Plumas County Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Plumas County are managed by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. This is one of California's smallest counties by population, with roughly 19,000 residents in the northern Sierra Nevada region. Court records for criminal cases go through a single courthouse in Quincy. You can search for criminal cases through the court or request records in person. The Sheriff's Office handles jail bookings and local law enforcement records. Background checks go through the California DOJ Live Scan system. This page covers the main ways to find and search criminal records in Plumas County.

Plumas County Court Criminal Records

The Plumas County Superior Court handles all criminal cases filed in the county. There is one courthouse in Quincy, the county seat. Criminal matters here range from misdemeanors to felony cases. The court processes arraignments, preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing. Since Plumas County is small, the case volume is much lower than in larger California counties. The clerk's office keeps records of all criminal filings. You can ask for case information by visiting the courthouse or calling the clerk during business hours. Copies of court records are available in person for a fee set by state law.

The Plumas County Superior Court website has general information about court services and how to request records.

The statewide courts portal can help you find case information for Plumas County and other California counties.

Plumas County does not currently offer a full online case search portal for criminal records. Many smaller California courts still rely on in-person or phone requests for case lookups. To check on a criminal case, you can call the clerk at the Quincy courthouse or visit during regular hours. Bring the defendant's name and date of birth if you have it. The clerk can search the system and tell you if a case exists. For certified copies, you need to make the request in person or by mail. The courthouse address is 520 Main Street, Quincy, CA 95971. Phone requests for basic case status are sometimes possible, but getting actual documents requires a visit or a written request sent to the court.

Note: Not all older Plumas County criminal records have been digitized, so some cases may only exist in paper form at the courthouse.

Plumas County Sheriff Arrest Records

The Plumas County Sheriff's Office runs the county jail and handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas. The jail is a smaller facility that holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. For information about someone in custody, you can call the Sheriff's Office at (530) 283-6267. There is no online inmate lookup tool for Plumas County at this time. The Sheriff's staff can check if a person is currently booked and provide basic booking information over the phone during regular hours.

If you are looking for someone who may be in state prison rather than the county jail, the California Department of Corrections inmate search covers all state facilities. This free tool shows the current location and commitment county for anyone in the state prison system. People sentenced in Plumas County who received state prison terms will appear in this database. You can search by name or CDCR number at no cost.

The CDCR search updates regularly and covers inmates from every county in California, including Plumas.

How to Get Plumas County Criminal Records

There are a few ways to get criminal history records in Plumas County. The right method depends on what you need. Court records, police reports, and background checks each come from a different place. Most people start by contacting the court clerk for case information.

For your own criminal history from the state, you need to go through the California DOJ Live Scan process. The DOJ keeps 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. Results come back in a few business days. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record repository. This includes records from Plumas County and all other California counties. Live Scan sites in the Plumas County area may be limited, so you might need to travel to a nearby city in Butte or Lassen County to find one.

For police reports, contact the agency that handled the case. The Sheriff's Office handles most law enforcement in Plumas County since there are no incorporated cities with their own police departments. Request police reports through the Sheriff's records division.

Criminal Record Fees in Plumas County

Fees for criminal records in Plumas County follow the standard schedule set by California state law. The Superior Court charges the same fees as other California courts for most services. Knowing these fees before you visit the courthouse saves time and avoids wasted trips.

Common criminal record fees in Plumas 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 these fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. File the fee waiver request form with the clerk at the Plumas County courthouse. You must show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits. The judge reviews the request and decides if you qualify. Fee waivers cover court filing fees and some copy costs but do not apply to DOJ background check fees.

Note: The court may charge extra for research time if a name search takes more than 10 minutes to complete.

Criminal Record Clearing in Plumas County

California law lets people clear or seal certain criminal records. If you have a conviction in Plumas County, you may be able to get relief. Under Penal Code 1203.4, you can petition the court to dismiss a conviction after you finish probation. This changes the record to show a dismissal rather than a conviction. It does not erase the record completely. AB 1076 now makes some of this relief automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records and grants dismissals without the person having to file anything.

Arrest records can also be sealed in Plumas County. If charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, Penal Code 851.87 allows you to petition the court to seal the arrest record. Once sealed, the arrest does not show up on most background checks. You file this petition at the Plumas County Superior Court in Quincy. You can handle the petition yourself or hire a lawyer to help.

The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in Plumas County and across California. This registry is separate from court records. You can search it by name or address for free.

Cities in Plumas County

Plumas County has no incorporated cities. The county is made up of unincorporated communities including Quincy, Chester, Portola, and Graeagle. All criminal cases from anywhere in Plumas County go through the Superior Court in Quincy. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement for the entire county.

Nearby Counties

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