Access Yolo County Criminal Records

Criminal history records in Yolo County are managed by the Superior Court and the Sheriff's Department. The county seat is Woodland, though Davis is likely the more well-known city in the county. Yolo County has a population of about 220,000 and sits just west of Sacramento. Court records can be accessed through the court's website. Jail and inmate information is handled by the Sheriff. This page covers how to search for criminal records, look up inmates, and request background checks in Yolo County.

Yolo County Court Criminal Records

The Yolo County Superior Court handles all criminal cases in the county. The main courthouse is in Woodland at 1000 Main Street. Criminal cases get filed based on where the arrest or crime took place within Yolo County. The court website provides access to case information and court services. You can search for criminal, civil, and traffic cases through the court's online tools.

The Yolo County Superior Court website has information about accessing criminal case records and other court services.

Court records for Yolo County can be searched through the court's online system or by visiting the clerk's office in Woodland.

For a criminal case lookup, you can use the court website or contact the clerk directly. If searching online, enter the person's name or case number. The system shows case details including charges, court dates, and case status. For more detailed records, visit the clerk's office in person. The clerk can pull up case files and provide copies. Document copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40 per document. A name search that takes the clerk more than 10 minutes costs $15. Yolo County is a mid-sized court, so the clerk's office can usually handle requests within a reasonable timeframe. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Note: Sealed criminal records and expunged cases will not appear in any Yolo County court search.

Yolo County Inmate and Jail Records

The Yolo County Sheriff operates the county jail in Woodland. The Sheriff's website provides information about custody services. You can contact the Sheriff's office to check on inmate status. The Yolo County Sheriff website has details about the jail and how to find someone in custody.

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

Booking records in Yolo County are public under California law. You can request copies of booking sheets and arrest reports from the Sheriff's records division. Contact the office by phone or in person. The Sheriff's main office is in Woodland. There may be fees for copies of booking records and reports.

How to Get Criminal Records in Yolo County

Getting criminal records in Yolo County depends on what kind of record you need. Court case files come from the Superior Court clerk. Jail bookings and arrest reports come from the Sheriff. Official state background checks go through the California DOJ. Each source has its own process.

For your own criminal history from the state, visit a Live Scan site in Yolo County. The California DOJ runs the statewide criminal record database. You get fingerprinted at a Live Scan location and pay the $25 DOJ fee plus the site's rolling fee. Results arrive in two to three business days for most requests. Under Penal Code 11105, the DOJ keeps the official criminal record repository covering all California counties, Yolo included. Live Scan sites in the area can be found in Woodland, Davis, and West Sacramento at police stations and private fingerprinting vendors.

Police reports come from the agency that handled the case. The Woodland Police Department handles reports for cases within Woodland city limits. Davis has its own police department. West Sacramento does as well. For cases in unincorporated areas, contact the Yolo County Sheriff. Each agency has its own fees and process for releasing reports.

Yolo County Criminal Record Fees

Court fees in Yolo County are the same as every other Superior Court in California. State law sets the rates. The Sheriff and police departments may charge their own fees for reports and copies.

Common fees for criminal records in Yolo 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 for those who cannot pay. File a fee waiver request at the Yolo County Superior Court clerk's office. You must show proof of low income or that you receive public benefits. If approved, the waiver covers court fees and some copy costs. It does not apply to DOJ background check charges or police report fees. The clerk's office in Woodland can provide the forms and explain the process.

Record Clearing in Yolo County

California law gives people options for clearing criminal records. If you were convicted in Yolo County, you may be eligible for relief under state statutes. Penal Code 1203.4 allows you to petition the court to dismiss a conviction after finishing probation. The record then shows a dismissal rather than a conviction. This helps with employment and housing applications. AB 1076 has automated parts of this. The DOJ reviews qualifying records statewide and can grant dismissals without the person filing anything.

Arrest records in Yolo County can be sealed. If your case was dismissed or charges were never filed, Penal Code 851.87 lets you ask the court to seal the arrest. After the seal is granted, the arrest will not appear on most background checks. File your petition at the Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland. You can handle it yourself or get legal help.

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

Cities in Yolo County

Yolo County has several cities and towns. All criminal cases go through the Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland. No cities in Yolo County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. The main communities are Woodland, Davis, West Sacramento, and Winters. All criminal cases from these cities are handled by the Yolo County court system.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Yolo County. If you are unsure which county handled a case, check the arrest or incident location. Cases are filed in the county where the crime occurred.