Kern County Police Records Database

Kern County police records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office Records Section at 1350 Norris Road in Bakersfield. The office handles arrest records, crime reports, booking photos, and clearance letters. You can submit requests through the JustFOIA portal online at kerncountysheriffca.justfoia.com. Phone requests go to 661-391-7624 for arrest records or 661-391-7431 for crime reports. California law requires agencies to make contemporaneous arrest information available to the public. This means booking data is released as soon as someone is arrested. Processing times for other records typically take ten business days under state law.

Sheriff Records Section

The Records Section at the Kern County Sheriff's Office processes all public records requests. This unit handles arrest information, crime reports, booking photos, and clearance letters. Staff work at the main office in Bakersfield. The office is one of the largest in California with over 900,000 residents in the county.

California Government Code Section 7923.610 requires agencies to make arrest information available to the public. The sheriff posts booking data as soon as people are arrested. This includes names, charges, booking dates, and bail amounts. You can view this information online or request copies through the Records Section in Kern County.

You can submit requests through the JustFOIA portal at kerncountysheriffca.justfoia.com/publicportal. This online system lets you submit requests and track their status. Create a free account to get started. The portal shows when your request is received, reviewed, and completed. You get email notifications throughout the process in Kern County.

JustFOIA Portal

Kern County uses JustFOIA for online records requests. The portal is at kerncountysheriffca.justfoia.com/publicportal. You need to create an account to use it. The system asks for your name, email, and contact information when you sign up. This takes only a few minutes to complete in Kern County.

Once logged in, you can submit a new request. Describe what records you want in detail. Include names of people involved. Give the date and location of the incident. Add case numbers if you have them. The more info you provide, the easier it is for staff to find the right file in Kern County.

The portal shows the status of your request. Staff mark it as received, in review, or completed. You get emails at each step. Most requests are done in ten to fourteen days depending on complexity. Simple one-report requests are often ready sooner than large multi-document requests in Kern County.

You pay through the portal when records are ready. Fees vary by type of record. Clearance letters cost $5. Booking photos are also $5. Digital files are usually provided as PDFs. Some requests may have printed copies available for pickup at the Records Section in Bakersfield in California.

Available Police Records

Arrest records show when someone was booked into jail in Kern County. The file includes the person's name, charges, and booking date. Bail amounts are listed if set. These are public records under California law. The sheriff must provide contemporaneous arrest information. This means booking data is available as soon as the arrest happens.

Crime reports document incidents that deputies respond to. An officer writes a report after investigating the call. The file describes what happened and who was involved. Victims and parties of interest can usually get copies. Suspects may be denied access while the case is active. This protects ongoing investigations in Kern County.

Booking photos show what someone looked like when arrested. These are public records in California. The sheriff charges $5 for a booking photo. You must provide the person's name and booking date to request one. Photos are usually delivered as digital files through email or the JustFOIA portal in Kern County.

Clearance letters show your criminal history status. These are often needed for jobs, licenses, or housing applications. The letter states if you have arrests or convictions on file in Kern County. Processing takes about ten business days. The fee is $5 for this service from the Records Section in California.

Traffic collision reports are available if the sheriff or CHP responded to a crash. Drivers and passengers can request copies. For CHP reports, use their online portal at crashes.chp.ca.gov. The sheriff handles local crashes on county roads in Kern County.

How to Request Records

Start by using the JustFOIA portal at kerncountysheriffca.justfoia.com/publicportal. Create a free account if you do not have one. Log in and click to submit a new request. Fill out the form with all the details you know. Include names, dates, and locations. Case numbers help staff find the file faster in Kern County.

You can also call the Records Section directly. Use 661-391-7624 for arrest records. Call 661-391-7431 for crime reports. Tell them what you need and why you are asking. Be ready with names, dates, and case details. The more info you provide, the easier it is for them to help you in Kern County.

Written requests can be mailed to 1350 Norris Road, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Include your name, phone number, and address. Describe the records you want. List all the details you know about the case. The office will review your request and respond within ten days. This is the standard timeline under the California Public Records Act for all agencies in the state.

If your request is denied, the office must cite the specific legal exemption. Common reasons include ongoing investigations, personnel files, or confidential information. You can challenge a denial in court if you believe it was improper. Many people work with attorneys for appeals in California.

Fees and Processing Time

Kern County charges set fees for some police records. Clearance letters cost $5. Booking photos are $5 each. Crime reports may have fees depending on the number of pages. Digital files sent by email are often cheaper than printed copies. Ask about the cost when you submit your request in Kern County.

Processing times depend on the complexity of your request. Simple cases with one report are often ready within a week. Large requests with multiple files can take longer. Staff must review each document before release. They redact exempt information like social security numbers and confidential details in Kern County.

The Public Records Act requires a response in ten days. This is when the office tells you if they have the records. Actually getting the files may take longer. Complex requests can extend beyond the initial ten days. The office will give you an estimated completion date when they accept your request in California.

Rush service is not typically offered. All requests are processed in the order received. If you have an urgent need, explain this when you submit your request. Staff may prioritize your case if circumstances allow. Domestic violence victims get their reports within five days under state law at no charge in Kern County and throughout California.

California Public Records Act

The Public Records Act is found in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. This law gives you the right to access police records in Kern County and throughout California. Any person can make a request. You do not need to be a resident. You do not have to explain why you want the records.

Agencies must respond within ten calendar days. They can extend this by 14 days if they need more time. If records are denied, the office must cite the specific exemption that applies. Common exemptions include ongoing investigations, personnel files, and confidential matters under California law.

Penal Code Section 832.7 requires disclosure of certain peace officer records. This includes officer-involved shootings, use of force, and sustained findings of misconduct. Agencies must release these within 45 days. A delay of up to 180 days is allowed during an active investigation in California.

Government Code Section 7923.610 requires contemporaneous arrest information to be available to the public. This is why Kern County releases booking data as soon as arrests happen. Names, charges, and booking dates are public records that anyone can access in California.

Other Law Enforcement Records

The California Department of Justice keeps criminal history records for the entire state. You can request your own record through the DOJ Record Review Unit. This costs $25 and requires fingerprints. Send your request to PO BOX 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. You cannot get someone else's criminal history through this system under California law.

Traffic collision reports from the California Highway Patrol are available online at crashes.chp.ca.gov. Use this portal if a CHP officer responded to your crash in Kern County. Parties of interest can request copies. The system is free to use but reports may have a fee when you order them in California.

The Bakersfield Police Department has its own records division for cases within city limits. If your incident occurred in Bakersfield, contact the police department directly. The sheriff handles cases in unincorporated areas and smaller towns in Kern County. Make sure you contact the right agency for your records request in California.

The OpenJustice data portal at openjustice.doj.ca.gov has crime statistics for Kern County. You can view arrest data, crime trends, and law enforcement information. This is useful for research but does not include individual case files. For specific records, use the JustFOIA portal or contact the Records Section in Bakersfield.

Contact Kern County Sheriff

The Records Section is located at the main sheriff's office in Bakersfield. This is the county seat and central location for all law enforcement records in Kern County. Staff can answer questions about your request and tell you what documents are available. Different phone numbers handle different types of requests.

For general information about the sheriff's office, visit www.kernsheriff.org/Records_Section. This page has details about records requests and contact information for different services. You can also find forms and resources related to law enforcement in Kern County.

Nearby California Counties

Kern County is in the southern San Joaquin Valley. It borders several other large counties in central and southern California.

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