Los Angeles County Criminal Court Records Search: Cases & Dockets

Where Can You Search Los Angeles County Criminal Records?

Los Angeles County criminal records are maintained by several agencies. The Superior Court provides judicial case information; the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department maintains custody and arrest-related information; and the California Department of Justice maintains restricted statewide criminal-history records.

How to Search a Los Angeles Criminal Case by Number

When you already have the criminal case number, the Superior Court’s Criminal Case Access service is generally the most direct online option.

The court describes this service as providing case-summary information, not a certified copy of the official court record.

1. Open Criminal Case Access.

   Use the official Los Angeles Superior Court website.

2. Read the court’s disclaimer.

   The site states that its electronic case information does not constitute the official court record and may contain errors or omissions.

3. Enter the complete criminal case number.

   Use the case number from the court notice, filed document, attorney’s correspondence or Criminal Defendant Index.

4. Complete any required verification.

   The court uses reCAPTCHA verification during specified daytime hours to manage access to the criminal case service.

5. Open the matching criminal case.

   Confirm the defendant, court location and case identifiers.

6. Review the case summary.

   Look for available charges, filing information, proceedings and case status.

7. Check recorded dispositions.

   Determine whether the case shows a conviction, dismissal, acquittal, pending status or another outcome.

8. Locate the associated court dates.

   For future appearances, use the official Criminal Case Calendar or contact the assigned courthouse.

9. Request official documents if needed.

   Contact the courthouse Clerk to obtain an original judgment, minute order or certified document.

Is Criminal Case Summary the official court record?

No. The court expressly warns that case information displayed online is not an official record and should be verified against the court file when accuracy is important.

That distinction matters when preparing documentation for a legal proceeding, government agency or professional application.

Los Angeles County Criminal Records Search by Defendant Name

The Superior Court provides an official Search for Case Number by Defendant Name service for visitors who know the defendant’s name but not the criminal case number.

The result identifies matching case numbers, defendant names, filing dates and filing court locations. You can then use the case number to open the separate Criminal Case Summary service.

What does an online criminal name search cost?

Registered-user criminal name search fee tiers

The registered-user search counter resets at the beginning of each month. The court may change its payment rules, so confirm the displayed price before authorizing the search.

Step-by-step defendant-name search

1. Open the Criminal Defendant Index.

   Use the direct link on the Los Angeles Superior Court’s official website.

2. Select registered or guest access.

   Consider a registered account if the applicable price is lower for your expected searches.

3. Choose the appropriate name-search option.

   The system provides search types such as Exact Match and Starts With.

4. Enter the defendant’s name carefully.

   Use the available first-name and last-name search fields.

5. Review the price before submission.

   The court presents a confirmation before charging for the search.

6. Authorize the transaction.

   The service accepts supported payment cards and charges the applicable fee.

7. Review all matching cases.

   Compare names, filing dates, case numbers and courthouse locations.

8. Save the correct case number.

   Use it to access the court’s separate Criminal Case Summary.

Exact Match vs. Starts With

An Exact Match search looks for names matching the entered search terms. Starts With can return a broader range of names beginning with the supplied characters.

For a common surname, starting with an exact search may reduce unrelated results.

How far back does the LA criminal name index go?

How to Find Los Angeles County Felony Criminal Court Records

The Los Angeles County Superior Court handles felony prosecutions in California’s state judicial system.

Felony cases can involve serious violent offenses, burglary, felony theft, drug charges and other offenses classified as felonies under California law.

A felony criminal case may have several court events, including arraignment, pretrial motions, plea proceedings, trial, sentencing and postjudgment activity.

Search a felony case online

1. Locate the felony case number.

   Use the paid Criminal Defendant Index if you do not already know it.

2. Open Criminal Case Access.

   Enter the full case number in the official summary service.

3. Identify the assigned courthouse.

   A case can be heard at a criminal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles or another county location.

4. Review available criminal charges.

   Determine the offenses alleged and any reported amendments.

5. Check the case proceedings.

   Look for court dates, motions, pleas and available judicial action.

