San Luis Obispo County Criminal History

Criminal history records in San Luis Obispo County are managed by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. This Central Coast county has about 283,000 residents, with its county seat in the city of San Luis Obispo. The court handles criminal cases at two main courthouse locations. An online case lookup tool is available for searching criminal records through the court's website. The Sheriff handles jail bookings and local law enforcement matters. This page covers how to search for and access criminal records in San Luis Obispo County.

San Luis Obispo County Court Criminal Records

The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court handles all criminal cases in the county. There are courthouse locations in San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. Criminal cases are assigned based on where the offense took place and whether it falls in the northern or southern part of the county. The court processes misdemeanors, felonies, DUI cases, and traffic offenses. The clerk's office keeps records of all criminal filings. The court provides an online case lookup tool that you can use to search for criminal cases at no charge.

The San Luis Obispo Superior Court online case lookup allows you to search criminal case records by name or case number.

This tool covers criminal and other case types from both San Luis Obispo County courthouse locations.

To use the case lookup, enter the defendant's last name. Adding a first name helps if the name is common. The results show case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and case status. Click on a case to see more details about the proceedings. Some older records may not be available online. For cases not in the digital system, visit the courthouse in person or contact the clerk by phone. The clerk can search the older system and tell you if a record exists. Copies of court documents cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 per document. The main courthouse address is 1035 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Records

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail and provides law enforcement for unincorporated parts of the county. The jail holds people awaiting trial and those serving short sentences. For information about someone currently in custody, contact the Sheriff's Office directly. San Luis Obispo County does not currently offer an online inmate lookup tool. You can call the jail at the Sheriff's main number to ask about a person's custody status. Staff can confirm if someone is booked and provide basic information about charges during business hours.

For people who may be in state prison rather than county jail, the CDCR inmate search is the right tool. This free database covers all California state prison facilities. People sentenced in San Luis Obispo County to state prison terms will show up here. You can search by name or CDCR number. The results include the inmate's current location, identification number, and commitment county.

The CDCR tool covers inmates from all 58 California counties, including those committed from San Luis Obispo County courts.

Note: The California Men's Colony state prison is located in San Luis Obispo County, but it houses inmates from across the state, not just local cases.

How to Get Criminal Records in San Luis Obispo County

Different types of criminal records come from different sources in San Luis Obispo County. Court records, police reports, and state background checks each require a separate request.

For court records, start with the free online case lookup. If you need copies of actual documents, visit the courthouse where the case was filed. The clerk handles copy requests in person during regular hours. Mail requests are another option. Send a written request to the San Luis Obispo Superior Court with the defendant's name, case number if you have it, and a check for the copy fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing typically takes one to two weeks by mail.

For your own criminal history from the state DOJ, go through the California DOJ Live Scan process. Visit a Live Scan location, get fingerprinted, and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record repository covering all California counties. San Luis Obispo County has Live Scan sites at local police stations and a few private vendors. Results come back in a few business days for most people. For police reports, contact the agency that handled the case, whether that is the SLO Police Department, a city police department, or the Sheriff's Office.

Criminal Record Fees in San Luis Obispo County

Court fees follow the standard California schedule. All courts in the state charge the same rates for copies and certified documents. The online case lookup is free to use.

Standard criminal record fees in San Luis Obispo 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 pay the fees, a fee waiver may be available. File the fee waiver form at the San Luis Obispo County courthouse with proof of low income or public benefits. The judge reviews the request. Fee waivers cover court fees and some copy charges but do not cover DOJ background check fees or police report costs.

Record Clearing in San Luis Obispo County

California law gives people ways to clear criminal records. If you have a conviction in San Luis Obispo County, you may qualify for relief. Under Penal Code 1203.4, you can petition the court to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. The record changes from a conviction to a dismissal. This does not erase the record but provides significant benefits for employment and housing. AB 1076 has made some of this relief automatic. The DOJ reviews eligible records and grants dismissals without requiring any filing from the person.

Arrest records can be sealed under Penal Code 851.87 if charges were never filed or the case was dismissed. File the petition at the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. Once sealed, the arrest does not appear on most background checks. You can handle the filing yourself or get help from a lawyer. Legal aid organizations on the Central Coast may offer free assistance with record clearing petitions for those who qualify based on income.

The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in San Luis Obispo County and across California. This is a free public registry you can search by name or address. It is separate from the court's criminal record system.

Note: Some convictions for serious or violent felonies are not eligible for dismissal under California law.

Cities in San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County includes the cities of San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, and Pismo Beach. None of these cities meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. All criminal cases from cities in the county go through the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court system. The courthouse location that handles a case depends on where in the county the offense took place.

Nearby Counties

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