Solano County Criminal Records
What Is Solano County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Solano County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13100-13103, these records document various stages of criminal proceedings from initial arrest through final disposition.
Criminal records in Solano County encompass several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of detentions by law enforcement agencies that may not necessarily result in charges or convictions
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Documentation of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year
Juvenile records receive special protection under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827, which generally seals these records from public view. Active warrants differ from historical records in that they represent ongoing judicial orders for arrest rather than documentation of past proceedings.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Solano County:
Solano County Sheriff's Office
530 Union Avenue, Suite 100
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 784-7000
Solano County Sheriff's Office
Superior Court of California, County of Solano
Hall of Justice
600 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 207-7300
Superior Court of California, County of Solano
California Department of Justice
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
(916) 210-6276
California Department of Justice
Comprehensive criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole information. The Solano County Criminal Court Division maintains records of felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions processed through the county's judicial system.
Are Criminal Records Public In Solano County
Criminal records in Solano County are generally accessible to the public in accordance with the California Public Records Act (CPRA), specifically Government Code § 6250-6270. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including most criminal records, with certain exceptions.
The CPRA states that "access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state." However, this right is balanced against privacy interests and public safety concerns, resulting in several categories of restricted records.
Records that are typically available to the public include:
- Adult conviction records
- Court proceedings and case dispositions
- Booking information and mugshots
- Criminal charges filed
- Sentencing information
Records that may have restricted access include:
- Ongoing criminal investigations
- Sealed or expunged records pursuant to California Penal Code § 1203.4
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
- Records sealed by court order
- Information that would compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest
The California Department of Justice maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information and regulates access to comprehensive criminal history reports. While court records of proceedings are public, official "rap sheets" containing complete criminal histories are generally restricted to authorized agencies and the subject of the record.
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Solano County must follow established procedures for record requests, which may vary depending on the maintaining agency and the specific type of record sought.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Solano County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Solano County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county currently provides multiple avenues for accessing criminal records, each appropriate for different types of inquiries.
For in-person requests at the courthouse:
- Visit the Solano County Superior Court Criminal Division during regular business hours
- Complete a records request form, providing case number if known
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Pay applicable fees for copies of documents
- Wait for records to be retrieved by court staff
Superior Court of California, County of Solano - Criminal Division
Hall of Justice
600 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 207-7300
Superior Court of California, County of Solano
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (excluding court holidays)
For mail requests:
- Prepare a written request including defendant name, case number (if known), and specific documents needed
- Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Enclose payment for applicable fees (check or money order)
- Mail request to the Criminal Division address
For comprehensive criminal history reports ("LiveScan"):
- Visit an authorized LiveScan provider with valid identification
- Complete the Request for Live Scan Service form
- Pay the required Department of Justice processing fee
- Submit fingerprints electronically
- Receive results by mail directly from the Department of Justice
Solano County Sheriff's Office - LiveScan Services
530 Union Avenue, Suite 100
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 784-7000
Solano County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
For records of current inmates in county custody:
- Contact the Solano County Sheriff's Office Custody Division
- Provide the inmate's full name and, if possible, date of birth
- Request specific information about custody status
Solano County Sheriff's Office - Custody Division
500 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 784-4700
Solano County Sheriff's Office
How To Find Criminal Records in Solano County Online?
Solano County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records electronically. These online resources offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests for many types of criminal record searches.
The Solano Superior Court Portal serves as the primary online access point for court case information. Users can search for cases by:
- Case number
- Party name
- Filing date
- Case type
The portal provides basic case information including:
- Case status
- Scheduled hearings
- Party information
- Register of actions (chronological list of filings)
- Case disposition
For accessing court services online, the Solano County Superior Court Online Services page provides links to various electronic resources, including the ability to purchase court transcripts and access case information.
