Tehama County Public Records / Tehama County Arrest Records

Tehama County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Tehama County

Arrest records in Tehama County are generally considered public records under California law. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300, local law enforcement agencies are authorized to maintain and disseminate criminal history information, including arrest records, to authorized recipients. The California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified at Government Code § 7920.000 et seq., establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of government records, including certain law enforcement documents.

Members of the public may inspect arrest logs, booking records, and related documentation maintained by the Tehama County Sheriff's Office and the Red Bluff Police Department. However, a critical legal distinction exists between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement, whereas a conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court of law. An arrest does not constitute proof of guilt, and individuals who are arrested but not convicted retain certain privacy protections under California law.

Juvenile arrest records, records sealed by court order, and records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be withheld from public disclosure. Under current law, certain sensitive categories of information within arrest records — such as victim information and confidential informant details — are exempt from mandatory disclosure.

Tehama County Sheriff's Office 22840 Antelope Blvd, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 529-7900 Tehama County Sheriff's Office

What's in Tehama County Arrest Records

Tehama County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the custodial process. The following categories represent the typical contents of an arrest record maintained by local law enforcement agencies.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical description including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
Race and gender
Last known residential address
Social Security Number (restricted from general public disclosure)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Name and badge number of arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., Tehama County Sheriff's Office, Red Bluff Police Department, California Highway Patrol)
Circumstances and narrative summary of the arrest

Charge Information:

Specific criminal charges filed at time of arrest
California Penal Code or Health and Safety Code sections cited
Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or infraction)

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Date warrant was issued
Jurisdiction of originating warrant

Booking Information:

Booking number assigned by the jail facility
Date and time of booking
Facility where the individual was booked (Tehama County Jail)

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set at time of booking
Bond type (cash, surety, own recognizance)
Name of bail bond agency if applicable

Court Information:

Assigned case number
Scheduled arraignment date
Tehama County Superior Court case references

Custody Status:

Current custody status (in custody, released, transferred)
Release date and method of release

Additional Information May Include:

Fingerprint classification codes
Photograph (mugshot) taken at booking
Prior arrest history references
Probation or parole status at time of arrest

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Tehama County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Tehama County may submit requests through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for obtaining these records.

Step 1 — Identify the Holding Agency. Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest. Arrests may be made by the Tehama County Sheriff's Office, the Red Bluff Police Department, the Corning Police Department, or the California Highway Patrol, among others.

Step 2 — Submit a Public Records Request. Submit a written California Public Records Act request to the appropriate agency. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Agencies are required to respond within ten calendar days under current law.

Step 3 — Visit the Records Division in Person. Members of the public may appear in person at the records division of the relevant agency during public counter hours to request documents.

Step 4 — Pay Applicable Fees. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for duplication of records. Fee schedules vary by agency.

Step 5 — Request Through the Tehama County Superior Court. For records related to court proceedings following an arrest, members of the public may contact the Tehama County Superior Court Clerk's Office.

Tehama County Sheriff's Office — Records Division 22840 Antelope Blvd, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 529-7900 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Tehama County Sheriff's Office

Red Bluff Police Department 555 Washington St, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3131 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM Red Bluff Police Department

Tehama County Superior Court — Clerk's Office 633 Washington St, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3350 Tehama County Superior Court

How To Find Tehama County Arrest Records Online

Several official and state-level online resources are available for locating arrest records associated with Tehama County. The California Department of Justice maintains the California Automated Criminal History System (ACHS), which provides authorized entities with access to statewide criminal history information.

Members of the public may access the following online resources:

Tehama County Sheriff's Office Website — The Sheriff's Office periodically publishes press releases and booking information at tehamaso.org.
California Courts Case Search — The California Courts website provides access to case information through the Court Case Information portal for cases filed in Tehama County Superior Court.
California DOJ — Public Records Portal — The California Department of Justice offers a process for individuals to request their own criminal history record.
Vinelink/California Offender Watch — The California Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system allows members of the public to search for custody status of individuals held in California jails and prisons.

How To Search Tehama County Arrest Records for Free?

Free access to Tehama County arrest records is available through several official channels. Members of the public are not required to pay fees to submit a California Public Records Act request, though duplication fees may apply for physical copies.

