Tulare County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Tulare County
Arrest records in Tulare County are considered public information pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). Members of the public may access these records with certain limitations established to protect ongoing investigations and individual privacy rights. The California Public Records Act establishes that government records shall be disclosed to the public upon request unless there is a specific reason not to do so.
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and makes certain information available to the public in accordance with state law. Information that is typically available includes:
- Basic identifying information about arrested individuals
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Charges filed
- Bail amount (if applicable)
- Current custody status
However, certain information may be redacted or withheld, including:
- Information that could compromise an active investigation
- Juvenile arrest records (with limited exceptions)
- Records sealed by court order
- Information protected by privacy laws
Individuals seeking arrest records may contact:
Tulare County Sheriff's Office Records Division 833 S. Akers Street Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 802-9400 Tulare County Sheriff's Records Department
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
What's in Tulare County Arrest Records
Tulare County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records are maintained by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office and typically include several categories of information as mandated by California Penal Code § 13100-13103.
Standard information contained in Tulare County arrest records includes:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth and physical description
- Fingerprints and booking photograph (mugshot)
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Specific criminal charges (including California Penal Code sections)
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Booking number and facility information
- Bail or bond information
- Court case number (once assigned)
- Disposition of the case (if resolved)
Arrest records may also contain supplementary information such as:
- Property inventory taken during booking
- Medical screening information
- Housing assignment within detention facilities
- Visitor logs (while in custody)
- Release date and conditions (if applicable)
It should be noted that pursuant to California law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, medical information, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations.
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Tulare County in 2025
The process for accessing arrest records in Tulare County follows established protocols pursuant to California Government Code § 6253, which requires public agencies to make records promptly available upon request. As of 2025, several methods are available to the public for obtaining these records.
In-person requests may be submitted at:
Tulare County Sheriff's Office Records Division 833 S. Akers Street Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 802-9400 Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
To request arrest records in person, individuals must:
- Complete a Public Records Request form
- Provide the full name and date of birth of the subject
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees (currently $15 per record search)
- Allow 7-10 business days for processing
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the address above and must include:
- A completed Records Request form (available on the Sheriff's Office website)
- A copy of requestor's identification
- Check or money order for applicable fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return documents
For current inmate information, the Tulare County inmate search system provides real-time data on individuals currently in custody, including charges and expected release dates.
Requests for certified copies of arrest records for official purposes require additional documentation and may be subject to different fees and processing times.
How To Find Tulare County Arrest Records Online
Tulare County provides digital access to certain arrest record information through official online resources. The primary online method for accessing current custody information is through the Tulare County Sheriff's Office inmate search portal.
The Tulare County Sheriff's inmate search database allows users to search for individuals currently in custody. This system provides:
- Inmate name and booking number
- Current charges
- Facility location
- Expected release date (when available)
- Arresting agency
For court records related to arrests, the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare maintains an online case information system. Users may search by:
- Defendant name
- Case number
- Filing date
- Case type
To access historical arrest records not available through these systems, individuals must submit formal requests through the procedures outlined in the previous section. California law (Government Code § 6253(b)) permits agencies to charge fees that reflect the direct cost of duplication or statutory fees.
It should be noted that pursuant to California law, certain arrest information may be restricted from online access, particularly:
- Juvenile records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Records related to ongoing investigations
- Records where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Can You Search Tulare County Arrest Records for Free?
Limited free access to Tulare County arrest record information is available through several public resources. The California Public Records Act establishes the public's right to inspect records, though agencies may charge fees for copies or extensive searches.
Free resources for arrest record information include:
- The Tulare County Sheriff's Office inmate search portal, which provides current custody status information at no cost
- Public terminals at the Tulare County Superior Court for viewing court records related to criminal cases
- Booking photos for individuals currently in custody, which are available on the Sheriff's Office website
However, comprehensive arrest record searches typically involve fees:
- Standard record search fee: $15 per name
- Certified copies: Additional $10 per document
- Research fees: May apply for searches requiring extensive staff time (currently $24 per hour after the first hour)
Pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b), these fees are limited to "direct costs of duplication" or statutory fees established by the legislature. Fee waivers are not typically available for arrest record searches unless specifically authorized by statute.
