Search Mendocino County Criminal Cases

Criminal history records in Mendocino County are maintained by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office based in Ukiah. The county has roughly 90,000 residents spread across a large area along the northern California coast. Mendocino County operates an online court case search portal, which makes it easier to find criminal filings without visiting in person. The Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and jail bookings but does not provide an online inmate lookup. This page covers how to search criminal records, find court case information, and request background checks in Mendocino County.

Mendocino County Court Criminal Records

The Mendocino County Superior Court processes all criminal cases filed in the county. The main courthouse is in Ukiah, with an additional location serving the coast. Criminal cases get assigned based on where the offense took place. The court runs an online case search portal powered by Tyler Technologies. You can look up criminal cases by name or case number at no charge. The results show case type, charges, hearing dates, and current status. This portal covers both felony and misdemeanor filings in Mendocino County.

The California Courts website provides general information about the Mendocino County Superior Court, including hours and locations.

Use the statewide court finder to confirm addresses and contact details for Mendocino County courthouses.

To search for a criminal record on the portal, type in the defendant's last name. Adding a first name helps narrow things down. The system pulls up all matching cases in Mendocino County. Click on a case number to see the full details, including charges and scheduled hearings. Keep in mind that very old cases may not appear in the online system. For those, you would need to contact the clerk's office directly. The clerk can look up archived records in person or by phone. Copies from the clerk cost 50 cents per page, and certified copies run $40 each.

Mendocino County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas. The Sheriff runs the county jail in Ukiah. There is no online inmate lookup for the Mendocino County jail. To find out if someone is in custody, you need to call the jail directly. Staff can confirm if a person is being held and provide basic booking information. Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office are considered public records under California law.

Anyone in state prison can be found through the CDCR inmate search tool. This covers people who were sentenced in Mendocino County and then transferred to a state facility. The search is free and shows the inmate's current location, CDCR number, and commitment county. If the person is not in the county jail, checking the state prison database is a good next step.

Note: City police departments in Fort Bragg and Willits handle their own arrest records separately from the Mendocino County Sheriff.

How to Get Mendocino County Criminal Records

There are a few ways to get criminal records in Mendocino County. Which method works best depends on what you need. Court case records, arrest reports, and state background checks each come from different sources. The free online portal covers most court record needs.

For a state-level criminal history report, go to a Live Scan site. The California DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record database. You get fingerprinted at an approved location and pay the $25 DOJ fee along with the site's rolling fee. Results typically come back within a few business days. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ holds criminal records from every county in the state, including Mendocino County. Live Scan sites in Mendocino County are limited, so check availability in Ukiah or nearby areas before making the trip.

Police reports for specific incidents require a request to the agency that wrote the report. The Sheriff's Office, Ukiah Police, Fort Bragg Police, and Willits Police each maintain their own reports. Contact the right agency based on where the incident happened in Mendocino County.

Mendocino County Criminal Record Fees

Criminal record fees in Mendocino County are set by state law for court-related costs. The online case search is free. Fees apply when you need copies, certified documents, or name searches done by the clerk.

Standard fees for criminal records in Mendocino 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

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. File the fee waiver form with the Mendocino County court clerk. You must show proof of low income or receipt of public benefits. The judge decides whether to approve it. Fee waivers cover filing fees and some copy costs. They do not cover DOJ fees or law enforcement report fees in Mendocino County.

Clearing Criminal Records in Mendocino County

People with criminal records in Mendocino County may be able to get relief under California law. Penal Code 1203.4 allows you to petition for dismissal of a conviction after completing probation. The conviction still shows on the record, but it is marked as dismissed. This can help with jobs and housing. AB 1076 made some of this process automatic. The DOJ now reviews eligible records and grants relief without the person needing to file anything.

Arrest records can also be sealed. Penal Code 851.87 lets you ask the court to seal an arrest if charges were never filed or the case ended in dismissal. Once sealed, the arrest will not show on most background checks. You file the petition at the Mendocino County courthouse where the case was originally handled. Legal aid groups in northern California may be able to help with these petitions at no charge.

The Megan's Law website lists registered sex offenders in Mendocino County and throughout California. This registry operates separately from the court system. Anyone can search it by name or address for free.

Cities in Mendocino County

Mendocino County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. The largest city is Ukiah, which serves as the county seat. Other communities include Fort Bragg, Willits, and Point Arena. All criminal cases from these areas go through the Mendocino County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mendocino County. Criminal cases are filed in whichever county the offense took place. If you are not sure which county applies, check the arrest location.