Access Monterey County Criminal Records

Monterey County criminal history records are managed by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in this central coast county. With a population of around 435,000, Monterey County is mid-sized compared to other California counties. The county seat is Salinas. Criminal cases are processed through the Superior Court, which offers an online search portal for case lookups. The Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and accepts requests through a public records platform. This page explains how to search for criminal records, find court case information, and request background checks in Monterey County.

Monterey County Court Criminal Records

The Monterey County Superior Court handles all criminal cases in the county. Court locations include Salinas, Marina, and King City. Cases are assigned to a location based on where the crime took place. The court runs an online case search portal where you can look up criminal records at no charge. Enter a name or case number to find case details. Results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and the assigned courthouse. This covers both felony and misdemeanor cases filed in Monterey County.

The Monterey County court portal provides free access to criminal case information from all courthouse locations.

When searching the portal, start with the person's last name. You can add a first name to narrow the list. Click on any case number to see the full record, including all charges and court dates. The system is fairly complete for recent cases. However, records from many years ago may not be in the online database. For older records, contact the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was originally filed. Copies cost 50 cents per page, and certified copies are $40 per document. The clerk in Salinas handles the largest volume of criminal case requests in Monterey County.

Note: Traffic cases also appear in the court portal, so filter by case type if you are looking specifically for criminal matters.

Monterey County Sheriff Records

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas. For records requests, the Sheriff uses the NextRequest platform. You can submit a request for arrest records, booking logs, incident reports, and other law enforcement documents through this online system. It lets you track your request status and receive documents electronically. This is a much faster option than mailing or visiting in person.

Several cities in Monterey County have their own police departments. Salinas, Monterey, Seaside, Marina, and other cities maintain their own arrest records. Contact the specific agency that handled the arrest for a copy of the report. The Sheriff's records only cover incidents in unincorporated Monterey County and the jail bookings.

For inmates in state prison who were sentenced from Monterey County, use the CDCR inmate search. This free database covers all California state prisons. It shows the inmate's current location, CDCR number, and the county where they were committed. Check this if the person you are looking for is not in the county jail.

How to Get Monterey County Criminal Records

There are multiple ways to access criminal records in Monterey County. The court portal is the easiest starting point for case information. The Sheriff's NextRequest system handles law enforcement records. State background checks require a visit to a Live Scan site.

The California DOJ operates the statewide criminal record database. To get your own record or run an authorized background check, go to a Live Scan location. You submit fingerprints and pay the $25 DOJ fee along with the site's rolling fee. Monterey County has several Live Scan locations, primarily in Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula. Results come back within a few business days. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ holds the criminal record repository for the entire state. This includes records from Monterey County and all other California counties. Employers and licensing agencies commonly use this method for background screening.

Public records requests under the California Public Records Act can also be submitted to any Monterey County law enforcement agency for specific incident reports or arrest records.

Monterey County Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in Monterey County follow the standard California schedule. The online court portal is free to search. Fees apply for copies, certified documents, and clerk-assisted searches.

Standard fees in Monterey County include:

• 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 cannot afford the fees, ask for a fee waiver. File the form with the Monterey County court clerk. You need to show proof of low income or enrollment in a public assistance program. The judge makes the final decision. Waivers cover court filing fees and some copy costs but do not extend to DOJ fees or law enforcement charges in Monterey County.

Clearing Criminal Records in Monterey County

California law provides several ways to clear criminal records. Monterey County residents with qualifying convictions can petition for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. You need to have completed probation and met all court conditions. The conviction then shows as dismissed on your record. It is not erased, but the dismissal helps with employment and housing. AB 1076 now automates this process for many eligible cases. The DOJ reviews records and grants relief without the person needing to file anything.

Arrest records can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87 if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed. Once sealed, the arrest will not show up on most background checks. File the petition at the Monterey County courthouse. Legal Aid for Monterey County and other nonprofit organizations may provide free help with record clearing petitions. These groups often hold expungement clinics where people can get assistance filling out the forms and filing them correctly.

The Megan's Law website maintains a registry of sex offenders in Monterey County and across California. The public can search by name or location at no charge. This registry is separate from court criminal records.

Cities in Monterey County

Monterey County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. Salinas is the largest city and serves as the county seat. Other cities include Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Pacific Grove, King City, Soledad, and Gonzales. All criminal cases from these cities go through the Monterey County Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Monterey County along the central California coast and inland valleys. Cases must be filed where the crime occurred, so verify the location before searching for records.