Anaheim Criminal History Search

Criminal history records in Anaheim come from two main sources. The Anaheim Police Department keeps arrest reports, incident records, and police files for the city. Court records are handled by the Orange County Superior Court. Anaheim sits in Orange County, so all criminal cases filed here go through that county court system. You can search court records online for free using the county portal. Police records need a separate request through the city. This page walks through the ways to find, request, and use criminal records in Anaheim, California.

Anaheim Criminal Court Records

All criminal cases from Anaheim are filed in the Orange County Superior Court. The court runs several locations across the county. The main criminal courthouse is the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Cases from Anaheim typically get assigned there or to the North Justice Center in Fullerton, which is closer to the city. Where your case ends up depends on where the alleged crime took place and the type of charge involved.

The Orange County Superior Court case search lets you look up criminal cases online. You can search by name or case number. Results show the charges, hearing dates, case status, and the assigned courthouse. The system is free to use. You do not need to create an account. Most cases from the past several years are in the system. Some older records may not appear online and would need to be pulled by the clerk in person.

If you need copies of court documents, the clerk charges standard fees. Plain copies run 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost more. You can request copies at the courthouse window or by mail. Include the case number with any mail request to speed things up.

Note: Juvenile criminal records from Anaheim are not available through the public case search portal.

Anaheim Police Criminal Records

The Anaheim Police Department keeps its own records apart from the court. Police reports, arrest logs, booking records, and incident reports all come from the department. If you need a police report from Anaheim, you submit a request through their online portal. The department does not let the public browse individual reports. You have to ask for a specific record.

The Anaheim Police records request portal is where you submit requests for police reports and other department records.

This portal uses the NextRequest system. You fill out the form with the details of what you need. A report number helps if you have one. The department aims to respond within 10 days for most requests. Some records are free. Others come with copy fees depending on the size of the file. Certain records are exempt from release under California law, so not every request gets approved. The department will tell you if something cannot be shared and why.

Getting Criminal Records in Anaheim

There are a few paths to get criminal records in Anaheim. The right one depends on what kind of record you need. Court records, police reports, and state background checks all come from different places. Most people start with the free court search online. If that does not have what you need, try the police records portal or run a state check through the California DOJ.

For a full criminal history from the state level, you go to a Live Scan site in or near Anaheim. The California DOJ runs the state criminal record database. You get fingerprinted at a Live Scan location and pay the DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Results come back in a few business days. This pulls records from every county in the state, making it the most complete check available. Anaheim has several Live Scan sites at shipping stores, notary offices, and private vendors throughout the city. The DOJ processes these requests under Penal Code 11105, which sets out who can get what level of detail from the state database.

You can also visit the Anaheim Police Department in person at 425 South Harbor Boulevard. Bring valid ID if you want to request records at the front counter. Call ahead at (714) 765-1900 to check hours before you go.

Anaheim Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in Anaheim vary by source. Court fees are set by state law. Police report fees come from the city. Knowing the costs ahead of time saves you from a wasted trip or surprise charges.

Common fees for criminal records in Anaheim include:

• Court name search (over 10 minutes): $15
• Court copies per page: $0.50
• Certified court copy: $40 per document
• DOJ background check: $25 plus Live Scan rolling fee
• Police report copies: varies by request size

If court fees are a problem, you can file a fee waiver with the clerk. You will need to show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits. The judge decides. Fee waivers cover court costs but not DOJ fees or police department charges. Most people pay around $50 to $75 total for a Live Scan background check when you add up all the fees together.

Clearing Anaheim Criminal Records

California law lets people clear certain criminal records from their history. If you have a conviction from Anaheim, you may be able to get it dismissed under Penal Code 1203.4. This requires petitioning the court after you finish probation. The court changes the record to show a dismissal instead of a conviction. It does not fully erase the record, but it helps on most background checks. AB 1076 now makes some of this process automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records and grants relief without the person having to file paperwork.

Arrest records can be sealed too. If charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, Penal Code 851.87 lets you ask the court to seal the arrest record. Once sealed, the arrest will not show on most background checks. You file the petition at the courthouse where the case was handled. Some people handle this on their own. Others hire a lawyer. Legal aid groups in Orange County can sometimes help with the paperwork at no cost.

Note: Automatic record relief under AB 1076 only applies to convictions that meet specific criteria set by the state DOJ.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Anaheim. Criminal cases from each city go through their county's Superior Court system.

Orange County Criminal Records

Anaheim is in Orange County. All criminal cases from the city go through the Orange County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more on court searches, sheriff records, and county-level resources.