police Department and local arrest records.

Other cities in Kern County include Delano, Ridgecrest, Wasco, Arvin, Shafter, Tehachapi, and California City. All arrests in these cities are processed through Kern County detention facilities and appear in the sheriff inmate database.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kern County. Each has its own sheriff office and jail system with separate booking records and inmate search tools.