Search San Diego Arrest Records

San Diego recent arrest records can be found through the county sheriff's online jail search tool. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department runs the jail system for the entire county, including the city of San Diego. When SDPD makes an arrest, the person is booked into a county facility. You can search for anyone in custody using the sheriff's "Who's In Jail" database. The tool is free and available online. San Diego is the second largest city in California, so booking activity is steady. Checking the inmate search is the fastest way to find recent arrest information.

San Diego County Inmate Search

The San Diego County "Who's In Jail" database is the primary tool for finding recent arrests in San Diego. You enter a first and last name, both at least two characters long, and the system returns matching results. The search covers all people currently held in San Diego County detention facilities. Results include booking details, charges, and bail amounts. The tool runs from any browser on a phone or computer.

The San Diego Sheriff's website for arrest records is the go-to resource for checking who is currently in custody.

This page shows how the San Diego Police Department handles report requests, including arrest records from SDPD cases.

There is one thing to watch for. The Who's In Jail site goes offline every Wednesday at noon for maintenance. If you try to search during that window, you will get an error. Plan your search around that. The site also has a disclaimer saying the data should not be relied on for legal action. It is meant for general information only.

Note: Always verify arrest details through official court records if you need the information for legal purposes.

San Diego Police Records Division

The San Diego Police Department has its own records division. It is at 1401 Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101. If you need a copy of an SDPD arrest report, you can request one through the police report request page. There are fees involved. Arrest reports cost $0.50 for the first page only. Other reports cost $12. One rule stands out here. SDPD does not release arrest reports to arrested individuals or suspects. Only victims, attorneys, and other authorized parties can get them.

For crime and accident reports from the San Diego County Sheriff rather than SDPD, the sheriff's records request page has the process. Copies of arrest reports from the sheriff cost $20. The first copy of a crime report is free for victims. Processing takes 3 to 10 business days.

How to Find Recent Arrests in San Diego

You have several paths to find arrest records in San Diego. The right one depends on what you are looking for and who made the arrest. SDPD handles most arrests within city limits. The county sheriff covers the unincorporated areas and runs the jail system. Here is what to do.

Start with the county inmate search. Go to the Who's In Jail page and type the person's name. This tells you if they are in custody right now. If you want an arrest report from SDPD, visit the police report request page or contact the records division. For victims who want notification when a prisoner is released, call VINE at 877-411-5588. The San Diego Sheriff's main office is at 9621 Ridgehaven Court, San Diego, CA 92123. You can call them at 858-974-2222.

• Use the county "Who's In Jail" tool for current custody status
• Request SDPD arrest reports through the city's online portal
• Call VINE at 877-411-5588 for inmate release alerts
• Contact the sheriff at 858-974-2222 for county arrest records

San Diego Arrest Disclosure Rules

California Government Code 7923.610 requires law enforcement agencies in San Diego to release specific arrest details. The law covers the arrested person's name, physical description, date of birth, the time and date of the arrest and booking, where the arrest took place, the bail amount, and all charges. Both SDPD and the San Diego County Sheriff follow this rule. It applies to every arrest made in San Diego.

The only exception is when sharing a specific detail would endanger someone or compromise an active investigation. Outside of that, arrest data is public information. The law went into effect January 1, 2023.

Note: The San Diego County Sheriff maintains most arrest and accident reports for 10 years, per their records retention policy.

Sealing Arrest Records in San Diego

People arrested in San Diego who were never convicted can petition to seal the arrest record. Penal Code 851.87 gives you the right to ask the court to hide the arrest from background checks. San Diego County Superior Court handles these petitions. Once the court grants the order, you can legally say you were not arrested for that charge.

California also runs an automatic relief program. The Department of Justice reviews records every month. Misdemeanor arrests from January 1, 2021, onward where charges were dismissed or never filed within a year get cleared automatically. No paperwork is needed from the arrested person. This covers San Diego arrests handled by SDPD or the county sheriff. The process happens at the state level through the DOJ.

San Diego Criminal History Review

If you want to check your own criminal history, the California DOJ record review process lets you request your full record. You submit Live Scan fingerprints and pay $25. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify. The DOJ sends back a summary of your arrest and conviction history from across California, including anything from San Diego. Third-party requests are not allowed through this process. For people in state prison, the CIRIS inmate search covers CDCR inmates statewide.

San Diego Arrest Records County Info

San Diego arrests go through the San Diego County Sheriff's detention system. The county runs the jails and maintains booking records for the city.

Nearby California Cities

These cities are close to San Diego in the same county or nearby areas. Each has its own arrest record resources.