Search Mariposa County Police Records

Mariposa County maintains police records through its Sheriff's Records Unit. You can request arrest reports, incident files, and crash documents for events in the county. The Records Unit uses an online NextRequest portal for submitting public records requests. Fees are $5 for the first ten pages and 15 cents for each page after that. Most requests process within ten days per California law. The Sheriff's Office serves this small county near Yosemite National Park with about 17,000 residents. All records inquiries go through the main office in Mariposa.

Mariposa County Records Unit

The Records Unit at the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office handles all police records requests. Staff process requests from victims, drivers, attorneys, and others with legal standing. You can submit requests online through the county's NextRequest system. This portal lets you track your request status and receive notifications when records are ready in Mariposa County.

To use the online portal, visit mariposacounty.nextrequest.com and create an account. Fill out the request form with details about the incident. Include names, dates, locations, and case numbers if you have them. The more specific you are, the faster staff can find your records. You will get email updates as your request moves through processing in Mariposa County.

You can also request records by phone or mail if you prefer not to use the online system. Call the Records Unit at the number below during business hours. For mail requests, send a letter describing what records you need along with your contact information. Include any case numbers or report numbers you have. The office will respond within ten days to let you know if the records are available in Mariposa County.

Types of Police Records

Arrest records document when someone is taken into custody in Mariposa County. These show the booking date, charges, bail amount, and booking photo. You can request arrest records through the Records Unit. Only certain people can get copies. This includes the arrested person, their attorney, and sometimes family members. Third parties without legal standing cannot get these files in most cases.

Incident reports cover crimes, disturbances, welfare checks, and other calls for service. Deputies write these after investigating an incident. The reports include what happened, who was involved, and what evidence was collected. Victims and involved parties can request copies. Suspects and witnesses generally cannot get reports unless they have a legal reason in Mariposa County.

Traffic collision reports document crashes on county roads. Deputies take statements from drivers and record damage and injuries. You can get a copy if you were a driver, passenger, vehicle owner, or insurance company with a claim. Provide your driver license number or claim information when requesting collision reports in Mariposa County.

For crashes on state highways, contact the California Highway Patrol instead of the Sheriff's Office. CHP maintains separate records for collisions they investigate. Their online system at crashes.chp.ca.gov lets you request reports for CHP-investigated incidents throughout California including Mariposa County.

Records Request Guidelines

Before submitting a request, make sure you have the right to access the records. California law limits who can get certain police files. You must be a victim, party to the case, or have another legal interest. If you are not sure whether you qualify, call the Records Unit and ask before submitting your request in Mariposa County.

Gather all the information you can about the incident. This includes date, time, location, deputy names, case numbers, and names of involved parties. Write down everything you know. The Records Unit needs this to find your file. Vague requests like "give me all records about me" take much longer to process than specific ones in Mariposa County.

Submit your request through the NextRequest portal for fastest processing. The online system routes your request directly to the right staff member. You can check status updates anytime by logging into your account. For phone or mail requests, expect a longer wait as staff manually enter these into their system in Mariposa County.

The Sheriff's Office has ten days to respond under the California Public Records Act. This does not mean you get the records in ten days. It means they must tell you whether the records exist and if they can release them. Actually producing the records can take longer depending on how many pages need copying and review in Mariposa County.

Fees and Processing Times

Mariposa County charges $5 for the first ten pages of any police report. Each page after that costs 15 cents. This fee structure applies to incident reports, arrest records, and collision reports. Some people may qualify for fee waivers under state law. Domestic violence victims get free copies of their reports. Ask about waivers when you submit your request if you think you qualify in Mariposa County.

Most requests process within seven to fourteen business days from submission. Simple requests for a single report usually take less time than complex requests involving multiple incidents. Active cases may take longer because certain details need to be redacted before release. The Records Unit will give you an estimated completion date when they accept your request in Mariposa County.

Payment is due before records are released. The NextRequest portal will notify you of the total fee once your request is ready. You can pay by check or money order sent to the Sheriff's Office. Some payment methods may be available through the online portal. Check with staff about accepted payment types for your specific request in Mariposa County.

Note: Fees and processing times are subject to change, so verify current costs with the Records Unit before submitting large requests.

Public Records Law in California

The California Public Records Act controls access to police records throughout the state. The law appears in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. It gives the public a right to inspect records held by government agencies. This includes sheriff and police files. Agencies must respond to requests within ten days in Mariposa County.

Some police records are exempt from disclosure. Active criminal investigations are protected until the case closes. Records that would reveal confidential sources or investigative techniques can be withheld. Personnel files for deputies are generally confidential except for records of serious misconduct under Penal Code Section 832.7 as amended by SB 1421 in California.

Body camera footage is mostly exempt from release. Government Code Section 7923.625 requires release only for critical incidents like officer-involved shootings. Agencies have 45 days to provide this footage. Regular body cam video from routine calls is not subject to release under state law in Mariposa County.

Additional Resources

The California Department of Justice maintains statewide criminal history information. You can request your own criminal record through the DOJ Record Review Unit. This requires fingerprints and a $25 fee. Visit oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review for instructions on requesting your California criminal history.

For general questions about public records law, the Attorney General's office provides guidance at oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/pra. This page explains your rights, agency obligations, and what to do if a request is denied. The site includes sample request letters and information about appeals in California.

Legal aid organizations may be able to help if you have trouble getting police records. California Rural Legal Assistance serves Mariposa County and surrounding areas. They provide free legal help to low-income residents. Call them if you believe your records request was improperly denied and you need assistance challenging the decision in Mariposa County.

Cities in Mariposa County

Mariposa County is largely rural with small unincorporated communities. The town of Mariposa serves as county seat. No cities in Mariposa County exceed 100,000 population. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement throughout the county. All police records requests go through the Records Unit regardless of where in the county the incident occurred in Mariposa County.

Nearby California Counties

Adjacent counties maintain separate police records systems: