Stanislaus County Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Stanislaus County come from the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Department. The county seat is Modesto, which is also the largest city in the area. Stanislaus County has a population of about 550,000. You can search for criminal cases through the court's online portal or check the Sheriff's inmate list for current jail bookings. Background checks go through the California DOJ Live Scan process. This page covers the main ways to look up criminal records in Stanislaus County, including court searches, jail records, and state background checks.

Stanislaus County Court Criminal Records

The Stanislaus County Superior Court handles all criminal cases filed in the county. The main courthouse is in Modesto at 800 11th Street. Criminal cases get filed here based on where the arrest took place. The court uses an online portal that lets you search for case records at no cost. You can look up cases by name or by case number. Results show the charges, hearing dates, and case status. The system covers criminal, traffic, and civil cases across Stanislaus County.

The Stanislaus Superior Court case search gives you free access to criminal case records filed in the county.

This portal covers all criminal and traffic cases filed at the Stanislaus County Superior Court in Modesto.

To find a criminal record, enter a last name in the search field. Adding a first name helps narrow down the results. The system pulls up matching cases with basic info like case number, charges, and next court date. Click on any case to see more details. Some older cases may not be in the online system. For those, you can visit the clerk's office at the Modesto courthouse. The clerk can look up records that predate the electronic system. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies run $40 per document. The court does not charge to search in person, but if the search takes more than 10 minutes, there is a $15 fee for clerk-assisted name searches in Stanislaus County.

Note: Sealed and expunged records will not show up in the online case search system for Stanislaus County.

Stanislaus County Inmate Search

The Stanislaus County Sheriff runs the county jail system. The main jail is the Public Safety Center in Modesto. You can check who is currently in custody through the Sheriff's online inmate list. The search is free. It shows the person's name, booking date, charges, bail amount, and housing location. This list updates as new bookings and releases happen throughout the day. You can search by name to find someone held in Stanislaus County jail facilities.

The Stanislaus Sheriff inmate list shows current bookings at the county jail. The list is public and does not need a login or account. If the person you are looking for is not in county jail, they may have been transferred to state prison. The California Department of Corrections runs the CIRIS inmate search for anyone in the state prison system. This covers people sentenced from Stanislaus County who are now at a state facility. The CIRIS search shows the person's prison location, CDCR number, and commitment county.

Booking records at the Sheriff's office are public. You can also request copies by contacting the Sheriff's records division in person or by phone. Older booking records may not be on the website but can still be requested through the records unit.

How to Get Records in Stanislaus County

There are a few ways to get criminal history records in Stanislaus County. The best method depends on what you need. Court records, jail bookings, and official background checks each come from a different place. Most people start with the free court search online. If you need a certified copy or an official document, you will need to visit the courthouse or send a request by mail.

For your own criminal history from the state, go to a Live Scan site in Stanislaus County. The California DOJ keeps the statewide 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 holds the official state criminal record repository. This includes records from Stanislaus County and all other California counties. Live Scan sites in the Modesto area can be found at police stations, UPS stores, and private fingerprinting services.

For police reports, contact the law enforcement agency that handled the case. The Modesto Police Department has its own records unit for cases within city limits. For cases outside city limits, the Stanislaus County Sheriff handles the records request.

Criminal Record Fees in Stanislaus County

Fees for criminal records in Stanislaus County follow state law. The Superior Court charges standard fees that are the same across California. The Sheriff and police departments may set their own fees for reports. Knowing the costs ahead of time helps avoid a wasted trip.

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

Note: Online case searches through the court portal are free for all users in Stanislaus County.

Criminal Record Clearing in Stanislaus County

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

Arrest records can also be sealed. If charges were never filed or the case was dismissed, Penal Code 851.87 lets you petition the court to seal the arrest record. Once sealed, it does not show up on most background checks. The Stanislaus County Superior Court handles these petitions at the Modesto courthouse. You can file the petition on your own or hire a lawyer to help.

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

Cities in Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County has several cities. All criminal cases from these cities go through the Stanislaus County Superior Court in Modesto. Below is the major city with its own criminal history resource page.

Other cities in Stanislaus County include Turlock, Ceres, Patterson, Riverbank, Oakdale, and Newman. All criminal cases from these cities are filed through the Stanislaus County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

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