San Joaquin County Criminal Records

What Is San Joaquin County Criminal Records

San Joaquin County criminal records are official documents that detail an individual's criminal history within the jurisdiction of San Joaquin County, California. These records are maintained pursuant to California Penal Code § 13100-13326, which establishes the Criminal Record and Identification Bureau and mandates the collection and maintenance of criminal history information.

Criminal records in San Joaquin County encompass several distinct categories:

• Arrest Records: Documentation of detentions and arrests made by law enforcement agencies, including the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office and local police departments
• Court Records: Official documentation of criminal proceedings in the San Joaquin County Superior Court
• Correctional Records: Information regarding incarceration in county jail facilities
• Probation/Parole Records: Documentation of supervision terms and compliance

The distinction between arrest and conviction records is significant. Arrest records document instances where an individual was taken into custody but do not necessarily indicate guilt. Conviction records, conversely, confirm that a defendant was found guilty of specific charges through trial or plea agreement.

Criminal offenses in San Joaquin County are categorized as follows:

• Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison or county jail for more than one year
• Misdemeanors: Less serious offenses typically punishable by up to one year in county jail
• Infractions: Minor violations usually punishable by fines

Juvenile records receive special protection under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, which generally restricts public access to criminal proceedings involving minors under 18 years of age.

The primary agencies maintaining criminal records in San Joaquin County include:

San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office
7000 Michael Canlis Boulevard
French Camp, CA 95231
(209) 468-4400
San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

San Joaquin County Superior Court
222 E. Weber Avenue
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 992-5555
San Joaquin County Superior Court

San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office
222 E. Weber Avenue, Suite 202
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 468-2400
San Joaquin County District Attorney

Are Criminal Records Public In San Joaquin County

Criminal records in San Joaquin County are generally considered public information under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including most criminal justice information.

The CPRA states that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state." Under this principle, adult criminal records in San Joaquin County are generally accessible to the public, with certain important exceptions and limitations.

Records that are typically available to the public include:

• Court case information for adult defendants
• Conviction records
• Current inmate information
• Sex offender registry information

However, several categories of criminal records are exempt from public disclosure or have restricted access:

• Active criminal investigations (pursuant to Government Code § 6254(f))
• Sealed or expunged records
• Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
• Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
• Information that might endanger the safety of a witness or other person

The San Joaquin County Superior Court provides public access terminals at courthouse locations where members of the public may search case information. Additionally, certain criminal history information is available through online portals maintained by the court and the Sheriff's Office.

It is important to note that while many criminal records are technically public, comprehensive criminal history information ("rap sheets") compiled by the California Department of Justice is restricted under Penal Code § 11105. Access to these complete criminal histories is limited to authorized agencies and individuals for specific purposes such as employment screening, licensing, and certification.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In San Joaquin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in San Joaquin County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The appropriate approach depends on the specific type of record sought and its intended use.

For court records, individuals may:

1. Visit the San Joaquin County Superior Court's public access terminals located at:

San Joaquin County Superior Court - Stockton Courthouse
222 E. Weber Avenue
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 992-5555
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
San Joaquin County Superior Court

2. Submit a records request form to the Criminal Records Division of the court. The Criminal Records Request Form must be completed with the following information:

   • Defendant's full name
   • Date of birth (if known)
   • Case number (if known)
   • Approximate date of offense
   • Requestor's contact information

3. Mail the completed form with applicable fees to:

San Joaquin County Superior Court - Records Division
222 E. Weber Avenue, Room 303
Stockton, CA 95202

For arrest records and jail information, individuals may:

1. Contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office Records Division:

San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office - Records Division
7000 Michael Canlis Boulevard
French Camp, CA 95231
(209) 468-4425
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

2. Submit a written request including:
   • Subject's full name
   • Date of birth
   • Approximate date of arrest (if known)
   • Purpose of request
   • Requestor's identification

For sex offender registration information, the public may access the California Megan's Law website maintained by the California Department of Justice at meganslaw.ca.gov.

Certified copies of criminal records typically require payment of fees established by the court or agency. Current fee schedules are available on the respective agency websites or by contacting the records divisions directly.

Requestors should be prepared to present valid government-issued photo identification when requesting records in person. Third-party requests may require additional documentation or authorization.

How To Find Criminal Records in San Joaquin County Online?

San Joaquin County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records information. These digital platforms provide convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information varies by system.

The primary online resources include:

1. San Joaquin County Superior Court Case Index
   The court maintains an online case information portal at https://www.sjcourts.org/online-services/case-index/. This system allows users to search for:

   • Criminal cases (felony and misdemeanor)
   • Case status and upcoming court dates
   • Case participants
   • Register of actions (chronological case events)

   Search parameters include:

   • Defendant name (last name, first name)
   • Case number
   • Filing date range

   No registration is required, but the system does not provide access to actual document images or complete case files.

2. San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office Inmate Information
   Current jail custody information is available through the Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system at https://www.sjgov.org/sheriff/inmate-information. This database provides:

   • Current inmate roster
   • Booking information
   • Charges
   • Bail amounts
   • Scheduled release dates (when available)
   • Court dates

3. California Courts Case Information
   The statewide court portal at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court-case.htm includes links to San Joaquin County case information.

4. California Department of Justice Megan's Law Website
   Sex offender registration information is searchable by location, name, or map at https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/.

