Sierra County Inmate Records

Sierra County does not operate its own jail facility. The county contracts with neighboring counties to house inmates. Most people arrested in Sierra County go to Nevada County Jail in Nevada City or Plumas County Jail in Quincy. To find a Sierra County inmate, search the Nevada County jail roster at the official website or call the Nevada County Jail directly. You can also use VINE to track inmates across California. This system shows custody status regardless of which facility holds the person. Sierra County Sheriff's Office can direct you to the right facility if you are not sure where someone is being held after an arrest.

Sierra County Sheriff Contact

The Sierra County Sheriff's Office is at 100 Courthouse Square in Downieville. Call 530-289-3700 for information about arrests and inmate placement. Staff can tell you which facility houses a specific inmate.

Sierra County is one of California's smallest counties by population. The county does not have enough arrests to justify its own jail. Contracting with neighboring counties saves money and still provides secure custody for people awaiting trial or serving short sentences.

When you call the sheriff's office, have the person's full name ready. They will check records and tell you if the person is at Nevada County Jail or Plumas County Jail. Then you can contact that facility directly for more information.

Nevada County Jail Search

Most Sierra County inmates go to Nevada County Jail in Nevada City. Search for them at reports.nevcounty.net/justice/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=Sheriff.InCustodyInmates using the Nevada County inmate database. This online tool shows all inmates currently held at the facility.

Type the person's last name into the search field. Results show booking date, charges, and bond amounts. The system updates regularly so you see current custody information. Nevada County Jail is at 925 Maidu Avenue in Nevada City. Call them at 530-265-1291 for questions about Sierra County inmates housed there.

Nevada County's online roster is easy to use and provides detailed information about each inmate. You can view charge descriptions, booking photos in some cases, and projected release dates when available.

Plumas County Jail Alternative

Some Sierra County inmates may be housed at Plumas County Jail in Quincy. This happens based on space availability and the type of charges. Call Plumas County Jail at 530-283-6267 to check if an inmate is there.

Plumas County does not have a full online jail roster. You need to call directly or use VINE to search. The jail is at 56 Abernethy Lane in Quincy. Staff can confirm if they are housing any Sierra County inmates.

Check both Nevada County and Plumas County if you cannot find someone right away. The Sierra County Sheriff's Office decides which facility to use based on current conditions and agreements with each county.

VINE Tracking System

VINE works across all California counties. This makes it perfect for tracking Sierra County inmates since they are housed elsewhere. Go to vinelink.dhs.gov and search by name. VINE shows which facility holds the person.

Register for alerts to get notified when custody status changes. VINE sends text, email, or phone messages when an inmate is released or transferred. This is free and works 24 hours a day.

VINE is especially useful for Sierra County because inmates move between facilities. You stay informed without calling multiple jails to track someone down. The system updates automatically when jails report changes.

Sierra County Arrest Process

When someone is arrested in Sierra County, the sheriff decides where to house them. Most go to Nevada County Jail. Transport can take an hour or more depending on where the arrest occurs and current jail space.

Booking happens at the receiving facility. Staff there take fingerprints and photos. They process charges and set initial bail if applicable. The person waits in holding until booking is complete.

Family members should allow several hours for the full booking process. New inmates may not appear on jail rosters right away. Check again after a few hours or call the jail to confirm someone has been booked.

Sierra County Sheriff's Office handles the arrest and transport. The receiving jail handles booking and custody. This split means you may need to contact both agencies to get full information about an arrest.

Legal Help for Sierra County Inmates

Public defenders serve people who cannot afford private lawyers. The court appoints a defender at the first hearing. Inmates housed in Nevada County or Plumas County still appear in Sierra County courts for their cases.

Bail bond agents may need to travel to the holding facility to post bond. This can add to the cost. Some agents charge extra for out-of-county service. Ask about fees before you agree to work with a bond agent.

Legal aid groups in Sierra County or neighboring counties may offer free consultations. They help with understanding charges, bail issues, and court procedures. Contact information is available through the Sierra County courts or sheriff's office.

Visiting Sierra County Inmates

To visit a Sierra County inmate, you must go to the facility where they are housed. This is usually Nevada County Jail in Nevada City. Call ahead to confirm visiting hours and rules. Bring valid ID when you visit.

Some jails offer video visits instead of in-person visits. Ask the facility about their current visitation policies. Video visits may be more convenient if you live far from the jail location.

Visits have time limits and rules about what you can bring. Do not bring weapons, drugs, or contraband. The jail will turn you away and may ban you from future visits if you violate rules.

Related County Jail Rosters

Since Sierra County inmates are housed in other counties, these links will help you search for them.

• Nevada County - Primary location for Sierra County inmates, jail in Nevada City
• Plumas County - Alternative location, jail in Quincy
• Yuba County - South with jail in Marysville
• Back to all California counties

Check both Nevada County and Plumas County if you are looking for a Sierra County inmate. VINE searches all counties at once and shows you where the person is being held.