Berkeley Busted Mugshots

Berkeley busted mugshots are processed through the Alameda County jail system when Berkeley Police make an arrest. The city has about 121,000 residents and is home to UC Berkeley, which brings a large transient population that affects local policing. The Berkeley Police Department handles arrests within city limits, but the county sheriff manages the jail and booking process at Santa Rita Jail. This page explains where to find busted mugshots for Berkeley arrests, the online tools you can use, and how to make records requests to get booking photos and arrest reports from the right agencies.

Alameda County Inmate Search for Berkeley

The Alameda County inmate lookup is the main tool for finding busted mugshots from Berkeley arrests. Enter a first and last name to search for current inmates at Santa Rita Jail or Glenn Dyer Detention Facility. Results include booking details, charges, bail amount, and custody status.

Berkeley Police transport most arrested individuals to the county jail for booking. Some lower-level offenses result in a cite and release, where the person gets a ticket rather than a trip to the county jail. In those cases, there may not be a booking photo in the system. For arrests that do lead to booking, the mugshot is taken at the county facility and stored in the sheriff's records.

The Alameda County Sheriff manages the booking database. The online search only shows active inmates. For records of people who have been released, you need to file a public records request with the sheriff's office. They accept requests by mail at 1401 Lakeside Drive, 12th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612.

Berkeley Police Department Records

The Berkeley Police Department keeps its own arrest reports and investigation files. These are separate from the county booking records. BPD's records division handles CPRA requests for arrest reports, incident reports, and other police documents. Call (510) 981-5900 to ask about the process.

Berkeley has been at the forefront of police reform in California. The department publishes data on arrests, use of force, and other metrics. BPD adopted body camera policies and released its use of force data publicly. However, individual booking photos remain in the county system rather than with BPD. If you want both the arrest report and the mugshot, you need to request from two different agencies.

The UC Berkeley Police Department (UCPD) handles arrests on campus and university property. These bookings also go through the Alameda County jail. UCPD is a separate agency from the city police. If the arrest happened on campus, UCPD has the arrest report. If it happened off campus in Berkeley, BPD has it. Either way, the booking photo is at the county jail.

How to Get Berkeley Busted Mugshots

Start with the county inmate search for anyone currently in custody. For older bookings, write to the Alameda County Sheriff's records division. Include the full name, approximate arrest date, and date of birth if you know it. The sheriff responds within 10 days under the CPRA.

For court records, the Alameda County Superior Court has an online case lookup system. Berkeley criminal cases are filed in this court. You can search by name or case number to find charges, case status, and outcomes. The Berkeley courthouse at 2120 Martin Luther King Jr. Way handles some traffic and minor cases. More serious criminal matters go through the main Oakland courthouse.

Keep in mind that court records and booking records serve different purposes. The booking record shows who was arrested and when. The court record shows what the DA decided to charge (which can differ from the booking charges) and how the case resolved. Together they give you the full picture of what happened after a Berkeley arrest.

State Records for Berkeley Arrest Mugshots

The California DOJ keeps criminal history records at the state level. You can file a request through the DOJ PRA FAQ page for information on how the process works. For your own criminal history, use the Live Scan fingerprint process with form BCIA 8016RR and pay the $25 fee.

Review the FAQ before filing to understand what records are available and what may be exempt from disclosure.

SB 1027 prohibits mugshot websites from charging to remove booking photos. Penal Code section 13665 restricts police from posting booking photos to social media for nonviolent offenses. Berkeley PD has been particularly cautious with mugshot releases, consistent with the city's progressive approach to criminal justice. These policies align with state law but Berkeley has at times gone further than the minimum requirements.

Clearing Berkeley Arrest Records

Penal Code section 851.87 allows you to petition for arrest sealing if charges were not filed, were dismissed, or resulted in acquittal. Once sealed, the busted mugshot becomes restricted. The Clean Slate Act (SB 731) adds automatic sealing for qualifying records after set time periods.

Expungement under Penal Code section 1203.4 dismisses a conviction but does not seal the arrest record. For Berkeley cases, file the petition with the Alameda County Superior Court. Several legal aid organizations in the East Bay serve Berkeley residents, including groups connected to the UC Berkeley law school that provide free legal help with record clearing. The court's self-help center also has forms and instructions for people filing on their own.

Nearby Cities

Berkeley borders Oakland and is near several other East Bay cities that use the Alameda County booking system.

See the Alameda County page for full countywide records and booking information.