Find Trinity County Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Trinity County are maintained by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Department. Trinity County is one of the least populated counties in California with roughly 16,000 residents. The county seat is Weaverville. Court records must be accessed in person or by mail since the court does not have an online case search system. Jail and custody information also requires contacting the Sheriff directly. This page covers how to search for criminal records, check on inmates, and request background checks in Trinity County.

Trinity County Court Criminal Cases

The Trinity County Superior Court is the sole court for criminal cases in the county. The courthouse sits in Weaverville at 11 Court Street. This is a small court that handles all case types including criminal, civil, family, and traffic matters. Trinity County does not have an online case search portal. All criminal record requests must go through the clerk's office in person, by phone, or by mail.

To search for a criminal case in Trinity County, contact the court clerk. Call ahead to check hours since this is a small courthouse with limited staff. When you visit or call, give the person's full name and date of birth. The clerk will search the records and can tell you about any criminal cases on file. Copies of documents cost 50 cents per page. A certified copy is $40. If the clerk-assisted search takes more than 10 minutes, the fee is $15.

The California Courts website has general information about the Trinity County Superior Court, including contact details and directions.

Because Trinity County is rural and small, the court processes fewer cases than most California counties. This can actually work in your favor when requesting records. Wait times are shorter and the staff can often help you faster. Mail requests are also an option. Send a letter to the clerk with the person's name, your request, and a check for the estimated fees. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the response. The courthouse mailing address is the same as the physical address in Weaverville.

Note: Trinity County court records going back many years are stored at the courthouse, but very old records may take extra time to locate.

Trinity County Sheriff Custody Records

The Trinity County Sheriff runs the county jail. There is no online inmate search tool for Trinity County. To check if someone is in custody, you need to call the Sheriff's office. The staff can tell you if a person is currently booked and what charges they face. This is the only way to get real-time custody information in Trinity County.

If the person is not in Trinity County jail, they may be in state prison. The California Department of Corrections runs the CIRIS inmate search tool. This free system lets you look up anyone in a California state prison. It covers people sentenced from Trinity County who have been transferred to a state facility. CIRIS shows the person's prison location, CDCR number, and county of commitment.

Booking records and arrest reports are public under California law. Contact the Trinity County Sheriff's records unit to request copies. There may be a fee for copies. Because Trinity County is small, the Sheriff's office handles a lower volume of requests, so turnaround times can be faster than in urban counties. The Sheriff's main office is in Weaverville near the courthouse.

How to Get Criminal Records in Trinity County

Trinity County has fewer options for getting criminal records compared to larger counties. There are no online court portals or digital inmate search tools. Everything goes through the clerk or the Sheriff. Despite the limited technology, the records themselves are public and accessible.

For a state-level criminal history check, you need to visit a Live Scan site. The California DOJ keeps the statewide criminal record database. You submit your fingerprints at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus a rolling fee. Results arrive in a few business days. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ holds the official criminal record repository covering all California counties, Trinity County included. Live Scan locations in Trinity County may be limited due to the rural setting. The closest option might be the Sheriff's office in Weaverville or a nearby county. Check with local law enforcement for available fingerprinting sites.

For police reports, contact the agency that handled the case. In most of Trinity County, that will be the Sheriff's Department since there are no incorporated cities with their own police forces. The Sheriff handles law enforcement for the entire county.

Trinity County Criminal Record Fees

Criminal record fees in Trinity County match statewide rates. The court follows the same fee schedule as all California Superior Courts. These fees apply whether you visit in person or send a request by mail.

Standard fees in Trinity County:

• 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 at the Trinity County Superior Court for people with low income. Ask the clerk for the fee waiver forms. You need to show financial hardship or that you get public benefits. The judge will decide if you qualify. Fee waivers cover court charges and some copy costs. They do not apply to DOJ fees or Sheriff report fees.

Note: Always call ahead before visiting the Trinity County courthouse to confirm current hours and any changes to fees.

Criminal Record Clearing in Trinity County

People with criminal convictions in Trinity County may be able to get their records cleared under California law. Penal Code 1203.4 lets you petition the court to dismiss a conviction after you complete probation. The conviction is then shown as dismissed on your record. It still exists, but employers generally cannot hold a dismissed conviction against you. AB 1076 has automated part of this process. The DOJ now reviews eligible records and can grant dismissals without the person filing anything.

Arrest records can also be sealed. Penal Code 851.87 allows you to ask the court to seal an arrest record if charges were never filed or the case ended in a dismissal. The petition goes to the Trinity County Superior Court in Weaverville. After sealing, the arrest will not appear on most background checks. You can file on your own or get help from a legal aid organization.

The Megan's Law website tracks registered sex offenders in Trinity County and all of California. This public database is separate from court records and can be searched for free.

Cities in Trinity County

Trinity County has no incorporated cities. Weaverville is the county seat and largest community, but it is an unincorporated town. All law enforcement is handled by the Trinity County Sheriff. All criminal cases go through the Trinity County Superior Court in Weaverville. No communities in Trinity County meet the population threshold for individual city pages.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Trinity County. Criminal cases are filed in the county where the crime took place. Check the arrest location to determine which county holds the records.