Alpine County Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Alpine County are handled differently than in most California counties due to its very small population. Alpine County has around 1,100 residents, making it the least populated county in the state. The Superior Court sits in Markleeville and manages all criminal cases. There is no online court portal for searching cases. Alpine County also does not run its own jail. Inmates go to El Dorado County or Calaveras County facilities. This page explains how to access criminal records in Alpine County and where to look for case information.

Alpine County Court Criminal Records

The Alpine County Superior Court is one of the smallest courts in California. It sits at 14777 State Route 89 in Markleeville. One judge handles all case types, including criminal matters. Because of the low case volume, the court does not offer an online case search portal. To look up a criminal case, you need to contact the court clerk directly by phone or visit in person. The clerk can tell you if a case exists and what its current status is. You can also request copies of court documents at the clerk window.

The California DOJ background check system holds statewide criminal records that include cases from Alpine County.

Since Alpine County lacks an online portal, the state DOJ database is one of the better ways to check for a criminal record that may have originated here.

Criminal cases in Alpine County are relatively rare given the population. The court handles a mix of misdemeanors and occasional felonies, along with traffic and civil matters. If a case was filed here but the defendant lives elsewhere, you still need to check Alpine County records specifically. Cases stay in the county where they were filed. The clerk's phone number is (530) 694-2113. Business hours are limited, so call ahead to confirm they are open before making the drive to Markleeville. The courthouse is in a remote mountain area and can be hard to reach during winter months when snow closes roads in the Sierra Nevada.

Note: Alpine County court records must be requested in person or by phone since no online system exists.

Alpine County Sheriff and Custody Records

Alpine County does not operate its own jail. This is unusual but not surprising for a county this small. When someone is arrested in Alpine County, they are typically transported to the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville or the Calaveras County Jail in San Andreas. This means that booking and custody records for Alpine County arrests are held by those neighboring counties rather than by Alpine County itself.

To find someone arrested in Alpine County, check the El Dorado County Sheriff custody search first. That is the most common facility used. If the person is not there, try the Calaveras County Sheriff's tools. The Alpine County Sheriff's Office can also help direct you to the right facility. They can be reached at (530) 694-2231. For incidents that happened in unincorporated Alpine County, the Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency. They handle reports, arrests, and investigations across the county.

Anyone sentenced from Alpine County to state prison can be found through the CDCR inmate search tool. This free tool shows everyone currently in the California state prison system, including the facility where they are housed and their county of commitment.

Getting Criminal Records in Alpine County

Because Alpine County is so small, the process for getting criminal records is more direct than in larger counties. There are no online portals to navigate. You contact the court or the Sheriff's Office directly. For court records, call or visit the clerk in Markleeville. For police reports, contact the Sheriff's Office. The whole county has a single law enforcement agency, so there is no confusion about which department to call.

For a statewide criminal history that includes Alpine County, use the California DOJ Live Scan process. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains the official state criminal history repository. You get fingerprinted at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus a rolling fee. Alpine County does not have a Live Scan site, so you would need to go to a neighboring county like El Dorado or Amador. Results come back in a few business days and include records from every county in California.

Alpine County Criminal Record Fees

Court fees in Alpine County follow the same state schedule as every other California court. The costs are set by the California Government Code and apply uniformly. Even though Alpine County is tiny, the fee structure is identical to courts in large metro areas.

• Court name search (over 10 minutes): $15
• Copies per page: $0.50
• Certified copy per document: $40
• Exemplification: $50
• DOJ background check: $25 plus Live Scan rolling fee

Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income. File a fee waiver form with the Alpine County Superior Court clerk. You must show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits such as Medi-Cal, food stamps, or SSI. The judge reviews the request. Approved waivers cover filing fees and some copy costs. They do not apply to DOJ background check fees.

Note: The court accepts cash or checks but may not take credit cards for all transactions.

Record Clearing in Alpine County

If you have a criminal record from Alpine County, California law provides several paths to clear or reduce it. Penal Code 1203.4 allows you to petition the court to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. The court changes your plea to not guilty and enters a dismissal. This helps with employment and housing since dismissed cases carry less stigma. You file the petition at the Alpine County Superior Court in Markleeville.

AB 1076 created an automatic process for some of these dismissals. The California DOJ reviews records and grants relief for eligible cases without requiring a petition. This covers cases where probation was completed and no new offenses were committed. Not all cases qualify for automatic relief, so check your eligibility if you are unsure.

Arrest records from Alpine County can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87 if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed. Once sealed, the arrest does not show on most background checks. The Megan's Law website maintains the public sex offender registry for all of California, including Alpine County. That registry operates separately from the court system and remains public regardless of expungement.

Cities in Alpine County

Alpine County has no incorporated cities. The county is entirely made up of unincorporated communities like Markleeville, Bear Valley, and Kirkwood. All criminal cases in Alpine County go through the Superior Court in Markleeville. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the entire county since there are no city police departments here.

Nearby Counties

Alpine County is surrounded by several counties in the Sierra Nevada. If you are not sure where a case was filed, check the county where the arrest took place. Each case stays in the county with jurisdiction over the location of the crime.