The following methods provide no-cost access to arrest-related information:

In-Person Inspection — Under Government Code § 7922.525, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the agency's public counter.
Tehama County Superior Court Public Terminals — The court clerk's office provides public access terminals where individuals may search case records at no cost.
California Courts Case Information Portal — The California Courts case search tool allows free online searches of court case records, including criminal matters filed in Tehama County.
VINE System — The VINE offender search is available at no cost and provides current custody status information.
Sheriff's Office Booking Logs — Some agencies publish recent booking logs on their official websites at no charge.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Tehama County

California law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure or dismissal of a conviction) and sealing (restricting public access to arrest records where no conviction resulted). These are distinct legal remedies with different eligibility requirements and outcomes.

Expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4 allows individuals who have completed probation to petition the court to withdraw a guilty plea or set aside a guilty verdict and dismiss the case. Expungement does not fully erase the record but limits its use in many employment and licensing contexts.

Sealing of Arrest Records is available under Penal Code § 851.91, which permits individuals who were arrested but not convicted to petition to have their arrest record sealed and destroyed. Eligibility generally requires that the arrest did not result in a conviction, that the statute of limitations has expired, or that the prosecution has declined to file charges.

Steps to Seal an Arrest Record in Tehama County:

Obtain a copy of the arrest record from the Tehama County Sheriff's Office or the arresting agency.
Confirm eligibility under California Penal Code § 851.91.
Complete the petition form (Form CR-409) available through the California Courts self-help center.
File the petition with the Tehama County Superior Court Clerk's Office at 633 Washington St, Red Bluff, CA 96080.
Serve the petition on the prosecuting agency (Tehama County District Attorney's Office).
Attend the scheduled hearing before a Tehama County Superior Court judge.

Tehama County District Attorney's Office 444 Oak St, Room H, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3530 Tehama County District Attorney

What Happens After Arrest in Tehama County?

The criminal justice process in Tehama County follows a structured sequence from the point of arrest through final case disposition. Understanding this process assists members of the public in locating relevant records at each stage.

1. Arrest and Booking — Following an arrest, the individual is transported to the Tehama County Jail, where booking procedures are completed. Booking includes fingerprinting, photographing, and recording of personal information and charges.

2. Initial Bail Determination — A bail schedule is applied based on the charges. The individual may be released on bail, own recognizance, or held pending arraignment.

3. Arraignment — The arraignment typically occurs within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays) in Tehama County Superior Court. The defendant is formally informed of charges and enters an initial plea.

4. Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury (Felony Cases) — For felony charges, a preliminary hearing is held to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.

5. Pre-Trial Proceedings — Motions, discovery, and plea negotiations occur during this phase. Many cases are resolved through plea agreements at this stage.

6. Trial — If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to a jury or bench trial in Tehama County Superior Court.

7. Sentencing — Upon conviction, sentencing is imposed by the court. Sentences may include incarceration, probation, fines, or community service.

8. Appeals — Convicted individuals retain the right to appeal to the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District.

Tehama County Jail 22840 Antelope Blvd, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 529-7900 Tehama County Sheriff's Office

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Tehama County?

Arrest records in Tehama County are retained in accordance with California state law and local agency retention schedules. The California Secretary of State's Records Retention Guidelines and the California Government Code establish minimum retention periods for law enforcement records.

Under current law, the following general retention standards apply:

Felony arrest records — Retained permanently or for a minimum of 75 years from the date of the subject's birth, pursuant to state guidelines applicable to serious criminal matters.
Misdemeanor arrest records — Generally retained for a minimum of seven years following the date of arrest or case closure.
Arrest records with no charges filed — May be retained for a shorter period, particularly if the subject successfully petitions for sealing under Penal Code § 851.91.
Juvenile arrest records — Subject to separate retention rules and are generally sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood, unless the offense was serious or violent.

Different agencies within Tehama County — including the Sheriff's Office, municipal police departments, and the Superior Court — maintain independent records systems and may apply varying retention schedules consistent with state minimums. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system.

The California Department of Justice maintains a centralized repository of criminal history records through the California Justice Information Services Division, which retains records in accordance with statewide standards.

How to Find Mugshots in Tehama County

What Mugshots Are Mugshots are official photographs taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. They are part of the arrest record and document the physical appearance of an individual at the time of their arrest. Mugshots are not evidence of guilt and do not indicate a criminal conviction.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained In Tehama County, mugshots are maintained by the Tehama County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking record. The California Department of Justice also retains booking photographs as part of the statewide criminal history system.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request booking photographs through a California Public Records Act request submitted to the Tehama County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and booking date if known.

Can They Be Found Online The Tehama County Sheriff's Office does not currently maintain a publicly searchable online mugshot database. Third-party websites may publish mugshots obtained from public records, though California law restricts certain commercial uses of booking photographs.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially To obtain a mugshot through official channels, members of the public should submit a written request to: