California Court Records
Jurisdictions of the Court
Superior Courts are divided into Criminal, Civil, Small Claims, Family, Probate, Juvenile, Traffic and Drug Courts.
Criminal Divisions hear felony and misdemeanor cases.
Small Claims Divisions will hear claims for less than $7,500 and if the claim clears certain restriction hurdles.
Family Divisions will hear cases involving families and children, including legal separation, dissolution of marriage, domestic violence, child custody, child support, paternity, division of marital property, and spousal support.
Probate Divisions will hear cases related to estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, and wills.
Juvenile Divisions will hear cases involving child abuse, and neglect, juvenile delinquency, and children in need of supervision.
Traffic Divisions will hear traffic-related citations.
Independent Tribal Courts are also available in California.
State Department of Corrections
California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
Mailing address: 1515 S Street, Sacramento, Ca 94283-0001
Physical address: See above
Phone: (877) 256-OVSS (6877)
Fax: N/A
Hours: N/A
Email: N/A
Where to Find State Court Records
Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)
Mailing address: Office of Communications, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, California 94102-3688
Physical address: see above
Phone: (415) 865-7740
Fax: N/A
Hours: 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Note: This office does not maintain court records for the following kinds of cases: powers of attorney; divorce decrees; criminal records; criminal case histories; complaints, other pleadings or judgments; traffic tickets; or information on specific cases. You’ll need to visit the Superior Court in the specific county where the case took place in order to obtain this kind of court record.
Specific Court Records
Supreme Court of California
Mailing address: 350 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-4797
Physical address: see above
Phone: (415) 865-7000
Fax: N/A
Hours: 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
California Court of Appeals
Mailing address: Varies – there are six districts
Physical address: see above
Phone: Varies – there are six districts
Fax: N/A
Hours: 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Supreme Court Opinions
Contained within a Court Record
Court records will often have the following pieces of information: the address and name of the defendant, the address and name of the plaintiff, the date of each court hearing, the outcome of the court, a detailing of the evidence that was presented from both sides, the address where the hearing took place, a summary of statements from the witnesses, what statutes/laws have been violated, the judge’s full name, and all court fee information.
