Find Fairfield Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Fairfield are held by the Solano County Superior Court and the Fairfield Police Department. Fairfield is the county seat of Solano County, located between San Francisco and Sacramento. Criminal cases from the city go through the county court. The Fairfield Police Department handles arrests and keeps its own police reports. You can search court records online at no charge. Getting police records takes a direct request to the department. This guide covers how to access criminal records connected to Fairfield, California.

Fairfield Criminal Court Records

All criminal cases from Fairfield go through the Solano County Superior Court. Since Fairfield is the county seat, the main courthouse is right in the city. The Hall of Justice at 600 Union Avenue handles most criminal matters for the area. Arraignments, trials, and sentencing hearings all take place there. If you need to show up for a court date related to a Fairfield case, that is most likely where you will go.

The Solano County Superior Court case portal lets you search for criminal cases online. It is free. You can search by name or case number. Results include the case type, charges, hearing dates, and current status. The system covers all cases filed in Solano County, not just those from Fairfield. This makes it useful if you need to check records from other cities in the county too.

Not every old case appears in the online portal. Records from before the court went digital may only exist in paper form at the courthouse. If you cannot find what you need online, visit the clerk's office in person. They can search the internal system and pull files. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 each.

Fairfield Police Department Records

The Fairfield Police Department keeps its own set of records that are separate from the court files. These include arrest reports, incident reports, call logs, and investigation files. The department does not put individual reports online for the public to browse.

To get a police report from Fairfield, use the department's online request system. The Fairfield Police records request portal lets you submit requests at any time.

Through this portal, you fill out a form with the details of what you need. Include the date of the incident, the location, and the report number if you have it. The more information you provide, the faster staff can locate the record. The department follows the California Public Records Act and aims to respond within 10 days for straightforward requests. Requests involving ongoing investigations or sensitive material may take longer. Copy fees depend on the size and type of the records. Most basic requests are handled at no cost.

Note: Records related to active investigations in Fairfield may be withheld until the case is closed.

How to Get Criminal Records in Fairfield

There are three main ways to get criminal records tied to Fairfield. Court records come from the Solano County court system. Police reports come from the Fairfield PD. And a full statewide criminal history comes from the California DOJ. Each one gives you different information. Most people need just one of these, but some situations call for more than one.

For a statewide criminal history check, go to a Live Scan site near Fairfield. The California DOJ runs the state criminal record database. Under Penal Code 11105, you can request your own record by getting fingerprinted. The DOJ charges $25 for the check. The Live Scan site adds its own fee. Results come back in a few business days. This is the most complete criminal history available because it pulls records from every county in California. Several Live Scan vendors operate in Fairfield and the surrounding Solano County area.

In person, you can visit the Fairfield Police Department at 1000 Webster Street. The records section handles walk-in requests during business hours. Bring a valid ID. Call (707) 428-7300 to check hours before you visit.

Fairfield Criminal Record Fees

What you pay for criminal records in Fairfield depends on where the records come from. Court fees are set by state law. Police department fees are set by the city. Knowing the costs ahead of time helps you avoid surprises.

Here are the standard fees:

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

You can request a fee waiver from the court if you have low income or get public benefits. File the request with the clerk at the courthouse. The judge reviews it. Fee waivers apply only to court costs. They do not cover DOJ fees, Live Scan vendor charges, or police department copy fees.

Clearing Criminal Records in Fairfield

If you were convicted in a case from Fairfield, you may be able to get the conviction dismissed. Under Penal Code 1203.4, you petition the Solano County court after completing probation. The court can change the plea to not guilty and dismiss the case. The record still exists, but it shows as dismissed. This can help when you apply for jobs or housing. AB 1076 has made some of this process automatic, with the DOJ reviewing eligible records and granting dismissals on its own.

Arrest records from Fairfield can also be sealed. Penal Code 851.87 allows you to petition the court to seal an arrest if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed. Once sealed, the arrest drops off most background checks. You file the petition at the Solano County courthouse. You can handle the paperwork yourself or get help from a legal aid group in the area.

Note: Automatic record relief under AB 1076 does not cover all conviction types, so check if your case qualifies.

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Fairfield. Criminal cases from each city go through their county's Superior Court.

Solano County Criminal Records

Fairfield is the county seat of Solano County. All criminal cases from the city go through the Solano County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more details on court searches, jail records, and county resources.