Crime Statistics
The Modesto Police Department provides information on crime activity via a crime mapping tool. It also publishes data on citywide crime statistics. In 2017, the city recorded a total of 10,539 reported incidents, made up of 8,465 cases of property crime and 2,074 incidents of violent crime. Larceny-theft made up 55.3% of total crimes while assaults, auto thefts, and burglaries made up 13.4%, 13.3%, and 11.2% respectively. Crime rate decreased by 17% compared to the previous year. With 13.51 daily crimes per 100,000 residents, Modesto’s overall crime rate was 80% higher than the national average.
Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Modesto Police Department (MPD) is tasked with protecting the city. The department also processes requests for different types of police reports, including offense reports, traffic reports, and arrest records.
Who Can Access Police Reports
Arrest records and police reports are released in accordance with the state’s Public Record Act. Defendants and victims have rights to police reports. Reports may also be issued to authorized legal representatives of victims. Requests for juvenile information will require the permission of the presiding judge of juvenile court. Access to records may be prevented if the records:
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Identify victim information.
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Include sealed/confidential information.
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Include information that may deprive a person of a fair trial or disclose investigation techniques.
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Identify juvenile information.
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Include information that may endanger the safety of a person or witness.
How to Obtain Police Reports
Reports can be obtained in person at the main police station at 600 Tenth Street, which opens Monday through Thursday. Requesters will need to submit a completed request form that clearly indicates the type of record being sought (arrest, traffic or other), their status and the reason behind the request. Request forms must also include the requester’s full name, date of birth, residence address and license number.
The department charges 10 cents per page and $10 for photographs.
Requests can also be sent by mail with an enclosed check or money order to:
Modesto Police Department,
600 10th Street,
Modesto, CA 95354
How to Find Inmate Information
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department manages the records of persons currently held in sheriff detention centers and minimum housing units within the state. The department publishes an online custody report that lists the details of inmates as permitted under the California Public Records Act. It includes general information such as the name of the inmate, booking number, arrival time, inmate facility, booking date, and release date.
How to Obtain Sex Offender Information
The State of California Department of Justice provides public access to general information related to sex offenders. Members can conduct searches using the sex offender online registry. Searches can be made for registered offenders using different fields such as the registrant’s name, address, city or zip code. Requesters can also conduct proximity searches to find registrants located close to their location.
Court Records
The Stanislaus County Superior Court provides online access to cases heard within its district. This includes civil, criminal, family law, juvenile, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. Residents can search for case records via the court’s public smart search portal using a known record number or the full name of an involved part. Results can be filtered by party name, business name, case type, case status, and filing date.
Vital Records
Modesto vital records can be obtained at the city, county and state level. This includes accessing birth certificates, death certificates, and records of domestic partnership. Applicants may be restricted from obtaining certified records depending on their eligibility.
How to Obtain Divorce Records
The Superior Court of California, County of Stanislaus Family Law Division manages all family law matters, including divorces (dissolution of marriage). Access to records can be obtained at the clerk’s office located at 1100 I Street, Modesto, CA. The office opens from Monday through Friday between 8:15 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Requests can also be submitted by mail to P.O. Box 1098, Modesto, CA 95353-1098.
How to Obtain Certificate of Records for Divorce
The California Department of Public Health provides certificates of record for divorces granted between 1962 and June 1984. It includes the names of the involved parties, court case number, and the county where the divorce was filed. Requests can be made by completing an application form and mailing it to:
California Department of Public Health
Vital Records – MS 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
The department charges $14.00. Applications should include the requester’s full name as well as much information related to the event.
Note: Divorce records for cases filed after 2004 that are unavailable online can be obtained at the originating courthouses where the divorce was filed.
How to Obtain Birth/Death Records
The Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder maintains and issues copies of birth, death and marriage records for events within Modesto and other parts of the county. Records are scanned, indexed and stored and may be viewed or purchased for a fee by eligible persons. The office provides two types of copies: authorized certified copies and informational copies. Requesters must include a certificate of identity statement in order to be eligible for an authorized certified copy.
Obtaining Birth/Death/Marriage Records
To obtain a birth or death record, requesters must submit a completed request application for birth records, death records or marriage records along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and appropriate fees to:
Stanislaus County Clerk,
P. O. Box 1670,
Modesto, CA 95353-1670
The Clerk-Recorder’s office charges $28 for each copy or search for a birth record, $21 for each copy or search for a death record and $15.00 per copy for marriage records. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, money order or check made payable to the "Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder."
