Fresno County Jail – Fresno, CA

Fresno County Jail is in Fresno County, California and is the main correctional facility for that county. Are you looking for somebody in Fresno County Jail? This guide will tell you info about anything one might want to know about Fresno County Jailsuch as the following: Find an inmate at Fresno County Jail. Find mugshots and inmate photos. The jail’s phone number and address. Posting bail. Booking and intake procedures. Court records. And everything else.

The thought of getting arrested and going to jail is a scary and daunting idea, not only for the person who gets locked up, but also their family and friends. The purpose of this guide is to give info you need to make helping someone get out of jail easier. If you have a question, feel free to ask them, and any comments or tips that could be a benefit to others will be welcome.

Do you have a family member or friend in jail and want to find them?

Do you know somebody who has been arrested and you need to find out what jail they’re in?

To see who is in jail at Fresno County Jail you will need to click on their link and do an inmate lookup.

The Fresno County Jail Inmate Lookup is a list of people currently in custody, which includes custody status, how much their bail is, and times the inmate can have visitors. Also, you can find the same information for anyone booked or discharged within the past 24 hours. Inmates are listed in alphabetical order by their last name. You will be able to find their inmate information more quickly if you enter their name, birth date, or inmate ID Number.

If your friend or family member is in a different jail you should check the other California county jails in our California County Jail Guide: California Jails

A mugshot, also called a intake picture, is the photo that the jail takes when you get booked into jail. A mugshot is actually one face photo and a side picture. Your full name and booking number will be on the photos, and they will be stored at the jail.

Mugshots of Fresno County Jail inmates can be seen online, or you can see them in person at the Fresno County Jail. When you search for mugshots on the website you need to input the person’s full name, and an arrest date.

Want to get your mugshot taken down from the Fresno County Jail website? This can be tricky, as your mugshot is a matter of public record. You have to file a ‘Petition to Expunge’. What this means is that all of your arrest records would be sealed, and will not be available to the public. Depending on your situation, this may be a longshot.

Read our in-depth tutorial about getting your mugshot taken down, the various websites with mugshots, and the mugshot removal services: Mugshot Removal

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Once you are arrested and put in jail, your primary thought is when and how to get out. After you’ve gone through booking, your bail will be determined by a special judge called a magistrate. In cases where no bail is set this can mean that you will either be free to go until your trial, or you have to stay in jail until your trial.

If you do bail out you must promise to be in court on your court date, and until that date you are not allowed to go out of town.

Usually, prisoners at Fresno County Jail can earn an early release in exchange for good behavior when they follow the rules and don’t cause any problems while in jail.

If you do exhibit good behavior and the jail believes you can be trusted, you may be granted work release. You will either have to return to jail each day after work, or you could get to move to a halfway house instead of living at the jail.

Your bail is how much money that you will be required to pay to get out of jail until your trial. The amount of bail that is set is determined by the crime you are charged with. You will have to pay to the courts 10 percent of the total that was set before you can be released. If you fail to show up for your court date, the person that bailed you out of jail will lose that bail money.

To find out how much bail money you will need to bail someone out of jail will have to call the Fresno County Jail or the County Courthouse. If you have all the person’s information, including name, address and date of birth, they’ll tell you how much their bail is. You can also see the bail amount on the Fresno County Jail website.

Having to get someone out of jail is never a fun thing, but usually, its really easy if you have the money. To start with, you have to find out if their bail is a Cash Only Bond situation. If so, you will not be able to use the services of a Bail Bondsman. Bail can only be paid by cash – the jail can’t accept a check. Once the cash bond has been paid, the prisoner will get released. If this person doesn’t violate any of the terms of their release, you will get this money back.

If their bail has been set too high, or you just can’t afford it, you should hire a bail bondsman. They will usually charge you a fee of 10 to 15 percent of the bail amount, and in most cases charge a minimum of $100. This money is non-refundable and the bondsman only accepts cash. If the bail is exceptionally high, the bail bondsman may require that they use your assets as collateral.

