Access San Francisco Criminal History

Criminal history records in San Francisco come from the San Francisco County Superior Court and the San Francisco Police Department. San Francisco is unique in California because the city and county share the same boundaries. That means one court system and one sheriff's department cover the entire area. The SFPD handles police reports and arrest records for the city. Court records for criminal cases go through the county Superior Court. Many records can be searched online. This page covers the main paths to find criminal records in San Francisco.

San Francisco Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in San Francisco go through the San Francisco County Superior Court. The Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street has been the main criminal courthouse for decades. Criminal cases are processed here, including felonies, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings. Since San Francisco is both a city and a county, all criminal cases in the jurisdiction go through this one court system. There is no separate municipal court. Each case gets a number when it is filed.

The San Francisco Superior Court case search lets you look up criminal cases filed in the county. Type in a case number or a name to find records. The results show case information, charges, and hearing dates. It is free to use. No account is needed. The system covers both open and closed cases that have been digitized.

Older cases may not show up in the online search. Some records from earlier years are only available on paper at the clerk's office. If you need an older record that does not appear online, visit the courthouse in person. Bring a valid ID. The clerk can pull paper files and make copies. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 per document.

Note: Sealed, expunged, and juvenile records will not appear in any public case search for San Francisco County.

San Francisco Police Records

The San Francisco Police Department keeps its own records separate from the court. Police reports, arrest records, incident reports, and booking information all come from the SFPD. The department serves the entire city and county. If you need a copy of a police report, you make a request through the department's public records page. Officers do not post individual reports online for open browsing. You have to ask for the specific record you want.

The SFPD public records request page is where you submit requests for police reports and other department records.

This page explains how to request records from the SFPD. You can submit a request online, by mail, or in person at a district station. Include the report number and date of the incident if you have that information. The more details you provide, the faster the department can find your records. Processing follows the California Public Records Act timeline. Standard requests get a response within 10 days. Complex requests may take longer. There is usually no fee for standard requests, but the department may charge for large or complex document sets.

Getting Criminal Records in San Francisco

There are several ways to get criminal records in San Francisco. Court records, police reports, and background checks come from different places. The free court search online is a good starting point for case details. Police reports go through the SFPD's request process. A statewide criminal history check goes through the California DOJ.

For a complete criminal history from the state, go to a Live Scan site in San Francisco. The California DOJ runs the state criminal record database under Penal Code 11105. You get fingerprinted at the Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Results come back in a few business days. San Francisco has multiple Live Scan sites at police stations, private vendors, and government offices around the city. This check pulls records from all 58 California counties, which makes it the most thorough criminal history check available in the state.

The San Francisco Sheriff's Department runs the county jail. People arrested in San Francisco are booked into the county jail at the Hall of Justice or the new facility. You can search for inmates through the Sheriff's website. The CDCR inmate search handles state prison records. The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in San Francisco and statewide.

Criminal Record Fees in San Francisco

Fees for criminal records in San Francisco depend on the source. Court fees follow state schedules. Police report fees vary depending on the size of the request. Here is what to expect.

Common fees for criminal records in San Francisco:

• 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
• SFPD police report copies: varies by request

If you cannot afford court fees, file a fee waiver with the clerk. Show proof of low income or public benefits. The judge makes the decision. Fee waivers cover court costs only. They do not apply to DOJ fees or SFPD report charges.

Clearing Records in San Francisco

California law lets people clear certain criminal records. If you have a conviction in San Francisco, you may qualify for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. You file a petition with the San Francisco Superior Court after finishing probation. The court changes the record to show a dismissal. It does not erase the conviction completely, but it changes what appears on background checks. AB 1076 now automates this for qualifying cases. The DOJ identifies eligible records and grants relief on its own.

Arrest records can be sealed too. Under Penal Code 851.87, if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, you can petition to seal the arrest. Once sealed, it drops off most background checks. File the petition at the San Francisco courthouse. You can handle it yourself or use a lawyer. San Francisco has several legal aid groups that help with record clearing, including the San Francisco Public Defender's office which runs a Clean Slate program for eligible residents.

Nearby Cities

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

San Francisco County Criminal Records

San Francisco is both a city and a county. All criminal cases go through the San Francisco County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more details on court searches, sheriff records, and county-level resources.