Los Angeles County Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records
Los Angeles County, California · Court cases and public records
Los Angeles County Criminal Records Search: Cases, Dockets and Public Records
To search Los Angeles County criminal records, use the official Los Angeles Superior Court’s Criminal Case Access system. If you know the criminal case number, you can look up publicly available case information directly. If you only know the defendant’s name, use the court’s separate paid Criminal Defendant Index.
Los Angeles County criminal cases are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, with court locations throughout Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Lancaster and other communities.
For arrest reports and county jail records, use the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department or the arresting police agency. To obtain your own official California statewide criminal-history record, request a fingerprint-based review through the California Department of Justice (DOJ).
Jurisdiction: Los Angeles County, California
Official court: Los Angeles Superior Court
State criminal-history agency: California Department of Justice
Use the correct official source
Where Can You Search Los Angeles County Criminal Records?
Los Angeles County has several different criminal justice databases. The appropriate search depends on whether you want a Superior Court case, a Sheriff’s booking record or an official fingerprint-based criminal-history review.
| Record needed | Official source | Access and limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal case by number | LA Superior Court Criminal Case Access | Public case summaries; case number required. |
| Criminal defendant name search | Criminal Defendant Index | Paid name search returning matching case identifiers and filing locations. |
| Criminal hearing or court date | LA Court Find a Case | Case calendars and publicly available future hearings. |
| Certified criminal judgment | LA Court Copy Requests | Request through the courthouse or Archives maintaining the file. |
| Historical felony case | Archives and Records Center | Older felony files, subject to archival location and availability. |
| Sheriff arrest or incarceration report | LASD Record Requests | Law-enforcement reports and other records subject to legal eligibility. |
| County jail or inmate booking | LASD Inmate Information Center | County custody information, subject to update and release restrictions. |
| Personal California criminal-history record | California DOJ Record Review | Fingerprint-based statewide personal criminal-history review. |
| California state prison records | CDCR Incarcerated Records Search | Qualifying state prison records, separate from LA County jail bookings. |
| Federal criminal prosecution in LA | Federal PACER | U.S. District Court criminal cases, not LA Superior Court cases. |
Public criminal case information
How to Search Los Angeles County Criminal Cases by Case Number
The Los Angeles Superior Court operates its Criminal Case Access system for publicly available case information.
The system is useful for checking a known felony or misdemeanor case, reviewing publicly displayed events and finding case status information.
-
Open the official Criminal Case Access page
Visit the Los Angeles Superior Court website and select the criminal case summary service.
Use a current browser and follow any access or security verification instructions.
-
Review the court’s disclaimer
The court explains that the online case summary is informational and is not an official court record.
For legal or other consequential use, verify the displayed information against the official court file.
-
Enter the complete criminal case number
Use the number shown on a court notice, charging document, minute order or other case paperwork.
A missing digit, letter or court-specific prefix may prevent a match.
-
Complete any reCAPTCHA verification
The court uses reCAPTCHA verification for individual Criminal Case Access requests during busier periods.
The court identifies 7 a.m.-7 p.m. as the daily period when the additional verification applies.
-
Open the matching case
Review publicly available information such as defendant name, filing location, case status, court events and case-related dates.
-
Check the case disposition
Look for a final judgment, dismissal, plea, sentencing entry or other outcome rather than assuming a filed charge resulted in conviction.
-
Request an official document if needed
For a certified judgment or a court filing that cannot be viewed online, contact the courthouse that maintains the case.
Can you download criminal case documents from LA Court?
No, not through the general online document-image service. The Superior Court’s Find a Case page specifically states that online document images are not available for criminal and family law cases.
Some civil, small claims and other case categories offer paid electronic document images, but those rules should not be applied to criminal filings.
For criminal judgments, minute orders, dismissal records or sentencing documents, use the Clerk’s certified-copy process.
Search without a case number
Los Angeles County Criminal Records Search by Defendant Name
When you do not know the case number, the Superior Court provides a separate Search for Case Number by Defendant Name service.
This service is also known as the Criminal Defendant Index.
