Search Merced County Criminal Court Records

Criminal court records in Merced County are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Merced. The court serves a growing population in California's Central Valley and handles all felony and misdemeanor cases filed within the county. Merced County uses a Tyler Odyssey portal for online case access, though availability of records may vary. Whether you need to look up a case by name, check a court date, or get copies of filings, the Merced Superior Court clerk's office is the source. This guide walks through how to search for and get criminal court records in Merced County.

Merced County Criminal Case Portal

The Merced County Superior Court uses the Tyler Odyssey case management system. This platform powers the court's online portal where the public can search for criminal case information. You can look up cases by name or case number. Results typically show the case filing date, charges, hearing schedule, and current status. The portal covers cases entered into the electronic system, which means older paper-only records may not appear in online search results.

Online access to Merced County criminal court records through Odyssey shows the register of actions and upcoming hearing dates. However, under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503, certain criminal case documents are only available for viewing at the courthouse. The online portal gives you the index, but full case files often require an in-person visit to the clerk's office. If you find a case online and need the complete file, plan a trip to the Merced courthouse.

The court's main website at mercedcourt.org has links to the case search tool and other online services. Start there if you are trying to find the portal for Merced County criminal records.

Merced County Criminal Court Location

The Merced County Superior Court main courthouse is at 2260 N Street, Merced, CA 95340. This is where most criminal matters are heard and where the clerk processes record requests. The building houses the criminal division and handles both felony and misdemeanor cases for the entire county. Merced County also has a courthouse in Los Banos for some case types, but criminal matters are primarily handled in the city of Merced.

Walk-in hours for the clerk's office are Monday through Friday. When you visit, bring the case number or the defendant's name. The clerk can search the system and pull up the case for you. If you want copies, tell them at the counter and they will print what you need. You pay the fees before you leave. For Merced County criminal court records that are not in the electronic system, the clerk may need to pull the physical file, which can take extra time.

Fees for Merced County Criminal Court Records

Merced County follows the state fee schedule for court record copies. Here is what you can expect to pay:

• Plain copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copies: $40 per document plus $0.50 per page
• Search fee: $15 if the clerk spends over 10 minutes looking
• Off-site retrieval: $10 for records stored outside the courthouse

Payment options at the Merced County Superior Court include cash, check, and money order. Some courts also accept credit cards at the counter, but it is best to call first and confirm. For mail requests, send a check or money order made out to the Merced County Superior Court. Include a clear description of what records you need and any case number or name details you have. The California Self-Help Center explains the general process at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov.

California Criminal Court Record Tools

The California Department of Justice runs background check services that apply to all counties, including Merced. The DOJ fingerprint and background check page explains how to request your own criminal history or use Live Scan for employment screening.

The DOJ maintains the statewide criminal history database, which is separate from Merced County's own court records. If you need a RAP sheet, the DOJ is the source. For court case files, go to the Merced County Superior Court.

Access Laws for Merced County Criminal Records

Criminal court records in Merced County are public under California law. You do not need to be a party to the case to request copies. Anyone can walk into the clerk's office and ask to see a criminal case file. The main exceptions are juvenile cases, which are always confidential, and certain sealed records. Mental health evaluations in a criminal case are also restricted from public view.

The state summary criminal history database run by the DOJ falls under Penal Code Section 11105. That database is fingerprint-based and is not the same as the court case files you get from the Merced County Superior Court. Access to DOJ records is limited to the individual, law enforcement, and authorized agencies. Court files, on the other hand, are open to the public with few limits.

If someone has had a conviction dismissed under Penal Code Section 1203.4, the case record in Merced County will still exist. It will show that the conviction was set aside. The record does not disappear. Employers asking about criminal history in California must also follow rules about what they can and cannot consider in hiring decisions.

How to Get Merced County Criminal Court Copies

You have three main options to get copies of criminal court records from the Merced County Superior Court. Going in person is the quickest way. Visit the clerk's office at the main courthouse in Merced. Give them the case number or defendant name. The clerk will pull up the record and print copies at the counter. You pay right there.

By mail, send a written request to: Merced County Superior Court, 2260 N Street, Merced, CA 95340. Include the case number, defendant's full name, and what documents you are asking for. Attach a check or money order for the estimated fees. Mail requests can take several weeks to process, so this is not the fastest route. If you are unsure about fees, call the clerk's office first to get an estimate before you mail anything in.

You can also check the online portal first. If the case shows up there, you may be able to get the basic info you need without making a trip to the courthouse. But for official copies with a clerk's stamp or certification, you will need to go through the in-person or mail process for Merced County criminal court records.

Note: The CDCR inmate search at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov covers people in state prison, which is separate from Merced County jail or court records.

Cities in Merced County

Merced County includes the cities of Merced, Los Banos, Atwater, Livingston, and Gustine. All criminal cases from these cities go to the Merced County Superior Court. None of these cities have populations over 100,000, so there are no dedicated city pages for Merced County.

Nearby Counties

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