If you need a local bail bondsman visit our page about: Bail bondsman

Have you ever had to find a bail bondsman either for yourself, a family member or friend? If you have, please leave a comment below and tell about your experience and let us know how it worked out.

Click here to tell about all about it

In the state of California your bail is predetermined by the California Felony Bail Schedule, but keep in mind, though, the judge or magistrate has the final word on you bail amount. The California Felony Bail Schedule includes all of the crimes defined by state law and the exact bail amount for each one.

• Time Off For Good Behavior
• Work Release Programs
• Time Served
• Pre-Trial Release Programs
• House Arrest
• Be Released on Your Own Recognizance

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The jail intake process includes the following steps:

• You will be placed in a waiting area or cell. If there are a lot of arrests, it will take a while to get processed.
• Firstly, you will have to answer some questions, such as what your legal name is, home address, date of birth and contact person.
• They’ll also ask about your mental and medical history.
• You will be issued an inmate ID number.
• You will get fingerprinted.
• You will have a front and profile photo taken for your mugshot.
• All of your personal property will be taken away from you and stored until you get discharged from jail.
• You will then be allowed to make a phone call to get in touch with a family member, friend, or bail bondsman.
• If you are expected to be released quickly, you might be able to wear your street clothes, otherwise you will have to wear a jail uniform – the jumpsuit.

Have you ever been arrested and gone through processing at jail? If you have, you should share your experience so others can benefit from your story. How long did it take to get processed? How did the guards treat you? Can you tell us tips that might help other people that get arrested get through the process?

Click here to tell about all about it

Once you are able to post bail, you will be allowed to go home after you get discharged. This process can take from 30 minutes to all day long. In simple terms, the quicker bail is posted, the sooner you will be released. Also, how fast you get released might depend on if you’ve got a bond amount or if a judge must figure out how much your bail will be. For a minor offense, you will get booked and released on your own recognizance. When you get to the end of your sentence and are given a discharge date, expect to be released at any time that day – but usually in the morning.

If the police have a, or if you have to start your sentence, it is highly recommended that you do the right thing and turn yourself in. In the case of an outstanding warrant, go down to the jail intake center, and tell them that you think there may be an outstanding arrest warrant out for you. A record check will be run, and if they verify that you have one, they will take you into custody and begin the intake process. When reporting to serve a sentence, go down to the jail on the date and time that the sentence order states. Ensure that you don’t show up late. Make sure that you only bring required items when you turn yourself in, such as a driver’s license or state issued ID, any prescription medication you might take, along with your doctor’s prescription, as well as a sentencing order.

Inmates need to give each visitor’s full name to the jail in advance of any visit. Your visitor’s names will be put into the log for the inmate that requested the visitor. All visitors is required to provide proof of identification. Anyone that arrives for visitation late or that does not have a visitation order will be turned away.
Jail visitation policies can change, so we suggest that you review the official site before you visit an inmate.

Phone calls that inmates are allowed to make from jail are made through a jail approved pre-paid phone account or phone card . These phone calls are generally pricier than phone calls made at home. There are certain restrictions about when and how often you can use the phone, but you should keep in mind that there are a limited number of phones, so all the inmates must share phone time. If you break the rules, phone calls may be limited or cut altogether.

Phone Number: (888) 373-7011

All mall sent to inmates is required to be mailed using US Postal Service. You shouldn’t use any other type of mail or package delivery. You have to write or type the prisoner’s name, prisoner number, and the address of the jail on the letter. Don’t send a package, envelope with padding or insulation, bag, or an envelope with metal inside. Any mail will be opened and read and inspected by the staff, and will get sent back if they decide it is inappropriate.

The mailing address for Fresno County Jail is:

Fresno County Jail
1225 ‘M’ Street
Fresno, CA 93712

Here is how you should address the letter:

[INMATE’S FULL NAME]
[INMATE ID]
Fresno County Jail
1225 ‘M’ Street
Fresno, CA 93712

The mail policy changes often, so be sure to double check the official website before you send a letter.

