Orange Criminal Records Access

Criminal history records for the city of Orange come from the Orange Police Department and the Orange County Superior Court. The police department maintains arrest records, police reports, and incident logs for the city. Criminal cases filed in Orange go through the county's Superior Court system. The court has a free online search portal. Police reports can be requested through an online system as well. This page covers the main ways to find and access criminal records in Orange, California, along with information about fees and clearing old records in the city.

Orange Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases from the city of Orange are filed in the Orange County Superior Court. The county court system operates several locations. Cases from Orange most often go to the Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana. This is the main criminal courthouse for the county. It handles felonies, misdemeanors, and some traffic matters. The North Justice Center in Fullerton also takes cases from the northern part of the county, which may include some Orange cases depending on the charges. The online case search connects all locations.

The Orange County Superior Court case search lets you look up any criminal case filed in the city of Orange or anywhere else in the county. Type in a last name. Add a first name for more specific results. The system shows case type, charges, hearing dates, and current status. It is free to use and does not require an account.

Older records might not be in the online system. The court has been adding files to the digital portal over the years, but not all historical records made it in. If you need a case from a while back and it does not show up, visit the Central Justice Center in person. The clerk's office can pull up older case files. Copies run 50 cents a page. Certified copies cost $40 per document.

Orange Police Criminal Records

The Orange Police Department keeps records separate from the county court. Police reports, arrest logs, and incident records are all handled by the department. If you need a copy of a police report from the city of Orange, you can file a request through the department's online reporting system. The department does not let the public browse individual reports online. You have to request the specific record you need.

The Orange Police online reporting system allows you to file requests for police records and submit certain report types online.

This system handles requests for police reports and certain types of incident reports from the Orange Police Department. You fill out the form with details about the record you need. Include a report number or incident date if available. That speeds things up considerably. Most requests are processed within a few business days. There is no charge for submitting the request, but the department may charge for copies of the records once they are pulled together. Larger requests can take more time to fulfill.

Getting Criminal Records in Orange

There are a few ways to get criminal records in the city of Orange. Court records, police reports, and statewide background checks each come from different agencies. The free court search online is the best place to start. If that does not turn up what you need, try the police department. For the most complete search, go through the California DOJ.

For a full criminal history from the state, visit a Live Scan site in Orange. The California DOJ operates the statewide criminal record database under Penal Code 11105. You get fingerprinted at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the rolling fee charged by the site. Results come back within a few business days. There are Live Scan sites in and around the city of Orange at shipping stores, private vendors, and nearby police stations. This check pulls records from every county in California, making it the most thorough option available.

You can also visit the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana to request court records in person. Bring a valid photo ID. The clerk's window is open during weekday business hours.

Note: Sealed and expunged records will not appear through any search method.

Orange Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in the city of Orange vary by source. Court fees follow state law. Police fees are set locally. Knowing what costs to expect saves time.

Common fees for criminal records in Orange:

• 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

If you cannot afford court fees, ask the clerk about filing a fee waiver. You need to show proof of low income or that you are on public benefits. The judge decides whether to approve it. Fee waivers cover court costs but do not extend to DOJ fees or police department charges.

Clearing Criminal Records in Orange

California law allows people to clear certain criminal records. If you have a conviction from the city of Orange, you may be eligible for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. You file a petition with the Orange County Superior Court after finishing probation. The court updates the record to show a dismissal instead of a conviction. The conviction does not go away completely, but the dismissal helps with employment and housing background checks. AB 1076 has made parts of this automatic. The DOJ reviews qualifying records and grants relief without the person having to do anything.

Arrest records can also be sealed. If charges were never filed or the case got dismissed, Penal Code 851.87 allows you to petition the court to seal the arrest record. Once sealed, the arrest does not appear on most background checks. File the petition at the courthouse where the case was handled. You can do it on your own or get help from a lawyer.

Nearby Cities

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

Orange County Criminal Records

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