The search results can show matching defendant names, case numbers, filing dates and filing locations.
How to perform a defendant-name search
-
Open the Criminal Defendant Index
Use the official lacourt.org criminal name-search application.
-
Choose a registered or guest account
The court supports registered users and guest users.
A guest account may be more convenient for a single search, although it has a different fee schedule.
-
Review the applicable fee
Each online name search incurs a fee, regardless of whether the system finds the expected case.
-
Select the appropriate name-matching method
The court describes search options including Exact Match and Starts With.
Exact Match can help when the full spelling is known. Starts With may be useful where a surname or first name has variations.
-
Enter the defendant’s name
Use the first and last name and any supported filters.
A narrow, accurate name search can reduce the risk of confusing records belonging to different people.
-
Confirm the payment
The court charges before displaying results. Read the cost confirmation carefully.
-
Review the case-number results
Identify possible matches using the defendant’s name, filing date and filing location.
-
Open the corresponding criminal case summary
Use the case number from the index to review additional publicly available information through Criminal Case Access.
How far back does the name search go?
The Los Angeles Superior Court publishes specific historical coverage for its Criminal Defendant Index:
| Criminal case category | Published online search range | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | 1980-present | Older cases may require Archives and Records Center assistance. |
| Misdemeanor | 1988-present | Some former Municipal Court locations have electronic misdemeanor information beginning in 1983. |
| Traffic and other infractions | Not included in criminal defendant name-search results | Use the court’s separate Traffic Division resources. |
Know what you are paying for
Los Angeles County Criminal Records Search Fees
The Superior Court’s fee schedule distinguishes criminal defendant-name index searches from case copies and certifications.
| Search or records service | Published fee | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal case summary by known case number | Public online case access | Subject to the court’s electronic access conditions. |
| Guest criminal defendant-name search | $4.75 per search | Nonrefundable; charged even if no match appears. |
| Registered name searches 1-10 per month | $1 each | Applies to the first ten monthly searches under the registered fee schedule. |
| Registered name searches 11-99 | $4.75 each | Additional monthly volume tiers have different rates. |
| Registered name searches 100-999 | $4.50 each | Published volume discount tier. |
| Regular court document copies | $0.50 per page | Court-provided copies, subject to document availability. |
| Certification of court copy | $40 per certification | Additional to applicable copying charges. |
| Indexing request exceeding 10 minutes | $15 | Separate clerk indexing charge under Government Code section 70627(c). |
| California DOJ personal record review | $25 DOJ fee | Live Scan fingerprint rolling charges are separate; fee waiver may be available. |
Does the name-search fee apply when no criminal record exists?
Yes. The court’s published FAQ explains that a search fee is charged for performing the search, not for guaranteeing a result.
If no records are found, the guest name-search fee is not automatically refunded.
What payment methods does the online name-search service accept?
The court identifies Visa, Mastercard, Discover and qualifying debit cards as accepted online payment methods. American Express is not accepted for the name-search service.
Users can search as guests or through registered accounts.
Find the courthouse maintaining the case
Los Angeles County Criminal Courthouse Locations
Los Angeles Superior Court operates across a large county. A criminal prosecution may be filed in downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, South Los Angeles, the South Bay, the Antelope Valley or another judicial district.
The defendant’s residence alone does not identify the courthouse. Use the case’s filing location in the official index or case summary.
| Courthouse | Address | Official telephone |
|---|---|---|
| Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center | 210 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | 213-628-7700 |
| Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse | 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802 | 562-256-3100 |
| Pasadena Courthouse | 300 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 | 626-396-3300 |
| Van Nuys Courthouse West | 14400 Erwin Street Mall, Van Nuys, CA 91401 | 818-989-6900 |
| Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse | 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534 | 661-483-5500 |
| Airport Courthouse | 11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045 | 310-725-3000 |
| Bellflower Courthouse | 10025 E. Flower Street, Bellflower, CA 90706 | 562-345-3300 |
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
Location: 210 West Temple StreetLos Angeles, CA 90012
Criminal Clerk’s Office: 2nd Floor, Room M6
Telephone: 213-628-7700
Phone hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Clerk’s counter hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., excluding court holidays
This is a major downtown Los Angeles criminal courthouse. It is not the correct filing location for every criminal case in Los Angeles County.
