Lake County Jail Roster

Lake County maintains its jail roster through an online portal that shows current inmates at the county facility in Lakeport. The roster updates daily with bookings and releases. You can search by name at no cost. Each record shows when someone was booked, what charges they face, and their bail amount. California public records laws require this information to be available. Lake County uses the CitizenRIMS system to provide access. The jail holds pretrial detainees and sentenced inmates with terms under one year. All arrests within Lake County go through this facility for processing.

CitizenRIMS Inmate Search

Lake County uses CitizenRIMS for its public jail roster at lakecounty.citizenrims.com/incarcerated-people to display inmates. This portal lets you search by name. Type in a last name or both first and last. Results show right away. You see the inmate's full name and age. The system lists their booking date and charges.

The portal displays bail amounts set by judges. Some inmates have no bail depending on their charges or criminal history. You also see housing location within the jail. Each record includes an expected release date when available. The portal updates multiple times per day as staff process bookings and releases.

CitizenRIMS is a third-party system used by many California counties. It connects to the jail's internal database. New bookings appear within hours. Released inmates stay on the list briefly before removal. The county does not keep a long archive online. For older records, you must file a public records request with the Sheriff's Office.

No account or login is needed to search. The portal works on all devices including phones and tablets. It is free to use. Lake County provides this access to meet state public records requirements.

Lake County Jail Information

The Lake County Jail sits at 4913 Helbush Drive in Lakeport. Call (707) 262-4240 with questions about inmates, visitation, or jail procedures. Staff are available around the clock. The facility handles all bookings for arrests made within the county. This includes arrests by the Sheriff's Office and city police departments.

Inmates stay here while awaiting trial or serving short sentences. The jail has different housing units for men and women. Classification happens at booking based on charges and criminal history. Some inmates have special needs for medical care or mental health services. The jail works with outside providers for these services.

Visiting happens by appointment. Most visits are now through video instead of in person. You must be on the inmate's approved visitor list. Call the jail to learn how to get approved. The process takes a few days. Rules limit what you can discuss during visits. All video visits are monitored and recorded.

VINE Notification Service

Lake County participates in VINE for custody alerts. VINE means Victim Information and Notification Everyday. Use it at vinelink.dhs.gov to track inmates. Select California, then Lake County. Search by name. The system shows current custody status. You can register for automatic notifications. Pick phone, text, or email alerts. VINE contacts you when the inmate gets released, transferred, or has a court date. This free service works in all California counties. It updates several times daily using jail data. Crime victims use VINE to stay aware of offender status. Family members also find it helpful. The inmate does not know you are tracking them.

Inmate Accounts and Communication

Inmates need money in their account for commissary and phone calls. Lake County contracts with JPay for money transfers. Go to the JPay website to send funds. You pay online with a credit card or debit card. Enter the inmate's name and booking number. Processing fees apply. Money shows up in the account within one to three days.

Inmates use account funds to buy snacks, hygiene items, and writing supplies from the commissary. They also pay for phone calls with this money. The commissary operates on a weekly schedule. Inmates place orders once a week. Items arrive a few days later. Without money in their account, inmates get only what the jail provides for free. This includes basic meals, soap, and essential hygiene items.

Phone calls from jail are not free. Inmates make collect calls or use prepaid phone accounts. Collect calls have higher rates than prepaid options. To set up a prepaid account, visit the phone service provider's website. Add money to the account before the inmate calls. The system deducts charges from your balance. All calls are recorded except those with lawyers. International calls cost more than domestic ones.

Legal Assistance and Court Records

The Public Defender's Office serves people who cannot afford a private lawyer. The court appoints a public defender at the first hearing if you qualify. You do not contact them directly. They represent clients in misdemeanor and felony cases. For civil legal issues, look for legal aid organizations in the area. These groups do not handle criminal defense but can help with other legal problems.

Court records are separate from jail records. The Lake County Superior Court keeps case files. You can search court records online through their website. Court records show charges, hearings, and outcomes. These records stay public even after someone leaves jail. To get copies of arrest reports, contact the agency that made the arrest. The Sheriff's Office has records for arrests they made. City police keep their own files.

Neighboring Jail Rosters

If you cannot find someone in Lake County, check nearby jails. Mendocino County is to the west with its own roster. Napa County sits south with a different system. Colusa County borders Lake to the east.

People sometimes get arrested in one county but held in another. This happens with regional law enforcement task forces or when charges are filed in multiple places. California also moves inmates between counties for court appearances and other reasons. If your Lake County search comes up empty, try neighboring counties. For state inmates, use the CDCR locator at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov instead.