Accessing Court Case Files

Court case files are public records and subject to public inspection. California Rules of Court, rule 2.400(a) states that all papers in the court files may be inspected by the public in the office of the clerk. Rule 2.550(a) says that unless confidential or sealed by law, all court records are presumed open.

Please be aware that the majority of online services provide case number and location only.  Once you have located the case number and court location, there are number of ways to obtain a copy of a court record.

Civil Criminal (felony only) Family Court Mental Health Probate More Info...	Case files available for Civil (including Small Claims) and Probate cases initiated on or after January 1, 2008. Imaged documents available for some Civil and Probate cases.	Traffic, Minor Offense or Misdemeanor Juvenile Court Small Claims Sealed Records Destroyed Files More Info...