California Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

ByQuarks Systems

Independent California criminal records guide

California Criminal Records Search: Court Cases, Public Records, DOJ History Review and Official Lookup Routes

Use this guide to search California criminal court cases, county superior court records, appellate dockets, your own California DOJ criminal-history record, county jail records, CDCR incarcerated-person records, California Megan’s Law registry records and federal PACER cases.

California criminal records are not stored in one single public database. A superior court case, appellate docket, county jail booking, DOJ state summary criminal-history record, CDCR custody record, Megan’s Law registry entry and federal criminal case each has a different official route.

Official California court, DOJ, CDCR, registry and federal sources reviewed October 13, 2026
California superior courts Case & docket search DOJ record review CDCR / Megan’s Law No HTML H1
Find My California Court Search Appellate Cases DOJ Record Review
California criminal records route finder A visual map showing California superior court records, appellate dockets, DOJ criminal history review, county jail records, CDCR records, Megan’s Law registry and PACER federal cases. Start Here Pick the record type Official route Trial Case Superior court Appeal Appellate cases DOJ Review Own record Federal Case PACER Jail / CDCR / Registry County / state
Independent website notice: CriminalCourtRecord.org is an independent public-information guide. It is not the Judicial Branch of California, any California superior court, California Department of Justice, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Megan’s Law website, PACER, any sheriff’s office, any police department, any court, or any background-check company. This page does not run a background check, does not provide legal advice and does not guarantee that any record exists.

California Criminal Records Are Split Across Courts, DOJ, Counties and Federal Systems

Use the California superior court in the county where the case was filed for trial-court criminal cases and copies. Use the California Appellate Courts Case Information system for Supreme Court and Court of Appeal dockets. Use California DOJ only for your own state summary criminal-history review or authorized fingerprint background-check routes. Use county sheriff or jail pages for local custody information, CDCR for state prison records, Megan’s Law for registry records and PACER for federal criminal cases.

Do not treat an arrest, jail booking, charge label, docket event, registry result or custody record as proof of conviction. Always verify the final disposition with the court that handled the case or the official record-review process.

Choose Record Type Official Links Responsible Use

Quick Answer: How To Search California Criminal Records

To search a California criminal court case, start with the superior court in the county where the case was filed. Use the California Courts “Find My Court” route to locate the correct superior court website, then look for Criminal Case Search, Case Information, Public Access, Court Records or Records Request. For California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal dockets, use the official appellate case information system. For your own California criminal-history record, use the California DOJ record-review process. For federal criminal cases, use PACER.

Trial criminal case Use the county superior court where the case was filed.
Appeal docket Use California Appellate Courts Case Information.
Own state record Use California DOJ state summary criminal-history review.
Federal case Use PACER or PACER Case Locator.
Most common mistake: Searching one California website and assuming it covers everything. Superior court records, appellate records, DOJ criminal-history records, county jail records, CDCR records, Megan’s Law registry records and PACER federal records are separate.

Which California Criminal Records Source Should You Use?

The right source depends on what you need to prove. A superior court docket helps you follow a local case. A DOJ record-review request helps you review your own California summary criminal history. A county jail search helps with local custody. CDCR helps with state prison custody. PACER handles federal court cases.

Need Use this official route What it can show What it does not prove by itself
California criminal trial-court case County superior court case search or records office Case number, defendant name, charges, hearings, docket entries, case status or documents depending on court access Complete statewide criminal history, sealed records or federal records
Certified court copy or disposition Superior court where the case was filed Certified judgment, disposition, minute order, docket sheet or case document Every record from every California county
California appellate docket California Appellate Courts Case Information Supreme Court and Court of Appeal case information, docket entries and related appellate details Complete superior court file or DOJ criminal-history record
Your own California criminal-history record California DOJ Record Review Unit Your state summary criminal-history record for review, accuracy and completeness A public name search of another person
Authorized fingerprint background check California DOJ fingerprint background-check process through authorized agency Information released under the specific legal authority and agency request That the public can request anyone’s criminal history
County jail booking or custody County sheriff, county jail or local detention facility Current custody, booking, release or jail status where published Conviction or final court disposition
State prison custody CDCR California Incarcerated Records and Information Search State prison custody information for people in CDCR custody, depending on search availability Complete court history or county jail custody
California sex-offender registry California Megan’s Law website Public registry information for specified registered sex offenders under California law All criminal convictions or every court record
Federal criminal case in California PACER or PACER Case Locator Federal district, bankruptcy and appellate case records where available California state court criminal records

Step-by-Step: How To Search California Criminal Court Records

Use this process when your goal is a California superior court criminal case, docket, disposition or certified court record. If you need your own state summary criminal-history record, use the California DOJ record-review route instead.

