Contra Costa Police Records

Police records in Contra Costa County are handled by the Sheriff's Records and ID Unit at 2530 Arnold Drive Suite 170 in Martinez. You can request arrest reports, incident files, accident reports, and booking information. The unit requires valid ID for all services. Staff respond to requests within ten days as required by California law. Fees are paid in cash with exact change or by check. Credit and debit cards are not accepted at the counter. Call 925-335-1570 or email recordsinfo@so.cccounty.us for help with your records request. The office processes thousands of requests each year from the public, attorneys, and insurance companies. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours for in-person service in Contra Costa County.

Records and ID Unit

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Records and ID Unit is part of the Support Services Bureau. Staff maintain police files for the county, process public records requests, and provide identification services. The unit is at 2530 Arnold Drive Suite 170 in Martinez. You must bring valid ID for all services. This includes requesting records, getting copies, or doing other business at the counter in Contra Costa County.

To request records, call 925-335-1570 or send an email to recordsinfo@so.cccounty.us. Explain what records you need. Give names, dates, case numbers, or report numbers if you have them. Be specific. Vague requests take longer because staff have to search more files. The Sheriff has ten days to respond under California law. They will tell you if the records exist and if they can be released in Contra Costa County.

Fees are paid in cash or check only. Bring exact change if paying cash. The office does not accept credit or debit cards. Accident reports cost 10 cents per page. Regular copies are 50 cents per page. Certification of documents costs $40 for the official seal and signature. Ask about fees when you submit your request. Payment is due before you get the records in Contra Costa County.

The unit also handles identification cards, fingerprinting, and background checks. These services have separate fees. Call ahead to find out what you need to bring. Some services require appointments while others are walk-in. Check with staff before you make the trip to Martinez.

Police Records Available

Contra Costa County maintains several types of police records. Arrest reports show when someone was booked into the county jail. These include charges, booking date, bail amount, and mugshot. Incident reports document crimes and calls for service that deputies respond to. Traffic accident reports are filed when there is a crash on county roads or in unincorporated areas. The Sheriff charges 10 cents per page for accident reports in Contra Costa County.

Civil documents are also handled by the Sheriff. This includes restraining orders, subpoenas, and court papers served by deputies. These files are public unless sealed by a judge. Booking logs show daily jail intake. These are public under California Government Code Section 7923.610. You can request booking information through the Records Unit in Contra Costa County.

Some records cannot be released. Active investigation files are usually exempt until the case closes. 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 law under California.

How to Request Records

Start by calling or emailing the Records and ID Unit. Tell them what records you need. Include names, dates, case numbers, report numbers, or addresses. The more detail you give, the faster staff can search. You can also visit in person at 2530 Arnold Drive in Martinez. Bring valid photo ID. The office requires ID for all services at the counter in Contra Costa County.

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 tell you which law applies. You can appeal or narrow your request to try again in Contra Costa County.

When records are ready, you pay the fee before you get them. Bring cash with exact change or a check. Cards are not accepted. Accident reports are 10 cents per page. Copies are 50 cents per page. Certified documents with an official seal cost $40. After payment, you get your records right away if you are there in person. Staff can also mail records if you prefer in Contra Costa County.

Note: Valid identification is required for all services at the Records and ID Unit counter.

Cities in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County includes many cities with their own police departments. Large cities like Concord, Antioch, Richmond, and San Ramon have separate police forces. Each maintains its own records division. Contact the city police department for incidents within city limits in Contra Costa County.

The Sheriff patrols unincorporated areas and provides services to some smaller cities under contract. If you are not sure which agency handled your case, check the exact location. The Records Unit can help you figure out jurisdiction. They work with local police departments and can direct you to the right agency in Contra Costa County.

California Public Records Act

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 Contra Costa 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

Multiple agencies operate in Contra Costa County. The California Highway Patrol handles traffic enforcement on Interstate 80, Interstate 680, and state highways. CHP investigates serious crashes. Request CHP crash reports at crashes.chp.ca.gov. This online system serves parties of interest like drivers and insurance companies in California.

BART Police have jurisdiction on Bay Area Rapid Transit property. Contact them for incidents that happened at BART stations or on trains. The East Bay Regional Park District has park rangers with police powers. Several cities have their own police departments. Know which agency handled your case before you request records in Contra Costa County.

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

Contra Costa County borders several other counties in the Bay Area. Alameda County is to the south. Solano County is to the north. Sacramento County is to the east. San Joaquin County is to the southeast. 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 urban areas. The Records Unit 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 Contra Costa County.