Ventura County Arrest Records

Ventura County arrest records are kept by the Sheriff's Office and made available through multiple online tools. The county sits along the coast between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and its population has grown past 850,000 residents. The sheriff runs the main jail and posts inmate data on a public website. Anyone can search for people in custody without creating an account. The Superior Court also lets you look up criminal cases that stem from local arrests. This page explains how to use these tools and what you can expect to find.

Ventura County Sheriff Inmate Search

The Ventura County Sheriff runs an inmate search tool on their website. You can look up anyone held in county jail. The search works by name, and results show booking details and charges. This is the fastest way to find out if someone was arrested in Ventura County.

To use the search, go to the sheriff's inmate page and enter a last name. First name helps narrow results. The system pulls current custody data and shows you who is in jail right now. Booking dates, bail amounts, and scheduled court dates appear on each record. The tool updates throughout the day as new bookings come in.

The sheriff also runs the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura and the Todd Road Jail in Santa Paula. Both facilities house inmates from across the county. If you need to speak with someone about an inmate, call the Inmate Information line at (805) 654-3335. Staff can tell you where a person is held and their status.

Note: Inmate data may take several hours to appear after an arrest occurs.

Ventura Superior Court Case Search

Ventura Superior Court has a case inquiry system for looking up criminal cases. This shows you what happened after an arrest. Did charges get filed? Was there a plea or trial? The court records have those answers. You can search by name or case number.

The court system covers all criminal matters in the county. This includes felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions that go through Ventura courts. Traffic violations with criminal elements show up here too. The portal lets you see case status and upcoming hearing dates without having to visit the courthouse in person.

Court records connect to arrest records in an important way. An arrest creates a booking record at the jail. If the district attorney files charges, a court case opens. Some arrests lead to charges. Others get rejected or reduced. The court records show which path each case took. Looking at both jail and court systems gives you the full picture.

Request Ventura County Arrest Reports

For copies of arrest reports, you submit a request to the sheriff's records division. California law controls what can be released. Under Government Code 6254, some law enforcement records stay confidential. Active investigations and certain witness details are not public.

Victims have special rights. If you were the victim of a crime, you can get a copy of the report for free in most cases. Third parties pay fees that vary based on what you request. Contact the sheriff's office for current pricing and forms. Response times depend on workload and what documents you need.

People who want to check their own criminal history have another option. The California DOJ runs a Record Review program. For $25, you can request your own RAP sheet. This shows arrests and dispositions from across the state, not just Ventura County. The process requires fingerprinting at a Live Scan site.

Ventura County Victim Notification

VINE California provides automated alerts when an offender's status changes. You sign up with the offender's name or ID number. When they get released, transferred, or escape, the system sends you a call, text, or email. The service is free and available in multiple languages.

To register for alerts, visit VINE California or call 1-877-411-5588. You can search for offenders in Ventura County custody and set your notification preferences. This matters for domestic violence cases and other situations where release poses a safety concern.

Note: VINE covers county jail inmates but state prison notifications go through CDCR.

California Arrest Record Laws

State law shapes what arrest information becomes public. Penal Code 13300 defines local summary criminal history. The sheriff compiles this data from bookings and court dispositions. Basic booking information like name, charges, and bail is generally public.

However, some records can be sealed or expunged. Penal Code 851.91 lets people petition to seal arrest records that did not lead to conviction. If granted, the arrest should not appear on most background checks. The court makes these records unavailable to most searches.

California also has automatic record relief under recent laws. Certain old arrests and convictions get marked with relief notation without requiring a petition. This helps people move past old records. The DOJ reviews cases monthly and applies relief where eligible. You can check your status through the state's background check portal.

Employers face restrictions too. The Fair Chance Act limits when they can ask about criminal history. Most employers with five or more workers cannot ask about convictions before making a job offer. This applies to Ventura County employers and those throughout California.

Major Cities in Ventura County

Ventura County has ten incorporated cities. Four have populations over 50,000 and their own pages on this site. City police handle arrests within city limits. Those arrested by city police may go to county jail facilities run by the sheriff.

Smaller cities include Oxnard, Moorpark, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, and Port Hueneme. Oxnard is actually the largest city in the county but contracts with county for some services. Each city has its own police department or uses sheriff's contract services. Arrest records from all areas end up in the county system eventually.

Nearby California Counties

Ventura County sits between Los Angeles to the south and Santa Barbara to the north. Kern County borders it to the northeast. For arrest records in surrounding areas, check these county pages.