6. Find the actual final disposition.

   An original felony charge may later be dismissed, reduced or resolved differently.

7. Request the judgment when necessary.

   Contact the criminal division at the assigned courthouse.

Is the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center the only felony courthouse?

No. The Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center is a prominent downtown criminal courthouse, but Los Angeles County operates multiple criminal court locations.

The assigned courthouse depends on the case and court administration.

Los Angeles County Misdemeanor Criminal Court Records

The Los Angeles Superior Court also handles misdemeanors. These are generally less serious than felonies but may still carry penalties including county jail, fines or probation.

Misdemeanor cases can include qualifying DUI charges, theft, battery, criminal driving offenses and other offenses under California law.

How to look up a misdemeanor

If you know the case number, search Criminal Case Access. Otherwise, use the court’s paid Criminal Defendant Index to locate the case number.

The ordinary published online misdemeanor name-index coverage begins in 1988, although certain former Municipal Court locations have case information dating to approximately 1983.

Criminal DUI vs. ordinary traffic citation

A DUI may be filed as a misdemeanor or felony criminal prosecution, depending on the circumstances and applicable law.

An ordinary traffic infraction is different. The Los Angeles Superior Court’s criminal defendant-name search does not include traffic or other infractions.

To find an infraction, use the court’s Traffic Division search rather than paying for a criminal index search.

How to Search Los Angeles County Criminal Court Dockets and Dates

The Los Angeles Superior Court offers a separate online Criminal Case Calendar service.

This service helps locate available hearing information for criminal court proceedings.

Steps to find a court date

1. Open the Criminal Case Calendar.

   Use the court’s official calendar website.

2. Review the calendar disclaimer.

   The court identifies online calendar data as preliminary and subject to error or omission.

3. Enter the supported search criteria.

   Use the defendant’s name or other available case details.

4. Review matching calendar entries.

   Identify the appropriate case, courthouse and hearing.

5. Check the date, time and courtroom.

   Do not rely on an older screenshot or saved search result.

6. Confirm the schedule if important.

   Contact the assigned courthouse or the attorney for the case.

Can you receive a Los Angeles criminal court reminder?

The Superior Court links to the California Courts Hearing Reminder Service, which allows users to request available email or text message reminders for public hearings.

What if your court date is not listed?

Court dates may be rescheduled, corrected or unavailable through a particular online search.

The court advises checking with the attorney or contacting the courthouse where the case is assigned.

A missing online calendar result is not a legal excuse to ignore an official appearance notice.

How to Get Certified Los Angeles County Criminal Court Records

Los Angeles Superior Court does not provide downloadable criminal case document images through its ordinary public online document-purchase service.

To obtain an official criminal judgment, sentencing order, dismissal or minute order, contact the Clerk at the courthouse responsible for the case.

Examples of criminal court documents you may request

• Judgment of conviction
• Sentencing order or minute order
• Order dismissing criminal charges
• Available criminal case docket
• Certified final disposition
• Other publicly releasable filed criminal documents

Step-by-step request for official criminal case copies

1. Find the criminal case number.

   Use Criminal Case Access or the Criminal Defendant Index.

2. Identify the filing courthouse.

   The original courthouse or records location is responsible for the case file.

3. Determine which document is needed.

   Ask for the final judgment if you need proof of conviction, or a dismissal order if you need proof that a charge was dismissed.

4. Contact the assigned courthouse Clerk.

   Confirm whether the records can be obtained in person, by mail or through another approved request method.

5. Ask about certification.

   A certified court document is different from a simple docket printout.

6. Verify the number of pages and charges.

   Clerk copies and certification have separate statutory fees.

7. Submit the records request.

   Follow the Clerk’s instructions and provide any required identification, payment and return-mail information.

8. Review the delivered document.

   Confirm that it identifies the correct defendant, charge, case number and recorded disposition.

How much do Los Angeles criminal court copies cost?

These reflect the published California court-record fee framework. Special cases, statutory exceptions, fee waivers and local services can affect the final charge.

