Calaveras County Police Records

Police records in Calaveras County are kept by the Sheriff's Office Records and Civil Division at 1045 Jeff Tuttle Drive in San Andreas. You can request arrest reports, incident files, and booking logs through their online portal or in person. The office accepts requests Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Current jail bookings are searchable through Citizen RIMS, which shows names, charges, and booking photos. For formal records requests, use the online form at the county website or visit the office. Call 209-754-6961 with questions about police records. Staff process requests under the California Public Records Act and respond within ten days of receipt in Calaveras County.

Records and Civil Division

The Calaveras County Sheriff's Office Records and Civil Division handles all public records requests for police documents. Staff maintain files on arrests, crimes, traffic accidents, restraining orders, and civil matters. The division is at the main Sheriff's complex in San Andreas. You can submit requests online, by mail, or in person during office hours. Call 209-754-6961 if you have questions about the process in Calaveras County.

For current jail bookings, use the Citizen RIMS system at calaveras.citizenrims.com. This shows who is in jail right now. Search by name or browse all current bookings. You see charges, bail amounts, booking dates, and mugshots. The system updates regularly with new arrests. This is a free public database that does not require a formal records request in Calaveras County.

To request official reports, fill out the online form at forms.calaverasgov.us. You can also visit the office in person. Bring photo ID and describe what records you need. Give names, dates, case numbers, or report numbers if you have them. The more detail you provide, the faster staff can find your files. Documents are accepted in person Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Calaveras County.

Processing takes up to ten days under California law. Complex requests may take longer. Staff review each request to determine if 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 in Calaveras County.

Types of Police Records

Calaveras County maintains several types of police records. Arrest reports show when someone was booked into jail. These include the person's name, charges, booking date, bail amount, and photo. Incident reports document crimes and calls for service that deputies respond to. These show what happened, who was involved, and what action the deputy took. Traffic collision reports are filed when there is a crash on county roads or in unincorporated areas of Calaveras County.

Civil documents are also handled by the Records and Civil Division. This includes restraining orders, subpoenas, eviction notices, and other court papers served by deputies. These files are public unless sealed by a judge. Coroner records may be available depending on the case. The Sheriff's Coroner Unit investigates deaths in the county. Some coroner files are public while others are confidential based on the circumstances in Calaveras County.

Some records cannot be released to the public. Active investigation files are usually 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. These exemptions are set by California law.

How to Request Records

Start by going to the online request form. Fill it out with your contact info and describe what records you need. Be specific. Include names, dates, case numbers, report numbers, or addresses. Vague requests take longer to process because staff have to search more files. You can also visit the office in person at 1045 Jeff Tuttle Drive during business hours in San Andreas.

After you submit, staff review your request under the California Public Records Act. This law is in Government Code Sections 7920 to 7931. The Sheriff has ten days to respond. They 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 cite the specific exemption that applies. You can narrow your request or appeal the decision in Calaveras County.

When records are ready, you pay the fee before you get them. Fees depend on the type and size of the records. Most agencies charge per page for paper copies. Digital files may be free or have lower fees. Ask about costs when you submit your request. The office takes cash, check, or money order. After payment, you pick up the records in San Andreas or staff mail them to you in Calaveras County.

Note: Alpine County contracts with Calaveras for some jail services, so people arrested in Alpine may be booked here.

Jail and Booking Records

The Calaveras County Jail is next to the Sheriff's Office in San Andreas. It holds people arrested in the county. Booking logs are public under California Government Code Section 7923.610. The Citizen RIMS system shows current inmates and recent bookings. Search by name or view all current bookings. The system displays names, charges, bail amounts, booking dates, and photos in Calaveras County.

The data updates several times a day. New bookings appear within hours of the arrest. People are removed when they are released or transferred to state prison. 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 Calaveras County.

Calaveras County contracts with Alpine County to provide jail services. Some people arrested in Alpine are housed here. If you are looking for someone arrested in Alpine County, check both the Alpine Sheriff and the Calaveras jail booking system. The Alpine Sheriff can tell you where a person was taken after arrest in California.

California Records Laws

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to access police records. This law is 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 legal review in Calaveras 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

Calaveras 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. Stanislaus National Forest covers parts of Calaveras 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

Calaveras County borders several other counties in the Sierra foothills. Amador County is to the north. Tuolumne County is to the south. Alpine County is to the east in the high mountains. San Joaquin County and Stanislaus County are 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 Calaveras County.