Find Arrest Records in San Francisco

San Francisco arrest records can be searched using the sheriff's Find a Person tool. San Francisco is unique in California because it is both a city and a county. The San Francisco Sheriff runs the county jail system. The San Francisco Police Department handles most arrests in the city. All booking records end up with the sheriff. You can look up who is in custody online for free. The Superior Court has criminal case records that show court outcomes for arrests.

San Francisco Find Person in Jail

The San Francisco Sheriff has a Find a Person tool at sfsheriff.com/find-person-jail. This search shows who is currently in San Francisco County Jail. Enter a name to find someone. The results show booking information and charges. It works on any device with internet access.

San Francisco County Jail has multiple facilities. County Jail #2 in the Hall of Justice is the main booking location. County Jail #4 and County Jail #5 hold additional inmates. When you search online, the system looks across all facilities. You can see where someone is housed if they are in custody.

The jail search updates frequently. New bookings show up within hours. If SFPD makes an arrest, the person gets booked at county jail. The online system reflects this after processing is complete. Try searching again later if you cannot find someone who was just arrested.

Note: Call (415) 553-1430 for the SF Sheriff Central Records division with questions about arrest records.

San Francisco Police Records

The San Francisco Police Department makes most arrests in the city. SFPD has its own records division for incident reports and arrest records. You can request copies of reports through their public records process. The police department follows the California Public Records Act for all requests.

Under Government Code 6254(f), certain arrest information is public while other records are exempt. Basic booking data and charges are disclosable. Investigation files and witness information are protected from release in most cases.

Response times vary. Simple requests may be processed quickly. Complex requests take longer. The department has 10 days to respond under state law. Fees for copies depend on the request type. Contact SFPD records for current fee information.

San Francisco Superior Court Criminal Cases

San Francisco Superior Court handles criminal cases for the city and county. The main courthouse is at 850 Bryant Street. Criminal arraignments happen at the Hall of Justice. Court records show what happens after an arrest goes through the system.

Not every arrest leads to charges. The District Attorney reviews arrests and decides whether to file. If charges are filed, the court tracks the case. You can find case numbers, hearing dates, and case outcomes. Did the person plead guilty? Was there a trial? Court records answer these questions.

For clearing old convictions, file a petition under Penal Code 1203.4. This dismissal process helps people who completed probation. The court reviews each petition. It takes several weeks. A dismissed conviction still shows on a RAP sheet but with a different status.

San Francisco Victim Notification

Crime victims can register for custody alerts through VINE California. When an offender's status changes, you get notified. This includes releases, transfers, and escapes. The service provides peace of mind and safety information.

Sign up at vinelink.vineapps.com. You can also call 1-877-411-5588 to register by phone. Pick your alert method. Options include phone calls, text messages, and emails. VINE is free and runs 24 hours a day.

Note: VINE registration is confidential and your information is not shared with the inmate.

San Francisco City and County

San Francisco is the only combined city-county in California. There is no separate city government and county government. The Board of Supervisors serves as both the city council and the county board. This means one set of agencies handles everything.

For arrest records, this simplifies things. The sheriff handles all jail and booking records. SFPD handles law enforcement. The Superior Court handles all criminal cases. You do not have to figure out which jurisdiction covers a particular area. It is all San Francisco.

The population is about 874,000 people. This makes San Francisco the fourth largest city in California but a relatively small county by area. The entire county is 47 square miles. All of it falls under SF jurisdiction.

Nearby Bay Area Counties

San Francisco sits at the tip of a peninsula. It borders San Mateo County to the south. Across the bay are Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Marin County is north across the Golden Gate Bridge. For arrest records in these areas, check these pages.

California State Resources

The California Department of Justice maintains the statewide criminal history database. Under Penal Code 11105, this database contains arrest and conviction records from all counties. You can request your own record through DOJ Record Review. The fee is $25 and requires Live Scan fingerprinting.

Automatic record relief is available under Penal Code 851.91. The DOJ automatically seals certain old arrests that did not lead to conviction. No petition is needed. The department reviews records monthly and applies relief where eligible.

The Fair Chance Act protects job seekers with criminal records. Under Government Code 12952, employers with five or more workers cannot ask about convictions until after a conditional offer. This gives people a fair chance at employment regardless of their arrest history.