How to Find Older Los Angeles Criminal Court Cases

The Court’s online defendant-name index does not cover every historical prosecution.

Some older Los Angeles court files are maintained through the Archives & Records Center, including records that may be available on paper, microfilm or microfiche.

The court’s published guidance explains that archive staff may need to assist with indexes for cases filed before the electronic coverage periods.

How to request an older criminal record

1. Determine the approximate filing year.

   Older record retrieval is easier when you know the date range.

2. Identify the defendant or case number.

   Include any available prior name spelling or known case identification.

3. Contact the Archives & Records Center.

   Ask whether the requested criminal case is within its archival holdings.

4. Explain the requested documents.

   Specify the criminal judgment, sentence, case docket or other document.

5. Confirm search and copying charges.

   Archive research, copies and certification may require payment.

6. Submit the proper request.

   The Archives guidance describes mail requests using the court’s Request for Copies form.

What if the archive cannot identify the case?

Provide the approximate date, defendant’s name, type of criminal charge, courthouse location and any known case number.

For older cases, the court may need to consult historical indexes rather than a modern electronic docket.

Los Angeles County Criminal Courthouse Locations

Los Angeles Superior Court operates criminal divisions throughout the county. The assigned courthouse depends on the specific case and applicable court assignment.

The following are examples of official criminal courthouse locations.

Which courthouse has your criminal record?

Check the court location shown on the Criminal Defendant Index or Criminal Case Summary.

Do not assume that every criminal case is maintained at the downtown Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

For a courthouse visit, confirm the current office hours, records availability, courtroom assignment and appointment procedures.

Los Angeles County Jail Inmate and Arrest Records Search

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) maintains an Inmate Information Center for qualifying county custody and booking information.

These records are separate from the Superior Court’s felony and misdemeanor dockets.

How to check LA County inmate information

1. Open the Sheriff’s official website.

   Use the LASD inmate-information service linked from its custody resources.

2. Search using the supported identification details.

   Use the current public inmate-search interface.

3. Check the available booking information.

   Review custody details, booking numbers, facility location and other releasable information.

4. Verify recent or unclear custody status.

   Contact LASD Inmate Information if the online result is missing or outdated.

5. Search the court case separately.

   Use the appropriate Superior Court records system to learn how criminal charges were resolved.

What information can a custody inquiry show?

The Sheriff’s published Custody Division policy identifies releasable information such as:

• Booking and arrest details
• Bond or bail information
• Housing location
• Available court dates and locations
• Release information
• Certain custody holds
• Visitation schedules

The online inmate system may have a delay before newly booked individuals appear.

Is a jail booking the same as a conviction?

No. People may be detained pending charges, awaiting trial, on an outstanding warrant or for another custody reason.

A booking record alone cannot establish whether a criminal charge resulted in conviction.

How to request an LASD arrest or incident report

LASD maintains a separate Records and Identification Bureau, which handles eligible crime reports, incarceration documentation, clearance letters and related requests.

The Sheriff’s Records Bureau provides appointment-based public services. Other police agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), maintain their own reports.

California DOJ Criminal History vs. LA Superior Court Records

The California Department of Justice maintains the state’s criminal-history repository.

Its records can contain fingerprint-associated arrest and prosecution history received from law enforcement agencies and courts throughout California.

However, the public cannot obtain someone else’s complete state criminal-history summary merely by searching a name.

Who can request California DOJ criminal history?

California DOJ generally limits access to authorized law enforcement, certain approved agencies and the individual whose record is being reviewed.

Individuals may request their own criminal-history record for accuracy review.

How much does California DOJ Record Review cost?

How to request your own California criminal history

1. Open the California DOJ Record Review page.

   Review the requirements for California residents or applicants living outside California.

2. Prepare the correct application.

   California residents use the required Record Review Live Scan form.

3. Choose a fingerprinting provider.

   Use an authorized public Live Scan location if applying within California.

4. Pay the required charges.

   The DOJ processing fee is $25 unless an approved waiver applies.

5. Receive and review your record.

   Check for missing court outcomes and incorrect or incomplete entries.

