Los Angeles County Court Records

Los Angeles court records are formal records filed and maintained by the Los Angeles Superior Courts of all proceedings and filings in a civil or criminal case. They include all the votes of the judge or clerk in a case, all documents, and materials tendered, presented, or recorded in relation to that particular case.

In line with the California Public Records Act (CA Govt Code § 6250-6270), the Superior Court maintains an open and accessible system where residents and other interested persons can look up court records online or inspect records at public access terminals at the courthouses.

Court records include the initial complaint, arrest records, charge or indictment, motions, court orders, and transcripts from pre-trial arraignments. Court records of appellate courts are also records that are filed and publicly accessible. The California Rules of Court determine what information is recorded and regulate how to file and maintain court records.

Are Los Angeles County Court Records Public?

By the definition of public records in the California Public Records Act (Section 6250-6270), Los Angeles County Courts are generally considered public records that are open for inspection and copying to every person who has a right to access information within the state. The CPRA guarantees and governs access to court records within Los Angeles County, California.

In adherence to this obligation, the Superior Court of Los Angeles provides accessible mechanisms for individuals to find case information and court transcripts. However, it is important to note that the CPRA provides for exceptions to the public records provisions, and records in custody of the Superior Court of Los Angeles that are exempt from public disclosure cannot be accessed by just any person. Examples may include addresses of victims of a crime or any records that may constitute an unwarranted breach of privacy, personnel or medical records, records of complaints and investigations made to and by the office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice.

Information in Los Angeles County Court Records that may be publicly available includes the case number, names of the parties involved, petitions, complaints, motions, court decisions, transcripts, and audio/video recordings of court procedure.

What Information is Available in Los Angeles County Court Records?

Court records filed and maintained by the Superior Court of Los Angeles are filed across multiple divisions of the court, including Appellate, civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims.

• Civil: Civil court cases are focused on resolving disputes between individuals and organizations, and cases where a party is seeking remedy, relief, or compensation. In certain instances, the relief sought by the plaintiff is one to compel the defendant to act or prevent the defendant from acting. Not all civil cases involve monetary compensation. Civil cases involve contract disputes, tenancy, torts (negligence, trespass, nuisance, defamation, malicious prosecution, trade libel), intellectual property rights, and employment rights.
• Family Law and Probate Records: Probate records involve guardianship, wills, and conservatorship. Family law records deal with divorce, child neglect, parental rights, child custody, and other domestic and welfare issues.
• Small Claims: The court also has limited jurisdiction cases where the nominal amount sought or value of property in dispute does not exceed $25,000 (small claims). These records contain the names of the parties, their attorneys, the claim, arguments filed, pleadings, motions, transcripts, and judgment.
• Criminal Records: Records of criminal cases document all felony and misdemeanor trials and court proceedings. These are court proceedings held to determine the outcome of criminal charges. Los Angeles criminal court records will include the name of the defendants, charges filed, arrest/criminal history, filings, motions, a list of evidence tendered before the court, and the verdict of the judge. Criminal records may be accessed through the Superior Court of Los Angeles' Criminal Case Access website. Information is searchable by case number.

Los Angeles County Court Records Search

People living in Los Angeles County may find court records through any of the following ways:

• Online Access - The Superior Court of Los Angeles County has a section on its website for looking up public information on cases online. The case information search website is categorised per appellate cases, civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases. These search sites can be accessed by simply inputting the case number and name of the filing court.
• In-Person Access - Researchers may request case files or use public access computers at Los Angeles courthouses in person. However, visitors must schedule an appointment prior to the specific date they intend to go to the courthouse. While inspecting records does not incur any extra costs, requests for copies of court records will be subject to statutory fees.
• Mail and Phone Requests - Phone requests may be directed to the Self-Help Call Centers or any of the courthouses in the Superior Court of Los Angeles. All phone requests may be made between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Mondays to Fridays, except court holidays.

Fees for Court Records in Los Angeles County

Court records fees differ per service used. Name searches on online services cost $4.75 per name, and downloading documents costs $1.0 for 1-5 pages per document and $0.40 for 6+ pages and a maximum of $40 per document. According to the civil fee schedule, certification fees may cost between $10 - $50, depending on the type of document and if the requester is a public agency.

Los Angeles County Courthouse Locations

There are 36 courthouses within the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, which include, but are not limited to:

• Airport Courthouse (Los Angeles) - Criminal
• Alhambra Courthouse (Alhambra) - Juvenile Dependency
• Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center Courthouse (Lancaster) - Civil, Criminal
• Beverly Hills Courthouse (Beverly Hills) Civil, Small Claims, Traffic
• Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse (Long Beach) - Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Juvenile Justice, Small Claims, Traffic
• Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse (Lancaster) - Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Juvenile Justice, Probate, Small Claims, Traffic
• Pasadena Courthouse (Pasadena) - Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Small Claims, Traffic
• Pomona Courthouse (Pomona) - Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Juvenile Dependency, Juvenile Justice,
• Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Los Angeles) - Probate, Small Claims, Appellate, Civil, Family Law

The addresses for the courthouses above are listed below. Interested persons may also look through the Los Angeles County courthouse directory for additional details.

Criminal Records Access in Los Angeles County

Criminal records and criminal history checks are handled by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and not the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Access to criminal history records in California is restricted to law enforcement agencies for legitimate purposes, other authorized agencies, and the individuals who own the record. Third-party requests will be denied.

To request a copy of a personal criminal history record, the applicant must submit Live Scan fingerprints (Live Scan Form BCIA 8016RR, for California Applicants) or a manual fingerprint card (applicants living outside California), a $25 fee, along with the Application to Obtain a copy of State Criminal History Record Form (BCIA 87055) to the DOJ:

Los Angeles Criminal Case Records are available online at the Case Access website or can be requested by mail or in person at the clerk's office at any courthouse under the Superior Court of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Probate Records

In line with the California Public Records Act, probate records are public records, although information contained in these records is often redacted or restricted to protect confidential and private information. Different courts within the Superior Court of Los Angeles County handle probate matters, such as the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.

The Probate Division of the Superior Court handles matters such as the filing of probate documents, the administration of estates, wills, and trusts, compromise petitions (regarding minors and incapacitated persons), the establishment of facts of birth and death records, conservatorship, and guardianship. Individuals can get summaries of probate records online at the Superior Court of Los Angeles County Probate Case Access.

Los Angeles County Family Court Records

Los Angeles County family court records are accessible online at the Superior Court of Los Angeles County Family Case Access Portal. Interested parties can also contact or book an appointment to visit the relevant court clerk to request copies of family court records.

Family law cases in Los Angeles County typically are on domestic issues such as child custody, child support, divorce, domestic violence, legal separation, nullity (annulment), parentage (paternity), and spousal or domestic partner support.

Family law cases are heard at courts that have jurisdiction to sit on those matters, like the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, the Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, the Pasadena Courthouse, and others.

Federal Court Records in Los Angeles County

Federal cases arising fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The court has 3 divisions:

• First Street U.S. Courthouse (Western Division)
• Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and United States Courthouse (Western Division)
• George E. Brown, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse (Eastern Division)
• Ronald Reagan Federal Building and United States Courthouse (Southern Division).

These courts have jurisdiction over matters that involve violations of federal laws such as drug trafficking and organized crime, tax fraud, bankruptcy, white-collar crimes, cybercrimes, and civil matters concerning the U.S. Constitution, civil rights, and lawsuits filed by or against the United States.

Federal cases can be located through a registered account on Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) or from public access terminals at the clerk's office in the specific court where the case was filed.