Palmdale Criminal History Search

Criminal history records for Palmdale are kept by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Palmdale does not have its own city police force. Law enforcement is provided by the LA County Sheriff, which handles arrest records, police reports, and incident logs. All criminal cases filed in Palmdale go through the massive LA County court system. Court records are searchable online at no cost. This page explains how to find criminal records in Palmdale, California, and what to know about fees and record clearing.

Palmdale Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases from Palmdale are handled by the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The LA County court system runs more than 38 courthouse locations spread across the county. Cases from Palmdale typically go to the Lancaster courthouse on West Avenue J, which serves the Antelope Valley region. This courthouse handles criminal, civil, and family law matters for Palmdale and surrounding communities. It is the closest court facility to the city. Some cases may get routed to other courthouses in the county system depending on the charges and how the court assigns them.

The LA Superior Court criminal case search lets you look up criminal cases from Palmdale or anywhere else in LA County. Enter a last name to begin. Add a first name for a more focused search. The results show case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and where things stand. It is free and you do not need to make an account.

Some older cases may not appear in the online system. The court has been digitizing records over the years, but not everything from the past is in there yet. If you need an older case and cannot find it online, visit the Lancaster courthouse and ask the clerk. They can look up files that are not in the digital system. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies run $40 each.

Palmdale Police and Sheriff Records

Palmdale contracts with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement. The Sheriff's Palmdale Station handles police reports, arrest records, and incident logs for the city. If you need a copy of a police report from Palmdale, you can request one through the city's public records portal. The Sheriff's Department also has its own records process, but the city portal is the fastest route for Palmdale-specific records. Neither system lets you browse reports freely online. You have to request a specific record.

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

This portal handles requests for police reports, arrest records, and other public documents from the city of Palmdale. Fill in the form with the details of what you need. Include any report numbers or dates you have. The city aims to process requests within a couple of weeks. Some complex requests take longer. There is no fee to submit the request, though you may be charged for copies of the records once they are ready. For records held directly by the Sheriff's Department rather than the city, you may need to go through the Sheriff's records process separately.

Getting Criminal Records in Palmdale

There are several ways to get criminal records in Palmdale. Court records, sheriff reports, and state background checks all come from different sources. The free court case search online is a good starting point. If you need a police report, go through the city records portal or the Sheriff's Department. For the most complete check, use the state DOJ.

For a full statewide criminal history, visit a Live Scan location in Palmdale. The California DOJ runs the state criminal record database under Penal Code 11105. You get fingerprinted at the Live Scan site and pay the $25 DOJ processing fee plus the rolling fee the vendor charges. Results usually arrive within a few business days. Palmdale has Live Scan locations at shipping stores and private vendors in the city. This check pulls records from all 58 California counties, making it the most complete criminal history search available.

You can also visit the Lancaster courthouse in person to look up court records. Bring a valid ID. The clerk handles walk-in requests during weekday business hours.

Note: Records that have been sealed or expunged will not show through any of these options.

Palmdale Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in Palmdale depend on the source. Court fees are set by state law. Sheriff and city fees vary. Knowing what to expect before you go helps avoid surprises.

Common fees for criminal records in Palmdale:

• 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
• Online court case search: free

If court fees are a hardship, ask the clerk at the Lancaster courthouse about a fee waiver. You need to show proof of low income or public benefits. The judge reviews each request. Fee waivers apply to court costs only and do not extend to DOJ fees or sheriff charges.

Clearing Records in Palmdale

California law provides options for clearing criminal records. If you have a conviction from Palmdale, you may qualify for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. After completing probation, you petition the court. The court changes the record to show a dismissal rather than a conviction. This does not erase the conviction entirely, but it makes a significant difference for employment and housing. AB 1076 now automates part of this process. The DOJ reviews qualifying records and applies the relief without the individual having to file anything.

Arrest records can be sealed as well. 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 drops off most background checks. File the petition at the Lancaster courthouse or whichever courthouse handled your case. You can do it yourself or hire a lawyer to help.

Nearby Cities

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

Los Angeles County Criminal Records

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