Manual checks for links, numbers, addresses, maps and official record routes
Our verification process is designed to make county arrest-record guidance easier to trust while still reminding users that official agencies remain the final record custodians.
What we verify
When preparing or updating a page, our team reviews source details that may help users reach the correct official information. This can include official sheriff office websites, jail roster pages, clerk of court portals, state court systems, public records pages, agency phone numbers, mailing addresses, physical addresses and map references.
Because government websites frequently redesign pages, change URLs, add search tools or update phone routing, verification is not a one-time task. We treat source maintenance as an ongoing editorial responsibility.
Verification checklist
The checklist below guides our content reviews.
| Detail | How we review it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Official link | We check that the link points to a relevant government, court, sheriff, jail or official public record page. | Users should not waste time on broken or misleading pages. |
| Phone number | We compare phone numbers with official agency pages when available. | Users may need current custody, records or court information. |
| Address | We check agency names and addresses against official pages or clearly identified public sources. | Users may need the correct jail, courthouse or records office location. |
| Map reference | We check that map context matches the agency or office being discussed. | Incorrect map references can send users to the wrong place. |
| Record instructions | We compare the steps with how the official source actually works when available. | Search tools vary widely by county and state. |
Official-source priority
We prefer official county, state and federal sources over unofficial databases. For local arrest and custody information, the strongest source is often the county sheriff, jail, detention centre or corrections office. For court status, the strongest source is often the clerk of court, court administrator, state court portal or federal court access system.
Where an official source is unavailable, limited, down or not searchable online, we may explain alternate official contact routes instead of pretending there is a perfect online lookup.
Verification limits
Manual review improves quality, but it does not make us the official record custodian. A jail roster may change within minutes, a case status may change after a hearing, and a public record page may lag behind internal records.
Users should verify time-sensitive details directly with the official agency before making decisions related to bail, release, travel, court appearances, employment, housing, legal rights or personal safety.