San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department - Barstow Station

If a friend, a loved one, a family member or you have been arrested by or are being investigated by a deputy or deputies from the Barstow station of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, it can cause a lot of angst, mostly just from uncertainty of what will happen or can happen.  Moreover, one is dependent upon the accuracy, honesty and competence of a sheriff’s deputy, who may or may not be experienced or have the same sense of urgency as you do in having the police report properly written.  

Facing such a situation, if one knows the bail amount (if any) associated with the offense or offenses at issue if police deny an own recognizance (OR) release, that may ease one’s anxiety.  It is also good to know what evidence is needed to convict one for the crime or crimes that allegedly took place, the defenses possible and the sentence a judge can impose if one is convicted of the crime or crimes. 

 
We at Greg Hill & Associates believe it is smart to know a few more things before interacting with any branch of law enforcement.  It can be helpful to know the size of the police or sheriff’s department, the area’s demographics, a bit of history about the town, city or area, and the most common types of crimes the department investigates to make one’s communication with law enforcement more meaningful, more savvy and perhaps, more respectful.  This can lead to a better outcome than if one lacks such perspective and makes assumptions that may be wrong.

This article is presented with these goals in mind.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Barstow station, has three offices.  One is located at 225 East Mountain Avenue in Barstow, directly across the street from the CHP office for Barstow.  The second Barstow Sheriff’s Department station is located at 13215 Market Street in Trona and a third is located in Baker, although no address is provided.  

This is the oldest station of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.  It is responsible for patrolling over 9200 square miles, which includes not only Barstow, but Baker, Daggett, Hinkley, Lenwood, Ludlow, Newberry Springs, Sandy Valley, Yermo, Red Mountain and Trona.

The Barstow station, with three stations, is considered a large station with, we estimate, one hundred sworn deputies and thirty civilian support personnel assigned to it.  

It should be noted that Barstow has its own police department, too.

The City of Barstow itself is 41.34 square miles and has a population of 25,415 as of the 2020 census  Barstow is mentioned in the lyrics of “Route 66” composed by Bobby Troup. Sheryl Crow’s "Leaving Las Vegas” mentions spending the night in Barstow.
The top employer in the Barstow area is the U.S. Army’s Fort Irwin National Training Center nearby.  

On November 19, 2010, Barstow residents were warned that the area water system was contaminated.  A local area military base, 

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, notified Golden State Water that samples taken from their water system showed the chemical perchlorate at levels above the maximum contaminant level of six parts per billion.  Perchlorate is found in rocket propellant, fireworks, explosives, flares, matches and industrial byproducts.  Golden State Water Co. handed out free bottled water to residents.  The "Do Not Drink" water advisory ended five days later on November 24, 2010.

For arrests along Interstate 15 and Interstate 40 crossing Barstow, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will normally handle this work, although one may be thereafter transported to the Barstow Police Department for processing, a breath test (if a DUI) and booking.  The person may also be held at the Barstow jail until bail is posted or the person is transferred to the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino.

As of 2010, Barstow’s population was 34.2% non-Hispanic white, 3.2% Asian, 14.6% African American and 42.8% Hispanic.

Most cases arising out of Barstow, the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office will file the case at the Barstow courthouse, but some are also brought at the San Bernardino Hall of Justice at 4100 Main Street in downtown San Bernardino.  

Over the last 25 years, our office has not handled a single case arising out of Barstow and prosecuted in the Barstow Courthouse.  However, we would expect such cases to include, but not be limited to DUI, violation of a protective order, domestic violence, shoplifting and possession of and / or sales of a controlled substance.  

Nonetheless, we have received phone calls from people in Barstow asking about hiring a criminal defense attorney.  We find that locals to the Barstow often distrust local criminal defense attorneys as being social friends with prosecutors and judges, so they are unwilling to fight too hard to preserve their friendships, so we are considered as counsel instead because we are not located in Barstow and presumably have no such ties or loyalties.

Areas Served:  Baker, Daggett, Hinkley, Lenwood, Ludlow, Newberry Springs, Sandy Valley, Yermoa, Red Mountain and Trona.

For more information about being arrested and possibly facing a criminal case, please click on the following articles: