Mendocino County, California Warrant Records
Are Warrants Public Record in Mendocino County, California?
Warrant records in Mendocino County, California are considered public records pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code § 6250-6270). Under California law, most warrant information is accessible to members of the public once the warrant has been executed or returned to the court. This transparency measure serves to maintain accountability within the judicial system and law enforcement agencies operating in Mendocino County.
The California Public Records Act establishes that government records, including warrant information, shall be disclosed to the public upon request unless there is a specific exemption that prohibits such disclosure. In accordance with Government Code § 6253(a), public records are open to inspection during the office hours of the state or local agency.
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed or redacted in cases where disclosure could:
- Compromise an ongoing investigation
- Endanger the safety of a witness or law enforcement officer
- Violate privacy rights protected under state or federal law
- Interfere with a defendant's right to a fair trial
The Mendocino County Superior Court maintains records of warrants issued within its jurisdiction, while the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office maintains records of warrants that have been served or are pending execution.
What Is Contents in Warrant Records in Mendocino County?
Warrant records maintained by Mendocino County typically contain specific information as required by California Penal Code § 813-817. Standard warrant records include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the subject (including aliases when known)
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Date of birth and/or approximate age
- Last known address or location information
- Case number and court of issuance
- Date of warrant issuance
- Nature of the alleged offense(s) and corresponding Penal Code section(s)
- Bail amount (if applicable)
- Judge's signature or electronic authorization
- Special conditions (if any)
- Status of the warrant (active, served, recalled, or quashed)
For search warrants specifically, records may also include the address or description of the property to be searched and an inventory of items seized during execution of the warrant, as required by California Penal Code § 1523-1529.
How to Check For Warrants in Mendocino County For Free
Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status in Mendocino County may utilize several no-cost methods established under California Government Code § 6253. The following options are available:
Individuals may contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office directly: Mendocino County Sheriff's Office 951 Low Gap Road Ukiah, CA 95482 Phone: (707) 463-4411 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Warrant information may also be obtained through the Mendocino County Superior Court: Mendocino County Superior Court 100 North State Street Ukiah, CA 95482 Phone: (707) 468-2000 Court case records Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Individuals may also check warrant status through the Court Case Information Portal, which provides public access to court records without requiring registration.
When requesting warrant information, members of the public should be prepared to provide:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- Valid identification (for in-person inquiries)
Mendocino County Sheriff Warrants
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants issued within the county jurisdiction. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 816, the Sheriff's Office maintains a warrant division dedicated to processing and serving various types of warrants, including:
- Arrest warrants for criminal offenses
- Bench warrants for failure to appear in court
- Search warrants for property or evidence
- Civil warrants related to court orders
The Sheriff's warrant division prioritizes warrants based on several factors, including the severity of the alleged offense, public safety considerations, and available resources. Felony warrants typically receive higher priority than misdemeanor warrants.
California Penal Code § 840 generally restricts the service of arrest warrants to the hours between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, unless:
- The warrant specifically authorizes nighttime service
- The person is already in custody on another matter
- The judge provides oral authorization for nighttime service
- Exigent circumstances exist that justify immediate execution
Individuals with questions regarding sheriff warrants may contact: Mendocino County Sheriff's Office - Warrant Division 951 Low Gap Road Ukiah, CA 95482 Phone: (707) 463-4086 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Mendocino County in 2025
As of 2025, Mendocino County offers multiple methods for individuals to verify warrant status. Pursuant to California Government Code § 6253, the following resources are available:
The Mendocino County Superior Court maintains the Court Case Information Portal, which allows public access to court records including warrant information. This system is accessible 24 hours a day and does not require registration for basic searches.
For direct verification, individuals may contact: Mendocino County Superior Court - Criminal Division 100 North State Street Ukiah, CA 95482 Phone: (707) 468-2001 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
For warrants related to traffic violations or minor offenses: Mendocino County Superior Court - Traffic Division 100 North State Street Ukiah, CA 95482 Phone: (707) 468-2003 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
For warrants issued in the coastal region of the county: Mendocino County Superior Court - Ten Mile Branch 700 South Franklin Street Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Phone: (707) 964-3192 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
When checking warrant status, individuals should be aware that California Penal Code § 978.5 authorizes immediate arrest for persons with outstanding warrants. Individuals discovering active warrants against them are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate next steps.
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Mendocino County
Mendocino County provides several methods for checking outstanding warrant status in accordance with California Government Code § 6253. Members of the public may utilize the following resources:
The Mendocino County Superior Court website offers online access to court records, including warrant information. Users can search by name, case number, or citation number.
For in-person inquiries regarding outstanding warrants: Mendocino County Sheriff's Office - Records Division 951 Low Gap Road Ukiah, CA 95482 Phone: (707) 463-4411 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
For warrant information related to child support cases: Mendocino County Department of Child Support Services 221 South Lenore Avenue Willits, CA 95490 Phone: (866) 901-3212 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
When checking for outstanding warrants, individuals should provide:
- Full legal name (including any previous names)
- Date of birth
- Driver's license number (if applicable)
- Case number (if known)
California Penal Code § 980(a) stipulates that arrest warrants remain valid until served, recalled by the court, or the statute of limitations expires on the underlying offense.
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