Find Merced County Recent Arrests
Recent arrest records in Merced County are searchable through the sheriff's inmate inquiry system. The Merced County Sheriff's Office runs an online database where you can look up people booked into the county jail. The tool is free and open to the public. Merced County sits in California's Central Valley with the city of Merced as its county seat. The sheriff handles bookings for arrests made across the county. This page covers how to search Merced County recent arrests, what state tools are available, and what California laws protect access to these public booking records.
Merced County Arrest Records Quick Facts
Merced County Inmate Inquiry System
The Merced County Sheriff maintains an inmate inquiry portal powered by NewWorld Systems. This tool shows who is currently in custody at the Merced County Jail. You type in a name and the system pulls up matching records. Each result includes the booking date, charges, and custody status. The search is free. It runs around the clock. No account is needed. If someone was recently arrested in Merced County and booked into the jail, this is the fastest way to confirm it.
The inmate inquiry covers active bookings. People who have been released may no longer appear in the search results. The tool is designed for checking current custody status and recent arrests in Merced County. If you need to look up an older booking, you would contact the sheriff's records unit directly. The Merced County Jail is located in the city of Merced and processes all bookings for the county.
Arrests in Merced County
Multiple agencies make arrests across Merced County. The sheriff patrols unincorporated areas. City police in Merced, Los Banos, Atwater, and Livingston handle arrests within their city limits. The California Highway Patrol covers state highways. No matter which agency makes the arrest, booking happens at the Merced County Jail. The sheriff's staff creates the booking record. That record goes into the inmate inquiry system that the public can search.
Under California Government Code Section 7923.610, every law enforcement agency must release arrest information to the public. The law spells out exactly what must be shared. It includes the full name of the arrested person, their physical description, time and date of arrest, time and date of booking, where the arrest happened, circumstances of the arrest, bail amount, custody status, and all charges. Merced County follows this state law for every booking processed at the jail.
Note: Not all arrests result in a jail booking. Some people are cited and released by officers in Merced County without being taken to the jail.
Merced County Arrest Records Screenshot
The Merced County inmate inquiry system lets you search for recent arrests by name.
Search results show booking details, charges, and custody status for people currently held at the Merced County Jail.
State Tools for Merced County Records
California runs two statewide systems that can help with Merced County arrest records. The DOJ Record Review is for getting your own arrest history. You pay $25 and submit Live Scan fingerprints. The DOJ sends back your full California criminal record. This includes any arrests in Merced County along with arrests from everywhere else in the state. Only you can request your record. The DOJ will not give it to someone else without your consent. Processing takes roughly four weeks.
The CDCR CIRIS database covers state prison inmates. If someone from Merced County went to prison, you can find them in CIRIS. Search by last name or CDCR number. The results show the inmate's location, admission date, and parole hearing schedule. CIRIS does not include people in the Merced County Jail. It is strictly for people in state custody. For local recent arrests in Merced County, use the sheriff's inmate inquiry tool.
Note: VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) is also available statewide at 877-411-5588 for custody status alerts.
Merced County Arrest Record Laws
Penal Code 13300 defines local criminal history information. It includes names, dates of arrest, booking numbers, charges, and case outcomes. This is what the Merced County Sheriff records during each booking. The California Public Records Act gives anyone the right to request public records from government agencies, including arrest information held by the Merced County Sheriff.
People who were arrested in Merced County but never convicted have options. Penal Code 851.87 allows petitions to seal arrest records when charges were dropped or dismissed. AB 1076 provides automatic relief for eligible arrests. The DOJ reviews records monthly and grants relief without the person filing anything. This applies to Merced County arrests from 2021 forward where no conviction happened. There are booking photo rules too. SB 1027 bans charging people to remove their booking photos from commercial sites. And AB 1475 restricts law enforcement from posting booking photos on social media for nonviolent offenses.
Requesting Older Merced County Records
The inmate inquiry system covers current and recent bookings. For older Merced County arrest records, file a public records request with the sheriff's office. The response time is 10 days under the Public Records Act. There may be copying fees. You can also check the Merced County Superior Court for case records linked to past arrests.
The DOJ Record Review is the most thorough way to see your full arrest history across all California counties including Merced County.
Nearby Counties
Merced County borders several other Central Valley and foothill counties in California.