San Joaquin County Criminal Court Records

San Joaquin County criminal court records are managed by the San Joaquin County Superior Court, based in Stockton in the heart of California's Central Valley. The court uses a FullCourt Enterprise system that gives the public free online access to case data, including charges, hearing dates, and case outcomes. You can search by name or case number. San Joaquin County processes thousands of criminal filings each year across felony and misdemeanor case types. This page covers the main tools and steps for finding criminal court records in San Joaquin County, California.

San Joaquin County Criminal Records Online

The San Joaquin County Superior Court runs a FullCourt Enterprise portal at cms.sjcourts.org. This tool is free. No account is needed. You can search for criminal cases by name or case number and pull up basic case data right from your phone or computer. The portal shows charges, court dates, and the current status of each case. It covers both felony and misdemeanor cases filed in San Joaquin County.

The FullCourt system is one of the less common case management platforms used in California. Most courts run Tyler Odyssey. San Joaquin County went with FullCourt Enterprise, which has a clean search layout. The screenshot below shows the San Joaquin County criminal court records portal at the court's FullCourt page.

Once you run a search, click on any case to see the full detail view. That shows all charges, each hearing date, and the outcome if the case has been resolved. The data here is not the official court record. It is for reference only. If you need a certified copy of a San Joaquin County criminal court record, you have to go through the clerk's office in Stockton.

Fees for San Joaquin County Court Records

Copies of criminal court records in San Joaquin County cost $0.50 per page. This is the rate set by California Government Code Section 70627. Certified copies cost $40 per document on top of the per-page fee. If a clerk has to spend more than 10 minutes looking for your record, the court can add a $15 search fee. Older records not kept at the main courthouse may come with a $10 off-site retrieval charge too.

Fee waivers exist for people who meet income limits or get certain public benefits. Ask the clerk for a fee waiver form when you visit the San Joaquin County courthouse. Mail requests for copies take a few weeks, so go in person if you need them fast.

Get Criminal Court Records in San Joaquin County

The fastest way to get copies is to visit the San Joaquin County Superior Court in person. The main courthouse is at 180 E. Weber Avenue in Stockton. Walk up to the clerk's window, give them the case number or the defendant's name, and they can pull the file. Copies are printed on the spot. Bring a form of payment for the copy fees.

You can also request copies by mail. Send a letter to the San Joaquin County Superior Court Clerk, 180 E. Weber Avenue, Stockton, CA 95202. Include the case number, the defendant's full name, and a description of the documents you want. Add a check or money order to cover the fees. Mail requests can take several weeks. If you are not sure about the total cost, call the clerk's office ahead of time. You can also check the San Joaquin Superior Court website for any request forms.

For your own criminal history from the state database, contact the California Department of Justice. The DOJ charges $25 for a record review through the Live Scan process. This gives you your RAP sheet, which is separate from the court case files in San Joaquin County.

Criminal Record Access in San Joaquin County

Criminal court records in San Joaquin County are public. That means anyone can ask for copies. You do not need to be part of the case. You do not need to give a reason. The clerk must provide copies to anyone who pays the fee. This is the general rule in California.

There are limits, though. Juvenile cases are sealed. Mental health records within a criminal case are restricted. Some documents in domestic violence cases may not be available to the public. Under Penal Code Section 11105, the DOJ keeps state summary criminal history information, but that system is separate from the local court files. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 restricts what criminal case records can be viewed online versus at the courthouse. Registers of action and court calendars are usually available through the portal. Full case documents in San Joaquin County often require a trip to the courthouse in Stockton to view or copy.

Note: The online portal data is not the official court record and may not include all documents in the file.

San Joaquin County Record Expungement

If you were convicted in San Joaquin County and have finished probation, you may qualify for a dismissal. Under Penal Code Section 1203.4, a person can petition the court to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. The record stays, but it shows the case was dismissed. Many people call this expungement. It can help with job applications and background checks.

You file a petition with the San Joaquin County Superior Court. A judge reviews it. Not every case qualifies. Some serious felonies cannot be expunged. Under Penal Code Section 851.8, people found factually innocent can petition to have their arrest record sealed and destroyed. Talk to the clerk or a local legal aid group if you have questions about your San Joaquin County case.

State Tools for San Joaquin County Records

The California Incarcerated Records and Information Search (CIRIS) lets you look up people in state prison. If someone was convicted in San Joaquin County and sent to CDCR, this tool shows their name, CDCR number, location, and admission date. It is free and open to the public.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide is another useful starting point. It explains the steps to get copies of court records, lists the fees, and covers what to expect when you request criminal court documents. For arrest records or police reports from San Joaquin County, contact the law enforcement agency that handled the arrest. The San Joaquin County Sheriff and the Stockton Police Department both have records units. Under Penal Code Section 13300, local agencies maintain their own criminal offender record information.

San Joaquin County Cities

Stockton is the largest city in San Joaquin County. All criminal cases from cities in this county go through the San Joaquin County Superior Court. Select a city for local criminal court record details.

Nearby Counties

These counties border San Joaquin County. Each has its own Superior Court for criminal cases.