How To Find Out If Someone Has Been Arrested

Are you worried someone you know might be in jail? Many people go through this. Sometimes, someone doesn’t come home or answer your messages. You start thinking: What if they got picked up?

Over 10 million arrests happen in the U.S. each year. That’s according to this justice report. It includes all kinds of things, from unpaid fines to serious crimes.

This article will walk you through how to find out if someone has been arrested. You’ll get tips on where to look, what tools you can use, and how to check police custody online. We’ll also share a website that makes the search way easier.

Can I See If Someone Has Been Arrested?

Yes, in many cases, you can. But it depends on where it happened and how fast the info gets posted. Some places update their jail lists often. Others are slower. If it happened recently, there might not be anything online yet.

First, if you’re not sure about police custody meaning, it just means someone is being held by law enforcement. It could be at the station or in a holding cell, before or after charges.

One way to start is by checking the website of the local jail. Some of them post daily booking logs. You can search by name. If the person was arrested, you might see when it happened, what the charges are, and maybe if bail was set.

Another option is to search news sites from that area. If it were a public arrest or involved something serious, local reporters might have written about it. Try looking for the person’s name and the city together.

Don’t know how to see if someone got arrested? Our simple steps are easy to follow and don’t take much time. They won’t always work, but they help.

Use People Finder Tools

If you’re trying to find out if someone is in jail, the best way is to use online tools. These websites collect records from different places and show them in one spot. You don’t have to search each county or state by hand.

One simple tool you can try is Searqle. It scans many public records at once and can give you results in seconds. You might also see a person’s past addresses, family ties, and more.

You don’t need to know their personal address. Searqle analyzes multiple areas, so even if you’re not sure, it can still work. It’s a helpful option when you’re unsure where to begin or if you’re wondering how to see if someone has been arrested:

  • Go to Searqle.io
  • Enter the full name of the person
  • Add a state if you know it
  • Click the “Search” button
  • Wait a few seconds for results
  • Review the information carefully

Results may include arrest dates, charges, jail name, court status, and more. Some listings show mugshots, too. If nothing comes up, check again later. Records update often.

Look Up State And Local Prison Records

Every U.S. state has a Department of Corrections (DOC) website. Most let you search for people held in state-run prisons or long-term jails. Just google your state plus “inmate lookup.” Look for a site that ends in .gov so you know it’s official.

Like in Florida, the site is dc.state.fl.us. In Texas, it’s inmate.tdcj.texas.gov. Just type in the person’s name. If they’re locked up there, their info will show up. But this method only works if the person has already been moved to state custody. If they were just picked up by local police, they probably won’t show up yet.

Also, if you think someone might be in immigration detention, use the immigration jail inmate lookup. It’s free and works by name and country of birth.

Contact Local Authorities

If you think the arrest happened in a certain city or town, the local police department might have the info. You can call their non-emergency number.

Ask if someone with that name is in police custody. That just means the police are holding them. They might be at the station, in a holding room, or on the way to jail. They haven’t always gone through court yet.

Some cities also post daily arrest logs on their websites. These lists usually show who got picked up, when, and why. If you ask them directly how to find out if someone is in police custody online, they might point you to their own log or a county jail page.

Some police departments don’t give this info over the phone. But they may give you another number to try or tell you when to call back.

Visit Courthouse

If someone has been arrested, there’s a good chance a court case will be opened soon after. Courts keep public records, and many let you check cases online.

Look up the local court site for the area where the arrest happened. To find out if someone is in jail, just try their name. If there’s a case, you might spot charges, dates, or something about the court.

But not every place puts this stuff online. Some counties still keep it offline, so you might have to go down to the courthouse and ask in person. Ask the clerk if they have anything listed under the person’s name.

This is a good way to find info if it’s been a few days since the arrest. You might even see if bail was set or if the person was released.

Conclusion

So, how do you see if someone has been arrested? You’ve got options:

  • Use a people finder like Searqle
  • Look at state DOC or jail sites
  • Call the police
  • Check with local courts

Among these, Searqle stands out as one of the easiest and most complete tools. You don’t need to know where the person was arrested or which county to search. Just a name is enough to get started. It checks a bunch of sources at once and gives results fast.

If you’re stressed and need to know what’s going on, learning how to see if someone is in jail can really help. You don’t have to wait for a call or guess. You can just look it up, right then and there. It might not tell you everything, but it’s something. And sometimes that’s enough.

You don’t have to sit around guessing anymore. Type in the name. Start your search with Searqle. It’s quick, easy, and could give you the answers you need right now.

Author

  • Alexander Reed

    Alexander Reed is a technical specialist with extensive experience in online security, people-lookup systems, and OSINT tools. Driven by a mission to make digital safety accessible, he creates clear, user-friendly guides and tools designed to help everyday people navigate online information responsibly.

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