It’s 2 a.m. in Los Angeles. Your phone rings with a call from the LA Sheriff’s Department. Your loved one has just been arrested and booked into one of the massive LA County jails. You’re left with questions racing through your mind — where exactly are they, what are the charges, is there a mugshot, how much is the bail, and what do you do next?
I checked the official Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Inmate Information Center today. The free online inmate locator includes mugshots, booking details, charges, and bond information for everyone in LASD custody. Follow these detailed micro-steps and you’ll know exactly where your person is and how to help them.
LA Sheriff Department Inmate Search – Detailed Micro Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1 – Go to the official LASD Inmate Locator: Click this direct link → https://app5.lasd.org/. Complete the reCAPTCHA if prompted. Note: Records for bookings in the last 2 hours may not appear yet.
- Step 2 – Enter search information: Type the LAST NAME first. Add first name, middle name, or date of birth if you know them. Click Search. Results show mugshot, booking number, charges, bond amount, housing location, and more.
- Step 3 – If no results show up: Try spelling variations or just the last name + first initial. Refresh after a few hours if the arrest was very recent. Then call the 24/7 Inmate Information line at (213) 473-6100 and say: “I need to locate [full name and DOB]. Can you confirm custody status, charges, bond, and booking number?”
- Step 4 – Save all details: Screenshot the mugshot and full record. Write down the booking number — you will need it for every future step including visits, money, mail, and court.
- Step 5 – Set up free alerts: Register at https://www.vinelink.com with the name or booking number. California participates, so you get instant automated notifications for releases, transfers, or court movements.
LA Sheriff Department Arrest Records – How to Get Full Details
- Step 1: The inmate locator already shows charges and booking information.
- Step 2: For the complete police report or additional arrest documents, call (213) 473-6100 or contact the LASD Records unit.
- Step 3: Provide the full name and booking number. Ask about fees and processing time (usually several days to weeks).
- Step 4: You can also check court case details on the Los Angeles Superior Court website using the booking number or name.
What to Do After You Find the Inmate – Complete Action Plan
Check Next Court Date
- Go to the Los Angeles Superior Court case search portal at https://www.lacourt.org/.
- Search using the full name or booking number from the LASD locator.
- Note the date, time, and courthouse location. First appearances usually happen quickly.
Bail and Release Options
Bond amount appears in the inmate locator results. Call (213) 473-6100 to confirm if it is cash-only or if a bondsman can post it. Many local bondsmen work with LASD facilities. Pay at the Inmate Reception Center or designated locations during business hours.
How to Schedule a Visit
- Call (213) 473-6100 or visit the official LASD visitation page for current rules and scheduling.
- Video visitation is widely available through the Inmate Video Visitation System.
- Bring valid photo ID. Follow strict dress code and security procedures. Hours vary by facility — always confirm when you call.
Send Money for Commissary
LASD uses AccessCorrections for deposits. Go to www.accesscorrections.com or call 866-345-1884. Have the booking number ready. Deposits help with phone calls, food, and hygiene items.
Mail Letters and Photos
Send mail to the specific facility where the inmate is housed (check the locator for current housing). Include full name and booking number on the envelope. Follow all content rules to avoid rejection. Legal mail has special procedures.
LA Sheriff Department Inmate Search • LA County Jail Inmate Locator • LA Sheriff Arrest Records
All these searches lead to the official LASD Inmate Information Center at app5.lasd.org. It is free, includes mugshots, and is the most reliable source for anyone in LA County Sheriff custody. Avoid paid third-party sites.
Insider Tips That Help LA Families
- New bookings may take up to 2 hours to appear online — call (213) 473-6100 for the fastest update.
- The LASD operates multiple large facilities. The locator shows current housing.
- Call the inmate information line between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. for shorter wait times.
- Keep the booking number saved — it is required for almost every service.
- Sign up for VINELink immediately after finding the record.
- Video visitation is often easier than in-person for busy LA families.
- If the person may go to state prison later, also check the California CDCR/CIRIS system.
