Search Plumas County Police Records

Plumas County police records are maintained by the Plumas County Sheriff Coroner in Quincy. This office handles all public records requests for police reports, crash reports, and arrest logs. The sheriff provides forms on their website for various requests. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The county is rural with a small population, so records processing may be faster than in larger counties. Contact the sheriff directly at 530-283-6375 for records questions. You can visit in person at 1400 East Main Street in Quincy or submit written requests by mail in Plumas County.

Plumas County Sheriff Contact Info

The Plumas County Sheriff Coroner serves all unincorporated areas of the county. This office keeps police records for incidents investigated by sheriff deputies. The main office is in Quincy at the county government center. Staff can help you with records requests during regular business hours. There are no online portals for Plumas County, so you must contact the office directly by phone, mail, or in person.

Sheriff deputies patrol a large geographic area with mountains, forests, and rural communities. Law enforcement calls are less frequent than in urban counties. This means staff may be able to process records requests faster. However, the small office also means limited staff. Call ahead before you visit to make sure someone is available to help you. Leave a message if no one answers and they will call you back within one business day in most cases for Plumas County.

Police Records in Plumas County

Crime reports document incidents like theft, assault, vandalism, and other offenses in Plumas County. A deputy writes a report after responding to a call or investigating a crime. The report shows what happened, who was involved, and what action was taken. You can request a copy if you were the victim or an involved party. Suspects cannot get copies of reports under California exemptions. Active investigations may delay release of records until the case closes in Plumas County.

Traffic crash reports are created when sheriff deputies respond to accidents on county roads. These show the date, time, location, drivers, vehicles, and any damage or injuries. Parties of interest can request copies under California Vehicle Code Section 20012. This includes drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies with a valid claim number. For crashes on state highways, contact the California Highway Patrol instead at crashes.chp.ca.gov in Plumas County.

Arrest records show when someone was booked into custody in Plumas County. These logs include the person's name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. Booking logs are public information under California Government Code Section 7923.610. Note that an arrest does not mean guilt. Charges can be dropped or dismissed. Only convictions appear in official criminal history records maintained by the California Department of Justice.

Coroner reports are available for deaths investigated by the Plumas County Coroner. The sheriff also serves as coroner in this county. Next of kin and authorized parties can request copies. Some information may be withheld to protect privacy or ongoing investigations. The coroner handles sudden, unexpected, or suspicious deaths in Plumas County.

How to Get Records from Plumas County

Plumas County does not use online portals like larger counties. You must request records by phone, mail, or in person. This keeps the process simple but requires more direct contact with staff. Pick the method that works best for you in Plumas County.

To request by phone, call the sheriff at 530-283-6375. Tell staff what records you need. Provide as much detail as you can. Include names, dates, case numbers, and locations. Staff will search the system and tell you if the report exists. If it does, they will explain the fee and how long it will take. You may need to submit a written request to formalize your ask. Staff will guide you through the process on the phone if needed for Plumas County.

To visit in person, go to 1400 East Main Street in Quincy during business hours. Bring your ID and any information about the report you want. Staff can look up cases and make copies for you. Some records may be available the same day. Others require more time for review or redactions. Payment is likely by check or money order, but ask staff what forms they accept when you visit Plumas County.

For mail requests, write a letter with your name, contact info, and the details of what you need. Be specific about dates, names, and case numbers if you have them. Include a return address and phone number. Mail to Plumas County Sheriff Coroner, 1400 East Main Street, Quincy, CA 95971. Staff will review your request and contact you with a fee estimate. Once you pay, they will mail the records to you. This method takes the longest but works if you cannot visit or call in Plumas County.

You can also check the sheriff website for downloadable forms at plumascounty.us/2525/Forms. Some requests may have standard forms to fill out. Follow the instructions on each form and submit it as directed by the sheriff in Plumas County.

Public Records Act in Plumas County

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to request police records from the Plumas County Sheriff. This law is in Government Code Sections 7920-7931. Any person can make a request. You do not need to be a resident of California or Plumas County. You do not have to give a reason for your request. The sheriff has ten calendar days to respond. They can extend this by 14 days if they need more time to search or get legal advice in California.

Some records are exempt from release under state law. Examples include active criminal investigations, personnel matters, attorney-client communications, and records that would endanger someone's safety. If your request is denied, the sheriff must tell you why and cite the specific exemption. You can challenge a denial in court if you believe the records should be public. Many requesters work with attorneys when they need to appeal a records decision in Plumas County.

To make a Public Records Act request in Plumas County, contact the sheriff and describe what you want. Be as specific as you can. The sheriff will search for the records and tell you if they exist. If they do, you get a fee estimate and processing time. Pay the fee and wait for the documents. If denied, you get a written explanation. This process applies to all law enforcement agencies in California including Plumas County.

Fees and Processing Times

Plumas County does not list specific fees on their website. Fees are set based on the actual cost of searching, copying, and processing your request. California law allows agencies to charge for these costs. Expect to pay for photocopies, staff time to search and redact records, and any special formats you request. The sheriff will give you a fee estimate before processing your request in Plumas County.

Processing times vary depending on what you ask for and how busy the office is. Simple requests for a single report may take just a few days in this small county. Complex requests with multiple files or redactions can take weeks. The sheriff has ten days to respond under the Public Records Act, but this is just the initial response. They can take more time to actually produce the documents if needed in Plumas County.

Certain requests get priority under California law. Domestic violence victims can get free copies of their incident reports within five days per California Family Code Section 6228. This also covers victims of sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. SB 1421 records involving officer misconduct or use of force must be released within 45 days. General requests have no set deadline beyond the ten-day response window in Plumas County.

Note: Call the sheriff at 530-283-6375 to ask about current fees before submitting your request.

Other Police Records Resources

If you need records from the California Highway Patrol, use their online system at crashes.chp.ca.gov. The CHP handles crashes on state highways in Plumas County. You can also submit Form CHP 190 by mail or fax. Call 1-800-TELL-CHP for help with CHP crash reports in California.

For your own criminal history record, contact the California Department of Justice. You can request this through the DOJ Record Review Unit. The process requires fingerprints and a $25 fee. Mail your request to PO BOX 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. The DOJ does not release someone else's criminal history to the public under Penal Code Section 11105. Only you can get your own record, or law enforcement for official purposes in California.

The California DOJ also has an OpenJustice data portal at openjustice.doj.ca.gov. This site has crime statistics, arrest data, and law enforcement information for Plumas County and all California counties. You can view data by county or city. The portal includes interactive maps and charts. This is useful for research on crime trends. It does not include individual case files or personal records in California.

For general public records requests to state agencies, use the California DOJ portal at oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/pra. The DOJ has ten days to decide if it will release records. Copy fees are 10 cents per page. Some records are exempt from release such as active investigations and confidential legal advice in California.