1

Identify the county and superior court

California trial-court criminal cases are handled in superior courts. Start with the county where the case was filed, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Sacramento, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco or Fresno.

2

Open the official superior court website

Use the California Courts Find My Court tool and open the official superior court website for the county.

3

Choose the criminal case or court records search

Look for labels such as Criminal Case Search, Case Information, Case Access, Public Access, Records, Clerk’s Office, Criminal Division or Online Services.

4

Search by the strongest identifier

Case number is stronger than a broad name search. If using a name, try exact spelling, full legal name, middle initial, date filters and county-specific search rules.

5

Confirm case type and identity

Check whether the result is a criminal case, traffic case, civil case, juvenile matter, appeal, jail record, CDCR record or federal case. Compare details before assuming a match.

6

Read the disposition carefully

A charge, arrest, docket event or jail record is not the same as conviction. Look for disposition, judgment, sentence, dismissal, plea, acquittal or other final court action.

7

Request copies from the court where the case was filed

For official use, request the record from the superior court that holds the case. Ask for the correct document type: minute order, docket sheet, disposition, judgment, certified copy or case file copy.

8

Use DOJ, CDCR, registry or PACER when court search is not enough

Use DOJ for your own state summary criminal-history review, CDCR for state prison information, Megan’s Law for registry search and PACER for federal cases.

Search tip: California superior courts use different case-search systems. Some counties provide online criminal case indexes, some provide limited information, and some may require clerk contact or in-person public-access terminals.

California Criminal Records Route Finder

Select what you need and why you need it. This helper runs only in your browser and does not collect names, dates of birth, case numbers or private identity details.

Find the right official route

California Superior Court Criminal Case Records

California superior courts are the local trial courts. If you need a criminal court case, docket, hearing, disposition, minute order or certified court copy, the superior court where the case was filed is usually the correct starting point.

Use the superior court route for

  • Criminal case number search
  • Defendant name search where available
  • Docket or register of actions
  • Hearing dates and case status
  • Disposition and judgment information
  • Minute orders and certified copies
  • Clerk record requests

Prepare before contacting the court

  • County where the case was filed
  • Superior court location or branch if known
  • Case number if available
  • Full legal name searched
  • Approximate filing, arrest or hearing date
  • Document needed: docket, disposition, minute order, judgment or certified copy
  • Copy fee, search fee and delivery method questions
Important: The Judicial Branch of California does not keep one centralized trial-court criminal record database for every superior court. Contact the individual superior court for its case records and copy process.
Find My California Court Court Record Copy Help

California Appellate Criminal Cases and Dockets

Use the California Appellate Courts Case Information system for California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal case information. This is useful when a criminal case has reached the appellate level, but it does not replace the superior court trial file.

Use appellate case search for

  • California Supreme Court docket search
  • Court of Appeal case search
  • Appellate case number lookup
  • Trial court case number reference
  • Party name search where available
  • Appellate docket and scheduled action information

Do not use it as

  • A complete superior court trial file
  • A DOJ criminal-history record
  • A county jail roster
  • A CDCR custody record
  • A federal PACER search
  • A substitute for legal advice
Plain-English difference: Superior court records show trial-court activity. Appellate case information shows activity in the California Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal.
Open Appellate Case Search Supreme Court Docket Search

California DOJ Criminal History Record Review

The California Department of Justice maintains the statewide criminal record repository. Individuals may request a copy of their own state summary criminal-history record to review for accuracy and completeness. This is not a public search tool to look up anyone’s criminal record by name.

Need Likely route What to check first
Review your own California state summary criminal history California DOJ Record Review Unit Application form, fingerprint requirement, fee, mailing instructions and challenge process
Correct incomplete or inaccurate DOJ record information DOJ challenge process after receiving your record Whether the court or reporting agency must submit corrected information
Employment/licensing fingerprint check Authorized Live Scan / agency fingerprint process Requesting agency ORI, form, authority and submission instructions
Certified superior court disposition Superior court where the case was filed DOJ record review is not a replacement for certified court copies
Public lookup of another person’s state criminal history Not a general public DOJ name-search route Use court public records or legally authorized background-check routes instead
Important: California DOJ’s record-review route is mainly for a person to review their own state summary criminal-history record. It should not be presented as a free public criminal-record search for other people.
Open DOJ Record Review DOJ Fingerprint Background Checks DOJ Fingerprint FAQ

California County Jail Records, Arrests and Booking Searches

County jail and booking records are usually handled by the county sheriff or local detention agency. A county jail lookup can help locate current custody or recent booking information, but it is not a conviction record or full criminal-history report.

