Santa Clara County Arrest Records Search

Santa Clara County arrest records are accessible through the sheriff's online Find Inmate tool. The county includes San Jose and most of Silicon Valley. It has the largest population of any Bay Area county. The sheriff operates the main jail in San Jose and the Elmwood facility in Milpitas. You can search for people in custody using free online tools. Court records are also available for criminal cases that stem from arrests in the county.

Santa Clara County Find Inmate

The Santa Clara County Sheriff has a Find Inmate tool at eservices.sccgov.org. This search shows everyone currently in county custody. Enter a name to look up someone. The system returns booking details, charges, and bail amounts. It is free to use and works on any device.

The Main Jail is at 150 West Hedding Street in San Jose. The Elmwood facility is at 701 South Abel Street in Milpitas. Both hold inmates awaiting trial and those serving short sentences. When you search online, the system checks all facilities. You can see where an inmate is housed.

New bookings appear in the system within hours of arrest. The jail processes new arrivals around the clock. If someone was just arrested, they might not show up immediately. Wait a few hours and search again. Releases are also updated as they happen throughout the day.

Note: Call the Main Jail at (408) 299-3438 or the Records Division at (408) 808-4705 for questions about specific inmates.

Santa Clara Sheriff Records

The Santa Clara County Sheriff handles arrest records for unincorporated areas and contract cities. The Records Division phone number is (408) 808-4705. You can request copies of arrest reports by contacting this office. Response times depend on the request type and current workload.

California law limits what arrest records can be released publicly. Under Government Code 6254(f), some records are disclosable while others are exempt. Basic booking information is usually available. Investigation files and witness data are typically protected from disclosure.

For formal records requests, submit in writing. The sheriff follows the California Public Records Act. The department has 10 days to respond. Complex requests may take longer. Fees may apply for copies of documents.

City Police Departments

Santa Clara County has many cities with their own police departments. San Jose Police is the largest in the county. Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, and other cities also have their own police. These departments make arrests and write reports.

Even when a city police officer makes an arrest, the person usually goes to county jail. The sheriff books the inmate into the system. So you can search the county inmate locator to find people arrested by any agency in Santa Clara County. The booking record shows which agency made the arrest.

For copies of arrest reports, you may need to contact the specific police department that made the arrest. San Jose PD has its own records unit. Other cities have their own records processes. The arresting agency keeps the original report.

Santa Clara Superior Court Records

Santa Clara County Superior Court handles criminal cases for the entire county. The main courthouse is in downtown San Jose. There are also court facilities in Palo Alto and Morgan Hill. Court records show what happens after an arrest enters the legal system.

The District Attorney reviews arrests and decides whether to file charges. Not all arrests lead to prosecution. When charges are filed, the court tracks the case. Case numbers, hearing dates, and case status are available through court records. You can see plea agreements, trial results, and sentencing information.

To clear a conviction, file a petition under Penal Code 1203.4. This lets people who completed probation get their case dismissed. The court reviews each petition. Processing takes several weeks. A dismissal can help with jobs and housing applications.

Victim Notification Services

VINE California provides custody alerts for crime victims in Santa Clara County. Register to get notified when an offender's status changes. You receive alerts for releases, transfers, and escapes. The service runs 24 hours a day.

Sign up at vinelink.vineapps.com. You can also call 1-877-411-5588 to register. Pick how you want alerts delivered. Options include calls, texts, and emails. VINE is free and registration is confidential.

Note: Your contact information is never shared with inmates or defendants.

Major Cities in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County has 15 incorporated cities. San Jose is the largest city in the county and the third largest in California. Many other cities have substantial populations. Here are cities over 50,000 with dedicated pages on this site.

Each city with its own police department handles arrests in their jurisdiction. San Jose PD is one of the largest police departments in California. Smaller cities may contract with the sheriff for police services. Check the individual city pages for local resources.

Nearby California Counties

Santa Clara County borders several other counties in the Bay Area and Central Coast. For arrest records from neighboring areas, check these county pages. Each has its own sheriff and jail system.

California Statewide Resources

The California Department of Justice keeps the statewide criminal history database. Under Penal Code 11105, this includes arrest and conviction records from all California counties. You can request your own record through DOJ Record Review for $25 plus fingerprinting fees.

Automatic record relief is available under Penal Code 851.91. The DOJ reviews records monthly and automatically seals certain old arrests. No petition is required for automatic relief. It happens when you meet the eligibility criteria.

The Fair Chance Act limits when employers can ask about criminal history. Under Government Code 12952, employers with five or more workers must wait until after a conditional offer to ask about convictions. This helps people with arrest records get fair consideration for jobs.