The Solano County Sheriff's Office maintains an Inmate Locator database that allows searches for currently incarcerated individuals. This resource provides:
- Inmate name and booking number
- Current charges
- Custody status
- Scheduled court dates
- Bail information
For traffic citations, the Solano County Traffic Citation Portal allows users to search for traffic cases, view citation information, and in some instances, pay fines online.
Users should note that while these online resources provide significant convenience, they may not contain complete criminal history information. As stated on the Solano Superior Court Portal, "electronic court record available by electronic access is not the official record of the court." For certified copies or complete case files, direct contact with the maintaining agency remains necessary.
Some online services may require registration or the payment of access fees. Additionally, certain sensitive documents may be available only through in-person requests at the appropriate agency.
Can You Search Solano County Criminal Records for Free?
Solano County provides several no-cost options for accessing criminal records, in accordance with California Government Code § 6253(a), which states that "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency." This statutory provision ensures that members of the public may inspect accessible records without charge, though fees may apply for copies.
Free in-person inspection is available at:
Superior Court of California, County of Solano
Hall of Justice
600 Union Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 207-7300
Superior Court of California, County of Solano
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM (excluding court holidays)
Solano County Law Library
Hall of Justice
600 Union Avenue, 2nd Floor
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 421-6520
Solano County Law Library
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
Free online resources include:
- Solano Superior Court Portal - Provides basic case information without charge
- Solano County Sheriff's Inmate Locator - Free search for current inmates
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Inmate Locator - Free search for state prison inmates
While basic record inspection and certain online searches are available without cost, fees may apply for:
- Copies of court documents ($0.50 per page)
- Certified copies of court records ($25.00 per document)
- Complete criminal history reports from the California Department of Justice ($25.00 plus LiveScan fee)
- Expedited or special handling requests
The Solano County Superior Court maintains a current fee schedule for all services. Fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals under certain circumstances, particularly for parties to active court cases who demonstrate financial hardship.
What's Included in a Solano County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Solano County typically contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records are maintained in accordance with California Penal Code § 13125-13128, which establishes standards for criminal record keeping.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Mugshot or booking photograph
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Bail amount and status
- Detention facility information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction
- Criminal charges filed by prosecutor
- Statutory citations and offense classification (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea entered
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
- Judge assigned to case
- Court proceedings and appearances
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and fees imposed
- Restitution ordered
- Special conditions
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation or parole status
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal matters
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
The Solano County Criminal Court Division maintains these records for cases processed through the county's judicial system. The comprehensiveness of information may vary depending on the specific record source and the stage of criminal proceedings documented.
How Long Does Solano County Keep Criminal Records?
Solano County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by California law and local court rules. The California Government Code § 68152 establishes minimum retention periods for court records, including criminal case files.
For felony cases, retention periods typically include:
- Capital felony cases (death penalty): Permanent retention
- Felony cases with life sentences: Permanent retention
- Other felony cases: 75 years from date of final disposition
- Felony appeals: 20 years from filing date
For misdemeanor cases, retention periods generally include:
- Misdemeanors with court trial: 5 years from final disposition
- Other misdemeanors: 5 years from final disposition
- DUI misdemeanors: 10 years from final disposition
For infractions, retention periods typically include:
- Traffic infractions: 3 years from final disposition
- Non-traffic infractions: 3 years from final disposition
The Solano County Superior Court follows these statutory minimums and may maintain records longer in certain circumstances. Electronic records may be retained indefinitely, even after physical documents have been destroyed according to retention schedules.
Law enforcement agencies maintain separate record systems with different retention requirements. The Solano County Sheriff's Office typically retains arrest records for the duration of an individual's lifetime, though access policies may change over time.
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history information in the state's central repository indefinitely, unless records are ordered sealed or expunged by court order.
Records that have been expunged pursuant to California Penal Code § 1203.4 may still exist in physical or digital form but with notations regarding their expunged status. These records have restricted access and limited use under law.
Lookup Criminal Records in Solano County
Superior Court of California, County of Solano