Chico Recent Arrests

Chico recent arrest records come from two main sources. The Chico Police Department handles arrests within city limits, and the Butte County Sheriff's Office runs the jail system where booking records are created. The county publishes booking logs online that include people arrested in Chico. The Chico Police Department also maintains its own arrest data through a crime mapping tool. Between these two resources, you can find information about recent Chico arrests without much trouble. The city is the largest in Butte County, so it generates a significant portion of the county's booking activity.

Chico Arrests and Butte County Booking

The Chico Police Department patrols the city and makes arrests. After an arrest, the person is booked into the Butte County Jail. The county sheriff manages the jail and processes all bookings for the county, including those from Chico. Once someone is in the system, their booking information becomes part of the county database. This includes the charges, bail amount, booking date, and other details.

Butte County publishes booking logs through the sheriff's office website. These logs show recent bookings across the county. Chico arrests make up a large share of the entries since the city is the population center of the area. The logs are updated regularly and give you a snapshot of who was recently booked into the county jail. You can check the logs without creating an account or paying any fee.

Note: Booking logs typically show the most recent entries and may not go back more than a few days.

How to Search Chico Recent Arrest Records

You have a few options for finding Chico arrest information. The county booking logs are the easiest starting point. The Chico Police Department also provides arrest data through its own platform. Here is how to use each one.

The Butte County booking logs list recent bookings in the county jail system. Chico arrests appear here alongside bookings from other parts of the county. The logs are free to view. They typically include the person's name, booking date, charges, and bail amount. For a quick look at who was recently arrested in Chico, this is the first place to check.

The Chico Police Department runs a crime and arrest mapping tool that shows recent arrest activity within city limits. This tool plots arrests on a map and lets you see what has happened in specific neighborhoods. It provides a different angle than the county booking logs. The mapping tool focuses on Chico only, while the county logs cover the whole region.

• Check the Butte County booking logs for recent bookings
• Use the Chico PD arrest map for city-specific data
• Call the Butte County Jail for current custody information
• Contact the Chico Police Department for arrest report copies
• Register with VINE at 877-411-5588 for custody alerts

Chico Arrest Record Disclosure Law

Government Code 7923.610 is the California statute that controls what arrest information must be released. It requires every law enforcement agency, including the Chico Police Department and the Butte County Sheriff, to disclose the full name and occupation of the arrested person, physical description, date of birth, arrest and booking times, the location and circumstances, bail amount, release information, and all charges. This has been the law since January 1, 2023.

The only exceptions involve safety concerns or active investigations. Outside of those narrow situations, Chico arrest details are public information. Anyone can request them. The law does not distinguish between media, family members, or other members of the public. The right to this information belongs to everyone.

The CDCR inmate database covers people in state prison custody, which is separate from the Butte County jail system.

If someone arrested in Chico later goes to state prison, this is the tool to find them. It does not cover people still held at the county level.

Sealing Chico Arrest Records

If you were arrested in Chico but the case ended without a conviction, California offers a way to seal that record. Penal Code 851.87 lets you file a petition with the court. If charges were dismissed, never filed, or you were acquitted, the court may grant the petition. Once sealed, the arrest will not appear on most background checks. You can legally say you were not arrested for that charge. Butte County Superior Court handles these petitions for Chico cases.

There is also automatic relief available. Under AB 1076, the California DOJ reviews records every month and grants relief for arrests that meet the criteria. Qualifying arrests from 2021 onward are cleared without any filing from the person. This covers dismissed misdemeanor charges and misdemeanor arrests where no case was filed within one year.

State Criminal History for Chico Residents

The California DOJ record review lets you check your own criminal history. Submit fingerprints through Live Scan and pay $25. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. The DOJ sends back your complete record from across the state. This includes Chico arrests and anything else on file. The service is only for reviewing your own record. Third-party lookups are not allowed.

The CDCR Incarcerated Records and Information Search covers people in state prison. It is free and searchable by name or CDCR number. This is useful if someone from Chico was sentenced to state prison. County jail inmates do not appear in this database. For current county jail status, use the Butte County booking logs or call the jail directly.

Note: Live Scan fingerprinting is available at most police departments, including the Chico PD, and at private fingerprinting services throughout the area.

Booking Photo Protections in Chico

Booking photos from Chico arrests have legal protections. Civil Code 1798.91.1 prohibits any website from charging money to remove a booking photograph. Violators face civil liability of at least $1,000 per instance plus attorney fees. On the law enforcement side, Penal Code 13665 restricts the Chico Police Department and Butte County Sheriff from posting booking photos on social media for nonviolent offenses. The exceptions are limited to fugitives, imminent threats, and court orders. These laws apply to every Chico booking photo.

Chico Arrest Records County Info

Chico arrests are booked through the Butte County jail system. The county sheriff maintains booking logs and records for all jurisdictions in the county, including the city of Chico.

Nearby California Cities

Chico is the only qualifying city in the northern Sacramento Valley area. For arrest records in other parts of California, check the cities page.