How to identify the correct courthouse
-
Find the criminal case number
Use the court’s defendant-name index if the number is not already known.
-
Review the filing location
The defendant-name index identifies a filing location for matching criminal cases.
-
Check the case’s current courthouse assignment
Open the criminal case summary and review the court information. Cases may be transferred or reassigned.
-
Use the official courthouse directory
Find the courthouse’s address, Criminal Clerk’s Office and current contact number.
-
Confirm before requesting copies or visiting
Ask whether the file is available locally, electronically or at Archives.
Felony, misdemeanor and infraction records
What Criminal Cases Can You Search in Los Angeles County?
The Superior Court handles adult criminal prosecutions ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies. Traffic infractions follow a separate online access path.
Felony Criminal Cases
Felony proceedings can involve indictments or criminal complaints, arraignments, preliminary hearings, pleas, trials, sentencing and postjudgment activity.
Public case information is available through the criminal lookup, subject to the court’s coverage limits.
Misdemeanor Criminal Cases
Misdemeanor proceedings include qualifying offenses punishable under California law by county jail time, fines or other authorized consequences.
Historical electronic coverage varies by former Municipal Court location.
Traffic Infractions
Ordinary traffic infractions are not included in the Criminal Defendant Index results.
Use the Los Angeles Superior Court Traffic Division’s official citation and case-search services instead.
LA Court Traffic DivisionJuvenile and Sealed Records
Juvenile cases and matters sealed or made confidential by law are not treated like ordinary publicly searchable adult criminal cases.
Access may be limited to authorized parties, agencies or persons with an appropriate court order.
Can you search Los Angeles County criminal appeals?
Yes, but appeals may be maintained separately from the original criminal case.
Felony appeals generally proceed through the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, while qualifying misdemeanor and infraction appeals may be heard by the Superior Court’s Appellate Division.
When reviewing an older conviction, check whether an appellate order modified, reversed or otherwise affected the trial court’s judgment.
Upcoming criminal hearings and court dates
How to Check Los Angeles County Criminal Court Dockets
If the purpose of your search is to find the next court appearance, use the Court’s Find a Case and Case Calendar services rather than purchasing a criminal history report.
-
Obtain the criminal case number
Use court paperwork or the Criminal Defendant Index.
-
Open the case calendar service
The court provides future hearing information for publicly accessible criminal cases.
-
Enter the case number
Use the complete identifier and follow any access requirements.
-
Identify the scheduled event
Look for arraignment, preliminary hearing, motion, trial, sentencing or another listed event.
-
Check the assigned department
Review the courtroom and courthouse information. Some cases are reassigned after the original filing.
-
Confirm before attending
Contact the relevant Criminal Clerk’s Office about time-sensitive proceedings, especially when traveling to court or complying with a mandatory appearance.
Official judgment and disposition documents
How to Get Certified Los Angeles County Criminal Court Records
A court summary is useful for locating a case, but a certified document may be needed for immigration matters, professional licensing, record correction or another official purpose.
The Los Angeles Superior Court offers copy requests through the courthouse where the record is maintained and, for applicable older cases, the Archives and Records Center.
What criminal court documents can you request?
Depending on the case and applicable access restrictions, publicly available criminal court documents may include:
- Criminal complaint or information
- Filed indictment, when applicable
- Minute orders
- Orders on motions
- Judgment of conviction
- Sentencing order
- Dismissal order
- Probation-related orders, where public
- Other publicly releasable criminal filings
How to order a certified criminal disposition
-
Locate the criminal case number
Use the official defendant-name search or existing court paperwork.
-
Find the court that maintains the record
Check the case summary’s filing location or ask the relevant Criminal Clerk.
-
Identify the exact document
Ask for a certified judgment, dismissal or final disposition as appropriate.
Requesting a particular document is generally more efficient than asking for the entire file without specifying your purpose.
