San Diego County Jail Roster
San Diego County police blotter records come from the Sheriff's Department and multiple city police agencies. The Who's In Jail database shows current inmates at all county detention facilities. This system serves over three million residents across the second-largest county in California. Cities like San Diego, Chula Vista, and Oceanside contribute arrest data. You can search the jail roster online any time or call the Sheriff's Records Division for specific questions about booking information in San Diego County.
San Diego County Quick Facts
Sheriff Jail Information
The San Diego County Sheriff operates seven detention facilities across the county. The main office sits at 9621 Ridgehaven Court in San Diego. All jails feed booking data into the Who's In Jail database. This system updates constantly so you can find current arrest information in real time.
Search for inmates at apps.sdsheriff.net/wij. The database is free and available 24 hours a day. Type a last name or first name to see all matches. Results show charges, bail amounts, and booking dates. Click on a name for full details including physical description and which facility holds the person.
The system goes offline for maintenance each Wednesday at noon. The Sheriff notes that data on the website should not be relied upon for any type of legal action. For official records, contact the Sheriff's Records & ID Division at 858-974-2110. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Ridgehaven Court location in San Diego County.
| Records & ID Division |
9621 Ridgehaven Ct San Diego, CA 92123 Phone: 858-974-2110 |
|---|---|
| Who's In Jail | apps.sdsheriff.net/wij |
| Hours | Monday-Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Search Arrest Records
San Diego County provides free online access to the jail roster. The Who's In Jail system at apps.sdsheriff.net/wij shows current bookings only. Enter a name to see if someone is in custody. The database updates as people get booked and released throughout San Diego County.
For arrests made by city police departments, check with the specific agency. San Diego Police Department has a records request system at sandiego.gov/police. The SDPD charges $12 per report. Chula Vista PD, Oceanside PD, and other city departments have their own records bureaus with separate request processes.
Cities that contract with the Sheriff for law enforcement use the same jail system. Vista, Santee, and unincorporated areas rely on Sheriff deputies. Arrests in those places appear in the Who's In Jail database. Search online for bookings from contract cities across San Diego County.
For past arrest records not shown online, submit a written request to the Sheriff's Records Division at 858-974-2110. They can search old booking logs by name and date. Processing time varies based on how far back the records go in San Diego County.
Booking Log Details
San Diego County booking records include basic facts about each arrest. Under California Government Code 7923.600, the Sheriff must make certain data public. This includes name, age, and physical description. It also covers charges and bail amount set by the court.
A typical San Diego County booking entry shows these items:
- Full name and date of birth
- Booking date and time
- Physical description
- Arrest location
- Criminal charges
- Bail amount
- Housing facility
The Who's In Jail database does not show full arrest reports. Those are investigative documents that fall under Penal Code 13300. The Sheriff may release reports after a case closes, but you must make a written request. Copy fees apply for detailed arrest reports in San Diego County.
Note: The website goes offline for maintenance each Wednesday at noon, so plan searches accordingly.
City Police Records
Several cities in San Diego County operate their own police departments. San Diego, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, and El Cajon each have independent forces. These cities book people into the Sheriff's jails but keep their own arrest reports at city headquarters.
Other cities like Vista, Santee, and Encinitas contract with the Sheriff. All arrests in those cities go through the Sheriff's system. Search the Who's In Jail database for bookings from unincorporated areas and contract cities throughout San Diego County.
Public Records Access
California law requires booking information to be public. The Sheriff posts it online at apps.sdsheriff.net/wij under Government Code 7923.600. You do not need to explain why you want to search. Anyone can look up jail records in San Diego County.
VINE Link provides free custody notifications. Sign up at vinelink.com or call 1-877-411-5588. Enter the person's name and your contact info. The system sends alerts by phone, email, or text when someone gets released from any San Diego County detention facility.
For written records requests, contact the Sheriff's Records Division at 858-974-2110. They handle California Public Records Act requests. You can ask for booking logs, incident reports, or other law enforcement documents. Processing time depends on the complexity of your request in San Diego County.
Court Case Information
After a booking in San Diego County, cases move to Superior Court. The court system has locations throughout the county including downtown San Diego, Vista, El Cajon, and Chula Vista. Court records show charges, hearings, and case outcomes. These files reference the original arrest but contain much more detail than a booking log.
You can search court cases online through the San Diego County Superior Court website. The system lets you look up cases by name or case number. Court files include criminal complaints, bail reviews, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. Most criminal cases are public unless sealed by a judge.
For help with court records in San Diego County, contact the Clerk's Office at your local courthouse. Staff can search files and make copies for a fee. Certified copies cost more than regular ones but are needed for some legal purposes. The court also posts online calendars showing upcoming hearings throughout San Diego County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border San Diego County. Each has its own jail system and arrest database. Check the county where the arrest occurred if you are not sure which database to search.