Merced County Criminal History

Criminal history records in Merced County are held by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in this Central Valley county. Merced County has a population of about 278,000 and sits between Fresno and Stockton. The county seat is in the city of Merced. Court records here require an in-person visit since there is no online case search portal. However, the Sheriff does run an online inmate inquiry tool. This page walks through the ways to find criminal records, check jail bookings, and get background check results in Merced County.

Merced County Court Criminal Records

The Merced County Superior Court handles all criminal cases in the county. The main courthouse is located in the city of Merced, with additional court services in Los Banos. Criminal cases get assigned to a location based on where the offense happened. Unlike many California counties, Merced does not have an online case search portal open to the public. All court record searches must be done in person at the clerk's office or by mail. You can ask the clerk to run a name search for criminal cases. Bring the person's full name and date of birth if you have it. This speeds up the process significantly.

The California Courts website has contact details and addresses for Merced County court locations.

The statewide courts site helps you find the correct Merced County courthouse address and hours before visiting.

When you visit the clerk's office for a name search, expect to pay $15 if the search takes more than 10 minutes. The clerk will pull up any criminal cases matching the name you provide. You can then request copies at 50 cents per page or certified copies at $40 per document. Mail requests are also accepted. Send a written request with the person's name, your contact information, and a check for the fees to the Merced County Superior Court clerk. Processing by mail takes longer, often a week or more. For urgent needs, going in person is the better option.

Note: The Merced County court does not plan to launch an online portal in the near future, so in-person access remains the primary method.

Merced County Sheriff Inmate Search

The Merced County Sheriff runs the county jail and provides an online inmate inquiry system. The Sheriff's inmate search lets you look up anyone currently in custody at the Merced County jail. Search by name to find booking details, charges, bail amount, and housing location. The tool updates regularly as new bookings and releases happen.

This tool gives real-time custody status for anyone held in the Merced County jail system.

The Sheriff's Office also handles arrest records for the unincorporated parts of Merced County. City police departments in Merced, Los Banos, Atwater, Livingston, and Gustine keep their own arrest records. To get a copy of an arrest report, contact whichever agency made the arrest. The Sheriff's records division can help with requests for incidents they handled. If someone has already been sentenced to state prison, use the CDCR inmate search to find their current location. This free state tool covers all California prisons and shows the county of commitment.

How to Get Criminal Records in Merced County

Several options exist for getting criminal records in Merced County. Court records require a trip to the courthouse or a mail request. The Sheriff's inmate search works online for current jail bookings. State background checks go through the DOJ Live Scan process.

The California DOJ operates the official state criminal record database. To get your own record or run an authorized background check, visit a Live Scan site. You submit fingerprints and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus a rolling fee charged by the site. Results come back in a few business days for most requests. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains the statewide criminal history repository. This database has records from Merced County and all other California counties. Live Scan locations in Merced County can be found through the DOJ website or by checking with local police departments.

For records from specific law enforcement agencies in Merced County, submit a public records request to that agency. California's Public Records Act gives the public a right to certain police records, though some information may be redacted for privacy or safety reasons.

Criminal Record Fees in Merced County

Merced County follows the standard California fee schedule for court records. Since you need to go in person or send a mail request, knowing the fees ahead of time saves hassle. Bring exact payment or a check made out to the Merced County Superior Court.

Typical fees for criminal records in Merced 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

People who cannot afford fees may request a fee waiver. File the waiver form with the court clerk. You will need to show low income or enrollment in a public assistance program. The judge makes the final call on approval. Waivers cover court fees and some copy costs but not DOJ or law enforcement charges.

Record Clearing in Merced County

California provides ways to clear certain criminal records. In Merced County, you can petition the Superior Court for dismissal of a conviction under Penal Code 1203.4. You need to have finished probation and met all conditions. The court then changes the record to show a dismissal. AB 1076 automates some of this process now. The DOJ reviews records and grants automatic relief for eligible convictions without requiring a petition from the individual.

Arrest records that did not lead to a conviction can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87. If charges were dropped or never filed, you may petition to seal the arrest. Once sealed, the arrest will not appear on most background checks. File the petition at the Merced County courthouse. You can do this yourself or get help from a lawyer. Central California Legal Services may offer free assistance with expungement and record sealing in the Merced County area.

The Megan's Law website maintains a public list of sex offenders registered in Merced County and across California. This registry is separate from court records and is searchable by name or location at no cost.

Cities in Merced County

Merced County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. The city of Merced is the largest, serving as the county seat. Other cities include Los Banos, Atwater, Livingston, and Gustine. All criminal cases from these cities go through the Merced County Superior Court. Each city has its own police department for local arrests, but court filings all run through the county system.

Nearby Counties

Counties bordering Merced County are listed here. Cases are filed where the crime happened. Check the arrest location to determine which county holds the records.