Search Lassen County Criminal History

Criminal history searches in Lassen County begin with the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. Lassen County is a rural area in northeastern California with about 31,000 residents. The county seat is Susanville. Criminal cases go through the Lassen County Superior Court. The Sheriff manages the county jail and handles arrest records for the area. Online access to records is limited in this county, so many requests are handled by phone, mail, or in person. This page explains where to find criminal records in Lassen County.

Lassen County Court Criminal Records

The Lassen County Superior Court handles every criminal case filed in the county. The courthouse is in Susanville. Criminal cases include felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic matters that carry criminal penalties. The court keeps files on all charges, hearings, plea entries, and dispositions. The Lassen County Superior Court website has contact information and some self-help resources. Online case search options are limited in Lassen County, so checking on a specific case often means calling the clerk or visiting in person.

The California Courts website provides statewide court information that applies to Lassen County, including forms and general instructions for accessing court records.

This statewide resource helps people find forms and instructions for requesting criminal records from Lassen County and other courts.

To request copies of criminal case records from Lassen County, you can visit the clerk's office at the courthouse in Susanville. The clerk will look up the case by number or by the defendant's name. Name searches that go beyond 10 minutes cost $15. Copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies run $40 each. If you can not visit in person, mail a written request to the Lassen County Superior Court. Include a check or money order for the fees along with enough information to identify the case you need. Response times depend on how busy the clerk's office is, but Lassen County's smaller caseload usually means shorter waits than what you would find in bigger counties.

Lassen County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Lassen County Sheriff operates the county jail in Susanville and is the main law enforcement agency for the unincorporated parts of the county. The Sheriff handles arrest records and booking information. Lassen County does not have a large online inmate search system. To check on someone in custody or get booking details, contact the Sheriff's Office directly by phone.

Susanville is also home to two state prisons, which are run by the California Department of Corrections and not by the county. If you are looking for someone in state prison rather than county jail, use the CDCR inmate search. This tool covers all state prison inmates across California, including those sentenced from Lassen County. The search is free and shows the inmate's facility, CDCR number, and commitment county.

To request arrest reports or other records from the Lassen County Sheriff, submit a public records request. The California Public Records Act gives the public the right to ask for government records. The Sheriff reviews the request and releases records that are not exempt from disclosure. Active investigation files and certain personal information may be held back. Call the Sheriff's Office in Susanville for instructions on how to submit your request.

Note: Lassen County's two state prisons are separate from the county jail, so make sure you are contacting the right facility.

Getting Criminal Records in Lassen County

Criminal records in Lassen County can be obtained from several sources. Court case records come from the Superior Court in Susanville. Arrest and booking records come from the Sheriff. A statewide criminal history report comes from the California DOJ through the Live Scan process. The source you need depends on what kind of record you are after.

For a statewide background check, go to a Live Scan location. The California DOJ fingerprint services page lists all approved sites. Lassen County has few Live Scan locations. You may find one in Susanville, but you might need to check surrounding areas. The DOJ fee is $25. The Live Scan site charges its own rolling fee on top of that. Results come back within a few business days in most cases. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ holds the statewide criminal record repository covering all 58 California counties, including Lassen.

For police reports from within Susanville, contact the Susanville Police Department. For incidents outside the city, the Lassen County Sheriff is the agency to contact. Each has its own process for releasing report copies.

Lassen County Criminal Record Fees

Court record fees in Lassen County are the same as every other California Superior Court. These fees are set statewide by the legislature. Fees from the Sheriff or local police may differ. Here are the main costs.

Common criminal record fees for Lassen 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

Fee waivers are available for people who qualify. File the fee waiver request at the Lassen County courthouse in Susanville. You must demonstrate low income or that you receive public benefits. The judge decides if you qualify. Approved waivers cover court fees and some copy charges but do not apply to DOJ background check fees or police report fees.

Criminal Record Clearing in Lassen County

People with criminal records from Lassen County may qualify for relief under California law. Penal Code 1203.4 allows you to petition the court to dismiss a conviction after you finish probation. The record then shows a dismissal rather than a conviction. This can help with jobs and other background checks. AB 1076 has made parts of this process automatic. The DOJ now reviews records and grants relief for qualifying convictions without the person having to go to court in Lassen County or anywhere else.

If you were arrested in Lassen County but charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, you may be able to seal that arrest record. Penal Code 851.87 allows you to petition the court to seal the arrest. Once the judge grants it, the arrest will not appear on most background checks. File the petition at the Lassen County Superior Court in Susanville. You can do it on your own or hire an attorney to help.

The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in Lassen County and throughout California. This public database is maintained under Penal Code 290 and is free to search by name or address.

Cities in Lassen County

Susanville is the only incorporated city in Lassen County. Its population is well under 100,000, so there is no separate city criminal history page. All criminal cases from Lassen County go through the Superior Court in Susanville. Contact the court or the Susanville Police Department for city-specific records.

Nearby Counties

Lassen County shares borders with several other counties in northeastern California. Criminal cases are filed where the crime took place. If you think a case was filed in a neighboring county, check these options.