6. Submit a formal challenge if necessary.

   Use the DOJ record-review challenge procedure and supporting documents.

Important 2026 update: Los Angeles court disposition-reporting backlog

The California Department of Justice has publicly disclosed that Los Angeles Superior Court identified approximately 464,000 historical dispositions that had not been reported to the state repository.

The affected records span 1965 through 2023 and include case outcomes that could be relevant to whether a person was convicted, acquitted or had charges dismissed.

According to DOJ, the backlog arose from issues in the court’s earlier criminal case-management system. DOJ has been working with Los Angeles Superior Court to process and update the affected records.

This does not mean every one of those records remains outstanding. It does mean that individuals who find incomplete criminal-history information should check the original court disposition and the DOJ’s latest correction instructions.

Los Angeles County Criminal Court Records Search Fees in 2026

Fees are associated with different services. The $4.75 guest name search is not a certified background report, and the $25 DOJ fee is not a court records copying fee.

Why Can’t You Find a Los Angeles County Criminal Court Record?

An empty search result does not automatically mean a person has no criminal record.

How to distinguish a charge from a conviction

• Arrested: A law-enforcement detention, not a finding of guilt.
• Charged: An alleged offense filed in court.
• Pending: The matter has not reached a recorded final outcome.
• Dismissed: The specific charge ended without a conviction on that charge.
• Acquitted: The defendant was found not guilty.
• Convicted: A legally recognized finding or entry of guilt.
• Closed: The court considers the case administratively closed; check the actual disposition.

Are Los Angeles County Criminal Court Records Always Public?

No. Public access depends on California law, the case type, applicable confidentiality rules and judicial orders.

Some juvenile cases, sealed files, protected information and qualifying records affected by criminal record relief are not available through ordinary public searches.

Can dismissed arrest records be sealed?

California law permits eligible people to seek sealing of certain arrest records that did not result in conviction, including qualifying charges dismissed or followed by acquittal.

Some records may also receive automatic relief under applicable California statutes.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide explains the available petition and automatic-record-relief procedures.

Does a dismissed conviction disappear from every database?

Not necessarily. California procedures for dismissing a conviction, sealing an arrest and automatically restricting qualifying records provide different forms of relief.

The effect on public court files, DOJ records, authorized agencies and private background reports can differ.

How to correct an inaccurate California DOJ history

Request your own fingerprint-based DOJ Record Review and identify the inaccurate arrest or case disposition.

The California DOJ includes Form BCIA 8706, Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Incompleteness, with qualifying record-review responses.

Use that form to challenge incorrect criminal-history entries and provide supporting court documents.

Los Angeles County Criminal Court Records FAQs

Official Los Angeles Criminal Court Records Search Links

These resources come from the Los Angeles Superior Court, California Department of Justice, California Courts and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Los Angeles Superior Court criminal records

• Los Angeles Superior Court — Criminal Division
• Official Criminal Case Summary — Case Number Search
• Official Criminal Defendant-Name Search
• Criminal Name Search Fees and Registered-User Tiers
• Los Angeles Superior Court Online Search FAQs
• Los Angeles Superior Court — Criminal Case Calendar
• California Courts — Los Angeles Hearing Reminder Service
• Los Angeles County Criminal Courthouse Locations
• Los Angeles Superior Court — Obtain Official Court Copies
• Los Angeles Superior Court — Archives & Records Center

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office and California records

• Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
• Los Angeles Sheriff — Inmate Information Center
• LASD Records and Identification Bureau — Police Report Requests
• California DOJ — Request Your Own Criminal History
• California DOJ — Criminal History Record Review Fee Waiver
• California DOJ — Los Angeles Superior Court Historical Disposition Backlog
• California Courts — Court Copies and Certification Fees
• California Courts — Sealing Arrest Records Without Convictions
• California Courts — Misdemeanor Record Relief

Other related criminal justice resources

• California Department of Corrections — State Prison Inmate Locator
• California Appellate Courts — Case Information
• PACER — Federal Criminal Court Records
• FTC — Employment Background Checks and Consumer Rights