-
Confirm the case is available
The court recommends contacting the originating courthouse before submitting a mail request, particularly for older files.
-
Prepare the request and payment
Use the court’s Request for Copies form and its accepted payment method.
-
Include return delivery materials for mail requests
The court’s instructions require a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage for the returned copies.
-
Request certification when needed
Certification carries an additional charge. Confirm whether the receiving agency requires it.
Los Angeles Superior Court copy charges
| Document service | Published cost |
|---|---|
| Ordinary court copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certification of a court copy | $40 per certification |
The court’s instructions allow check, money order or credit-card payment subject to its current procedures.
Do not send cash by mail. For a check or money order, the court instructs requesters to make it payable to Los Angeles Superior Court and use the specified “not to exceed” procedure instead of assuming the final charge before the number of pages is known.
Historical cases and older convictions
How Far Back Do Los Angeles County Criminal Records Go?
Online index coverage is different from the age of court records retained in archives.
The Superior Court’s Archives and Records Center maintains many historical felony and other general-jurisdiction cases.
Felonies From 1980
The Criminal Defendant Index identifies its felony search range as 1980 through the present.
Misdemeanors From 1988
The published general search range begins in 1988, with some case information reaching back to 1983 depending on the former Municipal Court’s system.
Many Cases From 1911-2004
The Archives and Records Center stores the majority of specified general-jurisdiction court cases filed during this historical period, including felony files.
Old Misdemeanor Cases
The Archives and Records Center does not store misdemeanor case files. Contact the originating courthouse about retention and possible availability.
Los Angeles Superior Court Archives and Records Center
Address: 222 North Hill Street, Room 212Los Angeles, CA 90012
The center provides historical case access, indexing assistance and record-request processing for applicable archived case types.
How to find a criminal case from before 1980
-
Determine whether the case was a felony
The Archives and Records Center stores qualifying historical felony records but not misdemeanor files.
-
Gather identifying case details
Prepare the defendant’s full name, approximate filing year, courthouse, case number or other information.
-
Contact Archives about available indexing
Ask whether the case has been retained, transferred, destroyed under a records policy or otherwise made available.
-
Submit a copy request if the file is located
Follow the center’s instructions and applicable copying or certification charges.
Sheriff custody and booking information
Los Angeles County Jail Inmate and Booking Records Search
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) maintains the county jail system and provides an official Inmate Information Center.
This is the correct starting point for public information about people currently or recently held in qualifying LASD custody facilities.
What information may be available?
The Sheriff’s published custody information policy identifies categories that may be released to the public, including:
- Inmate name and identifying booking information
- Booking details
- Arrest information
- Bail amount
- Housing location
- Court dates and court location
- Release date
- Information about certain holds
- Available visitation information
Access and publication restrictions may apply in individual situations.
How to find an inmate
-
Open the Sheriff’s Inmate Information Center
Use the official LASD website or its inmate-search application.
-
Enter the available search information
Search by the person’s name and any additional identifiers requested by the application.
-
Review possible matching records
Compare the booking and identifying information carefully.
-
Check the available status
Review publicly available custody, release, bail and court information.
-
Verify time-sensitive details
Contact the Sheriff’s inmate information service if the person may have been recently booked, released or transferred.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Inmate Information
Inmate Answering Service: 213-473-6002Inmate information / intake: 213-473-6100
Additional inmate information: 213-473-6080
Inmate Reception Center:
450 Bauchet Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Why might a recent booking not appear?
A person may be in a city jail before transfer to county custody, or the LASD booking database may not yet reflect a recent event.
Los Angeles Police Department guidance notes that recent inmate booking information may not be immediately available through the county search.
If the arrest happened recently, contact the original arresting agency or the Sheriff’s inmate information telephone service.
Does the Sheriff inmate search show convictions?
Not necessarily. A booking record may reflect an arrest, pending case, pretrial detention or another custodial status.
To establish the outcome of a prosecution, search the Los Angeles Superior Court criminal case history.
Arrest records, crime reports and law-enforcement documents
How to Request Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Criminal Records
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department maintains arrest and law-enforcement records through its Records and Identification Bureau.
