Los Angeles Public Records /Los Angeles County Court Records

Los Angeles County Court Records

What Is Los Angeles County Court Records

Los Angeles County court records are official documents created and maintained by the county's court system during legal proceedings. These records document various aspects of court cases, including filings, hearings, judgments, and other court actions that occur within Los Angeles County's jurisdiction. The Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles (111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012) is responsible for maintaining these records.

Are Court Records Public In Los Angeles County

Yes, most court records in Los Angeles County are public information under California law and the First Amendment right of access. The public can access these records unless they have been sealed by court order or are confidential by statute. Certain cases involving juveniles, adoption proceedings, and some family law matters have restricted access to protect privacy.

How To Find Court Records in Los Angeles County in 2025

To find court records in Los Angeles County in 2025, you have several options:

Visit the courthouse where the case was filed. The main courthouse is located at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Use the Los Angeles Superior Court's online portal.
Submit a records request form to the court clerk.
Use third-party record search services.
Contact the Los Angeles County Clerk-Recorder's Office at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650 for certain historical records.

For the most current information, you should check the Los Angeles Superior Court website or call the court directly at their main information line.

How To Look Up Court Records in Los Angeles County Online?

To look up court records online in Los Angeles County:

Visit the Los Angeles Superior Court website.
Use the Court's Case Information System at https://www.lacourt.org/casesummary/ui/index.aspx.
Register for an account if searching for detailed information.
Enter the case number if you have it, or search by name.
For criminal cases, use the Criminal Case Summary Search.
For civil cases, use the Civil Case Document Images System.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (211 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) also maintains some records that may be searchable online.

Can You Search Los Angeles County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search basic Los Angeles County court records for free. The Los Angeles Superior Court provides free access to basic case information through their online Case Information System. However, there may be fees for:

Obtaining copies of documents (typically $0.50 per page)
Certified copies (additional fee)
Complete case files
Archived records retrieval

In-person searches at the courthouse (111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012) are also free, though you'll need to pay for any copies you request.

What's Included in a Los Angeles County Court Record?

A typical Los Angeles County court record includes:

Case number and filing date
Names of parties involved (plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys)
Docket or register of actions (chronological list of filings)
Court orders and judgments
Filed pleadings and motions
Hearing and trial transcripts (if requested)
Evidence admitted during proceedings
Financial information (fines, fees, restitution)
Case status and disposition

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office (211 W Temple St, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90012) may also maintain related records for criminal cases.

How Long Does Los Angeles County Keep Court Records?

Los Angeles County retention periods for court records vary by case type:

Felony cases: Permanently for serious felonies; 75 years for others
Misdemeanors: 5-10 years after case conclusion
Infractions: 3-5 years
Civil unlimited cases: Permanently for judgments; other documents for 10 years
Civil limited cases: 5-10 years
Small claims: 10 years
Family law: Permanently for judgments; other documents vary
Probate: Permanently for decrees and orders; other documents vary

The Los Angeles County Archives (222 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012) maintains historical court records beyond standard retention periods.

Types of Courts In Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County has several types of courts within the Superior Court system:

Civil Courts - Handle lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury cases
Criminal Courts - Process felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions
Family Law Courts - Handle divorce, child custody, support matters
Probate Courts - Oversee wills, estates, conservatorships
Juvenile Courts - Address cases involving minors
Small Claims Courts - Handle minor civil disputes (under $10,000)
Traffic Courts - Process traffic violations
Mental Health Courts - Specialized courts for mental health issues
Drug Courts - Alternative sentencing for substance abuse cases
Veterans Courts - Specialized courts for veterans

The main courthouse is at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, but there are multiple courthouse locations throughout the county.

What Types of Cases Do Los Angeles County Courts Hear?

Los Angeles County courts hear a wide range of cases:

Civil cases: Personal injury, property disputes, contract issues, evictions
Criminal cases: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
Family law: Divorce, child custody, support, domestic violence
Probate matters: Wills, estates, guardianships, conservatorships
Juvenile cases: Delinquency and dependency matters
Small claims: Civil disputes under $10,000
Traffic violations: Moving violations, DUIs
Mental health proceedings: Conservatorships, commitments
Appeals from lower courts

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office (200 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012) handles many misdemeanor prosecutions within city limits.

How To Find a Court Docket In Los Angeles County

To find a court docket in Los Angeles County:

Online: Use the Case Information System at the Los Angeles Superior Court website
In person: Visit the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case is filed
By mail: Send a written request to the appropriate courthouse
By phone: Some basic docket information may be available by calling the court clerk

You'll need the case number or the names of the parties involved. The main courthouse clerk's office is located at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Which Courts in Los Angeles County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Los Angeles County, all courts are now courts of record. Since the court unification in 2000, all municipal and justice courts were merged into the Superior Court system. This means that all proceedings in Los Angeles County courts are officially recorded and documented.

Prior to unification, small claims courts and some municipal courts were not courts of record. However, today even small claims proceedings in Los Angeles County are documented, though the procedures are simplified and the rules of evidence are relaxed compared to other civil cases.

The California Judicial Council (455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102) oversees all courts in the state, including those in Los Angeles County.

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