Lake County Criminal Records Lookup

Criminal court records in Lake County are maintained by the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport. The court uses a Journal Technologies public portal for online case searches. Lake County is a rural county in northern California, and its court handles all criminal cases that arise within its borders. You can search for felony and misdemeanor cases through the online portal or request copies directly from the clerk's office. This page covers the main methods for finding and getting criminal court records in Lake County, California.

Search Lake County Criminal Records Online

The Lake County Superior Court provides online access to criminal case records through a Journal Technologies public portal at portal.lake.courts.ca.gov/public-portal. This tool is free to use. You can search by defendant name, case number, or filing date. The results show basic case information like charges, court dates, and case status.

The portal gives you a quick way to check on a case without visiting the courthouse. Enter a name and the system pulls up any matching criminal cases on file in Lake County. Each result includes the case number, filing date, and the type of criminal charges. Click into a case for more detail. You can see the judge, the next hearing date, and whether the case is still active or has been resolved. The California Courts public records page at courts.ca.gov explains how each Superior Court in the state, including Lake County, handles public record requests.

The self-help guide shown above outlines the basic steps for requesting court record copies in California. It applies to Lake County and every other county in the state. Use it as a reference for fees, timelines, and the types of records you can get from the clerk.

Get Copies of Lake County Criminal Court Records

The most direct way to get criminal court records in Lake County is to visit the courthouse. The Lake County Superior Court is at 255 North Forbes Street in Lakeport. Walk into the clerk's office and ask for the case you need. If you have the case number, the clerk can pull it up right away. If you only have a name, the clerk can search for it. Copies are printed on the spot and you pay the fee before you leave.

You can also request records by mail. Send a letter to the Lake County Superior Court Clerk, 255 North Forbes Street, Lakeport, CA 95453. Include the case number or defendant name, a list of documents you want, and a check or money order for the fees. Expect the process to take a few weeks. The court does not send records by fax or email. For faster service, visiting the courthouse in Lakeport is always the better option.

Lake County Criminal Record Copy Fees

Plain copies of criminal court records in Lake County are $0.50 per page. That is the same rate used by all California Superior Courts. Certified copies cost $40 per document, plus the per-page charge. Certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for some legal and official purposes.

A $15 search fee may apply when the clerk needs more than 10 minutes to locate a record. For old cases stored at an off-site location, there is a $10 retrieval fee on top of the copy charges. These fees come from California Government Code sections and apply statewide. If you are on a low income or receiving public benefits, you can ask about a fee waiver. The clerk at the Lake County Superior Court can walk you through that process.

Note: Bring exact payment or a check when visiting the Lake County courthouse for copies.

Public Access to Lake County Criminal Records

Most criminal court records in Lake County are public. Anyone can request them. You do not need to be involved in the case. The clerk is required to provide copies to anyone who asks and pays the copying fee. That is the general rule for all California courts.

Certain records are restricted. Juvenile cases are sealed. Mental health evaluations within a criminal file are off limits. Domestic violence protective orders may have restrictions too. Under Penal Code Section 11105, the California Department of Justice keeps state summary criminal history records. Those are separate from the court case files in Lake County. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 also controls which criminal case records can be accessed online versus at the courthouse. The Lake County portal shows calendars and registers of action, but to see everything in a case file, you may need to go to Lakeport in person.

Lake County Criminal Record Dismissal

If you were convicted in Lake County and have completed your probation, you might be able to get the conviction dismissed. Penal Code Section 1203.4 allows this. You file a petition with the Lake County Superior Court. The judge reviews your case and decides whether to grant the dismissal. A dismissed conviction still shows on the record, but it is marked as dismissed. This can help with employment background checks and housing applications.

People who were arrested but found factually innocent have a different path. Under Penal Code Section 851.8, they can petition to have the arrest record sealed and destroyed. Contact the Lake County Superior Court clerk or a legal aid office for guidance on which process fits your situation.

Statewide Tools for Criminal Records

The CIRIS inmate search from the California Department of Corrections lets you look up anyone in state prison. If someone convicted in Lake County is now in a state facility, this tool shows their location, sentence details, and parole hearing dates. For your own criminal history, submit a record review request through the California DOJ at a cost of $25 via Live Scan.

The Courts Self-Help page is a useful starting point if you are not sure how to begin a record request. It covers the basics for every county in the state, including Lake County.

Lake County Cities

Lake County has no cities with a population over 100,000. All criminal cases from communities like Clearlake, Lakeport, and Kelseyville go through the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lake County. Each has its own Superior Court that handles criminal cases.