Need Try this route Important warning
Current county jail custody County sheriff or county inmate locator Current custody does not prove conviction.
Recent arrest or booking Sheriff booking search, jail roster or arresting agency Booking charges may change, be dropped or be resolved later.
Arrest report or police report Police department, sheriff or arresting agency records request Reports may be redacted, delayed, restricted or fee-based.
Final court outcome Superior court criminal case record Court disposition is the better route for final result.
Important: Arrest is not conviction. Jail records can be useful for location and custody, but they should not be used as final proof of guilt.

CDCR California Incarcerated Records and Information Search

CDCR records are useful when a person is or was in California state prison custody. CDCR’s incarcerated-person search is not a county jail search, not a superior court docket and not a complete criminal-history report.

Use CDCR search for

  • California state prison custody information
  • Search by last name or CDCR number where available
  • Incarcerated-person location information
  • State prison facility follow-up
  • Family contact and facility information routes

Do not use CDCR search as

  • A county jail booking search
  • A full superior court docket
  • A DOJ criminal-history review
  • A certified court disposition
  • A federal inmate or PACER search
Identity tip: CDCR number is stronger than a name-only search. If you only know the name, compare multiple details before assuming a result is the correct person.
Open CDCR Search Open CDCR Home

California Megan’s Law Sex Offender Registry Search

California’s Megan’s Law website provides public information about specified registered sex offenders under California law. Registry information is useful for registry-specific questions, but it is not a full criminal-history report or complete court record.

Search carefully

  • Use the official California Megan’s Law website.
  • Read the disclaimer before searching.
  • Search by name or location where available.
  • Compare identifying details before assuming a match.
  • Use official contact routes for suspected errors.

Understand the limits

  • Registry information is not every criminal record.
  • Some registrants or details may not be displayed by law.
  • A registry entry does not replace court documents.
  • Use of registry information can be restricted by law.
  • Harassment or misuse may create legal consequences.
Use warning: The Megan’s Law website is meant for public-safety purposes. Read the official disclaimer and use restrictions before relying on or sharing registry information.
Open Megan’s Law Website DOJ Megan’s Law Information

Federal Criminal Records in California: Use PACER

Federal criminal cases filed in California are not searched through California DOJ, CDCR, a county sheriff or a California superior court portal. Use PACER or PACER Case Locator for federal criminal cases.

Use PACER when

The case is in a U.S. District Court, U.S. Court of Appeals or another federal court system.

Search by court if known

If you know the federal district or division, search that federal court after signing in.

Use Case Locator if unsure

If you do not know the federal court, use the PACER Case Locator as a nationwide index.

Federal/state split: A person can have a California state case, a federal case, both or neither. Searching only a California superior court will not automatically find federal cases.
Open PACER PACER Case Locator Info

What To Do When You Cannot Find a California Criminal Record

A no-result search does not always mean there is no record. The case may be in another county, filed under a different spelling, limited online, sealed, dismissed, expunged, juvenile, restricted, federal, older than the online index or held by another agency.

Problem Possible reason Best next step
Name search has no match Different spelling, alias, maiden name, middle initial, wrong county or limited online search Try case number, alternate spelling, county filter or contact the court clerk
Superior court site does not show the case Record may not be online, may be older, sealed, restricted or in a different court Contact the superior court where the case was filed or ask about public-access terminals
Appellate search has no result The case may be trial-level only and never appealed Search the county superior court instead
DOJ record looks incomplete Court reporting, identity matching or missing disposition may need review Follow DOJ’s challenge process and contact the court that handled the case
County jail search has no result Released, transferred, wrong county, not in custody or state/federal custody Check court records, CDCR or federal custody routes
Federal case missing Federal cases are in PACER, not California superior court portals Search PACER or PACER Case Locator
Avoid false conclusions: “No record found” only means that specific search did not show a match. It does not prove that no record exists anywhere.

Sealed, Expunged, Juvenile, Dismissed and Restricted California Records

Some California records may not appear in public online searches because of sealing, juvenile confidentiality, expungement-related relief, dismissed case handling, redaction, court order, access rules or online-index limitations.

Records may be unavailable when

  • The record is sealed or restricted.
  • The matter involves juvenile confidentiality.
  • The document contains protected personal information.
  • The case is older than the online search index.
  • The court limits online criminal access.
  • The record is held by another court or agency.

