Tehama County Criminal Records
What Is Tehama County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Tehama County are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are generated and maintained by multiple agencies operating at the local, county, and state levels.
Understanding the distinctions among record types is essential for accurate interpretation:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court, either through a guilty plea or a trial verdict. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses punishable by imprisonment in state prison for more than one year. Misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically punishable by county jail sentences not exceeding one year.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public under applicable law. Juvenile records are presumptively sealed under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827 and are not available for routine public inspection.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that may no longer carry active legal consequences.
The principal agencies maintaining criminal records in Tehama County include:
- Tehama County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking logs, and jail records
- Tehama County Superior Court — maintains case filings, arraignment records, pleas, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and probation terms
- California Department of Justice (DOJ) — maintains the statewide criminal history repository
- Red Bluff Police Department and Corning Police Department — maintain local arrest and incident records
A complete criminal record may encompass charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing details, fines, restitution orders, probation conditions, and parole status. The Tehama County official website provides access to departmental contacts and services across county government.
Are Criminal Records Public In Tehama County
Criminal records in Tehama County are generally accessible to members of the public pursuant to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), codified at California Government Code § 6250 et seq. Under this statute, all government records are presumed public unless a specific exemption applies.
The following categories of records are currently available for public inspection:
- Adult conviction records, including charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing
- Court case filings and docket entries in the Tehama County Superior Court
- Booking logs and jail rosters maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information pursuant to Megan's Law
The following categories are restricted from routine public disclosure:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed by operation of Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations, the disclosure of which could compromise law enforcement operations
- Sealed adult records, including those expunged under Penal Code § 1203.4
- Confidential informant identities and certain victim information
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records must submit requests to the appropriate custodial agency. Agencies are required to respond within ten calendar days of receiving a written request, with a possible fourteen-day extension under the CPRA.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Tehama County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain criminal records in Tehama County through several official channels. The process varies depending on the type of record sought and the agency that maintains it.
Step 1 — Identify the appropriate agency. Determine whether the record sought originates from a law enforcement agency (arrest/booking records) or the court system (case filings and dispositions).
Step 2 — Submit a public records request to the Sheriff's Office. For arrest records and jail booking information, submit a written California Public Records Act request to the Tehama County Sheriff's Office. Requests may be submitted in person or by mail.
Tehama County Sheriff's Office 22840 Antelope Blvd, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 529-7900 Tehama Co. Sheriff's Dept. — California Department of Justice
Step 3 — Contact the Superior Court for case records. Court case records, including charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing, are maintained by the Tehama County Superior Court Clerk's Office. Members of the public may inspect records at the courthouse during public counter hours.
Tehama County Superior Court 633 Washington St, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3350 Tehama County Superior Court
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Step 4 — Request a state-level background check. For a comprehensive criminal history, members of the public may request a record review through the California Department of Justice. Individuals may obtain their own criminal history record by submitting a Personal Criminal History Review request to the DOJ.
Step 5 — Provide required identifying information. All requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and any known aliases. Some agencies require a valid government-issued photo identification.
Step 6 — Pay applicable fees. Fees vary by agency and record type. Court copies are currently assessed at a per-page rate established by the court. Law enforcement agencies may charge reasonable duplication fees.
How To Find Criminal Records in Tehama County Online?
Several online portals currently provide access to Tehama County criminal records and related public safety information.
Tehama County Superior Court Case Search The Tehama County Superior Court provides an online case search tool through the California Courts website. Members of the public may search by party name or case number to retrieve docket entries, hearing dates, and case dispositions. Registration is not required for basic case searches.
Tehama County Sheriff's Office Jail Roster The Sheriff's Office publishes a current jail roster on its official website, listing individuals currently in custody at the Tehama County Jail. The roster typically includes the individual's name, booking date, and charges. This information reflects current custody status only and does not constitute a comprehensive criminal history.
California Megan's Law Website The California Department of Justice maintains the Megan's Law sex offender registry, which is searchable by name, ZIP code, or geographic area. This database is available to the public at no charge.
California DOJ — Office of the Attorney General The California DOJ maintains statewide criminal history records. Employers and authorized agencies may access records through the DOJ's electronic fingerprint-based system. Members of the public seeking their own records may submit a Personal Criminal History Review request online.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains an Inmate Locator tool that allows members of the public to search for individuals currently incarcerated in state prison or on active parole supervision. The tool is accessible online without registration.
Records available exclusively through in-person inspection include sealed case files, certain victim-related documents, and historical records not yet digitized by the court or Sheriff's Office.
Can You Search Tehama County Criminal Records for Free?
Under the California Public Records Act, specifically Government Code § 6253, members of the public have the right to inspect public records free of charge. Agencies may charge fees only for the direct cost of duplication, not for the act of inspection itself.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- In-person inspection of court case files at the Tehama County Superior Court, 633 Washington St, Red Bluff, CA 96080, during public counter hours
- Online case search through the Tehama County Superior Court's public portal
- Jail roster published by the Tehama County Sheriff's Office on its official website
- Sex offender registry maintained by the California DOJ under Megan's Law
- CDCR Inmate Locator for individuals in state custody
Fees apply when requesting certified copies of court documents, printed copies of records, or comprehensive background check reports. The Tehama County Superior Court currently charges a per-page fee for photocopies. The California DOJ charges a processing fee for fingerprint-based background checks requested by third parties.
The Tehama County Clerk and Recorder's office maintains additional public records, including vital records and official documents, which may be inspected in person during regular business hours.
Tehama County Clerk and Recorder 633 Washington St, Room 11, Red Bluff, CA 96080 (530) 527-3350 Clerk and Recorder — Tehama County
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What's Included in a Tehama County Criminal Record?
A complete criminal record maintained by Tehama County agencies and the California DOJ may contain the following categories of information:
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description, including height, weight, eye color, and hair color
- Mugshot photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number
- FBI number (where applicable)
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Red Bluff PD, Corning PD, or other)
- Booking number and booking date
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
- Jail facility where the individual was held
Court Case Information
- Case number and court jurisdiction (Tehama County Superior Court)
- Filing date and assigned judicial officer
- Charges and applicable California Penal Code statutes, classified as felony or misdemeanor
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting agency
Disposition
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or dismissed)
- Conviction date
- Sentencing details, including incarceration type and length, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole conditions
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole supervision status
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled arrest warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- DUI/DWI convictions and administrative license actions
- Traffic violations adjudicated in criminal court
- Pending charges and scheduled hearing dates
How Long Does Tehama County Keep Criminal Records?
Tehama County agencies and the California court system retain criminal records according to schedules established under state law and judicial council mandate.
Under the California Rules of Court and applicable Government Code provisions, the following general retention periods currently apply:
- Felony case records: Retained permanently by the Superior Court
- Misdemeanor case records: Retained for a minimum of ten years following final disposition
- Infraction records: Retained for a minimum of five years
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by law enforcement agencies; individuals may petition for sealing under Penal Code § 851.91
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood and may be destroyed after a specified period pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
- Sheriff's Office booking records: Retained according to the county's adopted records retention schedule, generally a minimum of seven years for arrest records
The California Secretary of State and the Judicial Council of California provide oversight of records retention schedules applicable to county agencies. State-level criminal history records maintained by the California DOJ are retained indefinitely for individuals with reportable criminal history activity.