Access Inyo County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Inyo County are handled by the Inyo County Superior Court in Independence. This is one of the smallest and most remote courts in California. Inyo County does not have an online self-service portal for case searches. Instead, the court uses a staff-assisted process. You email your search request to the clerk's office, and they look up the records for you. It is a different approach from bigger counties, but it works for a court this size. This page covers how to search for and get copies of criminal court records in Inyo County.

Search Inyo County Criminal Records by Email

Inyo County does not have an online case search portal. There is no website you can go to and type in a name to pull up criminal cases. The court handles record searches through its staff. To search for criminal court records in Inyo County, send an email to searches@inyocourt.ca.gov. Include the defendant's name, any case numbers you have, and what information you are looking for. The clerk will search the system and get back to you.

This is a staff-assisted search. It works, but it is not instant. Response times depend on the workload at the clerk's office. Inyo County is small, so there is usually not a huge backlog, but give it a few business days. If you need records urgently, call the courthouse directly.

For general information about finding California courts and their contact details, the statewide court finder can point you to the Inyo County Superior Court.

Use the court finder to get the address and phone number for the Inyo County courthouse in Independence. This is helpful if you need to call or visit instead of emailing.

Inyo County Court Location

The Inyo County Superior Court is in Independence, California. Independence is a very small town on Highway 395 in the Owens Valley. The county is the second largest in California by land area, but it has fewer than 20,000 people. The courthouse is the only one in the county, and it handles all criminal cases from everywhere in Inyo County, including Bishop, Lone Pine, and the smaller communities.

Visiting the courthouse in person is an option, but it requires planning. Independence is remote. It is about four hours from Los Angeles and even farther from most other major cities. If you can make the trip, the clerk's office will help you search for criminal court records and get copies on the spot. If you cannot visit, the email option is your best bet.

Inyo County Criminal Court Record Fees

The fees for criminal court records in Inyo County are the same as every other California Superior Court. State law sets the rates. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40 per document plus the page fee. A $15 search fee applies if the clerk takes more than 10 minutes to find what you need. For records in off-site storage, there is a $10 retrieval charge.

If you request records by email through searches@inyocourt.ca.gov, the clerk will let you know what fees apply. You will need to pay before they send copies. Check with the clerk's office about accepted payment methods. Some courts take credit cards now. Others still require checks or money orders.

Note: Fee waivers are available through the California courts for people who cannot afford the copy costs for Inyo County criminal court records.

Get Criminal Record Copies from Inyo County

The email method is the most practical for most people. Send your request to searches@inyocourt.ca.gov with the case number, defendant name, and what documents you need. The clerk will process the request and contact you about fees and delivery. This avoids the long drive to Independence.

In person works if you are already in the area or willing to make the trip. Go to the courthouse in Independence. The clerk can pull up the case and make copies. This is the fastest way to get Inyo County criminal court records since you walk out with them the same day. Bring cash or a check for the copy fees.

By mail, send a written request to the Inyo County Superior Court in Independence. Include all the case details and a check or money order for the estimated fees. Mail requests take several weeks. The California Courts Self-Help page has general instructions on how to request court record copies that apply to Inyo County and all other California counties.

This statewide guide covers the process for getting court records by mail, in person, and online. For Inyo County, the online option is the email-based staff search rather than a self-service portal.

Criminal Record Laws in Inyo County

Criminal court records in Inyo County are public. California law makes most court records available to anyone who asks. You do not need to be a party to the case. Just ask the clerk for the records and pay the fees. There are exceptions. Juvenile records are sealed. Mental health evaluations in criminal cases are confidential. Some domestic violence documents have restricted access.

The California DOJ maintains a separate criminal history database under Penal Code Section 11105. This is the state RAP sheet system. It compiles arrest and disposition data from every county. If you want your own state criminal record, go through the DOJ record review with Live Scan fingerprinting for $25. That is a different thing from the Inyo County court file. The court has the actual case documents. The DOJ has the summary history.

Under Penal Code Section 1203.4, you can petition to have a conviction dismissed after completing probation. The Inyo County criminal court record stays on file, but it will show the case was dismissed. For arrest records where you were found factually innocent, Penal Code Section 851.8 provides a process to seal and destroy those records.

State Resources for Inyo County Criminal Records

The CIRIS database from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation lets you search for people in state prison. If someone was convicted in Inyo County and sent to a state facility, you can look them up here. The search is free and shows the person's name, CDCR number, facility, and parole hearing information.

For public records from CDCR itself, use their records portal. This handles requests for documents the department holds, which is separate from what the Inyo County court has.

Inyo County Cities

Inyo County has no cities over 100,000 in population. Bishop is the largest community, and Independence is the county seat. All criminal cases in the county are handled by the Inyo County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Inyo County. Each one has its own Superior Court for criminal cases.