Amador County Police Records Search

Police records in Amador County are kept by the Sheriff's Office at 700 Court Street in Jackson. You can request arrest reports, incident files, and booking information through their records division. The office uses CrimeGraphics for online booking searches, which shows current jail inmates and recent arrests. For public records requests, you submit a form by mail, email, or in person. The Sheriff responds within ten working days as required by Government Code Section 6253(c). Call 209-223-6500 or email ACSORecordsRequest@amadorcounty.gov to start a request. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The records staff can help you find old cases and new ones in Amador County.

Sheriff Records Division

The Amador County Sheriff's Office handles all police records for the county. The records division is part of the Administration Division. Staff process requests from the public, attorneys, insurance companies, and other agencies. They maintain files on arrests, crimes, traffic crashes, and civil matters. The office is in the county courthouse complex at 700 Court Street in downtown Jackson.

To request records, you can submit a form online, send an email, or visit in person. The Sheriff has a records request page on the county website at amadorsheriff.org. Fill out the form with your contact info and describe what records you want. Be specific. Include names, dates, case numbers, or report numbers if you know them. The more detail you give, the faster staff can find your records in Amador County.

After you submit, staff review the request. They check if the records exist and if they can be released under California law. This takes up to ten working days. Complex requests may take longer. The Sheriff can extend the deadline if needed. You get a response by email or mail. If records are available, you pay the fee before you get them. Some services like character letters have set fees shown on the Sheriff's fee schedule in Amador County.

For current jail bookings, use the CrimeGraphics system at acsd.crimegraphics.com. This shows who is in jail right now. You can search by name or booking date. The system updates regularly with new bookings. It shows charges, bail amounts, and booking photos. This is a public database and does not require a records request in Amador County.

Available Police Records

Amador County maintains several types of police records. Arrest reports show when someone was booked into jail. These include charges, booking date, bail amount, and mugshot. Incident reports document crimes and calls for service that deputies respond to. Traffic collision reports are filed when there is a crash on county roads or in unincorporated areas. Civil process records include restraining orders and court documents served by deputies in Amador County.

Character letters are available for people with no local criminal history. The Sheriff charges $5 for a character letter that confirms you have no arrest record in Amador County. This is useful for job applications or licensing. Live Scan fingerprinting for background checks costs $15 for residents. These services are available at the Sheriff's Office by appointment in Jackson.

Some records cannot be released to the public. Active investigation files are exempt until the case closes. This protects witnesses and prevents interference with police work. Personnel files about deputies are confidential unless they involve serious misconduct. Body camera footage is generally not released except for officer-involved shootings and critical incidents. If your request is denied, the Sheriff must cite the specific exemption under California law.

How to Request Records

Start by going to the Sheriff's website. Find the records request page. Fill out the form with your name, contact info, and what records you need. You can also email ACSORecordsRequest@amadorcounty.gov with your request. Be clear about what you want. Give names, dates, case numbers, or locations. Vague requests take longer to process because staff have to search more files in Amador County.

The Sheriff reviews your request under the California Public Records Act. This law is in Government Code Sections 7920 to 7931. The office has ten working days to respond. They will tell you if the records exist and if they can be released. Some records are exempt from disclosure. If your request is denied, the Sheriff must tell you which law applies. You can appeal or narrow your request to try again.

When records are ready, staff contact you about fees. Payment is due before you get the records. You can pay by cash, check, or money order at the office. Some records may have no fee if they are simple public documents. Ask about costs when you submit your request. After payment, you pick up the records in Jackson or staff mail them to you if you prefer in Amador County.

Note: The office is closed on Fridays, so plan your visit for Monday through Thursday during business hours.

Jail Booking Information

The Amador County Jail is next to the Sheriff's Office in Jackson. It holds people arrested in the county. Booking logs are public under California Government Code Section 7923.610. The CrimeGraphics system shows current inmates and recent bookings. You can search by name or browse all current bookings. The system shows the person's name, age, charges, bail amount, booking date, and photo in Amador County.

This data updates several times a day. New bookings appear within hours of the arrest. People are removed from the list when they are released or transferred. The system only shows current inmates and very recent bookings. For older arrest records, you need to submit a formal records request to the Sheriff. Historical booking data is not available through the online search in Amador County.

If you need to know if someone is in jail, use the CrimeGraphics search first. This is faster than calling. If you do not find them, call the jail at 209-223-6500. Staff can check if the person was booked and released already. They can also tell you the bail amount and court date if the person is still in custody in Amador County.

Fees for Services

Amador County charges fees for some records and services. Live Scan fingerprinting for residents costs $15. This is for background checks required for jobs, licenses, or volunteer work. Non-residents pay more. Character letters cost $5 each. These confirm you have no arrest record in Amador County. Other record fees depend on the type and size of the document. Ask staff about costs when you make your request.

Copy fees are set by state law. Most agencies charge per page for paper copies. Digital files may be free or have lower fees. Certified copies with an official seal cost extra. The Sheriff's Office takes cash, check, or money order. Credit cards are not accepted at the counter. Payment is due when you pick up records or before they mail them to you in Amador County.

California Public Records Laws

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to access police records. This law is found in Government Code Sections 7920 through 7931. Any person can make a request. You do not have to live in California. You do not need to give a reason for wanting the records. The agency must respond within ten days. They can extend this by 14 days if the request is complex or requires review by legal staff in Amador County.

Some records are exempt from release. These include ongoing investigations, internal affairs files, and confidential informant data. Body camera footage is protected except for critical incidents under Government Code Section 7923.625. Officer personnel records must be disclosed if they involve serious misconduct under Penal Code Section 832.7. This law was changed by SB 1421 and SB 16 to require more transparency in California.

If a record is exempt, the agency must cite the specific law. You can challenge a denial in court. Many people hire attorneys to fight for records release. Legal aid groups may help with appeals if you cannot afford a lawyer. The court can order the agency to release records if the exemption was applied incorrectly under California law.

Other Law Enforcement Agencies

Amador County has no cities with their own police departments. The Sheriff provides law enforcement for the entire county. However, other agencies also operate here. The California Highway Patrol handles traffic enforcement on state highways. CHP investigates serious crashes and can arrest people for driving crimes. Request CHP crash reports at crashes.chp.ca.gov. This online system serves parties of interest like drivers and insurance companies in California.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has law enforcement officers in the county. Cal Fire responds to wildfires and can arrest people for fire-related crimes. The U.S. Forest Service has rangers with police powers on federal land. Eldorado National Forest covers parts of Amador County. Contact the Forest Service if your incident happened on federal property in California.

For criminal history records, contact the California Department of Justice. The DOJ maintains statewide arrest and conviction data. You can get your own record for $25 through the Record Review Unit. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review for instructions. The DOJ does not release other people's criminal history to the public under Penal Code Section 11105 in California.

Neighboring Counties

Amador County borders several other counties in the Sierra foothills. Calaveras County is to the south. El Dorado County is to the north. Alpine County is to the east in the high mountains. Sacramento County is to the west. Each county has its own sheriff and records system in California.

If you are not sure which county handled your incident, check the exact location. County lines can be confusing in rural areas. The Sheriff's Office can help you figure out jurisdiction. They work with neighboring agencies and can direct you to the right place. Know the location of your incident before you request records in Amador County.