Merced County Jail Roster Search

The Merced County jail roster lists all inmates in custody at the county detention facility. Merced County Sheriff's Office maintains the main jail at 700 W. 22nd Street in Merced. You can search the roster online using the inmate inquiry system. The database shows current bookings with details on charges and bail. People check this roster to locate family members or get case information. The system is free to use and does not require registration. Updates happen regularly as new arrests occur and inmates are released from Merced County custody.

Inmate Inquiry System

Merced County provides an online tool for searching jail records. Go to inmateinquiry.co.merced.ca.us/newworld.inmateinquiry/merced to access the database. This is the official inmate inquiry portal for the county. Type a last name or first name. Click search to see results.

The system shows all inmates who match your search. Each record lists the person's full name and age. You see their booking date and booking number. Charges are displayed with bail amounts. Some inmates have multiple charges from different incidents. Each charge has its own bail listed separately.

This database updates throughout the day. New bookings appear within hours of arrival at the jail. When someone is released, the system reflects that change quickly. The roster stays current for people who need accurate inmate information in Merced County.

Merced County Jail Location and Contact

The county jail is at 700 W. 22nd Street in Merced, CA 95340. You can call 209-385-7445 for general information. The jail operates 24 hours a day. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody. They provide basic details over the phone.

This facility serves all of Merced County. Police from the city of Merced bring arrestees here. So do officers from other cities like Los Banos and Atwater. The jail handles booking for the entire county. There are no other county jails in this area. Everyone arrested in Merced County ends up at the same place.

The jail has space for several hundred inmates. It holds both men and women. They are housed in separate units. The facility also has areas for different security levels. Some inmates need more supervision than others. The jail staff assign housing based on charges and behavior.

Booking Process at Merced County Jail

When police arrest someone, they bring the person to the jail. Booking starts at the intake area. Deputies collect personal information. They ask for name, birth date, and address. The person gets searched for weapons or contraband.

Next comes photos and fingerprints. The system checks for outstanding warrants. It also looks for prior arrests in Merced County and other counties. Medical staff screen the person for health issues. They ask about medications and injuries. Anyone who needs medical care gets it right away.

The inmate receives jail clothing and basic supplies. Personal items like phones and jewelry get stored. The jail gives you a receipt for these items. You get them back when you are released. The whole booking process takes four to eight hours depending on how busy the jail is.

After booking, the inmate moves to a housing unit. They wait there for court or release. Some people post bail and leave within hours. Others stay in custody until their case is resolved. The first court date usually happens within two days of arrest.

VINE Tracking for Merced Inmates

Merced County uses the VINE system. VINE is a free tool for tracking inmates. Visit vinelink.dhs.gov to search. Choose California from the state list. Then pick Merced County. Type in a name or booking number. The search tells you if the person is in custody.

You can also register for alerts. VINE notifies you when an inmate's status changes. This includes releases and transfers to other facilities. Enter your phone number or email address. VINE will send you updates automatically. Many people use this to stay informed about inmates without calling the jail every day.

VINELink connects all California counties. If an inmate transfers from Merced to another county, your alerts continue. The system tracks the person across county lines. This makes it easy to keep tabs on someone even when they move between jails.

Contacting Inmates

Inmates at Merced County jail can make phone calls. The jail uses a phone service that charges per call. Inmates call out to approved phone numbers only. You cannot call an inmate directly. They must call you. Set up a phone account to receive calls. This often involves paying a deposit or adding funds.

Video visits are available too. These let you see and talk to an inmate without visiting the jail in person. Check the Sheriff's website for details on scheduling video visits. You may need to create an account ahead of time. Video visits are convenient for people who live far from Merced.

Sending mail is another way to communicate. Write the inmate's full name and booking number on the envelope. Address it to Merced County Jail at 700 W. 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340. Include your return address. The jail inspects all mail for safety. Letters usually reach the inmate within a few days of arrival.

Inmate Money and Commissary

Each inmate has an account at the jail. Family members can deposit money into this account. Inmates use the funds to buy items from the commissary. The commissary sells snacks, drinks, hygiene items, and writing supplies. It operates on certain days of the week. Inmates place orders and get their items a day or two later.

To send money, use TouchPay or iCare. Visit touchpayonline.com or icaregifts.com to make a deposit. Enter the inmate's name and booking number. The system accepts credit cards and debit cards. Deposits usually post within a few hours. This is faster than mailing a money order.

Some jails let you deposit cash at a kiosk in the lobby. Check with the jail to see if this option is available. Kiosk deposits post quickly to the inmate's account. Always keep your receipt in case there is a problem with the deposit.

Legal Assistance in Merced County

People who cannot afford a lawyer get a public defender. The court appoints one at the first hearing. The public defender handles the case from start to finish. This service is free for those who qualify based on income. You must apply and show proof that you cannot pay for a private attorney.

Legal aid groups in Merced County may offer other help. Some provide advice on bail and release options. Others help with expungement after a case ends. Contact local legal aid organizations to see what services are available. Many offer free or low-cost assistance to people with low incomes.

Cities Using Merced County Jail

The largest city in the county is Merced, which is also the county seat. Merced Police arrest people every day. All these arrests lead to booking at the county jail. Other cities like Los Banos and Atwater also use the county jail. None of these cities operate their own detention facilities. The county jail serves everyone in Merced County.

Adjacent County Jail Systems

Merced County is surrounded by other Central Valley counties. Stanislaus County is to the north. Madera County is to the south. Mariposa County sits to the east in the foothills. San Benito County and Santa Clara County are west. Each county has its own jail and roster. If you do not find someone in Merced County, try searching nearby counties. Warrants or holds can result in bookings in other jurisdictions.