Search Santa Rosa Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Santa Rosa are handled by the Santa Rosa Police Department and the Sonoma County Superior Court. The city is the county seat of Sonoma County and the largest city in the region. Criminal cases from Santa Rosa are filed at the Sonoma County courthouse in the city. The police department maintains its own records of arrests, reports, and investigations. You can look up court cases online through the county court portal. Police reports require a public records request. This guide covers the main ways to find and access criminal records in Santa Rosa, California.

Santa Rosa Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases from Santa Rosa go through the Sonoma County Superior Court. The main courthouse is located right in Santa Rosa at 600 Administration Drive. Since the city is the county seat, most criminal cases from Santa Rosa are heard at this location. Felony and misdemeanor cases both go through the same court system. The court assigns a case number when the district attorney files charges and that number tracks the case from start to finish. You can attend hearings at the courthouse during regular business hours.

The Sonoma County court website provides information about court services. The court offers an online case lookup tool where you can search for criminal cases by name or case number. Results show case type, charges, scheduled hearings, and the current status of the case. It is free and open to anyone.

For older cases that do not appear in the online system, visit the clerk's office at the Santa Rosa courthouse. The staff can search their records and pull up files that have not been digitized. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 each. Bring the case number or full name of the person to speed things up.

Note: Records that have been sealed or expunged will not appear in any public court search for Sonoma County.

Santa Rosa Police Criminal Records

The Santa Rosa Police Department keeps its own records apart from the court. Police reports, arrest records, incident reports, and booking information are all maintained by the department. When someone gets arrested in Santa Rosa, the police create a detailed report. That report stays with the department unless released through a public records request. The district attorney reviews police reports to decide whether to file charges in court. If you need a police report from Santa Rosa, you submit a request through the department's online portal.

The Santa Rosa police records request portal is where you file requests for police reports and other department records.

This portal lets you request police reports, arrest records, and other public documents from Santa Rosa. Fill out the form with details about what you need. Include a report number or date if you have one. The department processes requests under the California Public Records Act. Simple requests usually come back in a couple of weeks. More complex requests can take longer. There is no fee to submit the request. The city may charge for copies if the records are large.

Getting Criminal Records in Santa Rosa

Several paths exist for getting criminal records in Santa Rosa. Court records, police reports, and full background checks each come from a different source. The right approach depends on what you need. For a quick case lookup, use the free court search online. For a police report, go through the city's request portal. For a complete criminal history that covers the whole state, you need to use the California DOJ system.

To get a full criminal history from the state, visit a Live Scan fingerprint site near Santa Rosa. The California DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record database under Penal Code 11105. Get fingerprinted at an approved location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Results typically arrive within a few business days. This is the most thorough criminal history check in California because it pulls records from all 58 counties. Multiple Live Scan sites operate in Santa Rosa and the surrounding area.

Check the CDCR inmate search to find someone in state prison. The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in Santa Rosa and throughout the state.

Santa Rosa Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in Santa Rosa depend on which agency you go through. Court fees follow state law and are consistent across Sonoma County. The police department sets its own charges for report copies and records.

Common fees 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
• Police report copies: varies by request

If court fees are a problem, ask the clerk about a fee waiver. You need to fill out a form and show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits. The judge reviews and decides. Fee waivers apply to court costs only. They do not cover DOJ fees, police report charges, or Live Scan rolling fees.

Clearing Criminal Records in Santa Rosa

California law provides ways to clear certain criminal records. If you have a conviction from Santa Rosa, you may qualify for a dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4. After completing probation, you petition the Sonoma County Superior Court. If the judge grants it, your conviction is changed to a dismissal. This helps with job searches, housing, and other areas where a conviction might hold you back. AB 1076 also created an automatic relief process. The DOJ now reviews eligible records and grants dismissals without the person needing to do anything.

Arrest records can be sealed too. Under Penal Code 851.87, if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, you can petition the court to seal the arrest record. Once sealed, the arrest will not show on most background checks. File the petition at the Sonoma County courthouse in Santa Rosa. You can handle it yourself or hire a lawyer for help.

Nearby Cities

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

Sonoma County Criminal Records

Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County. All criminal cases from the city go through the Sonoma County Superior Court. Visit the county page for more details on court searches, sheriff records, and county-level resources.