Los Angeles Criminal History Search

Los Angeles criminal history records come from the city's police department and the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The LAPD handles police reports and arrest records for the city. Court records for all criminal cases filed in the city go through the LA Superior Court system. You can search many of these records online at no cost. If you need a police report, the city runs a public records portal where you can file a request. This page covers the main ways to find and get criminal records in Los Angeles, California.

Los Angeles Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases filed in Los Angeles go through the Los Angeles County Superior Court. This is the biggest trial court in the whole country. It runs more than 38 courthouse locations across the county. Cases get sent to whichever courthouse is closest to where the crime took place. So if you were charged in downtown LA, your case would go to the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. A case in the Valley might go to the Van Nuys courthouse instead. Each location handles its own files, but the online search system ties them all together in one place.

The LA Superior Court criminal case search lets you look up any criminal case filed in Los Angeles or anywhere else in the county. You just need a last name to start. Add a first name to narrow things down. The results show case type, charges, hearing dates, and where things stand. It is free to use. You do not need an account.

Some old cases may not show up online. The court did not put all of its older records into the digital system. If you need a case from years back and cannot find it, go to the courthouse where it was filed. The clerk can pull it up in person. Copies run 50 cents a page. Certified copies cost $40 per document.

Note: Sealed and expunged criminal records will not appear in any online court search for Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Criminal Records

The LAPD keeps its own set of records separate from the court. Police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports all come from the department's Records and Identification Division. If you need a copy of a police report from Los Angeles, you can request one through the city's public records portal. The LAPD does not post individual reports online for the public to browse. You have to make a specific request for the report you want.

The Los Angeles public records request portal is where you submit requests for LAPD police reports and other city records.

This portal handles requests for police reports, arrest records, and other public documents from the city of Los Angeles. You fill out a form with the details of what you need. Include the report number if you have it. That speeds things up. The city aims to respond within 10 days for most requests. Some complex requests take longer. There is no fee to submit a request, but the city may charge for copies depending on the size of the records.

Getting Criminal Records in Los Angeles

There are a few ways to get criminal records in Los Angeles. The path you take depends on what you need. Court records, police reports, and background checks each come from a different source. Most people start with the free court search online. If that does not turn up what you need, try the police records portal or run a background check through the California DOJ.

For a full criminal history from the state, go to a Live Scan site in Los Angeles. The California DOJ runs the state criminal record database under Penal Code 11105. You get fingerprinted at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Results come back in a few business days. Los Angeles has dozens of Live Scan sites at police stations, shipping stores, and private vendors all over the city. This is the most complete criminal history check you can get in California because it pulls records from every county in the state.

The LAPD Records and Identification Division is at 100 West First Street in downtown Los Angeles. You can request records in person there. Bring a valid ID. Walk-in hours are limited so call ahead to check. The phone number is (213) 486-5910.

Los Angeles Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in Los Angeles vary by source. The court charges standard fees set by state law. The LAPD sets its own fees for police reports. Knowing what to expect before you go saves time and a wasted trip.

Common fees for criminal records in Los Angeles 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
• LAPD police report copies: varies by request

If you cannot afford court fees, file a fee waiver request with the clerk. You will need to show proof of low income or that you get public benefits. The judge makes the call. Fee waivers cover court costs but not DOJ fees or police report charges in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Inmate Search

People arrested in Los Angeles get booked into the county jail system run by the LA County Sheriff. The Sheriff operates several facilities including Twin Towers and Men's Central Jail. You can search for anyone currently in custody through the Sheriff's inmate locator. It is free. Results show the person's name, booking number, charges, bail amount, and which facility they are at. The system updates throughout the day as new bookings and releases happen.

If someone was sentenced to state prison from Los Angeles, check the CDCR inmate search instead. This covers anyone in the California state prison system. It shows their current location, CDCR number, and which county committed them. The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in Los Angeles and across the state. That registry is separate from court and jail records.

Clearing Criminal Records in Los Angeles

California law lets people clear certain criminal records. If you have a conviction in Los Angeles, you may qualify for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. You petition the court after finishing probation. The court changes the record to show a dismissal. It does not erase the conviction. AB 1076 now makes some of this automatic. The DOJ reviews records and grants relief without the person having to file anything.

Arrest records can also be sealed in Los Angeles. If charges were never filed or the case got dismissed, Penal Code 851.87 lets you ask the court to seal the arrest. Once sealed, the arrest does not show on most background checks. You file the petition at the courthouse where the case was handled. You can do it yourself or hire a lawyer to help.

Nearby Cities

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

Los Angeles County Criminal Records

Los Angeles is in Los Angeles County. All criminal cases from the city are filed through the county court system. Visit the county page for more details on court searches, sheriff records, and county-level resources.