California Court Records Search

California Court Record Search Process

California one of the most populated states in the United States has one of the largest court systems in the entire U.S.  This guide will explain how to perform a California court records search directly online using a first and last name that can help in finding criminal records, court dockets, warrants, and more. 

This guide will also explain unique ways and websites to search for public records like court documents, criminal data, and more.   Learn about the California process and statistics from a year to year time perspective. 

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Court Records Search

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California Court System quick snap

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California Courts System

California is made up of three levels within the court system. California supreme court, courts of appeal and the Superior courts.

Supreme Court in California

The Supreme Court system is the highest court in California. It is the authority on reviewing decisions by the courts of appeals. Because the supreme court is the highest its decisions are binding on all California state courts. The supreme court has one Chief Justice and six associates justices who when appointed are done by the Governor. The supreme court is seated within San Francisco but also conducts sessions in Sacramento and Los Angeles.

In the 2016 – 2017 fiscal year the California Supreme Court issued 92 written opinions during this year. There were 7,317 total filings and 7,262 dispositions. During this year the Supreme Court in California ordered 5 Court of Appeal opinions depublished.

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Courts of Appeals

The court of appeals has 105 justices and are the middle or intermediate courts of appellate. Within California there are six appellate districts. They are the 1st Appellate District (San Francisco), 2nd Appellate District (Los Angeles)3rd Appellate District (Sacramento, 4th Appellate District (San Diego, 5th Appellate District (Fresno, 6th Appellate District (San Jose).

Website

Superior Courts

The superior courts in California consist of 58 trial courts, this is one in each county. Within the trial courts and superior courts a judge and in some cases a jury will hear testimony and other types of evidence to decide on cases. The CA court system serves almost 34 million people.

Website

How to find California court records

Finding California court records can be done by accessing any of the above websites and navigating to the online records search within the court’s website. However, there are other ways by using the county clerks websites.

You would have to know what county the crime took place in and then find that county website online. To do so simply google the county + courthouse like so: “Sonoma County Courthouse”

Once you find the county courthouse you can find there online record search.

Use a search service to find California court records

The use of a search service will search names against federal, state, and county sources to help anyone find public records in California. Because this method saves an incredible amount of time it’s a favorite amount a lot of people to find and view public records, warrants, inmate data, contact information and more online.

California court statistics

The below data comes from the California court statistics reports.

California population trends

California Filings and disposition summary from 2010 to 2017

Courts of Appeal performance indicator data from 2016 -17

Courts of Appeal caseload comparisons

Superior Courts State of cases at disposition

California Court Holidays