Temecula Criminal Records Search

Criminal court records from Temecula are managed by the Riverside County Superior Court. Every criminal case that starts with an arrest in Temecula ends up in the county court system. You can search Temecula criminal court records online through the county's public access portal, or get copies at the Southwest Justice Center near the city. This page walks through the ways to find case data, request copies, and understand how criminal records work for cases originating in Temecula, California.

Temecula Criminal Court Records Online

The Riverside County ePublic Access portal is the main online tool for searching criminal cases from Temecula. Type in a name and the system pulls up any matching cases in the Riverside County Superior Court. The results include case numbers, charges, hearing dates, and case status. You can also search by case number if you already have one. There is no cost to use the search tool.

The portal does not show every document in a case. California law limits what courts can make available online for criminal cases. The register of actions, court calendars, and case indexes are usually accessible through remote search. But if you need to see the actual complaint, motions, or sentencing documents from a Temecula case, you will likely need to visit the courthouse. That is how it works across all of California under the rules that govern electronic access to criminal court records.

Where Temecula Criminal Cases Are Heard

Most criminal cases from Temecula go to the Southwest Justice Center. This courthouse is at 30755-D Auld Road in Murrieta, just a few minutes from Temecula. It handles cases from the southwest region of Riverside County. The clerk's office here processes record requests for Temecula criminal court cases. You can walk in, give them the case number or defendant name, and ask for copies.

Plain copies cost $0.50 per page under Government Code Section 70627. Certified copies run $40 per document. If you need records for a legal matter, certified copies are what you want. For personal reference, plain copies work. The clerk can print most documents on the spot for current cases. Older files stored off-site take more time and may cost an extra $10 for retrieval.

You can also mail a request to the court. Include the case number, defendant name, a list of what you need, and payment by check or money order. Mail requests take longer. Plan for several weeks. The California Courts self-help guide has details on mail requests for court record copies.

The state self-help page above breaks down how to request copies of court records. It covers fees, methods, and what to include in a written request.

Arrest Records in Temecula

The Riverside County Sheriff handles law enforcement for Temecula. That means arrests in the city are made by sheriff's deputies, not a city police force. When someone is arrested in Temecula, the sheriff creates a booking record. This is separate from the court file. The court record only starts when charges are filed.

The Riverside County Sheriff has an online inmate lookup tool. Search by name to find anyone currently in custody at a county jail. It shows charges, bail, and where the person is held. For past arrests, contact the sheriff's Temecula station and ask the records unit. They can tell you how to request a copy of an arrest report from a Temecula incident.

Note: Booking data from the sheriff's office updates regularly but may lag behind by a few hours after an arrest in Temecula.

Statewide Criminal History from Temecula

The California DOJ keeps criminal history data for the whole state. It has arrests and convictions from all 58 counties. If you want a copy of your own criminal history, the DOJ Record Review costs $25. You go to a Live Scan site, get fingerprinted, and the DOJ sends you your record. There are Live Scan locations in the Temecula area. The DOJ process is governed by Penal Code Section 11105, which establishes the state criminal history database.

You cannot use the DOJ to pull someone else's criminal record for personal use. Only law enforcement and authorized agencies have that access. For court case records, stick with the Riverside County Superior Court. For statewide criminal history, the DOJ is the source, but only for your own record.

Clearing a Temecula Criminal Record

California lets people petition to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. Penal Code Section 1203.4 is the law that makes this possible. If you were convicted in a Temecula criminal case, you file the petition with the Riverside County Superior Court. The court reviews it. If approved, the conviction is dismissed on the record. The case file still exists. It just shows a different outcome.

People who were arrested in Temecula but never had charges filed can look into sealing the arrest record under Penal Code Section 851.8. You have to prove factual innocence. It is not easy, but it is an option. Legal aid services in Riverside County can help with the petition process. The CDCR inmate search is a separate tool for looking up people in state prison, which covers cases from any county including Riverside.

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Temecula in the Riverside County area. Criminal cases from each go through the county Superior Court.

Temecula's County

All criminal court records for Temecula cases are held by the Riverside County Superior Court.