Search Riverside County Criminal History

Riverside County criminal history records are maintained by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Department. With over 2.4 million residents, this is the fourth most populous county in California. Criminal cases are processed through multiple courthouse locations across a vast geographic area stretching from the western valleys to the desert communities near the Arizona border. You can search criminal court records online through the court's public access portal. The Sheriff also runs an inmate search tool for current bookings. This page explains how to find and access criminal records in Riverside County.

Riverside County Court Criminal Records

The Riverside County Superior Court handles all criminal cases in the county. There are several courthouse locations spread across the region. The main courthouse is in Riverside, with branches in Indio, Murrieta, Banning, and other cities. Criminal cases get assigned to a courthouse based on where the crime took place. Each location processes its own matters, but the online system connects them all. You can search criminal cases by name or case number on the court's public access system for free.

The Riverside Superior Court public access portal lets you look up criminal records from any courthouse location in the county.

This portal covers criminal, traffic, and civil cases across all Riverside County court locations.

To search for criminal records, enter a last name on the court portal. Adding a first name helps narrow the results. The system returns matching cases with case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and current status. Click a case number for full details. Some older cases may not appear online because not all records have been digitized going back decades. For those older records, visit the courthouse where the case was originally filed. The clerk can look up criminal records in person. Standard copy fees apply, with regular copies at 50 cents per page and certified copies at $40 per document. The court staff in Riverside County can also help you figure out which courthouse handled a specific case if you are not sure.

Riverside County Inmate Search

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department operates multiple jail facilities. The Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside is the main booking facility. Other locations include the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, the Indio Jail, and the Blythe Jail. You can search for anyone currently in custody using the Sheriff's online Jail Information Management System. The search is free and shows booking details, charges, bail amount, and facility location.

The Riverside County Sheriff inmate search shows current bookings across all county jail facilities.

Booking information updates throughout the day as new arrests and releases occur at Riverside County facilities.

If you can not find someone in the county jail system, they may be in state prison. The CDCR inmate search covers all California state prison facilities. This includes people who were sentenced in Riverside County and transferred to state custody. The search is free and shows the inmate's current location, CDCR number, and commitment county. People sentenced to more than one year typically serve time in state prison rather than the county jail.

How to Get Criminal Records in Riverside County

Several options exist for getting criminal history records in Riverside County. Court records, arrest reports, and background checks come from different sources. The method you choose depends on what type of record you need and how quickly you need it.

For court records, the free online portal is the fastest way to check. If you need official copies, visit the courthouse where the case was filed. Bring the case number if you have it. The clerk can pull records and make copies while you wait during regular business hours. For mail requests, send a written request with the defendant's name and case number to the courthouse along with a check for the fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return. The main court mailing address is 4050 Main Street, Riverside, CA 92501.

For your own criminal history, use the California DOJ Live Scan process. Submit your fingerprints at an authorized Live Scan site and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the rolling fee. Riverside County has many Live Scan locations at police stations, shipping stores, and private vendors. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ holds the statewide criminal record repository with records from all California counties.

Note: Police reports from city police departments in Riverside County must be requested from the specific agency that handled the case.

Criminal Record Fees in Riverside County

Fees for criminal records in Riverside County follow the statewide schedule set by California law. The Superior Court charges standard amounts that are the same at every California courthouse. The Sheriff and local police departments set their own rates for reports and records.

Common criminal record fees in Riverside 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

Fee waivers are available if you can not pay. File a fee waiver request with the court clerk at any Riverside County courthouse. You need to show proof of low income or public benefits enrollment. The judge decides if you qualify. Waivers cover filing fees and some copy costs. They do not cover DOJ fees or police report costs.

Criminal Record Clearing in Riverside County

California law provides ways to clear certain criminal records. If you have a conviction in Riverside County, relief may be available to you. Under Penal Code 1203.4, you can petition the court to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. The record then shows a dismissal instead of a conviction. This does not erase the record. AB 1076 has made some dismissals automatic. The DOJ now reviews eligible records and grants relief without requiring a petition from the person.

Arrest records in Riverside County can also be sealed. If charges were never filed or the case ended in dismissal, Penal Code 851.87 allows you to petition the court to seal the arrest. Sealed arrests do not appear on most background checks. File the petition at the Riverside County courthouse where the original case was handled. Legal aid organizations in the area may help with the paperwork for free or at low cost.

The Megan's Law website shows registered sex offenders in Riverside County and statewide. This is a separate public registry you can search by name or address at no charge.

Cities in Riverside County

Riverside County includes many cities across its large geographic area. All criminal cases from these cities go through the Riverside County Superior Court system. Which courthouse handles a case depends on where in the county the offense took place. Major cities include Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, Temecula, Murrieta, Palm Springs, Indio, Hemet, and Lake Elsinore. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site, but all criminal matters from them are handled by the county court system.

Nearby Counties

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