Nevada County Criminal History

Criminal history records in Nevada County are kept by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in this Sierra foothills county. Nevada County has about 100,000 residents and its county seat is Nevada City. The court operates an online case search portal, and the Sheriff provides a public in-custody inmate list. Both tools make it easier to find criminal records without visiting in person. This page explains how to search criminal court cases, check jail bookings, and request background information in Nevada County, California.

Nevada County Court Criminal Records

The Nevada County Superior Court handles all criminal cases in the county. There are court locations in Nevada City and Truckee. Cases get assigned based on where the offense took place. The western part of the county uses the Nevada City courthouse, while the Truckee area handles cases from the eastern side near Lake Tahoe. The court runs an online case search portal where you can look up criminal records for free. Search by name or case number. Results include charges, hearing dates, case status, and the assigned courthouse location.

The Nevada County court portal covers criminal cases from both the Nevada City and Truckee courthouse locations.

When you search the portal, start with the defendant's last name. Adding a first name or date of birth helps filter the results. Click on any case to see the full details. The online system covers most recent cases. Older records may not be in the digital system. For those, contact the clerk at the courthouse where the case was filed. Copies cost 50 cents per page, and certified copies are $40 per document. The clerk in Nevada City handles the larger share of criminal case records.

Nevada County Sheriff Inmate Search

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and provides a public in-custody inmate report. This report shows everyone currently booked into the Nevada County jail. It includes names, booking dates, charges, and bail amounts. The list updates regularly as new bookings and releases happen. You do not need an account to view the report. It is free and open to the public.

This report provides current custody information for everyone held in the Nevada County jail facility.

The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement for the unincorporated areas of Nevada County. The Grass Valley Police Department and the Nevada City Police Department maintain their own arrest records for incidents within their city limits. For arrest reports, contact whichever agency made the arrest. The Sheriff's records cover incidents outside of those city boundaries.

If someone has been sent to state prison from Nevada County, use the CDCR inmate search to find them. This free tool covers all California state prisons and shows each inmate's current location and commitment county.

How to Get Criminal Records in Nevada County

Nevada County provides several options for accessing criminal records. The court portal covers case lookups. The Sheriff's inmate report shows current jail bookings. State-level background checks require a trip to a Live Scan site.

The California DOJ runs the official statewide criminal record database. To request your own record or run an authorized background check, go to a Live Scan location. Submit your fingerprints and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Nevada County has a few Live Scan sites, mostly in Grass Valley and the Nevada City area. Results typically come back within a few business days. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains criminal history records from every county in the state, including Nevada County. This is the most reliable way to get a full criminal background report for California.

For police reports from a specific incident, contact the law enforcement agency that responded. The Nevada County Sheriff, Grass Valley Police, and Nevada City Police each keep their own files. Ask for a public records request form or submit one in writing.

Nevada County Criminal Record Fees

The online court search is free. Fees in Nevada County apply when you need physical copies, certified documents, or a clerk-assisted search. All court fees follow the standard California schedule.

Standard criminal record fees for Nevada 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

If you qualify, the court can waive fees for you. File a fee waiver form with the Nevada County court clerk. You need to demonstrate low income or enrollment in a public assistance program. The judge reviews each request. Waivers cover court filing fees and some copy costs but do not extend to DOJ fees or law enforcement report charges.

Note: The Truckee courthouse follows the same fee schedule as the Nevada City courthouse for all Nevada County court record requests.

Clearing Criminal Records in Nevada County

California provides paths for clearing criminal records. In Nevada County, eligible individuals can petition for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4 after completing probation. The conviction is then marked as dismissed. It remains on the record but shows a different status. This helps with employment and housing. AB 1076 has made certain dismissals automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records statewide and applies relief without requiring a petition from the person.

Arrests that did not result in charges or convictions can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87. File the petition at the Nevada County courthouse where the case was originally handled. Once sealed, the arrest will not appear on most background checks. Legal aid organizations in the Sacramento and foothills region may offer free assistance with record clearing petitions for Nevada County residents.

The Megan's Law website maintains a registry of sex offenders in Nevada County and across California. The public can search by name or address for free. This is a separate database from criminal court records.

Cities in Nevada County

Nevada County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. Grass Valley is the largest city, followed by Nevada City, which serves as the county seat. Truckee is an important community in the eastern part of the county. All criminal cases from these areas go through the Nevada County Superior Court system at either the Nevada City or Truckee courthouse.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Nevada County in the Sierra foothills. Cases must be filed in the county where the crime took place. Check the arrest or incident location to search the right county.