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Even if you’ve been arrested, you still have rights, the first of which is that you have the right to request an attorney. You won’t get many phone calls in jail, so make sure you get a friend or relative to find a lawyer when you call them. I know you’re probably asking yourself right now ‘I don’t have to get a lawyer – I can just represent myself’ While you are not required to have one, a lawyer can advise you of your rights, look after your best interests and help you navigate the complicated court system that you are now faced with. The quicker you hire a lawyer to represent you and work on your criminal case, the better your chances.

To read more about how to find an attorney, read our guide: Find an Attorney

If you can’t afford an attorney, you will get a public defender. In addition, the Public Defender Office has a number of staff such as investigators, forensics experts as well as social case workers. Public Defenders are bona-fide lawyers that are admitted to the California State Bar Association and are licensed to practice law and represent you in court.

Have you ever had to use a Public Defender? How did they do?

Fresno County court records are public record and are available upon request to anyone who requests them – not just the person who they pertain to. They are comprised of a case file with a docket sheet and all documents and motions that have been filed in your case. You, and anyone else, can access the records and documents in your court case using the online service, or by going to the Fresno County Clerk of Court where the case was filed.

The Clerk of Court is an officer of the court that manages access to court records. The Clerk of Court also administer the oath for anyone testifying in court, and read the court verdict when the jury has finished deliberations. All records related to your court case are available at the office of the Clerk of Court.

Court fees and costs are the costs from your case, which include filing fees, motion and claim fees, and court charges. If you are low income and have court appointed legal counsel or a Public Defender, you can get a waiver for these fees.

The Fresno County magistrate is the person who presides over your case. Magistrate judges do different functions, like setting bail amounts, writing arrest warrants, and overseeing initial court appearances and detention proceedings.

Your pre-sentencing report is prepared to include your background information and details of the defendant’s life and public history, which the magistrate judge will review and take into consideration when determining the sentence. Information, details, and character witnesses will be requested from the person on trial, their family, and, if applicable, the victim in the crime. Bear in mind that you can ask to get a copy of the pre-sentencing report before you are sentenced, and make sure that you review it for accuracy and completeness, and correct any mistakes.

If you get convicted of a crime during your trial, you will then get sentenced. There are several different options for sentencing, including community service and probation, to incarceration in jail or prison. Depending on sentencing guidelines and the severity of your crime, you may be taken into custody, right there in court, or given a date that you are required to report to jail to serve your jail term according to your sentence.

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Do you need to find out if somebody you know is in jail, or has been an inmate in the past?

To do so, you should go to the jail website and do an inmate search, and search by:

• Their name.
• Birth date.
• Their booking date.
• and their jail inmate ID.

If you think this person is in jail, you should call the jail to find out.

If you believe you have an outstanding warrant, you are able to check the court records on the Fresno County court website or call the court directly. You have to have their first and last name. Or, you can just go down to the jail and inquire at the information desk. Bear in mind that if you do have an outstanding warrant, they will take you into custody immediately.

If you know a person’s name, and possibly an arrest date, contact the jail, either by phone, go there in person, or check online. Arrest records are public record and these records are available to anyone.

A Civil Process is when someone has been served with papers, which can be warrants. You can find these by going to the Sheriff’s office, either by phone or through their website.

All people registered as sex offenders have to be listed and registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people listed on these databases have been convicted in a court of law of a sex offense. You are able to see sex offenders online, but you should know that you can’t see the street address, but only the neighborhood block of the address that they registered.

Court Records are public records and available to anyone. They include a case file containing a court docket and all of the documents and filings filed in your case. You are able to access your court records on their website, or at the Fresno County Clerk of Court office in the jurisdiction where the case was filed.

Each state maintains records of their state citizen’s criminal history. These online databases are all linked and you can track criminal convictions from another state. You can go to the Fresno County Courthouse and inquire, or check online. It is helpful to know the county the crime was committed in, and in the event that the crime was in a totally different state, you may have to pay for a more complete search.

