Los Angeles County Criminal Records

Los Angeles County criminal history records are kept by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Department. This is the most populous county in California with roughly 10 million residents. Criminal cases filed in Los Angeles County go through one of the largest court systems in the nation. You can search criminal records online through the court portal or check jail bookings on the Sheriff's site. The county also handles background checks through the California DOJ Live Scan process. This page covers the main ways to find criminal history records in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County Court Criminal Records

The Los Angeles Superior Court handles all criminal cases filed in the county. It is the largest trial court in the United States. The court runs more than 38 locations across Los Angeles County. Criminal cases get assigned to a courthouse based on where the crime took place. Each courthouse keeps its own files, but the online system ties them all together. You can search criminal cases by name or case number on the court's public access system at no cost. The system shows case type, charges, hearing dates, and case status for criminal matters in Los Angeles County.

The LA Superior Court criminal case search lets you look up criminal records from any courthouse in Los Angeles County.

This portal covers all criminal and traffic cases across every Los Angeles County courthouse location.

To search for criminal records on the LA court site, enter at least a last name. You can add a first name to narrow the results. The system pulls up all matching criminal cases across Los Angeles County. Click on a case number to see charges, hearing dates, and current status. Some older cases may not show up online since the court did not digitize all records going far back. For records not in the online system, visit the courthouse where the case was filed in Los Angeles County. The clerk can look up older criminal records in person. Copies cost 50 cents per page and certified copies run $40 per document.

Note: Sealed and expunged criminal records will not appear in the online search for Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles County Inmate Search

The Los Angeles County Sheriff runs one of the largest jail systems in the country. The Sheriff operates several detention centers including Twin Towers, Men's Central Jail, and the Century Regional Detention Facility. You can search for anyone currently in custody through the Sheriff's Inmate Information Center. The search is free and does not need an account. Results show the person's name, booking number, charges, bail amount, and facility location. You can search by name or booking number for anyone held in Los Angeles County jails.

The LA Sheriff inmate locator shows everyone currently booked in the Los Angeles County jail system.

This tool updates throughout the day as new bookings and releases happen across Los Angeles County facilities.

If the person you are looking for is not in county jail, they may be in state prison instead. The California Department of Corrections runs the CIRIS inmate search for anyone in the state prison system. This covers people sentenced from Los Angeles County who are now in a state facility. The search is free. It shows the person's current prison location, CDCR number, and county of commitment.

How to Get Criminal Records in Los Angeles County

There are several ways to get criminal history records in Los Angeles County. The method you pick depends on what you need. Court records, police reports, and background checks each come from a different source. Most people start with the free online court search. If you need certified copies or official documents, you may need to visit a courthouse or file a request by mail in Los Angeles County.

For your own criminal history from the state DOJ, go to a Live Scan site in Los Angeles County. The California DOJ keeps the official state criminal record database. You submit your fingerprints at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Results come back in 2 to 3 business days for most requests. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ holds the statewide criminal record repository that includes records from Los Angeles County and every other county in California. Los Angeles County has dozens of Live Scan sites at police stations, UPS stores, and private vendors across the area.

For police reports from the LAPD or other Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies, contact the agency that handled the case. Each city police department and the Sheriff's Department have their own records unit. The LAPD Records and Identification Division handles report requests for the city of Los Angeles. Other cities in the county have their own process for releasing police records.

Criminal Record Fees in Los Angeles County

Fees for criminal records in Los Angeles County vary by source. The Superior Court charges standard fees set by state law. Most are the same across all California courts. The Sheriff and police departments set their own fees for reports and records. Knowing the fees ahead of time saves a wasted trip to the courthouse.

Common criminal record fees in Los Angeles County include:

• 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

If you can not afford the fees, you may ask the court for a fee waiver. File a fee waiver request form with the clerk at the courthouse in Los Angeles County. You must show proof of low income or that you get public benefits. The judge decides if you qualify. Fee waivers cover court filing fees and some copy costs. They do not cover DOJ background check fees or police report fees in Los Angeles County.

Criminal Record Clearing in Los Angeles County

California law allows people to clear or seal certain criminal records. If you have a criminal record in Los Angeles County, you may qualify for relief. Under Penal Code 1203.4, you can petition the court to dismiss a conviction after finishing probation. This changes the record to show a dismissal. It does not erase it. AB 1076 now makes some of this automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records and grants relief without the person filing anything in Los Angeles County or any other California county.

Arrest records can also be sealed in Los Angeles County. If charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, Penal Code 851.87 lets you ask the court to seal the arrest. Once sealed, the record does not show up on most background checks. The Los Angeles County Superior Court handles these petitions at the courthouse where the original case was filed. You can file the petition yourself or hire a lawyer to do it for you.

The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in Los Angeles County and across California. This registry is separate from court criminal records. Penal Code 290 requires certain offenders to register. The public can search by name or address for free.

Cities in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County has over 80 cities. All of them file criminal cases through the Los Angeles Superior Court. Which courthouse handles a case depends on where the crime took place in the county. Below are major cities with their own criminal history resource pages.

Other cities in Los Angeles County include Santa Clarita, Glendale, Lancaster, Pomona, Torrance, Pasadena, El Monte, Downey, Inglewood, West Covina, Norwalk, Burbank, Carson, and Compton. All criminal cases from these cities go through the Los Angeles Superior Court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Los Angeles County. If you are not sure where a criminal case was filed, check the address where the arrest or incident took place. Cases must be filed in the correct county.