Search Tulare County Cases

Criminal history records in Tulare County are managed by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Department. The county seat is Visalia, which is also the largest city in the county. Tulare County has a population of about 466,000 and sits in the San Joaquin Valley. You can search criminal cases online through the court's portal at no cost. Jail booking information is available through the Sheriff. This page explains how to find criminal records, look up inmates, and request background checks in Tulare County.

Tulare County Court Criminal Records

The Tulare County Superior Court handles all criminal cases filed in the county. The main courthouse is in Visalia. Criminal cases get assigned to a courthouse based on where the arrest took place. The court has locations in Visalia, Porterville, and other areas of the county. You can search criminal cases online through the court's portal for free. The system shows case type, charges, hearing dates, and status for criminal matters in Tulare County.

The Tulare County Superior Court case portal lets you search criminal records from any courthouse location in the county.

This portal covers criminal, traffic, and civil cases filed across all Tulare County court locations.

To search for a criminal record on the Tulare County court site, enter a last name. You can also add a first name to narrow results. The system pulls up matching criminal cases with basic case information. Click on a case number to see charges, hearing dates, and current status. Some older cases may not appear in the online system since not all historical records were digitized. For records that are not online, go to the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was originally filed. Copies of court documents cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies run $40 per document. If a clerk-assisted name search takes longer than 10 minutes, the fee is $15 in Tulare County.

Tulare County Inmate and Jail Records

The Tulare County Sheriff operates the county jail system. The main detention facility is in Visalia. You can check on someone in custody by contacting the Sheriff's office. The Sheriff's website has information about jail services and inmate inquiries. Booking records are public in California, and the Sheriff can provide details about current inmates including charges and bail amounts.

If the person you are looking for is not in Tulare County jail, they may be in state prison. The CIRIS inmate search from the California Department of Corrections covers anyone in the state prison system. This includes people sentenced from Tulare County who are serving time at a state facility. The search is free and shows the person's current prison, CDCR number, and commitment county.

The CDCR search tool covers all state prison inmates including those committed from Tulare County courts.

Note: For real-time updates about an inmate's status in Tulare County, you can also register with the statewide VINE notification system to get alerts about releases and transfers.

How to Get Records in Tulare County

There are several ways to obtain criminal history records in Tulare County. Court records, police reports, and state background checks come from different sources. Which method you use depends on what you need. Most people start with the free online court search. For certified copies or official documents, you may need to visit a courthouse or file a request by mail.

For your own criminal history from the state DOJ, go to a Live Scan site in Tulare County. The California DOJ maintains the statewide criminal record database. You submit your fingerprints at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the vendor's rolling fee. Results come back in two to three business days for most requests. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ keeps the official criminal record repository for all California counties, including Tulare. Live Scan sites in Tulare County can be found in Visalia and Porterville at police stations, UPS stores, and private fingerprinting businesses.

Police reports come from the agency that handled the case. The Visalia Police Department handles reports for the city of Visalia. For cases outside city limits, contact the Tulare County Sheriff. Each agency has its own records request process and fees.

Tulare County Criminal Record Fees

Fees for criminal records in Tulare County are standard across California. The Superior Court charges state-mandated rates. The Sheriff and police departments set their own fees for reports and copies. Knowing the costs before you request records saves time and avoids surprises.

Common criminal record fees in Tulare 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 court fees, you may qualify for a fee waiver. File a fee waiver request at the Tulare County Superior Court clerk's office. You need to show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits. The judge decides whether to grant the waiver. Fee waivers cover court fees and some copy costs. They do not cover DOJ background check fees or police report charges.

Record Clearing in Tulare County

California law provides options for clearing certain criminal records. If you have a conviction in Tulare County, you may qualify for relief under state law. Penal Code 1203.4 allows you to petition the court to dismiss a conviction once you finish probation. The record changes to show a dismissal. It does not vanish, but it carries less weight on background checks for jobs and housing. AB 1076 now automates this for many eligible cases. The DOJ reviews records and grants relief without the person having to take action.

Arrest records can be sealed too. Under Penal Code 851.87, if charges were never filed or your case was dismissed in Tulare County, you can ask the court to seal the arrest. Once sealed, the arrest will not show on most standard background checks. File the petition at the Tulare County Superior Court. You can do it yourself or hire a lawyer.

The Megan's Law website lists registered sex offenders in Tulare County and throughout California. This is a public registry that is separate from court criminal records. Searches are free by name or address.

Cities in Tulare County

Tulare County has several cities. All criminal cases go through the Tulare County Superior Court. No cities in Tulare County currently meet the population threshold for individual city pages. Major communities include Visalia, Tulare, Porterville, Dinuba, and Lindsay. All criminal matters from these areas are handled through the Tulare County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Tulare County. If you are unsure where a case was filed, check the arrest location. Criminal cases must be filed in the county where the offense took place.