Criminal Defense Lawyers

San Diego County Inmate Search

Finding Someone Who’s Been Arrested in San Diego County

Getting arrested and going to jail can be an incredibly stressful and traumatic experience, both for the person arrested and for their loved ones. If someone you know has recently been arrested in San Diego County, you probably have a lot of questions about where they are and how to get in contact. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding and communicating with someone who’s been booked into one of San Diego’s jails or detention centers.

Searching for Arrest Records and Locating Inmates

The first step is figuring out exactly where your loved one is being held. Here’s how to track them down:

• Check the San Diego County Sheriff’s inmate locator. This is the easiest way to search the jail roster and confirm if someone has been booked. All you need is their first and last name.
• Call the County Jail directly at (619) 615-2700. The staff can look up inmates and let you know their housing location, bail amount, booking date, scheduled release date, and other key details.
• Submit an official records request to get the full arrest report and charging documents. You can request crime and arrest records through the Sheriff’s Department website. Reports cost $20 per copy.
• Search for upcoming court dates using the San Diego Superior Court inmate case information. This shows if/when someone has an arraignment or other hearing scheduled.
• Call the specific jail facility where they are housed. Numbers and addresses for each detention center are available here.

Once you’ve confirmed where your loved one is located, the next step is arranging communication and visits.

Staying in Touch with Inmates at San Diego Jails

Maintaining contact is crucial for the mental and emotional wellbeing of people in jail. Here are some options for staying in touch:

• Inmate phone calls: Inmates at San Diego Central Jail cannot receive calls, but they can make outgoing calls to approved numbers at scheduled times. Calls are limited to 15 minutes and are recorded.
• Video visits: You can schedule a 30-minute video visit through Securus. Video visits must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
• In-person visits: To set up an in-person visit at San Diego Central Jail or other detention centers, use the “schedule a visit” feature on the inmate locator website. You can also call the appropriate facility. Visits are 30 minutes, limited to 3 guests, and must be booked 24+ hours ahead.
• Mail: Send letters and photos to inmates at San Diego Central Jail using this address:

[Inmate’s Name and Booking Number]
San Diego Central Jail Mail Processing Center
451 Riverview Parkway, Building C
Santee, CA 92071

Envelopes without a return address will not be delivered. Learn all San Diego Central Jail mail regulations here.

• Care packages: Schedule delivery of a care package through Access Corrections or Union Supply. Packages must comply with the facility’s content restrictions.
• Inmate email: You can send electronic messages and photos to an incarcerated loved one by setting up an account with GettingOut or TextBehind. There is a small per-message fee.

Bail and Inmate Accounts

If bail has been set, you can post the full bail amount in cash or by cashier’s check to secure your loved one’s release from jail until their court date. Here are some options:

• Post bail 24/7 at San Diego Central Jail located at 1173 Front St. You can also post bail at any other San Diego detention facility during regular business hours.
• Use a credit card to put up bail through Bad Boys Bail Bonds. They allow you to put up to $500 down on a credit card.
• Work with a bail bond agent to pay a smaller percentage (typically 10%) of the full bail amount. The agent posts the total bail on your behalf and is responsible for getting it back.

You can also add money to an inmate’s account so they can purchase items from jail commissary:

• Deposit funds via money order, cashier’s check, or credit/debit card through Access Corrections or GettingOut. Most facilities have a daily deposit limit.
• Call 619-615-2700 to ask about the inmate trust fund deposit process for a specific facility.

Retrieving Inmate Personal Property

When someone gets arrested, the jail takes custody of personal items like wallets, phones, keys, etc. Here’s how to get that property back:

• Go to San Diego Central Jail at 1173 Front St. The property room window is open 24/7 for releases.
• Call the County Jail at (619) 615-2700 and speak with records staff about retrieving property from another facility.
• Have the inmate fill out and submit an inmate property release form. The jail will contact you when the items are ready for pickup.

Understanding the Inmate Locator Website

Searching for arrest records and communicating with incarcerated people may feel overwhelming at first. But the San Diego Sheriff’s inmate locator website offers a wealth of helpful resources and tools:

• Inmate search – Search by first name, last name to see mug shots, ID numbers, housing location, bail amounts, and other data.
• Who’s in jail – Browse an alphabetical list of all current jail inmates with basic case details.
• Schedule video visits – Book and manage 30-minute video visitation sessions through Securus.
• Schedule in-person visits – Reserve one of the limited slots for 30-minute visits at San Diego County detention facilities.
• Email an inmate – Set up an account to send electronic messages and photos.
• Inmate services – Access links and contact information for bail bonds services, attorney searches, and community resources.
• Facility details – Get maps and visitor guides for all San Diego County jails and detention centers.

Finding the Right Criminal Defense Attorney

If your loved one has been arrested and charged with a crime in San Diego County, having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on their side is crucial. The legal advocacy group Lawyers.com has an in-depth guide on how to choose a criminal lawyer in California. Their top tips include:

• Search attorney directories like Avvo and FindLaw to read reviews and compare credentials.
• Look for lawyers with specific experience handling your type of criminal case. Check qualifications on the California Bar Association website.
• Schedule free initial consultations with 2-3 attorneys to discuss legal strategy and attorney fees.
• Ask questions about their track record getting charges reduced or dismissed and taking cases to trial if necessary.
• Make sure you feel comfortable communicating openly with the lawyer you choose. The attorney-client relationship is vital.

Having an advocate familiar with San Diego courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement can make all the difference in getting charges lowered or dropped. Don’t hesitate to invest in experienced legal representation.

Additional San Diego County Inmate Resources

Going to jail is destabilizing, but having access to support services can ease the trauma. Here are a few local organizations that help meet incarcerated people’s needs:

• Friends Outside – Non-profit providing family counseling, child mentoring, transportation assistance, reentry planning, and other aid to inmates and families.
• Project Rebound – Supports formerly incarcerated students transitioning back into community college and public university.
• Think Dignity – Provides basic necessities like hygiene products, clothes, birth certificate/ID assistance, and street outreach to people impacted by homelessness and the justice system.
• San Diego County Public Defender – Government agency responsible for representing defendants who cannot afford a private attorney.