Salinas Recent Arrests Lookup

Salinas recent arrest records can be searched through the Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. The Salinas PD publishes a daily patrol log that includes arrest activity. Monterey County runs an in-custody log covering all people currently held in county detention. As the county seat and largest city in Monterey County, Salinas generates a significant share of the area's bookings. You can check both resources online at no cost. Salinas sits in the Salinas Valley along Highway 101, about two hours south of San Jose.

Salinas Arrest Records Online

The Salinas Police Department publishes a daily patrol log that shows recent police activity, including arrests. The log gives basic information about each incident. It is updated each day and covers calls for service and arrest activity in Salinas. This is a good first stop when looking for recent Salinas arrest data.

The daily patrol log from Salinas PD shown above is updated regularly and shows recent police activity in the city.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office also provides an in-custody log that lists everyone currently held in the county jail. People arrested by the Salinas Police Department who are transferred to county custody appear on this log. It includes names, charges, and booking details. The in-custody log updates throughout the day as new bookings are processed.

Salinas Booking Procedures

Salinas police officers arrest people within city limits and bring them to the Salinas Police Department for initial processing. Officers record the person's name, date of birth, and charges. Fingerprints and a booking photo are taken. Bail is set according to the Monterey County bail schedule. For minor offenses, the person may be cited and released with a court date.

More serious charges result in a transfer to the Monterey County Jail. The main jail is at the Central Station, 1414 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906. Since the county jail is right in Salinas, transfers happen quickly. The jail information line is (831) 755-3782. Once someone is booked into the county facility, they appear on the in-custody log. The Salinas arrest record follows them into the county system.

Note: Monterey County charges a $92 non-refundable fee for criminal history checks through its sheriff's office.

Salinas Arrest Disclosure Laws

California Government Code 7923.610 requires the Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff to make arrest details public. The law covers the full name, physical description, arrest and booking dates and times, location of arrest, factual circumstances, bail, release status, and all charges. Both agencies follow this law when posting their daily logs and in-custody reports. Only information that would endanger someone or interfere with an investigation can be held back.

The California Public Records Act also applies to Salinas PD. Submit a written request for copies of arrest reports. The department has 10 days to determine if it will release the requested records. Most basic arrest data is always public. Some parts of a report may be redacted under specific exemptions in the law.

Sealing Salinas Arrest Records

People arrested in Salinas who were not convicted can seek to seal those records. Penal Code 851.87 allows a petition to the Monterey County Superior Court. A successful petition seals the arrest from most background checks. You can say the arrest did not happen.

Automatic arrest relief under AB 1076 also covers eligible Salinas arrests. The DOJ reviews records each month and seals qualifying misdemeanor arrests from January 2021 forward without any action from you. If charges were dropped or no case was filed within a year, the record gets sealed on its own. This is a statewide program that applies to Salinas arrests processed through Monterey County.

Note: LiveScan fingerprinting for DOJ record review is available at the Monterey County Sheriff's Office for $28 plus applicable DOJ and FBI fees.

Salinas Records Contacts

The following contacts are useful for searching Salinas arrest records and getting copies of booking data:

• Salinas PD Daily Patrol Log: free, updated each day online
• Monterey County Sheriff In-Custody Log: free, shows current jail population
• Monterey County Central Station: 1414 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 93906, (831) 755-3700
• Monterey County Jail Information: (831) 755-3782
• VINE Notification System: 877-411-5588

The VINE system covers Monterey County jail facilities. You can register for alerts when someone arrested in Salinas is released or has a change in custody status. The alerts come by phone, text, or email. It is free to use.

For state-level record searches, the California DOJ record review lets you request your own criminal history for $25 through the Live Scan process. The CDCR CIRIS search covers people in state prison custody only. It does not include local jail holds from Salinas arrests.

Mugshot Rules in Salinas

Booking photos from Salinas arrests are covered by California's mugshot protection laws. SB 1027 makes it illegal for websites to charge money to remove booking photos. If someone asks you to pay to take down a Salinas arrest mugshot, that is a violation. You can sue and collect at least $1,000 per violation. Law enforcement in Monterey County also cannot post nonviolent arrest mugshots on social media under Penal Code 13665, except in specific circumstances involving fugitives or public safety threats.

Salinas County Info

Salinas is the county seat of Monterey County. The county sheriff operates the jail and in-custody log that covers Salinas arrest records. Visit our county page for additional tools.

Nearby Cities

Salinas is the only city in Monterey County that meets the population threshold for a dedicated arrest records page. Use the county page above for information on other Monterey County communities.