When you look up someone’s criminal record you can find out if a person has ever been arrested, charged or convicted for any crimes, which can include:

• DUI.
• Drug crimes.
• Kidnapping.
• Sexual offenses including rape, assault.
• Violent crimes including assault, battery and murder.
• Theft.

During a criminal records search, in most cases will not learn if someone has had any moving violations, like:

• Speeding.
• Drivers license revoked or suspended.
• Been in a traffic accident.
• Other moving violations.
• Parking Tickets.

To find this information, you have to do a driving history search.

Have you ever searched for criminal records? How hard was it? Did you do your search online or did you have to make a phone call to the courthouse? Was the information correct? There are many reasons that people search for criminal records, and your story may help other people that are in the same situation.

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Life In Jail / What Its Like

Daily Life

Just the thought of being incarcerated in the Fresno County jail is quite unpleasant, soon you will become accustomed to the daily routine there. You will get a wake-up alarm at 6:00am, and then you’ll have roll call. You will then get breakfast. When you finish breakfast you will work in the work program or other activity that you are assigned. This could be working in the kitchen, laundry, or some sort of manufacturing job. While this may seem tedious, it may help you when you leave jail, as you are gaining experience in a certain field of work. Other inmates go to school, while some take part in mandated treatment programs. After lunch, there will be another roll call, then back to work. Your evening will be spent either in your cell or a common room. During this time dinner is served and you will be expected to take a shower. After another roll call, it’s lights out. Even though you will be confined to your cell, there may be enough light to read or write letters. Then again, most inmates welcome lights out, and try to get as much sleep as they can.

Most people are frightened at the idea of jail because they don’t know what to expect. If you have spent any time in Fresno County Jail, your experiences would be welcomed, if it can help another person to deal with it.

Dress Code

When incarcerated, all inmates are expected to wear the Fresno County Jail uniform. This is normally a jumpsuit or scrubs. Of note to anyone visiting an inmate – you must be properly dressed. Any clothing considered inappropriate will not be permitted.

How To Send Money to an Inmate

You will have your own ‘bank account’ while in jail. This money is used to purchase items from the Commissary. Family and friends can deposit money into this account for you, and any money you earn while in prison will also be deposited into your account. Outside money can be paid in to your account via a money order, cash or check. If someone sends a check or money order, make sure that they write your inmate ID on it. The maximum amount you are allowed in your account is $290 per month.

The process for sending funds to people in jail changes, so review the site before you send any money.


Commissary

The commissary is the jail store. You can purchase a number of things here, such as toiletries, snacks and writing supplies. Bear in mind that you will probably want to use the commissary daily, and any infractions will get that privilege taken away from you.

Inmate Medications

If you are on any type of prescription medication, you will be allowed to continue taking it while in jail. When you are first processed, you will be asked what medication you take. You will then be referred to the jail nurse or doctor who will be in charge of monitoring your health and prescribing your medication.

Meals

You will get three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. As expected, they are very basic, but healthy. A typical breakfast might be cereal, toast, coffee and fruit. Lunch might be spaghetti, salad, bread and milk. Dinner could be chicken casserole, rice, vegetables, dessert and milk. Contrary to popular belief, prison food has greatly improved over the years, and you might find that it’s not much different from what you would eat at home.

Pods / The Yard

The jail is designed in a ‘pod’ layout, with self-contained housing arranged around an outdoor yard. Each pod has a central control station and a common room, and the inmates take turns in using the yard. The jail is designed this way to keep certain inmates together, and others away from the general population.

Gangs

As with life in general, gangs are a part of prison life. Obviously it is best to avoid becoming a part of this environment as it will only lead to trouble. When you first enter prison, you might find yourself being ‘primed’ to join a gang, or worse, you might get their attention in a negative way. The best thing to do is keep your head down and don’t get involved.


