Find Criminal Records in Madera County

Madera County criminal court records are kept by the Madera County Superior Court. The court is based in the city of Madera, in the central San Joaquin Valley. It uses an eCourt public portal that gives you free access to case data online. You can look up criminal cases by name or case number to see charges, court dates, and the status of a filing. Madera County sits between Fresno and Yosemite, and the court serves the entire county for all criminal matters. This guide covers how to search, view, and request copies of criminal court records in Madera County, California.

Madera County Criminal Records Portal

The Madera County Superior Court uses an eCourt system for its online case portal. You can reach it at madera-prod-portal.ecourt.com/public-portal. The portal is free and does not need an account. Search by the defendant's name or case number. Results show the type of case, charges, hearing dates, and case status. This works for both felony and misdemeanor cases filed in Madera County.

When you find a case, click into it for more details. The case view lists each charge, the court date schedule, and the judge handling the matter. You can also see if the case is open, closed, or pending. The data on the portal is for reference. It is not the official record. For a certified copy of any Madera County criminal court document, you have to go through the clerk's office.

The California Courts public records page provides background on how each county court handles records. The screenshot below is from courts.ca.gov/find-my-court, which helps you locate the Madera County Superior Court and other courts across the state.

Use the court finder tool to confirm the address, phone number, and hours for the Madera County courthouse before visiting in person.

How to Get Madera County Criminal Court Records

You can get copies of criminal court records from the Madera County Superior Court in person or by mail. The courthouse is at 209 West Yosemite Avenue in Madera. Visit the clerk's office during business hours with the case number or defendant name. The clerk searches the system, pulls up the file, and prints copies. You pay at the counter.

Mail requests go to the Madera County Superior Court Clerk, 209 West Yosemite Avenue, Madera, CA 93637. Write down the case number, defendant name, and what you need. Include a check or money order for the fees. Mail requests take a few weeks. If you need records from a case that is many years old, it might take longer because the files could be in storage. The clerk can give you a timeline when you call ahead.

Note: Call the clerk's office before mailing a request to confirm the current fee schedule for Madera County criminal records.

Madera County Court Record Copy Fees

Copies of criminal court records in Madera County cost $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies run $40 per document, plus the per-page charge. Certified copies come with the court seal and are needed for legal proceedings, job applications, and some government processes.

The court may charge a $15 search fee if the clerk takes more than 10 minutes to find a record. Off-site storage retrieval adds $10. These are statewide fees under California Government Code. If you qualify for a fee waiver based on income, the court can wave some or all of these charges. Ask the Madera County clerk for a fee waiver application.

Criminal Record Access in Madera County

Criminal court records in Madera County are open to the public in most situations. You do not have to explain why you want them. Any person can walk up to the clerk's window and ask for copies. That is the default under California law.

Exceptions exist. Juvenile criminal cases are sealed. Records with mental health information are restricted. Under Penal Code Section 11105, the state DOJ maintains summary criminal history information that is not the same as the court case file. For Madera County criminal court records, you go to the Superior Court. The DOJ handles RAP sheets, which are accessed separately. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 governs what types of criminal records can be viewed online. In Madera County, the eCourt portal shows registers of action and calendar data. To see the complete case file, you usually need to visit the courthouse in person.

Clearing a Criminal Record in Madera County

If you were convicted of a crime in Madera County, you may be able to have the conviction dismissed after probation. Penal Code Section 1203.4 provides this option. File a petition with the Madera County Superior Court. A judge reviews it and makes a decision. If granted, the record shows the conviction was dismissed. It still appears on your record, but the dismissal note is there for employers and others to see.

For arrest records where you were never convicted, Penal Code Section 851.8 lets you petition to seal and destroy the arrest record if you were found factually innocent. The Madera County clerk can help you understand which path is right for your case. Local legal aid organizations can also help with the paperwork and filing process.

Statewide Criminal Record Resources

The California CIRIS database lets you search for inmates in state prison. If someone from Madera County was sentenced to state time, this tool shows where they are, how long they have been there, and upcoming parole dates. For your own criminal record from the DOJ, submit a record review through Live Scan for $25.

The Courts Self-Help page has general info on requesting copies of court records from any California county. It is a good starting point if you are unfamiliar with the process in Madera County or anywhere else in the state.

Madera County Cities

Madera County does not have any cities with a population over 100,000. The city of Madera and Chowchilla are the largest communities. All criminal cases go through the Madera County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Madera County. Each one has its own Superior Court for criminal matters.