Modoc County Inmate Records

Modoc County inmate population records are held by the Sheriff's Office in Alturas. This is one of the least populated counties in California with fewer than 9,000 residents. Modoc County does not have an online jail roster or inmate search tool on the sheriff's website. To check if someone is in custody at the Modoc County Jail, use VINELink or call the sheriff directly at (530) 233-4416. Booking data is still public under California law, even though the county does not post it online. You just have to ask for it by phone or in person.

Modoc County Sheriff and Jail

The Modoc County Sheriff operates the county jail in Alturas at 404 West Second Street. It is a small facility. On any given day, the Modoc County Jail holds between 10 and 30 inmates. The BSCC Jail Profile Survey puts the rated capacity at around 44 beds. Daily population stays well below that most of the time. The jail handles bookings for the sheriff's patrol, California Highway Patrol, and any other law enforcement working in Modoc County.

Modoc County is remote. It sits in the far northeast corner of California, bordering Oregon and Nevada. Alturas is the only incorporated city in the county. The small population means a low crime rate compared to urban counties. Most bookings involve DUI, drug possession, theft, or domestic violence. The jail processes far fewer people per month than counties in the Central Valley or Southern California. That low volume is part of why the sheriff does not run an online inmate search tool. The demand just is not there.

Note: Modoc County is one of a handful of California counties with no online jail roster. Phone calls are the main way to check custody status.

Searching for Modoc County Inmates

Since Modoc County does not post an online jail roster, you have two main options. First, call the sheriff at (530) 233-4416. Tell them you want to check if someone is in custody. Staff will look it up and tell you the person's status, charges, and bail amount. This is public data under Government Code 6254(f). They can not refuse to share it. The office is staffed during business hours, but the jail itself runs 24 hours, so someone can help at any time.

VINELink is the second option. VINE works across all California counties. Go to the VINELink site, pick California, and then Modoc County. Type a name. If the person is in the Modoc County Jail, VINE shows their custody status. You can sign up for alerts. VINE calls, texts, or sends an email when the person's status changes. This is helpful in Modoc County since you can not just check a website for updates. Call 1-877-411-5588 to use VINE by phone.

For inmates sentenced in Modoc County who are now in California state prison, the CIRIS inmate locator is the right tool. CIRIS covers all state prisons but not county jails. Use it when you know the person already went through trial and sentencing in Modoc County.

Modoc County Bail Information

Bail in Modoc County follows the schedule set by the Superior Court. The amounts are comparable to other rural California counties. Misdemeanor charges typically carry bail between $5,000 and $20,000. Felony bail goes much higher. The exact amount depends on the charge. Some offenses allow own recognizance release, which means the person gets out without paying bail at all. A judge decides that based on the facts of each case.

The booking process at Modoc County Jail is standard. Fingerprints, photos, and personal data get recorded. The person receives a booking number. Charges are logged. Bail is set. If someone posts bail, release usually happens within a few hours. The small size of the Modoc County Jail means processing times tend to be shorter than at large urban facilities. There is less of a backlog. Fewer inmates means staff can handle bookings and releases faster than in high-volume California counties.

Modoc County Public Records Access

Even without an online roster, Modoc County must follow California's public records laws. Government Code 6254(f) requires all law enforcement agencies to provide arrest and booking information upon request. That includes the person's name, charges, bail amount, and booking details. The Modoc County Sheriff handles these requests over the phone and in person at the office in Alturas.

Criminal history records are a separate issue. Penal Code 11105 restricts access to full criminal backgrounds in California. The Modoc County Sheriff can not hand those out. The DOJ controls criminal history data. To get your own record, submit fingerprints through a Live Scan site. Modoc County has limited Live Scan options. The nearest location may be in Alturas or you might have to travel to Redding or Susanville. The DOJ charges $25 per request. Results come back in a few days.

Note: You have a legal right to Modoc County booking data even though it is not posted online. Call the sheriff and ask.

California DOJ Record Review

Since Modoc County lacks an online inmate tool, the California DOJ Record Review page shown below is useful for checking personal criminal history records for people connected to Modoc County.

This page explains how to request your own criminal history from the state. It covers the fingerprint process, fees, and what to expect. The DOJ serves all California counties, including Modoc.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near Modoc in northeastern California. Each has its own jail and inmate records system.