Stanislaus County Police Records
Stanislaus County police records include arrest logs, incident reports, and case files from the Sheriff Office and local police departments. The Sheriff Records Division is in Modesto at 250 E. Hackett Road. Call them at 209-525-7117 for records questions. Per Government Code Section 6256, each agency must determine within ten days whether to release requested records. The Sheriff charges $5 for the first four pages of a report and $1 for each page after that. You can request police records through the California Public Records Act. Cities like Modesto, Turlock, and Ceres have their own police departments with separate records divisions in Stanislaus County.
Stanislaus County Quick Facts
Stanislaus County Sheriff Records Division
The Stanislaus County Sheriff Records Division handles all public requests for police reports and arrest records. The office is at 250 E. Hackett Road in Modesto. Call 209-525-7117 with questions about your request in Stanislaus County.
Per Government Code Section 6256, each agency must determine within ten days whether to release requested records. This is the initial response time under the California Public Records Act. The Sheriff will tell you if the records exist and provide a cost estimate. Producing the actual records can take longer in Stanislaus County.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff charges $5 for the first four pages of a report. Each page after that costs $1. These fees help cover the cost of searching for and copying records. Payment is usually required before you receive the records in Stanislaus County.
Submit your records request by mail, phone, or in person at the Sheriff Office. Include as much detail as you can about the records you need. The more information you provide, the easier it is for staff to find your records in Stanislaus County.
City Police Departments
Several cities in Stanislaus County have their own police departments. These include Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Patterson, Newman, Waterford, Hughson, Riverbank, and Oakdale. Each department keeps its own records and has its own procedures for public requests in Stanislaus County.
If your incident happened within city limits, contact that city police department. The Sheriff cannot release records from other agencies. Most city police departments have a records section. Some use online systems while others accept email or mail requests in Stanislaus County.
City police departments in Stanislaus County:
- Modesto Police Department
- Turlock Police Department
- Ceres Police Department
- Patterson Police Department
- Newman Police Department
- Waterford Police Department
- Hughson Police Department
- Riverbank Police Department
- Oakdale Police Department
Each department sets its own fees and processing times. Check the city website or call the police records section for specific instructions in Stanislaus County.
Types of Police Records
Arrest records show when deputies or officers took someone into custody in Stanislaus County. These include the person's name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. Many agencies post daily booking logs online. You can view recent arrests at no cost on agency websites. Older arrest records require a formal request through the records division.
Incident reports are written by deputies or officers after they respond to calls for service. The report describes what happened and who was involved. It documents what actions the officer took. You can request a copy if you were a victim or involved party in Stanislaus County. Agencies may not release reports to suspects while cases are active.
Traffic collision reports document car crashes investigated by law enforcement. These include the date, time, location, vehicles involved, and any injuries. Drivers and other parties of interest can request copies under California Vehicle Code Section 20012. Most reports are ready within seven to ten business days in Stanislaus County.
Body camera footage is generally exempt from public disclosure. Agencies must release footage from critical incidents like officer-involved shootings. These requests are handled under Government Code Section 7923.625. Regular body cam video from routine calls cannot be released in Stanislaus County.
Requesting Police Records
Contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff Records Division to request police records. The office is at 250 E. Hackett Road in Modesto. Call 209-525-7117 or visit in person during business hours. You can also submit a written request by mail in Stanislaus County.
Include these details in your records request:
- Your full name and contact information
- Date and location of the incident
- Names of involved parties if known
- Case number or report number if available
- Type of record you want
The Sheriff will respond within ten days per Government Code Section 6256. This is the initial response time. They may tell you the records exist and provide a cost estimate. Producing the actual records can take longer in Stanislaus County. Complex requests may need several weeks.
If the agency denies your request, they must cite the specific exemption. Common exemptions include active investigations, confidential information, and personnel matters. You can challenge a denial in court if you believe it is improper in Stanislaus County.
Fees and Wait Times
The Stanislaus County Sheriff charges $5 for the first four pages of a report. Each page after that costs $1. Digital records sent by email may be provided at lower cost than printed copies. Contact the Records Division at 209-525-7117 for current fee information in Stanislaus County.
Processing times vary based on the complexity of your request and current workload. Simple requests for a single report can often be filled within one to two weeks. Large or complex requests may take longer. The Sheriff will give you an estimated completion date when they respond to your request in Stanislaus County.
Some records must be provided faster under California law. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking get free copies of their incident reports within five days. SB 1421 records about officer misconduct must be released within 45 days in Stanislaus County. Regular public records requests have no set deadline beyond the ten-day response requirement.
Note: Contact the Sheriff Records Division for current fee and timeline information before you submit your request.
California Police Records Laws
The California Public Records Act in Government Code Sections 7920-7931 gives you the right to access police records. Government Code Section 6256 requires agencies to determine within ten days whether to release requested records. Any person can make a request. You do not need to live in Stanislaus County or California. Agencies can extend the response time by 14 days if needed.
Penal Code Section 832.7 covers peace officer personnel records. This law was amended by SB 1421 and SB 16 to increase transparency. Agencies must disclose records of officer-involved shootings, serious use of force, sustained findings of sexual assault by an officer, and sustained findings of dishonesty in Stanislaus County. These records must be released within 45 days.
Government Code Section 7923.625 addresses body camera footage. Agencies must release footage from critical incidents within 45 days. This includes shootings and use of force causing serious injury or death. Other body cam video is exempt from disclosure in Stanislaus County.
Vehicle Code Section 20012 requires agencies to provide traffic collision reports to involved parties. This includes drivers, passengers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies with valid claims. The law specifies who qualifies as a party of interest in Stanislaus County.
Online Records Resources
For more information about the Stanislaus County Sheriff Office, visit their website at scsdonline.com. The site has contact information and details about the Records Division in Stanislaus County.
For criminal history information, visit the California Department of Justice website at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review. You can request your own criminal record through the DOJ for a $25 fee. This process requires fingerprints in Stanislaus County.
California Highway Patrol crash reports can be requested online at crashes.chp.ca.gov. Use this system if CHP officers investigated your crash in Stanislaus County.
Nearby Counties
If you need police records from neighboring areas, visit these county pages: