Access San Diego County Criminal Records

San Diego County criminal history records are kept by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Department. With roughly 3.3 million residents, San Diego County is the second most populous county in California. The court system processes a large number of criminal cases each year across multiple courthouse locations. You can search criminal records online through the court's case index or check jail bookings through the Sheriff's tool. State background checks go through the DOJ Live Scan system. This page covers the main ways to find and access criminal records in San Diego County.

San Diego County Court Criminal Records

The San Diego County Superior Court handles all criminal cases filed in the county. Multiple courthouse locations serve different parts of the region, including the downtown San Diego courthouse, the Vista courthouse in North County, the El Cajon courthouse for East County, and the Chula Vista courthouse for South Bay. Cases are assigned to a courthouse based on where the offense took place. The court processes everything from minor misdemeanors to serious felony charges. You can search the court's public case index online at no cost.

The San Diego Superior Court case search lets you look up criminal cases by name or case number from any courthouse location in the county.

The court's online index connects to criminal case records across all San Diego County courthouse locations.

To search the San Diego court system, enter at least a last name. You can add a first name or case number for more specific results. The system shows case type, charges, hearing schedule, and current case status. Click a case number for full details. Some older criminal records may not be in the online system. For those, visit the courthouse where the case was filed or send a mail request. Standard copy fees apply. Regular copies are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $40 per document. The clerk's office at each San Diego County courthouse handles these requests during normal business hours on weekdays.

Note: The online case index does not include juvenile records or cases that have been sealed by court order.

San Diego County Inmate Search

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department runs several detention facilities. The main facilities include the San Diego Central Jail, the Vista Detention Facility, the George Bailey Detention Facility, the South Bay Detention Facility, and the East Mesa Reentry Facility. The Sheriff provides an online "Who's In Jail" tool that you can use to search for anyone currently in custody. The search is free. It shows the person's name, charges, booking date, bail amount, and which facility holds them.

The San Diego County Sheriff "Who's In Jail" search covers all current bookings across every county detention facility.

This booking tool updates regularly as new arrests and releases happen at San Diego County jail facilities.

If someone is not in the county jail, they might be in state prison. The CDCR inmate search covers all California state prisons. People sentenced in San Diego County to state prison terms will appear there. You can search by name or CDCR number for free. Results show the inmate's facility location and commitment county.

How to Get Criminal Records in San Diego County

Criminal records in San Diego County come from several different sources. Court records, police reports, and state background checks each have their own process. What you need determines where to go first.

For court records, the free online case index is the best starting point. If you need actual copies of documents, go to the courthouse where the case is filed. Bring the case number if you have it. The clerk makes copies while you wait. Mail requests are also an option. Send a letter with the defendant's name and case number to the appropriate courthouse, along with a check for fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The main courthouse address is 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101. For police reports, contact the agency that handled the case. The San Diego Police Department, Sheriff's Office, and other city police departments each process their own report requests.

For your own criminal record from the state, use the California DOJ Live Scan process. Get fingerprinted at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. San Diego County has many Live Scan sites. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record repository covering records from all counties.

San Diego County Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in San Diego County follow the standard California schedule. All courts in the state charge the same rates. The online search is free. Fees apply for paper copies and certified documents.

Common fees in San Diego 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 for those who can not pay. File a fee waiver request form at any San Diego County courthouse. You need to show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits. The judge makes the final decision. Waivers cover filing fees and certain copy charges but do not extend to DOJ background check costs or police report fees.

Record Clearing in San Diego County

California provides legal paths to clear criminal records. If you have a conviction in San Diego County, you may qualify for relief under Penal Code 1203.4. This lets you petition the court to dismiss a conviction after you complete probation. Your record then shows a dismissal rather than a conviction. The record still exists but with the updated disposition. AB 1076 made some of these dismissals automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records statewide and grants relief without requiring anyone to file anything. This applies to San Diego County and every other county in the state.

Arrest records can also be sealed. Penal Code 851.87 provides a way to seal an arrest record if charges were not filed or the case was dismissed. Once sealed, the arrest will not appear on most background checks. File the petition at the San Diego Superior Court location where the original case was handled. San Diego has several legal aid organizations that help people with record clearing at no cost or reduced fees.

The Megan's Law website lists registered sex offenders in San Diego County and across the state. This is a public registry you can search by name or by address for free.

Note: Some serious convictions are not eligible for dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4, including most sex offenses requiring registration.

Cities in San Diego County

San Diego County has 18 incorporated cities. All criminal cases from these cities go through the San Diego County Superior Court. Which courthouse handles a case depends on where in the county the offense took place. Below are the major cities with their own criminal history resource pages.

Other cities in San Diego County include Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, El Cajon, Encinitas, National City, and La Mesa. All criminal cases from these cities are processed through the county court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border San Diego County. If you are unsure where a criminal case was filed, check where the arrest or incident took place. Cases must be filed in the correct county.