Search Kern County Criminal Court Records

Kern County criminal court records are held by the Kern County Superior Court, which sits in Bakersfield and serves one of the largest counties in California by land area. The court uses a Tyler Odyssey portal that lets you look up case data from any device with web access. You can search by name or case number to pull up charges, court dates, and case status. Kern County handles a high volume of criminal filings each year, and the online system covers a wide range of case types. This page walks through how to find, view, and get copies of criminal court records in Kern County.

Kern County Criminal Records Online Portal

The Kern County Superior Court runs a Tyler Odyssey case portal at portal.kern.courts.ca.gov. This is a free tool. You do not need an account to use it. The portal lets you search for criminal cases by name, case number, or date range. Results show the case type, charges, filing date, and hearing schedule. You can also see the judge and the courtroom where a case is set. The portal covers both felony and misdemeanor filings in Kern County.

The Kern County case portal shown below is where most people start when they need to look up a criminal court record in this part of California. You can reach it from the Kern Superior Court website.

After you run a search, the results page lists all matching cases. Click on any case number to open a detail view. That view shows the full list of charges, each court date that has been set or already happened, and the current status of the case. Keep in mind that the online portal data is not the official court record. It is for reference. If you need a certified copy of a Kern County criminal court record, you still have to go through the clerk's office.

Kern County Criminal Court Record Fees

Copies of Kern County criminal court records cost $0.50 per page. This is the standard rate set by California Government Code Section 70627. Certified copies are $40 per document plus the per-page charge. If you need a document with a court seal for legal use, that certified copy fee applies. The clerk can tell you the total before you pay.

There is also a $15 search fee. The court can charge this if the clerk spends more than 10 minutes trying to find your record. For older cases not stored at the main courthouse in Bakersfield, an off-site retrieval fee of $10 may apply. Mail requests for copies take several weeks, so plan ahead if you are not able to visit in person. The Kern County Superior Court clerk's office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Note: Fee waivers are available for those who qualify based on income or public benefits.

Get Criminal Record Copies in Kern County

There are three main ways to get copies of criminal court records from the Kern County Superior Court. In person is the fastest. Go to the courthouse at 1415 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield and ask the clerk for copies. You will need the case number or the defendant's name. The clerk can pull up the case and print what you need while you wait. Bring cash or a check to pay for the copies.

By mail, send a written request to the Kern County Superior Court Clerk at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Include the case number, defendant name, and a description of the documents you want. Attach a check or money order for the estimated fees. Mail requests can take a few weeks to process, so this is not the best route if you need something fast. You can also check the Kern County Superior Court website for any online request forms that might speed things up.

For your own criminal history from the state database, the process is different. Contact the California Department of Justice and submit a Live Scan request. The DOJ charges $25 for a record review. This gives you your RAP sheet, which is separate from the court case files held in Kern County.

Criminal Record Access Laws in Kern County

Most criminal court records in Kern County are public. Anyone can request copies. You do not have to be a party to the case or give a reason for your request. This comes from the general rule that court records are open to the public in California. The clerk's office must provide copies to anyone who asks and pays the fee.

Some records are not fully public, though. Juvenile cases are sealed under California law. Mental health records within a criminal case file are restricted. Certain documents in domestic violence cases may also be off limits. Under Penal Code Section 11105, the DOJ maintains state summary criminal history information, but that is a separate system from the court case files. In Kern County, the Superior Court is where you go for actual case documents. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 limits what criminal case records can be viewed remotely online versus at the courthouse. Registers of action and calendars are usually available online. Full case files often require an in-person visit to the Kern County courthouse.

Kern County Criminal Record Expungement

If you have a conviction in Kern County and have finished your probation, you may be able to get it dismissed. Under Penal Code Section 1203.4, a person can ask the court to dismiss a conviction after they complete probation. This is what most people call expungement. The record does not go away, but it shows the case was dismissed. This can help with job searches and other background checks.

You file a petition with the Kern County Superior Court. The judge reviews it and decides whether to grant the dismissal. Not all cases qualify. Some serious felonies are not eligible. Talk to the clerk's office or a local legal aid group if you have questions about whether your Kern County case can be expunged. Under Penal Code Section 851.8, a person found factually innocent can also petition to have their arrest record sealed and destroyed.

State Resources for Kern County Records

Beyond the Kern County Superior Court, there are state-level tools that can help you find criminal record information. The California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS) lets you look up anyone currently in state prison. Results show the person's name, CDCR number, age, location, and admission date. This is useful if someone was convicted in Kern County and sent to state prison.

The California DOJ also maintains a statewide criminal history database. Under Penal Code Section 13300, local law enforcement agencies keep their own criminal offender record information too. The Kern County Sheriff's Office and the Bakersfield Police Department both have records divisions. For arrest records or police reports tied to a Kern County criminal case, contact the agency that made the arrest. The California Courts Self-Help Guide is another good place to start if you are not sure how to request court records.

Kern County Cities

Bakersfield is the main city in Kern County. All criminal cases from cities in this county go through the Kern County Superior Court. Select a city below for local criminal court record resources.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kern County. Each has its own Superior Court handling criminal cases.