Individuals with limited financial resources seeking their own records for employment or housing purposes may qualify for fee reductions under certain circumstances as provided by California Civil Code § 1786.53.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Tulare County
The process for deleting or sealing arrest records in Tulare County is governed by California Penal Code sections 851.8, 851.91, and 1203.4. These statutes provide specific legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records under qualifying circumstances.
For arrests not resulting in conviction, individuals may petition for:
- Certificate of Detention Only (PC § 849.5) - When an individual was detained but not formally arrested
- Sealing and Destruction (PC § 851.8) - When factual innocence can be demonstrated
- Record Sealing (PC § 851.91) - For arrests not resulting in conviction
For convictions, options include:
- Dismissal (PC § 1203.4) - After successful completion of probation
- Reduction to misdemeanor (PC § 17(b)) - For eligible "wobbler" offenses
- Certificate of Rehabilitation (PC § 4852.01) - For eligible felony convictions
The petition process typically requires:
- Filing appropriate forms with the Tulare County Superior Court
- Paying applicable filing fees (currently $120-$150 depending on petition type)
- Attending a court hearing (for contested petitions)
- Serving copies on the District Attorney and arresting agency
Tulare County Superior Court 221 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 730-5000 Superior Court of California, County of Tulare
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Legal assistance for record clearing may be available through:
Tulare County Public Defender's Office 215 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 224 Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 636-4500
What Happens After Arrest in Tulare County?
Following an arrest in Tulare County, individuals are processed through a standardized sequence of procedures in accordance with California Penal Code § 849 and related statutes. This process ensures proper documentation and protection of constitutional rights.
The post-arrest procedure typically includes:
- Transportation to a booking facility operated by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office
- Booking process, including:
- Fingerprinting and photographing
- Personal property inventory
- Medical screening
- Background check for outstanding warrants
- Initial custody determination:
- Citation and release for eligible misdemeanors
- Bail determination based on the Tulare County Bail Schedule
- Pretrial detention for serious offenses or flight risks
- Court proceedings:
- Arraignment within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays)
- Appointment of counsel if financially eligible
- Formal charging by the Tulare County District Attorney's Office
- Bail hearing and plea entry
Individuals in custody are housed at one of the Tulare County detention facilities:
Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Detention Facility 2404 W. Burrel Avenue Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 636-4750
Bob Wiley Detention Facility 36712 Road 112 Visalia, CA 93291 (559) 713-2900
Visitation information and inmate status can be verified through the Tulare County Sheriff's inmate search system.
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Tulare County?
Arrest records in Tulare County are maintained according to California Government Code § 26202 and the records retention schedules established by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. These records are typically retained for extended periods due to their administrative and historical significance.
Standard retention periods for arrest records include:
- Arrest reports: Permanent retention
- Booking photographs: Minimum of 7 years
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention
- Arrest logs and summaries: Minimum of 5 years
Certain factors may modify these retention periods:
- Records related to homicides and violent felonies: Permanent retention
- Juvenile arrest records: Sealed at age 18 under specific circumstances
- Arrests resulting in no charges: May be eligible for earlier sealing
- Records ordered sealed or expunged by court order: Removed from public access
It should be noted that even when records are sealed pursuant to court order, they may be retained for limited law enforcement and judicial purposes, though they would no longer be accessible to the general public.
Digital records maintained in the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) and other statewide databases follow separate retention guidelines established by the California Department of Justice.
How to Find Mugshots in Tulare County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are maintained by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office for individuals processed into county detention facilities. Access to these photographs is governed by California Government Code § 6254(f) and departmental policies.
The Tulare County Sheriff's Office provides limited public access to booking photos through their official website for individuals currently in custody. These images are typically removed once a person is released from custody.
For mugshots not available online, formal requests may be submitted to:
Tulare County Sheriff's Office Records Division 833 S. Akers Street Visalia, CA 93277 (559) 802-9400 Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Request requirements include:
- Completed Records Request form
- Full name and date of birth of the subject
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Payment of applicable fees ($15 per search plus reproduction costs)
It should be noted that pursuant to California law, the Sheriff's Office may withhold mugshots in certain circumstances, including:
- When release would endanger an individual's safety
- When release would compromise an active investigation
- When the subject is a juvenile
- When records have been sealed by court order
Commercial use of mugshots obtained from the Sheriff's Office is restricted under California Civil Code § 1798.91.1, which prohibits charging fees for removal of arrest photographs from publications or websites.
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