The Sheriff’s Office distinguishes law-enforcement-related record requests from ordinary California Public Records Act requests.
That distinction can affect access to criminal-history information, crime reports, booking documents and related records.
LASD Records and Identification Bureau
Public Services Section:12440 East Imperial Highway
Suite 120 West
Norwalk, CA 90650
Public Services: 562-345-4441
Records inquiries: 562-345-4426
Services: By appointment
The Sheriff’s current record-request page lists Public Services hours as Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Appointment availability and other unit hours may differ.
How to request an arrest or incident report
-
Identify the arresting or reporting agency
Determine whether LASD, Los Angeles Police Department, Long Beach Police Department, Pasadena Police Department or another agency handled the event.
-
Read the agency’s records access rules
The Sheriff’s Records and Identification Bureau handles particular report and criminal-history services, while its Public Records Act unit handles different categories of public requests.
-
Prepare the identifying details
The LASD instructions describe details such as the full name, date of birth, date of incident, location and acceptable identification.
-
Contact the Records and Identification Bureau
Call 562-345-4441 to identify the appropriate submission or appointment procedure.
-
Establish eligibility to receive the report
Some crime reports are available to victims, authorized representatives or other persons entitled by law, rather than every member of the public.
-
Confirm fees and delivery requirements
Ask about the current charge and whether the record can be mailed or must be collected through an appointment.
What if Los Angeles Police Department made the arrest?
The LAPD is a different government agency from the Los Angeles County Sheriff.
If LAPD created the police report, start with its own records process.
The same principle applies to police departments in Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Glendale, Burbank and other cities in Los Angeles County.
Can you request someone else’s entire criminal history from LASD?
Not as an unrestricted public records request. California regulates access to summary criminal-history information.
A person generally cannot obtain another individual’s complete confidential criminal-history summary merely by submitting a public records request.
Fingerprint-based California criminal-history review
How to Request Your Own California Criminal Record in Los Angeles County
The California Department of Justice maintains statewide summary criminal-history information reported by California law-enforcement agencies and courts.
Individuals can request a copy of their own record to review it for accuracy and completeness.
The DOJ does not provide unrestricted third-party access to a person’s complete criminal-history summary.
How to request a California DOJ record review
-
Open the DOJ Record Review instructions
Use the California Attorney General’s official website.
-
Download Form BCIA 8016RR
This is the Request for Live Scan Service form used for California residents requesting their own criminal-history record.
-
Choose Record Review
Enter Record Review as the type of application and reason for the request, following the form instructions.
-
Complete your personal information
Use your accurate legal name and identifying details.
-
Visit an authorized Live Scan provider
Bring the completed form and valid identification. The provider will collect and electronically submit the fingerprints.
-
Pay the applicable fees
The standard DOJ record-review processing fee is $25. The Live Scan provider may charge a separate rolling fee.
-
Receive and review your record
Compare the criminal-history entries with your court documents, including dismissals and later court orders.
-
Challenge inaccurate information if necessary
If your record contains errors, follow DOJ’s Record Review challenge process and obtain supporting court documents.
What if you live outside California?
California DOJ permits nonresidents to request their own state criminal-history records using manual fingerprint cards.
The procedure uses Form BCIA 8705 and an FD-258 fingerprint card, with the applicable payment and mailing instructions.
Applicants outside California should not use the normal California-resident Live Scan procedure.
Can you receive a DOJ fee waiver?
Yes, if eligible. The DOJ offers a process that may waive the $25 state processing fee for qualifying California residents.
The waiver does not automatically eliminate the fingerprint provider’s separate rolling fee.
State correctional records
California State Prison Inmate Search for Los Angeles County Cases
Someone sentenced in Los Angeles Superior Court may serve a sentence in a California state correctional institution rather than a county jail.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation provides its California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS) for public offender information.
When to use CDCR instead of LASD
Use LASD for county custody
Start with the Sheriff’s inmate locator when the person may be held in a Los Angeles County jail or another facility within LASD’s correctional system.