Important limitations of online record searches include:

• Older cases (generally pre-2000) may not be available in electronic format
• Complete case files and documents typically require in-person requests
• Certain sensitive or sealed cases may be excluded from online systems
• Information is provided for informational purposes and is not certified
• Some systems may have scheduled maintenance periods or temporary outages

For comprehensive criminal background checks, individuals may need to submit fingerprints through the California Department of Justice LiveScan system, which requires statutory authorization and is not available for general public inquiries.

Can You Search San Joaquin County Criminal Records for Free?

San Joaquin County provides several options for free access to criminal records information, though certain requests may incur fees depending on the type of record and format requested.

Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253, public records must be open to inspection during regular office hours at no charge. This statutory provision ensures that members of the public may view accessible records without cost, though fees may apply for copies or certified documents.

Free resources for criminal records in San Joaquin County include:

1. Public Access Terminals at Courthouses
   The San Joaquin County Superior Court provides computer terminals at courthouse locations where members of the public may search case information at no charge during regular business hours:

   Stockton Courthouse
   222 E. Weber Avenue
   Stockton, CA 95202
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

   Manteca Branch
   315 E. Center Street
   Manteca, CA 95336
   Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

2. Online Case Index
   The court's online case information system at https://www.sjcourts.org/online-services/case-index/ is available at no cost and does not require registration.

3. Sheriff's Office Inmate Information
   The inmate lookup system at https://www.sjgov.org/sheriff/inmate-information is freely accessible to the public.

4. California Megan's Law Website
   Sex offender registration information is available at no cost through https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/.

While inspection of records is generally free, the following services typically incur fees:

• Copies of court documents ($0.50 per page)
• Certified copies of court records ($25.00 per document)
• Background checks requiring fingerprint submission
• Expedited or specialized search services
• Records requiring extensive redaction or review

Fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals under certain circumstances, particularly for court records needed for pending litigation. Information about fee waiver applications is available from the court clerk's office.

What's Included in a San Joaquin County Criminal Record?

San Joaquin County criminal records typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county. The specific content varies depending on the type of record and the maintaining agency, but generally includes the following categories of information:

Identifying Information:

• Full legal name and known aliases
• Date of birth
• Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
• Booking photograph (mugshot)
• Last known address
• State Identification Number (SID)
• FBI number (if applicable)
• Driver's license number (in relevant cases)
• Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

• Date and time of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Booking number
• Location of arrest
• Charges filed at booking
• Bail amount and status
• Detention facility
• Arresting officer information
• Incident report numbers

Court Case Information:

• Case number
• Court of jurisdiction
• Filing date
• Charges filed by prosecutor
• Statutory citations
• Classification of offenses (felony/misdemeanor)
• Plea entered
• Defense attorney information
• Prosecutor information
• Judge assigned
• Court dates and appearances
• Motions filed and rulings

Disposition Information:

• Verdict or case outcome
• Conviction date (if applicable)
• Dismissal information (if applicable)
• Sentencing details:
  • Incarceration terms
  • Probation conditions
  • Fines and fees imposed
  • Restitution ordered
  • Community service requirements
  • Treatment program mandates
• Appeal information
• Probation/parole status and conditions

Additional Information:

• Active warrants
• Protective or restraining orders
• Sex offender registration requirements
• DUI/DWI information
• Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
• Pending charges
• Probation/parole violations
• Custody status
• Scheduled release date (if incarcerated)

It is important to note that juvenile records contain similar information but are subject to stricter confidentiality protections under California law. Additionally, records that have been sealed, expunged, or otherwise restricted by court order will not appear in standard criminal record searches available to the general public.

How Long Does San Joaquin County Keep Criminal Records?

San Joaquin County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by California state law and local policies. The duration for which different types of criminal records are preserved varies based on the nature of the offense, case outcome, and document type.

The California Government Code, particularly § 68152, establishes minimum retention periods for court records. The San Joaquin County Superior Court and other county agencies adhere to these requirements while sometimes maintaining records for longer periods.

Standard retention periods for criminal records in San Joaquin County include:

• Felony Case Files

  • Capital felony cases (death penalty): Permanent retention
  • Felonies resulting in life sentences: Permanent retention
  • Other felony cases: Minimum of 75 years from date of final disposition
  • Habeas corpus cases: Same period as the case they relate to

• Misdemeanor Case Files

  • DUI misdemeanors: 10 years from date of final disposition
  • Domestic violence misdemeanors: 10 years from date of final disposition
  • Other misdemeanors: 5 years from date of final disposition
  • Infractions: 3 years from date of final disposition

• Arrest Records

  • Arrest reports: Minimum of 5 years from date of arrest
  • Booking information: Minimum of 5 years from date of booking
  • Fingerprint cards: Retained by the California Department of Justice indefinitely

• Probation Records

  • Adult probation files: 5 years after probation terminates
  • Juvenile probation files: Until subject reaches age 38

• Jail Records

  • Inmate files: 5 years after release
  • Jail incident reports: 5 years from date of incident

It should be noted that while physical records may be destroyed after the retention period expires, electronic indices and basic case information may be maintained indefinitely, particularly for serious offenses. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be retained longer than their paper counterparts.

The California Department of Justice maintains a permanent database of criminal history information at the state level, which includes arrests and dispositions reported by San Joaquin County agencies. This information remains in the state system even after local records may have been purged.

Records subject to sealing, expungement, or other court-ordered remedies may be removed from public access earlier than the standard retention schedule would dictate.

Lookup Criminal Records in San Joaquin County