Kern County Criminal History Search

Criminal history records in Kern County are maintained by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. Kern County has about 900,000 residents, making it one of the larger counties in California. The county seat is Bakersfield. Criminal cases are processed through the Kern County Superior Court, which has an online case search portal. The Sheriff operates the county jail system and publishes inmate information online. This page covers the main sources for criminal records in Kern County and how to access them.

Kern County Court Criminal Records

The Kern County Superior Court handles all criminal cases filed in the county. The main courthouse is in Bakersfield, but the court has other locations in places like Delano, Ridgecrest, Shafter, and Tehachapi. Where a case gets assigned depends on where the crime happened. The court has an online portal where you can search for criminal cases by defendant name or case number. This search is free and does not require an account. It shows basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and case status.

The Kern County Superior Court case portal lets you search criminal and traffic cases filed in the county.

The California DOJ also processes background checks that include Kern County criminal records in the statewide database.

For detailed case documents, visit the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. The clerk can pull the file and provide copies. Standard copy fees apply. Certified copies are $40 each. Plain copies run 50 cents a page. If you are doing a name search and it takes more than 10 minutes, the clerk charges a $15 search fee. You can also request records by mail. Send your request to the Kern County Superior Court clerk with enough details to identify the case and include payment for the expected fees.

Note: Not all older Kern County cases may be in the online portal, so check with the clerk for records that do not show up in the search.

Kern County Inmate Search

The Kern County Sheriff operates the county jail system. The main jail is the Lerdo Detention Facility outside Bakersfield. The Sheriff also runs the Central Receiving Facility where most bookings happen. You can search for current inmates online through the Sheriff's inmate information page. The search is free and shows the person's name, charges, bail, and facility location.

The Kern County Sheriff inmate search shows who is currently in custody at county jail facilities.

This tool covers all Kern County detention facilities and updates as bookings and releases occur.

If the person is not in county jail, they may be in state prison. The CDCR inmate search covers everyone serving time in a California state prison. This includes people sentenced from Kern County courts. The search is free and shows the inmate's current facility, CDCR number, and county of commitment. For federal inmates, check the Bureau of Prisons website instead.

How to Get Criminal Records in Kern County

Kern County offers several ways to access criminal records. The path you take depends on the type of record. Court case files come from the Superior Court. Booking and arrest records come from the Sheriff. A full criminal history check goes through the California DOJ. Here is a breakdown of each option.

For a statewide background check, visit a Live Scan site in Kern County. The California DOJ fingerprint services page has a full list of approved locations. Bakersfield has multiple Live Scan sites at police stations, UPS stores, and private businesses. You get fingerprinted, pay the $25 DOJ fee and a rolling fee, and results come back in a few business days. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record repository that includes records from Kern County and all 57 other California counties.

For police reports, contact the agency that took the report. The Bakersfield Police Department handles reports within the city. Smaller cities like Ridgecrest, Delano, and Tehachapi have their own police departments. The Kern County Sheriff handles all areas outside city limits. Each agency has its own process for releasing report copies.

Kern County Criminal Record Fees

Fees for court records in Kern County follow the statewide schedule set by the California legislature. These are the same at every Superior Court in the state. Fees from the Sheriff and local police departments may differ. Below are the standard costs you should expect.

Standard criminal record fees in Kern County:

• Court name search (over 10 minutes): $15
• Copies per page: $0.50
• Certified copy per document: $40
• Exemplification: $50
• DOJ background check: $25 plus Live Scan rolling fee

If you can not pay the court fees, you can apply for a fee waiver. File the request at the Kern County courthouse. Provide proof of low income or public benefits. The judge decides if you qualify. An approved waiver covers court filing fees and some copy costs. It does not cover DOJ fees or police report charges.

Record Clearing in Kern County

California law gives people with criminal records in Kern County options for clearing or reducing those records. Under Penal Code 1203.4, you can petition the court to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. The conviction stays on your record but shows as dismissed. This makes a real difference when applying for jobs or housing. AB 1076 has added an automatic component to this process. The DOJ now reviews eligible records and grants relief without the person having to file a petition in Kern County or anywhere else.

Arrest records that did not result in a conviction can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87. You file a petition with the Kern County Superior Court. If the judge grants it, the arrest record is sealed and does not appear on most background checks. You can file on your own or get help from a lawyer. Legal aid organizations in Kern County may offer free help with record clearing.

The Megan's Law website provides a public registry of sex offenders in Kern County and statewide. Required under Penal Code 290, this database is free to search by name or address.

Cities in Kern County

Kern County has several cities, with Bakersfield being the largest by far. Criminal cases from all Kern County cities go through the Kern County Superior Court. The courthouse location depends on where in the county the crime took place.

Other cities in Kern County include Ridgecrest, Delano, Tehachapi, Wasco, Shafter, Arvin, and California City. These cities do not have separate pages but their criminal cases all go through the Kern County court system.

Nearby Counties

Kern County is surrounded by several counties. Criminal cases are filed where the crime took place. If you think a case may have been filed in a neighboring county, check these options.