Use CDCR for state custody
Use CIRIS when searching for a person who may be incarcerated under California state correctional authority.
Neither service is a complete record of every California criminal conviction. To verify the conviction or sentence associated with an LA County prosecution, use the underlying Superior Court case.
Dismissals, sealing and conviction relief
Los Angeles County Criminal Record Expungement and Sealing
California provides several record-cleaning procedures. The appropriate form depends on whether the person was arrested without a conviction, convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, or may already qualify for automatic relief.
Sealing an arrest that did not lead to conviction
California Courts explains that certain arrests without convictions may qualify for sealing under Penal Code section 851.91.
The court’s approved form is CR-409, Petition to Seal Arrest and Related Records.
Some qualifying arrests may already receive automatic relief under Penal Code section 851.93.
Dismissal of an eligible conviction
California also permits certain convictions to be dismissed under the applicable statutory record-cleaning provisions.
Common forms include:
- CR-180: Petition for Dismissal.
- CR-181: Order for Dismissal.
Eligibility depends on the offense, sentence, supervision status and other legal conditions.
A conviction dismissal is not the same as physically destroying every criminal-history record.
Why a record may not appear online
A case can be missing from a public search because of sealing, statutory confidentiality, historical coverage limits, an incorrect search or another reason.
Do not assume the record has been expunged merely because the online case lookup returned no result.
Solve common search problems
Why Can’t I Find a Los Angeles County Criminal Record?
| Search problem | Possible reason | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| No result by case number | Incorrect number, missing prefix or unavailable case | Check the original court documents and confirm the complete number with the Clerk. |
| Defendant name search returns no match | Spelling variation, older record or confidential case | Review the court’s coverage dates and use authorized courthouse records assistance. |
| Old felony case is missing | Case may predate the online index | Contact the Archives and Records Center. |
| Old misdemeanor case is missing | Former Municipal Court record may not be electronically available | Contact the originating courthouse; Archives does not store misdemeanor files. |
| Traffic infraction not found | Criminal Defendant Index excludes traffic and other infractions | Use the LA Court Traffic Division. |
| Case appears but documents cannot be downloaded | Criminal filing images are not provided through the general online document viewer | Request court document copies from the appropriate Clerk. |
| Inmate record is missing | Booking delay, release, city jail custody or transfer | Contact the arresting agency or LASD inmate information. |
| County jail search does not show state prisoner | LASD and CDCR maintain separate systems | Use California CIRIS offender search. |
| DOJ record shows incorrect disposition | Missing or incorrect reporting of court outcome | Obtain certified court proof and follow the DOJ challenge process. |
| Online criminal case access requests verification | Court uses reCAPTCHA security for individual access | Complete verification using the official application. |
| Record is sealed or confidential | Public access restrictions | Use a lawful authorized request process, if eligible. |
Federal prosecution versus state prosecution
Federal Criminal Records in Los Angeles County
Federal criminal cases arising in Los Angeles County are handled through the federal court system rather than Los Angeles Superior Court.
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California handles federal criminal prosecutions within its jurisdiction.
To locate a federal criminal case, use the judiciary’s PACER service.
PACER has separate registration, search and payment procedures.
A federal criminal case may not appear in Los Angeles Superior Court’s criminal defendant index even if the person was arrested in Los Angeles County.
Interpret records accurately and lawfully
Los Angeles County Criminal Records and Background Check Rights
Public court records are useful for reviewing legal proceedings, but their scope and meaning should not be overstated.
An arrest, filed complaint or pending criminal charge is not itself proof of a conviction.
Before relying on a case result
- Verify the defendant’s identity.
- Check the original courthouse.
- Review each charge separately.
- Identify whether the case is pending or closed.
- Look for dismissal or acquittal information.
- Review any later appeal or order.
- Use certified documents for official purposes.
Before using information for screening
- Follow applicable employment and housing laws.
- Respect sealed, confidential and expunged records.
- Do not treat name matching as fingerprint identification.
- Follow consumer-reporting authorization rules.
- Provide required pre-adverse-action notices where applicable.
