Kings County Arrest Records Search

Kings County arrest records are managed by the Kings County Sheriff's Office. Hanford is the county seat. The county is located in the southern San Joaquin Valley, surrounded by larger counties. The sheriff runs the county jail and keeps booking records. They offer an online inmate locator to search for people in custody. Court records show case outcomes after an arrest. This guide covers how to find Kings County arrest records and related criminal justice information.

Kings County Inmate Locator

The Kings County Sheriff has an inmate locator on their website. Use it to find people in county jail. Enter a name and see if anyone matches. The search is free and requires no account.

Results show current inmates only. You can see charges and booking dates. Once someone is released, they drop off the list. The database updates regularly as bookings and releases happen. If a recent arrest does not appear, wait a few hours and try again.

Call the sheriff at (559) 584-1431 for help finding someone. Staff can check custody status and answer questions about jail procedures. They can explain visiting hours, bail bonds, and how to send money to an inmate.

Victim Notification for Kings County

Crime victims can track offenders through VINE. Kings County participates in this statewide program. Register at vinelink.vineapps.com or call 1(800) 491-0689 for local VINE services. The system alerts you when an offender's status changes.

VINE sends notifications by phone, email, or text. You choose the method. When someone is released, transferred, or escapes, you get an alert. This service is free and confidential. It saves you from having to call the jail repeatedly for updates.

Note: VINE registration requires the offender's name or ID number to set up tracking.

Requesting Kings County Arrest Records

The sheriff's office handles requests for arrest reports and booking records. California law governs what can be released. Basic booking information is generally public. Investigation files are often confidential. Each request is reviewed individually.

Submit a written request to the records unit. Include the person's name, date of arrest if known, and any case numbers. The more detail you provide, the easier it is for staff to find the records. Response times vary based on complexity. Fees may apply for copies.

Victims have special rights. If you were a victim, you may get copies at reduced cost or free. Ask the records staff about victim access when you submit your request. They can explain what is available and the process to get it.

Kings Superior Court Case Search

Kings Superior Court handles criminal prosecutions in the county. After an arrest, the district attorney decides whether to file charges. If charges are filed, a court case is created. Court records track the case from start to finish.

The court has an online case lookup system. Search by name or case number. Results show charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. You can see whether someone was convicted, acquitted, or had charges dismissed. This connects arrest records to what happened next.

Not every arrest leads to charges. The DA may decline to prosecute. When that happens, there is no court case. The arrest record exists at the sheriff's office, but nothing appears in the court system. Check both sources for complete information.

California DOJ Criminal History

Local arrest records show Kings County activity only. The California Department of Justice keeps statewide criminal history. These RAP sheets include arrests from any county in California. They give a broader picture.

You can request your own RAP sheet through the DOJ record review program. Submit fingerprints at a Live Scan site and pay the $25 fee. Results arrive by mail. This shows everything on your state record.

Employment background checks often use DOJ data. Under Penal Code 11105, authorized agencies access criminal history for hiring and licensing. The Fair Chance Act limits when employers can ask about criminal records.

Sealing Kings County Arrest Records

Some arrest records can be sealed from public view. If you were arrested but not convicted, California law may help. Penal Code 851.91 allows petitions to seal eligible arrest records.

File a petition with Kings Superior Court. The process involves paperwork and often a hearing. You explain why sealing is appropriate. If the court grants the petition, the arrest is sealed. It will not show on most background checks.

For old convictions, expungement is possible under Penal Code 1203.4. After completing probation, you petition to dismiss the conviction. The conviction still exists but shows as dismissed rather than convicted.

Automatic record relief is available for some cases. The DOJ reviews records monthly and adds relief notations to eligible arrests and convictions. This happens without a petition. It is not full sealing but provides some benefit on background checks.

Major Cities in Kings County

Hanford is the largest city in Kings County. It has its own police department. For arrests in Hanford city limits, records may be with Hanford PD rather than the sheriff. The sheriff covers the rest of the county.

Nearby California Counties

Kings County is surrounded by other San Joaquin Valley counties. For arrest records in neighboring areas, check these pages.