Criminal records in San Diego County, California, are available through several channels. SanDiegoCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official system of the County Superior Court, law enforcement agencies — including the sheriff's office and police department — as well as through the court clerk's office, either in person or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in San Diego
Start with SanDiegoCourt.us — the service allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases being considered in the county. This is a convenient first step if you do not have a case number.
Online Search
- Go to the Online Case Search page of the San Diego County Superior Court. Enter the full name of the person, case number, or district attorney (DA) case number.
- The results will show the Register of Actions — a chronology of events in the case, hearing dates, and current status. Note: records of misdemeanors and limited civil cases may only be available for the last 10 years.
- Criminal case documents are available for viewing only in person — they cannot be downloaded through the portal.
To obtain police reports, use the Get a Police Report page of the San Diego Police Department. Reports include arrests, crimes, and incident reports.
In Person
Visit the court clerk's office at the location where the case is being heard. The court provides access to public terminals where you can view criminal case materials. According to the court's instructions, you can either use the online search or come directly to the court premises.
By Mail
Send a written request to the San Diego County Superior Court clerk's office. Specify:
- The full name of the defendant (last name and first name)
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number or DA case number
- Description of the requested documents
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, a request is sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Live Scan fingerprinting procedure.
Search San Diego Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each case in the California Superior Court receives a unique number. In San Diego, the format usually looks like this:
- Category Prefix — indicates the type of case. For example, "SCN" or "SCD" denote criminal cases depending on the court branch (North County, Downtown, etc.).
- Filing Year — a two-digit number corresponding to the year the case was filed.
- Sequential Number — a unique ordinal number within the year and category.
If you have a DA case number, you can also use it for the search — the court system accepts both formats. Enter the number exactly, without spaces or extra characters, otherwise, the result will not appear.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in San Diego
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the California Penal Code (e.g., PC 459 — burglary) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or add charges after the initial filing; the Register of Actions reflects each change |
Case Status
- Pending — the case has been filed, but a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is under consideration, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, the case is archived
Hearings
Typical stages of criminal proceedings in the county:
- Arraignment — the first hearing where the defendant learns about the charges and pleads guilty or not guilty.
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge assesses whether there is enough evidence to send a felony case to trial.
- Pre-Trial — the parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal, exchange evidence.
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or verdict.
- Review — a control hearing, usually to check compliance with probation conditions.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court or jury finds innocence |
| Dismissed | The case is closed — usually at the prosecutor's request or due to procedural reasons |
| Acquitted | Acquittal after a full trial |
Information about arrest warrants, including those issued for failure to appear in court, can be found on the Warrants page of the Superior Court.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in San Diego
Certified copies of court documents are issued by the San Diego County Superior Court clerk's office. Criminal documents are available only in person — they are not sent by email.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person: contact the court clerk's office (Criminal Division) at the location where the case is being heard. Bring a valid photo ID.
- By Mail: send a written request specifying the case number, full name of the defendant, and description of the required documents. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, contact the California DOJ. The procedure requires fingerprinting (Live Scan) and completing the Request for Live Scan Service form (BCIA 8016).
The Fresh Start program of the county public defender's office helps residents with expungement and clearing criminal records.
San Diego Superior Court — Hall of Justice (Criminal Division)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in San Diego
Fees are set according to the California Government Code (§ 70626 and related sections). Below are approximate amounts — check with the court clerk's office for the current fee amounts.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $40 for the first document + $20 for each additional |
| Court database search (by name) | Free through the online portal |
| State criminal history (DOJ Live Scan) | Depends on the type of request; usually from $25 to $70+ |
Processing Times
- In Person: copies are usually issued the same day or the next business day.
- By Mail: processing may take 5 to 10 business days, not including delivery time.
- DOJ Live Scan: results are received within a few days, but more complex requests may take longer.
Payment is accepted by check, money order, or — when in person — credit or debit card. Cash is not accepted at all locations; check in advance.