Find San Francisco Arrest Records

San Francisco arrest records are handled by the city-county government. Unlike most California cities, San Francisco is both a city and a county combined into one jurisdiction. The San Francisco Police Department makes arrests, and the San Francisco Sheriff runs the jail. All arrest records, inmate lookups, and court cases stay within this single unified system. This makes searching for records more straightforward than in other parts of the Bay Area.

San Francisco Inmate Search

The San Francisco Sheriff runs the county jail and maintains an online inmate locator. You can search for people in custody at sfsheriff.com/find-person-jail. Enter a name and the system shows who is currently held in San Francisco jails. The search is free and available around the clock.

San Francisco County Jail has multiple facilities. The main jail is at 850 Bryant Street near the Hall of Justice. County Jail 2 is on 7th Street. Both facilities are searchable through the same online system. You do not need to know which building someone is in. The search covers everyone in SF Sheriff custody.

Booking takes several hours. Do not expect someone to show up in the system right after an arrest. Check back in 4 to 6 hours if you cannot find them. The jail updates the inmate list regularly throughout the day. For urgent questions, call the Sheriff's Department directly. They can confirm if someone has been booked.

Note: The online system shows current inmates only, not historical booking records from past arrests.

SFPD Arrest Records Requests

The San Francisco Police Department handles arrest reports for incidents in the city. To request a copy of a police report, contact Central Records at (415) 553-1430. The office is located at the Hall of Justice on Bryant Street. You can request records by phone, mail, or in person.

SFPD follows the California Public Records Act for all records requests. Most requests get a response within 10 days. Complex requests may take longer. The law allows agencies to extend the deadline if needed. When you submit a request, include as much detail as you can. Dates, names, and case numbers help the staff find your records faster.

Some arrest information is public. Basic booking data is usually available. Investigative details are often exempt from release under Government Code Section 6254(f). Witness names and ongoing investigation information can be withheld. You can still get the basic facts about most arrests.

Victims of crimes can usually get a free copy of the report. Just identify yourself as the victim when you request it. Additional copies may have fees. The records staff can tell you what charges apply to your specific request.

San Francisco Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases go through San Francisco Superior Court. The main courthouse is at 850 Bryant Street, the same building as the jail. You can search for case information online through the court's portal. Look up cases by defendant name or case number. The system shows charges, hearing dates, and case status.

Court records show what happens after an arrest. Did the district attorney file charges? Was there a conviction or dismissal? The court record tells the whole story. Not every arrest leads to charges. Not every case goes to trial. You can see exactly how each case ended by checking the court records.

The clerk charges fees for copies of court documents. Certified copies cost more than regular copies. Some information is viewable online for free. Others require an in-person request or mail order. Contact the clerk's office to find out what is available and the current fee schedule.

San Francisco as City-County

San Francisco is unique in California. It is both a city and a county in one. There is no separate county sheriff's office and city police force working independently. The SF Police Department handles law enforcement. The SF Sheriff runs the jails and courts. They work together under the same city-county government.

This combined structure means one less layer of bureaucracy. When you look for arrest records in San Francisco, you deal with one jurisdiction. In most other California cities, the city police make arrests and a separate county sheriff runs the jail. Here, everything is under the same umbrella. It simplifies the process.

The San Francisco District Attorney handles criminal prosecutions. The public defender represents people who cannot afford lawyers. Both offices are part of the city-county government. When someone is arrested in SF, the entire justice process happens within this single jurisdiction.

Clearing San Francisco Arrest Records

If you were arrested in San Francisco but never charged, you may seal the arrest record. Penal Code Section 851.91 allows petitions to seal arrests that did not lead to convictions. You file the petition with San Francisco Superior Court. If granted, the arrest is hidden from most background checks.

Convictions can be expunged under Penal Code Section 1203.4. After you finish probation, you ask the court to dismiss the charges. The conviction stays on your record but shows as dismissed. Most employers cannot hold a dismissed conviction against you. The expungement process takes several weeks to complete.

California also grants automatic relief for some records. The DOJ reviews arrest and conviction records monthly. Old arrests with no charges are automatically sealed. You do not need to file anything. The state handles it. Check with the DOJ at (916) 227-3849 to see if your records qualify for automatic relief.

Note: San Francisco has several legal aid organizations that help with expungement at low or no cost for people who qualify.

Background Checks and Fair Chance

San Francisco has strong fair chance hiring laws. The city was a leader in banning the box on job applications. Employers cannot ask about criminal history until later in the hiring process. The state's Fair Chance Act applies to all employers with five or more workers. San Francisco rules are even more protective in some areas.

If you need your own criminal record, request it from the California DOJ. The fee is $25. You submit fingerprints through Live Scan at a certified location. Results come by mail. This official RAP sheet shows all arrests and convictions on file with the state. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review for instructions.

Many Live Scan locations operate in San Francisco. Some shipping stores offer the service. Police stations may offer it too. Bring valid photo ID to your appointment. The fingerprints go electronically to the DOJ. Processing takes 48 to 72 hours for clean records. Records with history may take longer to review.

Victim Notification Services

Crime victims in San Francisco can track offender custody status through VINE. Register at vinelink.vineapps.com or call 1-877-411-5588. The service sends alerts when an offender is released, transferred, or escapes. Choose to receive alerts by phone, email, or text.

VINE operates 24 hours a day. Registration is free and confidential. The offender never knows you signed up. Many victims of violent crimes use this service for safety planning. You can track inmates in San Francisco and across California through the same system.

The San Francisco District Attorney has a victim services unit too. They assist victims through the court process. Call the main number to connect with their advocates. They can explain what is happening with a case and help you participate in the prosecution if you choose.

Nearby Bay Area Cities

San Francisco sits at the northern tip of the peninsula. It borders San Mateo County to the south and connects to the East Bay by bridges. If you need arrest records from neighboring cities, contact those jurisdictions directly. Here are nearby major cities.

Each city has its own police department and records office. East Bay cities use the Alameda County jail system. South Bay cities use Santa Clara County facilities. San Francisco is the only combined city-county in the region.

California Arrest Record Resources

Beyond local sources, California state agencies maintain arrest records. The DOJ has the statewide criminal history database. You can request your own RAP sheet through their Record Review process. For background checks, employers go through DOJ-authorized channels. The state processes over 2 million background checks each year.

The Megan's Law website shows registered sex offenders. You can search by name, city, or zip code. The database is public and free to use. It displays photos and addresses based on registration requirements under Penal Code Section 290.

For questions about state criminal records, contact the DOJ Record Review Unit at (916) 227-3849 or email recordreview@doj.ca.gov. They can answer questions about the record review process and explain your rights to access your own information.