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News and Media

News

Photos / Pictures

Videos


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Jobs

Types of Jobs at Fresno County Jail

The Deputy Sheriff is the second in command at the Fresno County Jail, overseeing the day to day operations and administration of the jail. An inmate is unlikely to have much interaction with the Deputy Sheriff, unless they have committed an infraction. Detention Officers are responsible for the custody and care of the inmates. They maintain order in the jail, and handle security. A Detention Officer is assigned to a certain pod, and therefore is responsible for the same inmates each day. They get to know the inmates on a certain level and are well equipped to handle any problems that may occur.

Apply for a Job at Fresno County Jail

Requirements:

• You must be over the age of 21.
• You must possess a High School Diploma or GED
• You must be a US Citizen.
• You must pass a Criminal, Credit and Driving History background check.
• You must pass a drug test.
• You must have a good level of fitness.
• You must be in good health.
• You must have a valid Driver’s License
• An applicant for Deputy Sheriff must possess a Law Enforcement Certification.


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Family Resources

There are resources for families of both the perpetrator of the crime and the victim. The social and emotional impact of crime is far reaching, affecting many. Families can receive professional counseling, court related assistance, social services assistance and help in navigating the criminal justice system.

If you are a family member, which resources did you find to be particularly helpful? Please let us know, as this will be helpful to other families in the same situation.

Click here to tell your story


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Victim Resources

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.

Victim’s Rights

The Victim Rights Act grants victims the following rights:

• You have the right to protection from the accused.
• You have the right to notification.
• You have the right to attend proceedings.
• You have the right to speak at criminal justice proceedings.
• You have the right to consult with the prosecuting attorney.
• You have the right to restitution.
• You have the right to a speedy trial.
• You have the right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect.

The definition of victim includes:

• Spouses and children of all victims.
• Parents and guardians of minor victims.
• Parents, guardians and siblings of mentally or physically incapacitated victims or victims of homicide.
• Foster parents or other caregivers, under certain circumstances.

There are a number of services and programs designed to help victims and their families. You can find out about these services by contacting the courthouse, or local law enforcement agency.

Victim Notification

The Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) is a system that provides victims with information pertaining to their case and/or any defendants in the case. You will receive a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that will allow you to access VNS via the internet or by phone. Here, you will find information about future court hearings, historical court events, and detailed information about the defendant. This will include criminal charges filed, the outcome of charges, sentence imposed, custody location, projected release date and any other release information. The VNS website is updated daily. You will also receive any ongoing information by mail or email.

Have you, a family member or friend ever used the Victim Notification System? If so, was it effective? Did you get the information in a timely manner? Was the system difficult to use? We would like to hear from you, so please post any comments here.

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Sex Offender Information and Search

All people registered as sex offenders are registered on either a national or state sex offender database. The people on these databases have been convicted of a sex or kidnapping crime. You can access this information online, but bear in mind that you will not get the exact address, rather the block that they live on.

Domestic Violence

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, there are services to help you. Your county will have a Domestic Violence Services office. They provide free and confidential services, such as emergency shelter information, legal advocacy, support groups and domestic violence education. They will work to help you create a safe and violence-free life, and heal from the trauma of abuse.

Important Note: If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 911.


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Reviews

Reviews of this Jail

Have you ever been incarcerated at this jail? Do you have a friend or family member that spent time there? Have you ever visited someone at this jail?

If so, then you should leave a comment below about it. Write down what you experienced so that other people will know what to expect.

What to write in what you write:

• Conditions at the jail.
• Jail layout and facility
• Staff and guards
• Commissary and food
• Visitation
• The other inmates.
• Inmate safety
• Gang activity
• Prisoner activities and programs


Write a Review

Tell Your Story

Anyone who’s ever been arrested and sent to jail has some stories about their time ‘inside’. Why were you locked up? Did you get fair treatment? How was life in jail? Were the other inmates cool? How did going to jail affect your life?

Click here to tell about all about it

Send a Message to Your Cell Mate

Did you make friends in jail? Do you need to say wassup to someone you met in jail? Send a message to them here.

Post a message to people still locked up at Fresno County Jail

Links and Resources

Main Fresno County Jail Website


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