Imperial County Criminal History

Criminal history searches in Imperial County start with the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. Imperial County is in the far southeast corner of California along the Mexican border, with about 180,000 residents. The county seat is El Centro. Criminal cases go through the Imperial County Superior Court, which offers an online case search. The Sheriff manages the county jail and booking records. This page covers how to look up criminal records, check jail bookings, and get background check results in Imperial County.

Imperial County Court Criminal Records

The Imperial County Superior Court handles every criminal case filed in the county. The courthouse is in El Centro. Criminal cases include felony charges, misdemeanors, and traffic offenses that carry criminal penalties. When a case is filed, it gets a case number. The court tracks all charges, plea entries, hearings, and final dispositions. You can search for criminal cases online through the court's web case search tool. This free tool lets you look up cases by name or case number without visiting the courthouse.

The Imperial County Superior Court case search lets you find criminal records filed in the county.

This search tool covers criminal, civil, and traffic cases filed in Imperial County Superior Court.

To get copies of case documents, you can visit the clerk's office in El Centro. Bring the case number for the fastest service. If you only have a name, the clerk can run a search. The standard fee applies for name searches that take more than 10 minutes. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 each. You can also send a written request by mail if you are not able to visit in person. Include a check or money order for the fees along with enough case details for the clerk to find the right records.

Imperial County Sheriff Inmate Records

The Imperial County Sheriff runs the county detention center. People arrested in Imperial County are booked into this facility. The Sheriff's Office keeps records of all bookings, charges, and releases. You can contact the Imperial County Sheriff's Office to ask about someone in custody or to get booking information.

The jail holds people awaiting trial and those serving sentences of one year or less. Booking records typically show the person's name, charges, bail amount, and arrest date. For current custody status, call the jail directly. Imperial County does not have a large online inmate search portal like some bigger counties, but the Sheriff's Office can provide information by phone or in person.

If someone has been sent to state prison, use the CDCR inmate search to find them. This covers all California state prison inmates, including those sentenced from Imperial County. The search shows the inmate's current location and CDCR identification number. It is free to use.

Note: Imperial County sits on the border, so some federal cases may be handled by the U.S. District Court rather than the county court system.

Getting Criminal Records in Imperial County

There are several paths to get criminal records in Imperial County. The method depends on what you need. Court case records, arrest records, and background checks each come from different sources. Most people start with the free court case search online.

For a full state criminal history report, you need to go through the California DOJ. Visit a Live Scan site to submit your fingerprints. The California DOJ fingerprint page lists all approved Live Scan locations. Imperial County has Live Scan sites in El Centro and nearby cities. The DOJ charges $25 for the background check, and the Live Scan site adds its own rolling fee. Results usually arrive within a few business days. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ keeps the statewide criminal record database covering all 58 counties.

Police reports come from the agency that made the arrest. The El Centro Police Department handles reports for crimes in El Centro. The Calexico Police Department covers Calexico. The Imperial County Sheriff handles reports for unincorporated areas. Each agency sets its own process for records requests.

Imperial County Criminal Record Fees

Court record fees in Imperial County are set by the state and match every other California Superior Court. Police and sheriff fees are set locally. Here are the most common fees you will run into.

Standard fees for criminal records in Imperial County:

• 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
• Police report copies: varies by agency

Fee waivers exist for those who qualify. File the fee waiver form at the Imperial County courthouse. You must show that you have low income or receive public benefits. If the judge grants it, the waiver covers court fees and some copy charges. DOJ background check fees and police report fees are not covered by court fee waivers.

Criminal Record Clearing in Imperial County

California provides ways to clear certain criminal records. If you were convicted of a crime in Imperial County, you may qualify to have that conviction dismissed. Penal Code 1203.4 allows you to petition for dismissal after completing probation. The record will then show "dismissed" instead of "convicted." This can help with job applications and housing. AB 1076 has automated part of this relief. The DOJ now reviews records on its own and grants dismissals for people who qualify, without them needing to go to court.

Arrests that did not lead to a conviction can also be sealed. Penal Code 851.87 lets you ask the Imperial County Superior Court to seal the arrest record. Once a judge grants the petition, the arrest is hidden from most background checks. You file the petition at the courthouse in El Centro. This can be done with or without a lawyer.

The Megan's Law site tracks registered sex offenders in Imperial County and all of California. This is a public registry required by Penal Code 290. Searches are free.

Cities in Imperial County

Imperial County has several cities, including El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, and Imperial. None have a population over 100,000, so there are no separate city criminal history pages for Imperial County cities on this site. All criminal cases from these cities go through the Imperial County Superior Court in El Centro.

Nearby Counties

Imperial County borders only two other California counties. If a case was not filed in Imperial County, check these neighbors. Cases must be filed where the crime took place.