Modoc County operates a jail facility in Alturas serving the entire county. The sheriff's office handles all bookings and arrests. People arrested in Modoc County go to the county jail. This remote northeastern California county does not have an online inmate roster. You must call the jail for custody information. Staff can verify if someone is in custody. They provide basic booking details over the phone. State law requires release of booking information to the public. Written requests through the California Public Records Act yield comprehensive records. The county follows transparency requirements despite lacking an online search portal.
Call (530) 233-4416 for custody information. Jail staff can verify if someone is currently in custody. They provide basic booking details over the phone. This includes arrest date and general charges. The facility operates 24 hours a day. Business hours apply for non-urgent inquiries. In-person visits follow posted schedules.
Many small rural counties lack online inmate rosters. This is common in remote areas. Staff maintain paper and computer records internally. They can look up inmates by name during calls. The lack of an online system does not change public access rights. You can still get the information allowed by law.
California law specifies what arrest details must be public. Government Code Section 7923.600 lists required disclosures. Law enforcement must release the full name and occupation of arrested individuals. Physical description includes date of birth, eye and hair color, sex, height and weight. Time and date of arrest are releasable. Time and date of booking must be disclosed.
Location of arrest is public information. Factual circumstances surrounding the arrest can be shared. Bail amount must be released when set. These details appear in the police blotter. The police blotter is a log of arrests and bookings. It shows who got arrested and when. Basic charges may be listed. Anyone can request to see booking logs.
The California Department of Justice provides guidance on public records at oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/pra. Californians have rights under the state Public Records Act. The California Constitution also protects access to public information. Local agencies like the Modoc County Sheriff must comply with these laws.
Modoc County is one of California's least populated counties. The county seat is Alturas. The county has no cities over 100,000 people. All arrests in the county go to the jail in Alturas. The sheriff's office books people arrested by deputies and other agencies. The California Highway Patrol also uses the county jail for people arrested on highways.
California Penal Code Section 13300 defines local summary criminal history information. This includes master records compiled by county agencies. The Modoc County Sheriff maintains these records. Public prosecutors may release information when it enhances public safety or helps the public understand the justice system.
Penal Code Section 11105 covers state criminal history records. The California Department of Justice maintains statewide files. These include fingerprints and arrest records from all 58 counties. Access to state records is restricted to law enforcement. The public cannot directly query DOJ databases. Individuals can request their own state criminal history through Live Scan.
The California Public Records Act spans Government Code Sections 7920.000 through 7931.000. Anyone can request public records from government agencies. Your request should be specific. Name the type of record you want. Include dates, case numbers, and names when possible. Agencies have ten days to respond. They must tell you if records exist.
Submit California Public Records Act requests to the Modoc County Sheriff's Office. You can mail, email, or deliver requests in person. Be clear about what records you want. Include all relevant details. The agency must respond within ten days. They may take an additional 14-day extension if needed. Some records are available quickly. Others take time to locate and copy.
Fees apply to copying records. Most agencies charge ten cents per page. This is the direct cost of duplication. Some records are free to inspect. You pay only if you want copies. Large requests may require prepayment. Staff can provide a cost estimate before processing your request.
Arrests can happen anywhere in Modoc County. Deputies patrol unincorporated areas. Alturas Police Department covers that city. The California Highway Patrol arrests people on state highways. All arrestees go to the county jail. The booking process starts upon arrival. Staff collect personal information. They take fingerprints and photographs. They search the person and inventory property.
Medical screening checks for health needs. This process takes several hours. The person then goes to a housing unit. Booking information enters the jail database. Staff create a file for each inmate. This file tracks custody status and court dates. When someone is released, the file is updated. The system maintains records of who was in custody and when.
Modoc County Superior Court handles criminal prosecutions. The courthouse is in Alturas. Court records show charges filed by prosecutors. They list hearing dates and outcomes. You can search for cases at the courthouse. Not every arrest results in charges. Some people are released without filing. Prosecutors decline some cases. Others get dismissed by judges.
Court records tell you what happened after arrest. Case outcomes vary widely. Some cases end in plea agreements. Others go to trial. Acquittals happen in some instances. Convictions lead to sentencing. The court maintains records of all proceedings. These are separate from police and jail records.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates state prisons. Their inmate search is at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. This system is separate from county jails. People convicted of serious felonies may go to state prison. CDCR maintains those records. County jails hold people awaiting trial and those serving short sentences.
The Modoc County Sheriff's Office may have a website with contact information. Office hours and location details might be posted online. Press releases about significant arrests could be available. Check for any online resources the county provides.
Legal aid organizations may serve Modoc County through regional programs. They help people understand criminal records and their rights. Some offer assistance with record clearance. Services are often free for eligible individuals. Contact regional legal aid programs that cover northeastern California.