Search El Dorado County Criminal Court Records

El Dorado County criminal court records are managed by the Superior Court of El Dorado County. The court operates two locations, one in Placerville and one in South Lake Tahoe. Criminal filings from anywhere in the county go through one of these courthouses. The court's online system does require registration to search case records, which is different from many other California counties. Whether you need to check a case status, look up hearing dates, or get copies of criminal court documents, this page covers how the process works in El Dorado County and what to expect.

El Dorado County Criminal Records Online Portal

The El Dorado Superior Court has an online case search, but it works a bit differently than most counties. You need to register for an account before you can search. The portal is at eldorado.courts.ca.gov. Once you create an account, you can look up criminal cases by name or case number. The system shows basic case information like charges, court dates, and case status. Not every document is available to download online, but the register of actions is typically visible.

Registration is free. You just need an email address and a password. Some people find this extra step annoying, but the court uses it to manage access and track usage. Other California courts with open portals don't need this, but El Dorado County chose to go this route.

The statewide court finder at courts.ca.gov can point you to El Dorado County's court pages if you need to find the right courthouse or contact info for a criminal court record search.

Use this tool to find the address and phone number for the El Dorado Superior Court locations in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe.

El Dorado County Court Locations

El Dorado County has two courthouses. The main one is in Placerville, the county seat. This is where most criminal cases are heard. The address is 495 Main Street, Placerville, CA 95667. The second courthouse is in South Lake Tahoe at 1354 Johnson Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. Cases from the Tahoe Basin area are typically handled at the South Lake Tahoe location. Both courthouses have clerk's offices where you can request criminal court record copies in person.

In-person visits are the fastest way to get what you need. Walk into the clerk's office, give them the case number or defendant name, and they can pull the file. You pay for copies on the spot and leave with them. If you go without a case number, the clerk will search by name, which might take a bit longer.

Fees for El Dorado County Criminal Court Records

El Dorado County follows the same fee schedule as all California Superior Courts. Copies are $0.50 per page. That is set by state law. Certified copies cost $40 per document on top of the page fee. A $15 search fee applies if the clerk needs more than 10 minutes to find what you are looking for. Off-site retrieval, for older records not stored at the courthouse, adds $10 to the total.

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford the costs. You will need to fill out a fee waiver form and show the court that paying the fees would be a hardship. The California Courts Self-Help page has details on how to request a fee waiver for criminal court record copies.

Note: Certified copies are needed for most legal proceedings outside of El Dorado County, so plan your budget accordingly.

Get Criminal Record Copies in El Dorado County

You have three options for getting copies of criminal court records in El Dorado County. First, go in person. Visit either the Placerville or South Lake Tahoe courthouse. Ask the clerk for the documents you need. Pay the fees and take the copies with you. This is the fastest method, usually same-day for cases with records on file at the courthouse.

Second, send a mail request. Write a letter to the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was heard. Include the case number, defendant name, your contact info, and a check or money order for the copy fees. Send it to the Superior Court of El Dorado County, 495 Main Street, Placerville, CA 95667. Mail requests can take several weeks. Older records might take even longer if they need to be pulled from off-site storage.

Third, use the online portal. After you register at eldorado.courts.ca.gov, you can view case info and, in some instances, download documents. The online option won't get you certified copies, but it works for checking case status and viewing the register of actions for El Dorado County criminal court records.

Criminal Record Laws in El Dorado County

Criminal court records are public in California. That applies to El Dorado County just like everywhere else in the state. Anyone can ask for copies of case filings, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and other documents in the case file. There are exceptions. Juvenile records are sealed. Mental health reports in criminal cases are confidential. Some domestic violence case documents have limited access.

The California DOJ keeps a separate database of criminal history under Penal Code Section 11105. That is the RAP sheet. It is not the same as the court case file. The DOJ compiles arrest and disposition data from all over the state. Court records are the actual documents filed in a specific case at a specific courthouse. For El Dorado County criminal court records, you go to the Superior Court. For your statewide criminal history, you go to the DOJ through the Live Scan record review process, which costs $25.

Expungement is possible under Penal Code Section 1203.4. Once you finish probation, you can petition the court to dismiss the conviction. The case record will still exist in El Dorado County's files, but it will show that the case was dismissed. Employers in California generally cannot ask about dismissed convictions.

State Prison Records for El Dorado County Cases

If someone convicted in El Dorado County was sent to state prison, you can look them up through the CIRIS database run by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The search shows the person's name, CDCR number, current facility, and admission date. It also lists parole hearing dates and outcomes. This is a free tool that anyone can use.

For public records requests from CDCR, use their public records portal. This covers documents like incident reports, transfer records, and other files the department maintains on incarcerated individuals.

El Dorado County Cities

El Dorado County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. Placerville is the county seat and South Lake Tahoe is the other main community. All criminal cases from anywhere in the county are handled by the El Dorado Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border El Dorado County. Each one has its own Superior Court for criminal case filings.