Mariposa County Criminal Records

Mariposa County criminal history records are managed by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in this small mountain county. With a population of about 18,000, Mariposa is one of the least populated counties in California. The county seat sits in the town of Mariposa. Criminal cases filed here go through a single courthouse. Court records are not available through an online portal, so most searches require a visit or phone call. This page explains how to search for criminal records, check on arrests, and request background information in Mariposa County.

Mariposa County Court Criminal Records

The Mariposa County Superior Court handles all criminal cases filed within the county. This is a small court with just one location in the town of Mariposa. All felony and misdemeanor cases go through this single courthouse. Because of its size, the court does not offer an online case search portal. You need to contact the clerk by phone or visit in person to look up criminal case records. The clerk can search by defendant name or case number. Plan to call ahead if you are making the trip, since court hours can vary in smaller counties like this one.

The California Courts website lists contact details and hours for the Mariposa County courthouse.

You can use this statewide portal to find the Mariposa County court address and phone number for record requests.

When you reach the clerk's office, ask for a criminal case search by name. The clerk will check available records and provide case information. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 per document. If you need records from an old case, the clerk may need extra time to locate files that have been archived. Mariposa County keeps criminal records going back many years, but older records might only exist on paper. For cases that involved federal land within Yosemite National Park, those records are handled by the federal court system, not the Mariposa County Superior Court.

Note: Some cases involving federal lands in Mariposa County are filed in the Eastern District of California federal court instead.

Mariposa County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the county. The Sheriff does not have an online inmate search or booking log available to the public. To check if someone is in custody, you need to call the Sheriff's Office directly. They can tell you if a person is currently held at the Mariposa County Jail. The jail is small and holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. Arrests made by the Sheriff get logged at the jail, and those booking records become part of the public record.

If the person you are looking for is not in the county jail, they may have been transferred to state prison. The California CDCR inmate search covers anyone serving time in a state facility. This free tool shows the current prison location, CDCR number, and which county the person was sentenced in. For Mariposa County cases that resulted in a state prison sentence, the CDCR database is the place to search.

The CDCR search tool covers all state prison inmates, including those sentenced from Mariposa County courts.

How to Get Mariposa County Criminal Records

Getting criminal records in Mariposa County takes a few steps since online access is limited. The method depends on what type of record you need. Court records, arrest reports, and state background checks each come from a different place. Most people start by calling the courthouse or the Sheriff's Office.

For your own criminal history from the state, visit a Live Scan site. The California DOJ runs the official state criminal record database. You submit fingerprints at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Mariposa County has limited Live Scan sites, so you may need to travel to a neighboring county. Results come back in a few business days. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ keeps the statewide criminal record repository. This includes records from Mariposa County and all other counties in the state. Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies often use this process for background checks.

For police reports from specific incidents, contact the Sheriff's Office records division. They handle most law enforcement reports in the county. Each report request may come with its own fee, depending on the type and length of the report.

Criminal Record Fees in Mariposa County

Fees for criminal records in Mariposa County follow state guidelines. The Superior Court charges standard fees set by California law. These are the same across all California courts. The Sheriff's Office may charge separate fees for reports and copies.

Common fees for criminal record requests in Mariposa County include:

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

If you cannot afford the fees, you can request a fee waiver from the court. File the fee waiver form with the clerk at the Mariposa County courthouse. You need to show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits. The judge reviews the request. Fee waivers cover court filing fees and some copy costs but do not apply to DOJ background check fees or Sheriff's Office report fees.

Note: Fee waivers are only for court-related costs and do not cover fees charged by the Sheriff or the DOJ in Mariposa County.

Clearing Criminal Records in Mariposa County

California law lets people clear or seal certain criminal records. If you have a conviction in Mariposa County, you may qualify for relief under Penal Code 1203.4. This allows you to petition the court to dismiss a conviction after you finish probation. The record then shows a dismissal instead of a conviction. It does not erase the record completely. AB 1076 now makes some dismissals automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records and grants relief without any petition needed.

Arrest records can be sealed too. Under Penal Code 851.87, if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, you can ask the court to seal the arrest record. Once sealed, it will not show up on most background checks. The Mariposa County Superior Court handles these petitions. You can file on your own or hire a lawyer to help. Legal aid groups in the area may offer free help with record clearing.

The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in Mariposa County and statewide. This is a separate registry from court criminal records. Penal Code 290 requires certain offenders to register. The public can search by name or address at no cost.

Cities in Mariposa County

Mariposa County does not have any incorporated cities with a population over 100,000. The county is largely rural with small communities spread throughout. All criminal cases from Mariposa County go through the single Superior Court location in the town of Mariposa. Communities like El Portal, Midpines, and Coulterville are all served by this one courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mariposa County. If you are unsure where a case was filed, check where the arrest or incident took place. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the crime occurred.