Office of the Sheriff

    EMAIL       WEBSITE     TWITTER     FACEBOOK

55 W Younger Ave, San Jose, CA 95110-1721

Founded the same year California became a state, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is one of the oldest law enforcement entities on the West Coast. The sheriff, elected by the citizens of the county every four years, oversees this multimillion-dollar agency with the assistance of a management team consisting of an undersheriff, three assistant sheriffs, and an administrative services director. The Sheriff's Office is divided into four major bureaus: Administrative Services, Enforcement, Support Services, and Custody (which covers the Main Jail Complex and the Elmwood Complex for Men and Women).

Related Articles

Morgan Hill Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Sheriff’s Office launches gun relinquishment program

Law enforcement officials in the South Bay are launching a new program to assist in collecting unwanted firearms off the streets and throughout the community. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office is launching a new Firearms Relinquishment Program beginning Aug. …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Sheriff investigates fentanyl exposures at jail

From Bay City News Service Santa Clara County Sheriff Robert Jonsen is drawing attention to a rash of fentanyl overdoses and exposures at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas, he said in a release on Wednesday. Thirteen inmates and two …

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Fentanyl Overdoses at Elmwood Jail Prompt Sheriff to Begin Investigation, Add More Searches

To combat the presence of fentanyl in the correctional facility, Jonsen said he has taken “extraordinary” measures, including conducting multiple facility searches, more frequent welfare checks and numerous K-9 searches.

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Weekend Count Assures Jonsen of Victory over Jensen in SC Sheriff’s Race

Jonsen's 7,163-vote margin, with approximately 19,000 ballots outstanding, meant that Jensen would need nearly 70% of the remaining ballots to edge past Jonsen. As of 1pm today, Jensen had not conceded the race.

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
Bob Jonsen and Kevin Jensen Face Off To Be Santa Clara County Sheriff

Candidates for Santa Clara County Sheriff have been squaring off on homelessness, crime, police accountability and the potential new jail in a series of debates and open forums before voters head to the polls on Nov. 8. Smith announced her …

Morgan Hill Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Author tells story of early Santa Clara County gunfighter-sheriff

Nineteenth century Santa Clara County Sheriff John Hicks Adams is the subject of a new book, “Badass Lawman: Gangs, Guns, and the Sheriff Who Tamed the Golden State.” Author William Briggs, a former San Jose State University mass communications professor …

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Judge Rejects Sheriff Smith’s Pleas for Dismissal

The case against the sheriff will proceed because San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Nancy Fineman, in a ruling filed Thursday, rejected Smith’s requests that misconduct charges be dismissed.

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Sheriffs Before Smith Gave Supporters CCW Permits

Sheriff Laurie Smith's election in 1998 as California’s first female sheriff signaled the end of the good old boys’ network, at least as appearances go.

Morgan Hill Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Analysis: Sheriffs, Guns & Money

As a young journalist, I was invited to a meeting with Sheriff Bob Winter at an insurance office. At one point, one of the attendees asked the folksy Gilroyan if there was anything he could do to help. I remember …

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith Announces She Won’t Seek Re-election

Smith, who started with the Sheriff's Office in 1973 and has been sheriff since 1998, blasted attacks against her tenure as politically motivated.

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Judge won’t seal testimony in Santa Clara County Sheriff’s case

A San Mateo County judge has refused to seal a portion of civil grand jury testimony in a public corruption case against Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith. Judge Nancy Fineman denied a motion on Feb. 22 to seal testimony …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Attorney General launches civil rights investigation into sheriff’s office

State Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday announced his office is opening a civil rights investigation into the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office over allegations that include misconduct in county jails and resistance to oversight. The Sheriff's Office has faced …

Sheriff Smith Will Contest Grand Jury Conclusions and Its Legitimacy, Says Lawyer

Celebrated Silicon Valley lawyer Allen J. Ruby readies pre-trial arguments for Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith as her case likely will extend into the 2022 political season.

Join Us Today!