Contact | Details |
|---|---|
24/7 Inmate Information | (213) 473-6100 |
Jail / Custody Questions | (213) 473-6100 |
Inmate Reception Center | 450 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
Official LASD Website | |
Inmate Locator |
Free real-time notifications for custody changes. California CDCR / CIRIS
Search state prison records if transferred. LA Superior Court
Check court dates and cases.
Frequently Asked Questions – LA Sheriff Department Inmate Search & Arrest Records
Go to the official locator at https://app5.lasd.org/ and enter the last name. Results include mugshots, charges, and bond amounts — completely free.
Yes. The official LASD Inmate Information Center is free. Avoid paid sites that republish the same public data.
Usually within a few hours, but records for very recent bookings (last 2 hours) may not show yet. Call (213) 473-6100 for immediate help.
They may be in a different facility, recently booked, released, or listed under a different spelling. Call (213) 473-6100 or check California state prison records.
Bond information appears in the locator results. Confirm by calling (213) 473-6100.
Call (213) 473-6100 or check the official visitation page for scheduling and rules. Video visitation is available and often easier.
Register free at https://www.vinelink.com with the name or booking number for automated alerts.
Use AccessCorrections at www.accesscorrections.com or call 866-345-1884. Have the booking number ready.
Yes. Mugshots are included directly in the official inmate locator results.
LA County jails (run by LASD) hold people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. State prisons (run by CDCR) hold those convicted of felonies with longer sentences.
Use only the official LA Sheriff Department links and phone numbers listed here. Write down the booking number immediately. Call (213) 473-6100 when the online locator does not give you the answers you need. Families who stay organized and act quickly get the best results. You’ve got this — take it one step at a time.
Find Jail Info, Inmate Search Steps, Visitation Rules, Bond Help, Warrants and Official Sheriff Links
Use this free tool before calling a sheriff office, searching a jail roster, checking arrest records, visiting an inmate, asking about bond, requesting a report, or looking for official county sheriff resources. It does not collect names, case numbers, booking numbers, or personal information.
What sheriff office task do you need help with?
Choose your situation. The tool will suggest the safest next step, what to prepare, and which official resource to check first.
Start with the official sheriff or jail roster, confirm custody by phone only when needed, then check court records for hearings or case details.
Do not pay anyone who calls demanding gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, or urgent warrant payment. Verify through official sheriff channels.
Inmate Search Step Helper
Use this before searching a jail roster or inmate lookup portal. It helps you choose the best search method and avoid wrong-person matches.
Bond, Release and Custody Status Helper
Use this to organize what to check before asking about bond, release timing, facility location or court status.
Visitation, Phone and Mail Checklist
Use this before planning a jail visit, video visit, inmate phone setup, commissary deposit, or mail delivery.
Warrant Information Safety Helper
Use this if you are trying to understand warrant information safely. This tool does not confirm warrants and does not provide legal advice.
Sheriff Report and Arrest Record Request Helper
Use this before requesting accident reports, incident reports, arrest records, jail records, public records or background-related information.
Sheriff Call / Warrant Payment Scam Checker
Use this if someone called, texted, emailed or messaged you claiming to be from a sheriff office, court, jail, deputy or warrant unit.
Official Sheriff Office Resource Finder
Enter county and state to create safe searches for official sheriff websites, jail rosters, inmate lookup, warrants, visitation, records requests, court records and this site’s guide.
Sheriff Office vs Court vs Jail
- Sheriff/Jail: custody, booking, jail roster, visitation, inmate mail, some warrants.
- Court/Clerk: case status, hearings, court records, fines, court dates.
- Attorney: legal advice, warrant risk, criminal charges, bond strategy.
Best sitewide placement
Add this tool after the first inmate-search or contact section, or before FAQs. It turns a normal guide into a practical action page.
Important safety note
This tool is educational only. It is not a sheriff office, jail, court, legal service, emergency service, or official records portal. For emergencies, call 911.