Ask the official custodian

  • Superior court for trial-court case files and certified copies.
  • Appellate court search for appellate dockets.
  • California DOJ for your own state summary record review.
  • County sheriff for local jail or arrest records.
  • CDCR for state prison records.
  • A qualified California attorney for record-sealing, dismissal or relief questions.

Responsible Use, FCRA and Identity-Matching Warnings

Criminal record searches can affect jobs, housing, licensing, immigration, reputation and personal safety. Use official sources, confirm identity and verify final disposition before relying on any result.

Do not assume

  • An arrest means conviction.
  • A charge means guilt.
  • A docket event means final outcome.
  • A jail entry is a full criminal history.
  • A name match is the correct person.
  • A superior court search replaces DOJ record review.

Be extra careful for screening

  • Employment and tenant screening may trigger FCRA obligations.
  • California employment screening also has state-specific rules.
  • Use authorized consumer-reporting processes when required.
  • Give required notices when the law requires them.
  • Allow correction or dispute rights when applicable.
  • Do not use sealed, restricted, stale or mismatched records unfairly.
Practical rule: For serious decisions, use certified court records, legally authorized DOJ/FBI fingerprint routes or compliant background-check procedures — not a screenshot from a broad name search.
FTC Employer Background Check Guidance FTC Landlord Screening Guidance

California Local Record Context: Why County-Level Details Matter

California has 58 superior courts, and criminal case access can vary by county court website, case type, document-access rules, search fees, copy fees, older record storage and public-terminal availability. A search in Los Angeles County may work differently from a search in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Alameda, Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Ventura, Kern, San Mateo, Contra Costa or Sonoma County.

Large counties

Large superior courts may have online criminal indexes, but some searches, documents or certified copies may still require a clerk request or fee.

Smaller counties

Smaller courts may provide limited online access and rely more on clerk contact, mail requests or courthouse public-access systems.

Statewide routes

DOJ, CDCR, Megan’s Law and PACER are useful statewide/federal routes, but each covers a different type of record.

California Criminal Records Glossary

Superior court
The county-level California trial court where criminal cases are filed and court records are maintained.
Criminal court docket
A list of case events, hearings, filings and status information for a criminal case.
Disposition
The final or current court outcome of a charge or case, such as conviction, dismissal, acquittal, plea or sentence.
State summary criminal history
A California DOJ-maintained criminal-history record that a person may request for review of their own record.
CDCR
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the state prison and correctional agency.
Megan’s Law
California’s official public website for specified registered sex-offender information.
Appellate case information
California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal case information available through the official appellate case search system.
PACER
The federal judiciary’s public access system for federal court records.

California Criminal Records Search FAQs

How do I search California criminal court records?
Start with the superior court in the county where the criminal case was filed. Use the California Courts Find My Court tool to locate the correct court website, then look for criminal case search, case information, public access or records request.
Is there one statewide California criminal court records search?
No single public search covers every California superior court criminal case and document. Trial-court records are generally handled by the individual superior court where the case was filed.
Where do I search California appellate criminal cases?
Use the California Appellate Courts Case Information system for California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal case information.
Can I request someone else’s California DOJ criminal history?
California DOJ’s record-review route is for individuals to request their own state summary criminal-history record. Public access to another person’s criminal history is restricted and depends on legal authority or official background-check processes.
How do I get a certified California criminal court record?
Contact the superior court where the case was filed. Ask for the specific certified document you need, such as a disposition, judgment, minute order, docket sheet or case-file copy.
Where do I search California jail records?
Use the county sheriff or local detention facility search for county jail custody or booking information. Jail records are not final court dispositions.
Where do I search California state prison records?
Use the CDCR California Incarcerated Records and Information Search for state prison custody information. CDCR records are separate from county jail and superior court records.
Where do I search the California sex-offender registry?
Use the official California Megan’s Law website. Registry information is not a complete criminal-history report.
Does a California arrest record mean someone was convicted?
No. An arrest, charge, jail booking or docket event is not the same as conviction. Verify final disposition through the official court record.
Where do I search federal criminal cases in California?
Use PACER or the PACER Case Locator. Federal criminal cases are separate from California state and county superior court records.

Official Sources and Final-Action Links

Use these official links for final searches, certified-copy requests, appellate lookup, DOJ record review, jail/custody searches, CDCR records, Megan’s Law registry searches and federal case research.

Editorial Accuracy and Use Note

This guide separates California superior court criminal cases, appellate case information, California DOJ record review, county jail records, CDCR incarcerated-person records, Megan’s Law registry records and federal PACER cases. It avoids implying that one California search covers every criminal public record.

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Last reviewed: October 13, 2026

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