Search San Joaquin County Cases

San Joaquin County criminal history records are maintained by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. Located in the Central Valley, this county has a population of about 762,000 with its county seat in Stockton. The court processes criminal cases through locations in Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, and Lodi. Both the court and the Sheriff offer free online search tools for public access. You can look up criminal cases through the court system or check jail bookings on the Sheriff's site. This page explains how to find criminal records in San Joaquin County.

San Joaquin County Court Criminal Records

The San Joaquin County Superior Court handles all criminal cases filed in the county. The main courthouse is in Stockton, with additional locations in Manteca, Tracy, and Lodi. Criminal cases are assigned based on where the offense occurred and the type of charge. The court processes misdemeanors, felonies, and traffic cases. All locations are connected through the court's FullCourt case management system, so you can search records from any courthouse in one place online.

The San Joaquin Superior Court case search lets you look up criminal records by name or case number at no cost.

This search tool covers criminal and civil case records from all San Joaquin County court locations.

Enter a last name to begin your search on the San Joaquin court system. You can add a first name or a case number to get more specific results. The system displays case type, charges, hearing dates, and current status for matching criminal records. Click on a case for full detail. Older cases may not all be in the online system. If you need records that are not available online, visit the courthouse where the case was filed. The clerk can search the internal system and provide copies during business hours. Standard fees apply. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $40 each. The main courthouse address is 222 East Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202.

Note: Some case types like juvenile matters and sealed records are not available through the public search tool.

San Joaquin County Inmate Search

The San Joaquin County Sheriff runs the county jail in French Camp, just south of Stockton. The Honor Farm is also part of the jail system. The Sheriff provides a free online tool called "Who Is In County" that lets you search for people currently in custody. You can look someone up by name. Results show booking details, charges, bail amount, and housing location within the jail.

The San Joaquin County Sheriff "Who Is In County" search covers all current jail bookings in the county.

The inmate search updates throughout the day as new bookings and releases happen at the San Joaquin County jail.

If someone is not in the county jail, they might be in state prison instead. The CDCR inmate search covers all California state prisons. People sentenced in San Joaquin County to state prison terms will appear in this free database. Search by name or CDCR number. Results show the inmate's current facility, identification number, and county of commitment.

How to Get San Joaquin County Criminal Records

There are several ways to access criminal history records in San Joaquin County. Court records, police reports, and state background checks each come from different sources with their own processes.

For court records, the free online search is the quickest option for basic case information. If you need copies of court documents, visit the courthouse where the case was filed. Bring the case number if you know it. The clerk can pull the file and make copies while you wait. You can also mail a request to the court with the defendant's name, case number, and payment for the copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your mail request. Processing times for mail requests vary but typically take one to two weeks.

For your own criminal history from the state, use the California DOJ Live Scan process. Get fingerprinted at a Live Scan site and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the rolling fee charged by the location. San Joaquin County has Live Scan sites in Stockton, Tracy, Manteca, and Lodi. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record repository that includes records from San Joaquin County and every other California county. Results typically arrive in a few business days.

San Joaquin County Criminal Record Fees

The Superior Court charges standard fees set by California state law. These rates are the same at every court in the state. The online case search is free to use. Fees apply when you need copies of documents or certified records from the clerk.

Common fees 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 exist for people who can not afford the costs. File a fee waiver request at any San Joaquin County courthouse with proof of low income or public benefits. The judge reviews the request. Waivers cover court filing fees and some copy charges. They do not cover DOJ background check fees or police report costs in San Joaquin County.

Note: Police report fees vary by agency, so contact the Stockton Police Department or the Sheriff directly for their specific rates.

Criminal Record Clearing in San Joaquin County

People with criminal records in San Joaquin County may qualify to clear or seal their records under California law. Penal Code 1203.4 allows you to petition the court to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. The conviction changes to a dismissal on the record. This helps with jobs and other areas of life where a conviction creates a barrier. AB 1076 now makes some relief automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records statewide and grants dismissals without requiring people to file anything.

Arrest records can be sealed too. Under Penal Code 851.87, you can petition the court to seal an arrest if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed. A sealed arrest will not show on most background checks. File the petition at the San Joaquin County Superior Court location where the case was originally handled. Legal aid organizations in the Stockton area may help with these petitions at no cost or for a reduced fee.

The Megan's Law website lists registered sex offenders in San Joaquin County and across California. This public registry is free to search by name or address and is separate from court criminal records.

Cities in San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County has several cities, with Stockton being the largest. All criminal cases from cities in the county are filed through the San Joaquin County Superior Court system. The courthouse that handles a case depends on where the offense took place. Major cities in the county include Stockton, Tracy, Manteca, Lodi, and Ripon. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site, but all criminal matters from them are processed through the county court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border San Joaquin County. Criminal cases must be filed where the offense occurred. If you are not sure which county handled a case, check where the arrest took place.