Oakland Criminal History Lookup

Criminal history records in Oakland are handled by two main agencies. The Oakland Police Department maintains police reports, arrest logs, and incident records for the city. Criminal court cases from Oakland go through the Alameda County Superior Court, which serves all of Alameda County. The court has a free online search tool for looking up cases. Police records can be requested through the city's public records system. This page covers how to search for criminal records in Oakland, California, including fees, procedures, and how to clear old records.

Oakland Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases from Oakland are filed in the Alameda County Superior Court. The county operates several courthouse locations. Cases from Oakland most often get assigned to the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street in downtown Oakland. This is the main criminal courthouse for the northern part of the county. It handles felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic cases. The building has a clerk's office on the ground floor where you can request copies of case files and check on case status. Some cases might be routed to the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse nearby, depending on scheduling.

The Alameda County Superior Court case search lets you look up criminal cases from Oakland and across the county. Enter a last name to start your search. You can add a first name or case number to get more precise results. The system shows case type, charges, hearing dates, and status. It costs nothing to use and no account is required.

Some older records may not be in the digital system. The court has worked to add historical records to the portal, but gaps remain. If you need an older case and cannot find it online, visit the clerk at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse. Copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $40 per document.

Note: Cases that have been sealed or expunged will not show up in any public search for Oakland.

Oakland Police Records

The Oakland Police Department maintains its own records. Police reports, arrest records, and incident logs are kept by the department's records section. OPD handles a large volume of reports given the size of the city. If you need a police report, you request it through the city's online public records system. The department does not publish individual reports for people to browse. You have to make a request for the specific record you need and wait for it to be processed.

The Oakland public records request portal is where you go to request police reports and other city records.

This portal handles requests for police reports, arrest records, and any other public records held by the city of Oakland. You create a request with the details of what you need. Include a report number or incident date if you have that information, since it helps the department find the record faster. Most requests get processed within a few weeks. The city gets a lot of records requests so turnaround times can vary. There is no charge for submitting, but you may be billed for copies of large records.

Getting Criminal Records in Oakland

You have multiple ways to get criminal records in Oakland. The approach depends on what type of record you are after. Court records, police reports, and state background checks all come from different agencies. The free online court search is the best starting point for most people. Police records require a separate request. The broadest search goes through the California DOJ.

For a statewide criminal history check, go to a Live Scan site in Oakland. The California DOJ maintains the state criminal record database under Penal Code 11105. You get fingerprinted at the Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee along with the site's rolling fee. Results come back in a few business days. Oakland has a number of Live Scan locations at shipping stores, private offices, and city facilities. This is the most thorough criminal history check available in California because it searches records across all 58 counties.

You can also walk into the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in downtown Oakland to search court records in person. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk's office handles requests during regular business hours on weekdays.

Oakland Criminal Record Fees

The cost of criminal records in Oakland varies by source. Court fees are set by state law. Police report fees are set by the city. Here is a breakdown of what to expect.

Common fees for criminal records in Oakland:

• 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
• OPD police report copies: varies by request

If you cannot pay court fees, ask for a fee waiver at the clerk's window. You will need proof of low income or public benefits. The judge reviews the request and makes the decision. Fee waivers cover court costs only. They do not apply to DOJ fees or police department charges.

Clearing Records in Oakland

California provides several paths for clearing a criminal record. If you were convicted in Oakland, you may be eligible for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. You file a petition with the Alameda County Superior Court after finishing probation. The court changes the record from a conviction to a dismissal. It does not fully erase the conviction from existence, but it helps a lot when employers or landlords run background checks. AB 1076 now makes some of this automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records and applies the relief without the person needing to take any action on their own.

You can also seal arrest records in Oakland. If charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, Penal Code 851.87 lets you petition the court to seal the arrest. Once sealed, the arrest does not show on most background checks going forward. File the petition at the courthouse that handled your case. You can do it on your own or hire a lawyer to walk you through it.

Nearby Cities

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

Alameda County Criminal Records

Oakland is in Alameda 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.