Monterey County Crime Numbers
Monterey County recorded 1,802 violent crimes and 10,043 property crimes in 2017, the most recent year with a complete set of crime data. Compared to 2013 figures, violent crime rate rose a bit by 0.4% while incidences of property crimes fell by 8.2%. A closer look at 2017 crime figures for the county shows that there were 43 homicides, 168 rapes, 547 robberies, and 1,044 aggravated assaults. Larceny-theft was the most prevalent property crime with 6,026 incidents followed by 2,080 motor vehicle thefts, 1,937 burglaries, and 58 arsons.
The most recent five-year crime trend in Monterey County indicates that rape (104.9%, mostly due to the expanded definition of the crime) and aggravated assault (3.4%) were the only crimes to record higher rates in 2017 compared to 2013. In the same period, homicide, robbery, and burglary rates fell by 8.5%, 16.5%, and 28.4% respectively. Similarly, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson rates shrank by 0.2%, 5.4%, and 3.3% respectively.
Monterey County Criminal Records
The Office of the Attorney General of the California Department of Justice, rather than the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, provides criminal history checks for the county. To obtain a background check, you must submit a completed fingerprint card to the Department of Justice. The Sheriff’s Department provides fingerprinting service. Start the request process by completing the Request for Live Scan Service form (also available in Spanish). Make sure to write or tick “Record Review” in the spaces for “Type of Application” and “Reason for Application”. Bring the completed form to:
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office
1414 Natividad Road
Salinas, CA 93906
Call the Sheriff’s Office at (831) 755-3700 to make an appointment. The Sheriff’s Office provides this service during weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. It charges $25 and accepts cash, cashier’s check, credit card, and money order for payment.
Some local police departments in the county also provide fingerprinting service. For example, you can bring the form to:
Monterey Police Department
351 Madison Street
Monterey, CA 93940
Make an appointment by calling the police department at (831) 646-3830. It offers fingerprinting service on Wednesdays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and charges $33 for it.
Mail the Live Scan Service form; a personal check, certified check, or money order for $24; and the fingerprint card obtained from the Sheriff’s Office to:
California Department of Justice
Record Review Unit
P.O. Box 903417
Sacramento, CA 94203-4170
Make the check or money order payable to the California Department of Justice.
The various police departments of the cities and towns of Monterey County provide incident and accident reports. While the Sheriff’s Office does not provide these criminal justice reports, it does offer helpful links to the major law enforcement agencies in the county. Use the contact information provided on the Sheriff’s Office website to contact these police departments and ask about obtaining crime, incident, and accident reports.
Monterey County Sex Offender Information
The California Department of Justice is responsible for maintaining the records of all registered sex offenders in the state. Its mandates also include making this registry available to the public. It allows the public to search its database of registered sex offenders from the California Megan’s Law website. Use the search functions to find offenders by name, city, and zip code. To see the locations of all sex offenders living in Monterey County, select Monterey from the drop-down county menu on the search page.
Monterey County Inmate Records
The Detention Division of the Corrections Bureau runs the Monterey County Jail. This correctional facility includes the Main Jail and the Rehabilitation Facility both located at 1410 Natividad Road, Salinas. Call (831) 647-7782 to reach the officers of the County Jail.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office publishes a regularly updated list of inmates in the county jail on its website. Search this inmate roster to find information about individuals incarcerated in this facility. To deposit money in an inmate’s account, use the electronic kiosk in the jail lobby. Alternatively, send a money order by mail and make it payable to MCSD Prisoner Trust Fund. Write the inmate’s name and booking number on the edge of the money order.
Monterey County Court Records
The Superior Court of California has four courthouses in Monterey County. Below are their addresses and contact information:
Salinas Courthouse
Courthouse: 240 Church St., Salinas, CA 93901, (831) 775-5400
Mailing Address: 240 Church St., Salinas, CA 93901
Salinas Annex: 118 W. Gabilan Street, Salinas, CA 93901 (831) 775-5400
Mailing Address: 240 Church St., Salinas, CA 93901
Juvenile Justice Court
Monterey County Probation Department
Courthouse: 1422 Natividad Rd., Salinas, CA 93906, (831) 775-5400
Mailing Address: 240 Church St., Salinas, CA 93901
Monterey Courthouse
Courthouse: 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 647-5800
Mailing Address: Monterey County Courts, 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940
Marina Courthouse
Courthouse: 3180 Del Monte Blvd., Marina, CA 93933, (831) 883-5300
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2010, Marina, CA 93933
Use the Case Search portal of the Monterey County Superior Court to find the records of these courts online. Members of the public can also view and request for copies of case files at the clerk’s office in the court where those cases were heard. The Superior Court of California charges 50 cents per page for copies of Monterey County Court Records.
Monterey County Vital Records
The Monterey Courthouse of the California Superior Court houses the Family Law Division and hears all divorce cases. The clerk of the court maintains all records of divorce decrees and judgements. To obtain your divorce record, visit or call the courthouse. Divorce records fall under court records. Each copy requested costs 50 cents per page.
The Monterey County Recorder’s Office issues other vital records. These include certified and informational copies of birth and death certificates as well as non-confidential marriage certificates.You can obtain these records bysubmitting a request online (birth, death, marriage) or visiting the Recorder’s Office to complete your application at the kiosk there. The Recorder’s Office is at:
Monterey County Government Center Administration Building
168 West Alisal Street, 1st Floor
Salinas, CA 93901
It opens to the public from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Certified copies of vital records are ready for pickup within two weeks for requests submitted online.
The Recorder also accepts mail requests for certified and informational copies of these vital records. Download, complete, and notarize the application form. Send this along with a check or money order for copy fees to:
Monterey County Recorder
P.O. Box 29
Salinas, CA 93902
The Recorder charges the same fees for certified and informational copies. The fees for birth, death, and marriage certificates are $25, $21, and $15 respectively.