- Allow legally required correction and dispute procedures.
California and local fair-chance hiring laws may limit when covered employers may request or consider criminal-history information.
When an employer uses a consumer reporting company, applicable Fair Credit Reporting Act rules also govern disclosures, permission, reporting accuracy and adverse-action procedures.
Frequently asked Los Angeles criminal records questions
Los Angeles County Criminal Records Search FAQs
How do I search Los Angeles County criminal records online?
Use the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Criminal Case Access system if you have the case number. If you only know the defendant’s name, use the separate paid Criminal Defendant Index to find matching criminal case numbers and filing locations.
Is Los Angeles County criminal records search free?
Public case summaries can be accessed using a known criminal case number, subject to online access conditions. Defendant-name searches incur a fee. The court lists $4.75 per guest name search, even when no result is found.
Can I search Los Angeles County criminal cases by name?
Yes. The official Criminal Defendant Index supports defendant-name searching. It returns publicly available matching case numbers, defendant names, filing dates and locations. The online search requires payment.
How far back do Los Angeles County criminal records go?
The online Criminal Defendant Index covers felony cases from 1980 onward and generally misdemeanor cases from 1988 onward, with some earlier misdemeanor data. The Archives and Records Center retains many historical felony files from 1911 through 2004, subject to availability.
Can I download LA County criminal court documents?
Not through the Superior Court’s general online document-image service. The court states that criminal case documents are not available through that viewer. Request ordinary or certified copies from the courthouse or applicable Archives office.
How much does a certified Los Angeles criminal court record cost?
The Superior Court publishes copying fees of $0.50 per page and $40 per certification. Contact the records custodian for availability, page count and any applicable additional charges.
Where is the main Los Angeles criminal courthouse?
The Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center is located at 210 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. The general telephone number is 213-628-7700. Many other Los Angeles County courthouses also handle criminal matters.
How do I find someone in Los Angeles County Jail?
Use the official Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Inmate Information Center or call its inmate information service at 213-473-6002. Public custody information may include booking details, housing location, bail and court information.
Where can I request an LA County arrest report?
Contact the law-enforcement agency that created the report. For Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reports, use the LASD Records and Identification Bureau, whose Public Services number is 562-345-4441. Reports created by LAPD or other city police departments must be requested from those agencies.
How do I get my own official California criminal record?
Request a fingerprint-based California DOJ Record Review. California residents use Live Scan Form BCIA 8016RR. The standard DOJ fee is $25, with additional fingerprint rolling costs possible and a fee waiver available for qualifying applicants.
Why does the LA criminal case search return no results?
Possible causes include an incorrect name or case number, records older than the online system, sealed or confidential proceedings, an offense handled through the Traffic Division or other database limitations. Contact the courthouse or Archives when appropriate.
Can Los Angeles County criminal records be expunged?
Some California arrests and convictions qualify for sealing, dismissal or automatic record relief. Forms CR-409 and CR-180 address different situations. Eligibility depends on the case outcome, offense and California law.
Official courts and criminal-history agencies
Los Angeles County Criminal Records: Official Search Links
Use these official court and government resources to search case information, obtain documents and understand applicable access restrictions.
Public criminal case summaries using a known case number.
Paid search for criminal case numbers by defendant name.
Official name-search fees and account pricing.
Case access, future hearing calendars and court lookup.
Criminal courthouse locations, Clerk contacts and current services.
Downtown criminal courthouse location, contact and office hours.
Request ordinary and certified case documents from court records.
Historical felony records and archival records-request assistance.
Inmate information, custody services and law-enforcement resources.
County jail booking and publicly available inmate information.
Crime reports, booking records, criminal-history request categories and public-records procedures.
Report eligibility, document requests, public services and appointments.
Fingerprints, $25 processing fee, personal rap-sheet access and correction procedures.
Eligibility for waiving California’s personal record-review processing fee.
Qualifying state prison incarceration records.
Official dismissal, arrest sealing and criminal record relief information.
Federal criminal prosecutions maintained separately from Los Angeles Superior Court.
Federal criminal court information for the Los Angeles region.