Contra Costa County Case Search

Contra Costa County criminal history records are maintained by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. The county is east of San Francisco Bay with more than 1.15 million residents. Martinez is the county seat. Criminal cases filed in Contra Costa County go through the Superior Court, which has multiple courthouse locations. The court offers an online portal for searching cases. The Sheriff publishes in-custody reports for the county detention facilities. This page walks through the main ways to search for and obtain criminal records in Contra Costa County.

Contra Costa County Court Criminal Records

The Contra Costa County Superior Court processes all criminal cases filed in the county. Courthouses are in Martinez, Richmond, Walnut Creek, and Pittsburg. Which courthouse handles a case depends on where the crime occurred. The court runs an online case management system that allows the public to search criminal, traffic, and civil cases for free. You can look up cases by name or case number. The results show charges, hearing dates, case status, and the assigned courthouse. Most cases from recent years are in the online system.

The Contra Costa County Superior Court CMS portal is the main tool for searching criminal cases online.

The portal covers cases from all four courthouse locations across Contra Costa County.

To search, enter at least a last name. Adding a first name narrows the results. Each case listing links to the full docket, which shows every court event and filing. Some entries may be restricted if they involve sealed or confidential matters. For physical copies of records, visit the clerk's office at any courthouse. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 per document. You can also submit a written request by mail with the appropriate fees. Mail requests take longer to process because the clerk handles them as time permits. For time-sensitive needs in Contra Costa County, going in person is faster.

Note: Not all older cases are digitized in the online system for Contra Costa County.

Contra Costa County Inmate Records

The Contra Costa County Sheriff operates the detention facilities in the county. The main jail is the Martinez Detention Facility, with a secondary facility in Richmond. The Sheriff publishes in-custody reports that show who is currently in the jail system. These reports list the person's name, charges, booking date, and bail amount. You can access the reports through the Sheriff's website.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff in-custody reports provide a current list of all inmates in county facilities.

These reports update regularly and cover bookings from all law enforcement agencies in Contra Costa County.

Multiple police departments book into the Contra Costa County jail system. Concord, Walnut Creek, Antioch, Richmond, Pittsburg, and other city departments all bring their arrestees to county facilities. The in-custody reports include bookings from every agency. If someone was arrested anywhere in Contra Costa County, they should appear in these reports while in custody. Once released, they drop off the active list. For people sentenced to state prison from Contra Costa County, use the CDCR inmate search to find their current facility.

How to Get Criminal Records in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County has several sources for criminal history information. Court records are the most accessible since the online portal is free. Police reports, booking records, and state background checks each come from different agencies. The method you choose depends on what kind of record you need and why you need it.

For a state criminal history, use the California DOJ Live Scan fingerprint process. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record repository. You get fingerprinted at an authorized Live Scan site in Contra Costa County. There are many locations across the county, including sites in Concord, Walnut Creek, and Martinez. The DOJ fee is $25, and the Live Scan site adds a rolling fee. Results usually come back in 2 to 3 business days. This gives you the most complete picture since it includes records from every California county.

Police reports come from the agency that handled the incident. Contra Costa County has many local police departments in addition to the Sheriff's Office. Contact the specific agency for their records request process and fees.

Criminal Record Fees in Contra Costa County

Court fees in Contra Costa County match the statewide schedule that applies to all California Superior Courts. The fee amounts are set by state law. Other agencies like the Sheriff and local police departments set their own fees for reports and records.

• 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 people who cannot afford the costs. Submit a fee waiver request to the Contra Costa County Superior Court. You must show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits like Medi-Cal, food stamps, or SSI. If approved, the waiver covers filing fees and some copy costs. It does not apply to DOJ fees or police report charges. The online court portal is free for everyone and does not require any payment to use.

Criminal Record Clearing in Contra Costa County

California law gives people ways to clear or reduce criminal records. If you were convicted in Contra Costa County, you may be eligible to have the conviction dismissed under Penal Code 1203.4. You must have completed probation first. The court changes the plea to not guilty and dismisses the case. This does not remove the record entirely, but it shows as a dismissal rather than a conviction. Many employers are not allowed to consider dismissed cases during the hiring process.

AB 1076 automated parts of this process. The California DOJ now reviews eligible records and grants relief without requiring a petition. This helps people who might not know they qualify or who cannot afford a lawyer. It covers certain misdemeanor and felony cases where probation was completed. Not every case is eligible for automatic relief, though. The Contra Costa County Public Defender's office can help if you have questions about your specific situation.

Arrests that did not lead to a conviction can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87. File the petition at the Contra Costa County Superior Court. Once sealed, the arrest does not show on most background checks. The Megan's Law website is a separate registry for sex offenders and is not affected by expungement or sealing of criminal records in Contra Costa County.

Cities in Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County has many cities. All criminal cases go through the Superior Court system. The courthouse assigned to a case depends on the location of the crime. Below are major cities with their own criminal history resource pages.

Other cities in Contra Costa County include Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Danville, and Lafayette. Criminal cases from all of these cities are processed through the Contra Costa County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

Contra Costa County borders several Bay Area and Central Valley counties. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, you need to search that county's court records. Cases stay in the county where the crime happened.