Search Kern County Arrests

Kern County recent bookings appear through the Sheriff's Office arrest records system. The Kern County Sheriff makes booking information public under California Government Code Section 7923.610. This law says agencies must share arrest data if the person is in custody or was released within the past 60 days. You can search for inmates online or call the arrest records line at (661) 391-7624. The main jail sits at Lerdo Justice Facility in Bakersfield. Most people booked in Kern County pass through this facility. If you were arrested yourself, you can buy your own booking photo for just five dollars. The Sheriff's Office posts inmate information and answers questions about custody status during business hours and through automated systems all day long.

Kern County Arrest Records

The Kern County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for all bookings in the county. Visit the arrest records page at kernsheriff.org/Arrest_Records to learn how the system works. Arrest information is public if the subject is currently in custody or if their release date falls within the past 60 days. This time window follows California law. After 60 days, you need to make a formal public records request to get older arrest data.

Call (661) 391-7624 to ask about arrest records by phone. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and what charges they face. They can also help you figure out what documents you need and how to request them. The line operates during regular business hours. If you call after hours, you might reach a recording with basic information and instructions for leaving a message.

For current inmate information, check the inmate info database at kernsheriff.org/Inmate_Info. This system shows who is in custody right now. You can search by name or booking number. Results include charges, bail amounts, and housing location within the jail. The system updates regularly so you get current data when you search. Some records may not appear due to privacy exemptions under state law but most booking information is public.

Lerdo Justice Facility

The Lerdo Justice Facility is the main jail for Kern County. It sits at 17645 Industrial Farm Road in Bakersfield. This facility holds people awaiting trial and those serving short sentences. Lerdo has space for male and female inmates in separate housing units. The jail also includes medical and mental health services for inmates who need care.

Most bookings in Kern County happen at Lerdo. When police make an arrest anywhere in the county, they transport the person here for processing. Staff collect fingerprints, take photos, and enter the booking information into the computer system. They also screen for medical issues and assign a housing unit based on the charges and classification level. The whole intake process can take several hours depending on how busy the jail is.

Lerdo sits on the outskirts of Bakersfield near the Kern County airport. The location allows the Sheriff's Office to manage a large facility without the space constraints of downtown. Visitors need to follow specific rules about what they can bring and when they can visit. Check the Sheriff's website for current visiting hours and procedures because these can change based on jail operations and security needs.

Get Your Own Booking Photo

If you were arrested by the Kern County Sheriff's Office, you can purchase your own booking photo for five dollars. This is one of the lowest fees in California for this type of record. Most counties charge much more. Contact the arrest records unit at (661) 391-7624 to request your photo. You need to provide your name and booking date. They might also ask for your booking number if you have it.

Bring ID and payment when you pick up the photo. The Sheriff's Office needs to verify you are the person in the booking photo before releasing it. This protects privacy and prevents people from getting photos of others without permission. If you want someone else's booking photo, you might need to make a formal public records request and the fee could be different. Ask about costs before you submit your request.

Kern County Cities and Bookings

Kern County includes the city of Bakersfield, which is the county seat and largest city in the region. Bakersfield Police Department makes many arrests but all bookings go to Lerdo Justice Facility. Other cities in Kern County include Delano, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, and Wasco. These smaller agencies also use the county jail system for all custody operations.

This centralized approach means you only need to check one place to find booking records for the entire county. Whether someone was arrested in Bakersfield, Tehachapi, or a rural area, they end up at Lerdo. The Sheriff's Office handles all intake and housing. This saves cities money and ensures consistent jail standards across Kern County. It also makes searching easier because you do not have to call multiple agencies to track down an inmate.

VINE Custody Alerts

Kern County participates in the California VINE system. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. Call 1-877-411-5588 to search for inmates in Kern County or anywhere else in California. You can also visit vinelink.vineapps.com/state/CA to search online. Enter a name or booking number and the system shows custody status.

Register for alerts and VINE will notify you when someone gets released. You can choose phone calls, text messages, or emails. The service updates every 15 minutes so you get fast notifications. VINE is free and anonymous. Crime victims use it to stay safe. Families use it to know when someone is getting out of jail. You do not have to explain why you want alerts. The system works 24 hours a day every day of the year.

Note: VINE only tracks people who are currently in custody or recently released, so older cases may not appear in the system.

Nearby California Counties

Kern County borders several other counties in the southern Central Valley and mountains. Each maintains its own jail and booking records. Check these nearby counties if you cannot find someone in Kern County: