How to Search California Criminal Records (Start Here)

California criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.

What this page covers: California state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.

Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.

Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.

Population
39,431,263
Households
13,628,600
Median Income
$96,334
Median Home Value
$715,900

Criminal Records Databases

86 official California criminal records sources.

Criminal Records

Public Records | Judicial Branch of California - CA.gov
Official Free
The Judicial Council’s Public Access to Judicial Administrative Records (PAJAR) team will respond on behalf of the Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeal to requests for copies of their administrative records.
California Courts - Appellate Court Case Information
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This system provides case information for California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal cases.
Criminal Records - Request Your Own | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
Official Free
Access to criminal history summary records maintained by the DOJ is restricted by law to legitimate law enforcement purposes and authorized applicant agencies. However, individuals have the right to request a copy of their own criminal history record from the Department to review for accuracy and completeness.
Criminal Records - Request Your Own | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
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To receive a copy of YOUR criminal history record, individuals must submit fingerprint images, pay a $25 processing fee to the DOJ, and follow the instructions below . You may be eligible to apply for a fee waiver to cover the DOJ processing fees.
Condemned Inmates Who Have Died Since 1978 - Capital Punishment
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Summary of Condemned Inmates Who Have Died Since 1978 · Executed in California: 13 Executed in Missouri: 1 Executed in Virginia: 1 Total Executions: 15 Natural Causes: 126 Suicide: 32 Other: 18 Pending: 7 Total Non-Execution Deaths: 183 Total Deaths: 198
California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) - CDCR
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The California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) is an online tool to lookup individuals in CDCR custody. Search results include incarcerated person’s name, CDCR number, age, current location, commitment counties, admission date, Board of Parole Hearing dates and outcomes.
History of Capital Punishment in California - Capital Punishment
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Beginning in 1967, as a result of various state and United States Supreme Court decisions, there were no executions in California for 25 years . In February 1972, the California Supreme Court found that the death penalty constituted cruel and ...
LASD Inmate Information Center - Inmate Search
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Accessing data on the LASD Inmate Information website requires solving reCAPTCHA questions. This feature is used to prevent automated systems from cyber-attacks and commercially exploiting the data · © 2026 - Inmate Information Center
Superior Court of Los Angeles
Official Free
This site allows you to search for a Criminal Case Number by defendant name in the Los Angeles Superior Court via our secure web server.
Public Records | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
Official Free
Californians have the right under the state Public Records Act and the California Constitution to access public information maintained by local and state government agencies, including the Department of Justice. The following are guidelines for accessing public, pdf records maintained by the California Department of Justice. To obtain records of another agency, please contact the agency directly. For information about your arrests and convictions regarding any of the following topics: ... Megan’s Law permits the public to obtain information on sex offenders.
Jail - Visitation Rooms | City of Chula Vista
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Address: 315 4th Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 · Categories: City Jail Visits · Type of Visit Room for Inmate visitations from the public (friends and family). Questions or Need Help?
Crime Mapping | City of Norfolk, Virginia - Official Website
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Crime Mapping is an interactive crime mapping program that allows the user to search the City of Norfolk by address, landmark or zip code in the City of Norfolk for certain types of crimes that have occurred over the previous 90 days .
CrimeMapping.com - Nashville Crime Map
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The requested URL was rejected. Please consult with your administrator. Your support ID is: · [Go Back]
Chico Police Department - Arrests
Official Free
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
Chico Police Department - Crime
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We cannot provide a description for this page right now
Corning Police Department - Media Bulletins
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We cannot provide a description for this page right now
Paradise Police Department - Crime & Activity
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We cannot provide a description for this page right now
BOP: Federal Bureau of Prisons Web Site
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Report an Inmate Concern · Report Staff Misconduct · Find a policy or form · Have a career with the BOP · Visit a federal inmate · Get Reentry Information · Locate a federal inmate · We are seeking applicants for the following positions: Chaplain · Clinical Psychologist ·
Court CM/ECF Lookup | PACER: Federal Court Records
Official Paid
Close PACER Case Locator PACER Log in Manage PACER Account · An official website of the United States government ... Log in to... Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. ... Type the name of a federal court to find links to login to CM/ECF – or – search by other information unique to that court, like their contact information, RSS feed, county codes, and…

California Counties

58 California counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Frequently Asked Questions

California's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.

California's court system is headed by the California Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court (one in each of 58 counties). Many California courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.

The California Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.

The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.

California vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the California Department of Public Health (Vital Records) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.

Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.

The California sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.

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