Access Colusa County Busted Mugshots

Colusa County busted mugshots are managed by the sheriff's office in the city of Colusa, which serves as both the county seat and the largest community. This is one of the smallest counties in California by population, with roughly 22,000 residents. The county sits in the Sacramento Valley, and the sheriff's office handles all law enforcement and jail operations for the area. Arrests are infrequent compared to larger jurisdictions. This page covers how to find busted mugshots from Colusa County through the sheriff's office, public records requests, and California state databases.

Colusa County Sheriff Booking Records

The Colusa County Sheriff's Office is located at 229 E Webster Street in Colusa, CA 95932. The main phone number is (530) 458-0200. The sheriff is the primary law enforcement agency for Colusa County. There is a small police department in the city of Colusa and another in Williams, but the sheriff runs the county jail and handles all booking operations. Every person arrested in Colusa County goes through the sheriff's booking process.

Colusa County's jail is a small facility that matches the county's modest population. The booking process works the same as anywhere else in California. When someone is arrested, they are photographed, their personal information is recorded, and charges are entered into the system. The mugshot becomes part of the booking record. Because the arrest volume is low, the sheriff's office deals with far fewer records than urban counties. But every record is subject to the same public access laws that apply statewide.

The sheriff's office does not appear to have an online inmate search tool. This is common for smaller California counties. To get busted mugshots or booking records from Colusa County, you will need to contact the office directly. The staff is small, so give them time to process your request.

How to Find Busted Mugshots in Colusa County

Call the Colusa County Sheriff's Office at (530) 458-0200. Ask for the records division or jail staff. Provide the name of the person you are looking for and an approximate date of arrest. The staff can check the booking system and tell you if a record exists. If you want a copy of the mugshot, they will explain the process for getting one. Some requests can be handled over the phone, while others may need a written request.

For a formal records request, use the California Public Records Act. Write a letter or email to the sheriff's office. State that you are making a CPRA request and specify what you want. Include the person's full name, date of birth if known, and the approximate date and location of the arrest. Ask for the booking record including the booking photograph. The sheriff must respond within 10 days. A 14-day extension is allowed if the request is complex, but most Colusa County requests should be straightforward.

You can also check with the Colusa County Superior Court for case records. Court files contain information about charges, pleas, and sentencing that goes beyond the booking record. The court and the sheriff maintain separate records systems. If you need a full picture of a case, you may need to request records from both.

The full text of AB 1475 sets rules for how law enforcement agencies share booking photos on social media, which applies to the Colusa County Sheriff and all other California agencies.

This law restricts social media posting of mugshots for nonviolent arrests unless specific exceptions apply.

Colusa County Public Records Act Requests

The CPRA gives every person the right to request public records from government agencies in California. Booking records are public records. Under Government Code section 7923.610, the sheriff must release certain arrest information including the person's name, physical description, charges, bail, and release details. The mugshot is arguably part of the physical description, though agencies have some discretion over its release based on a 2003 Attorney General opinion.

Send your written request to the Colusa County Sheriff's Office at 229 E Webster Street, Colusa, CA 95932. You can also try calling first to see if the information is available without a formal request. For smaller counties, a phone call sometimes gets you what you need faster than a written process. But if you want documentation of your request and the agency's response, put it in writing. The 10-day response clock starts when the agency receives your request.

Copying fees for Colusa County records are typically 10 cents per page. Electronic records may have different fee structures. If the agency needs to compile data from multiple systems, they can charge for the actual cost of production. Most simple booking record requests should not involve significant fees. If you are requesting your own record, consider using the DOJ Live Scan process to get your statewide criminal history for $25.

State Resources for Colusa County Mugshot Records

The California Department of Justice holds statewide criminal history data. Submit a CPRA request through the DOJ online form for state-level records. The DOJ record review process lets you check your own criminal history. Use Live Scan fingerprinting with form BCIA 8016RR and a $25 fee. Fee waivers exist for people who qualify based on income.

The CDCR CIRIS tool is a free search for state prison inmates. It does not cover county jail inmates in Colusa County. Use it when someone has been sentenced to state prison after a Colusa County conviction. The Megan's Law website at meganslaw.ca.gov provides public access to registered sex offender information statewide, including photos and addresses. This is a separate database from the county booking system.

Removing Colusa County Busted Mugshots

California law gives you tools to clear arrest records. Penal Code section 851.87 allows petitions to seal arrest records when charges were not filed, were dismissed, or resulted in acquittal. Sealed records make the mugshot inaccessible to the public. The Clean Slate Act (SB 731) provides automatic sealing for arrests without charges. Misdemeanor arrests seal after one year. Felony arrests seal after three years. This happens automatically through the DOJ system.

Expungement under Penal Code section 1203.4 covers convictions. It dismisses the case after probation is complete, but it does not seal the arrest record or booking photo. For Colusa County cases, file expungement petitions with the Colusa County Superior Court. SB 1027 makes it illegal for websites to charge fees for mugshot removal. If a site asks for payment, report it to the California Attorney General.

Penal Code section 13665 limits social media posting of booking photos by law enforcement. For nonviolent arrests in Colusa County, the sheriff cannot post mugshots on Facebook, Instagram, or other platforms unless the person is a fugitive or a judge orders it. All booking photos on social media must be removed within 14 days under the 2023 amendment (AB 994). These rules do not affect the sheriff's own official website or internal database system.

Nearby Counties

Colusa County is in the northern Sacramento Valley. Neighboring counties may handle arrests that happen near county borders.