Search Criminal Court Records in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County criminal court records are managed by the Santa Clara County Superior Court, the largest trial court in the Bay Area. Based at the Hall of Justice in San Jose, the court operates an online case information portal where you can search criminal cases at no cost. Santa Clara County covers San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, and many other Silicon Valley cities. The court handles a high volume of criminal filings each year. This page covers the tools, fees, and steps for finding criminal court records in Santa Clara County, California.

Santa Clara County Criminal Records Portal

The Santa Clara County Superior Court provides a case information portal at portal.scscourt.org/search. This is a custom system built for the court. It is free to use and does not require an account. You can search criminal cases by defendant name or case number. Results include charges, filing dates, court dates, and current case status. The portal covers felony and misdemeanor filings heard at any Santa Clara County courthouse.

Below is a screenshot of the Santa Clara County criminal court records portal at portal.scscourt.org.

The search results page lists each matching case with a case number link. Click through to see the full detail view. That page shows every charge, all scheduled hearings, and the outcome if the case has concluded. Keep in mind that the portal data is not the official court record. For certified copies, you need to go through the clerk's office at the Hall of Justice or one of the branch courts.

Santa Clara County Criminal Record Documents

Not all documents in a Santa Clara County criminal case file are open to the public. The court has stated clearly that certain records are not available. These include arrest reports, probation reports, domestic violence protective orders, O.R. (own recognizance) reports, and criminal history information. These restrictions apply whether you request copies in person or try to view them at the courthouse.

The documents you can get include the complaint or information (the charging document), the register of actions, minute orders, and the abstract of judgment. Court calendars are also public. If you want to see what is in a specific criminal case file in Santa Clara County, contact the clerk's office first. They can tell you which documents are available for your case before you make a trip to the courthouse.

There is good news on copying, though. Starting January 1, 2026, California law AB 1524 allows members of the public to use their own camera or phone to photograph any court record they are entitled to view at the courthouse. This applies to all California counties, including Santa Clara County. Before this law, many courts did not allow cameras near case files.

Fees for Santa Clara Criminal Court Records

Copies of criminal court records in Santa Clara County cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40 per document plus the page fee. If the clerk needs more than 10 minutes to find a record, a $15 search fee applies. For older records stored off-site, there is a $10 retrieval charge. These fees are set by California Government Code and are the same across the state.

The Hall of Justice in San Jose is the main location for criminal records requests. The address is 190 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110. The court also has locations in Morgan Hill (South County Courthouse at 301 Diana Avenue) and Palo Alto (270 Grant Avenue). In-person requests are processed while you wait. Mail requests take longer. Fee waivers are available for people who qualify.

Get Criminal Records in Santa Clara County

In person at the Hall of Justice is the fastest option. Go to 190 West Hedding Street in San Jose. Bring the case number or defendant name. The clerk pulls the file and prints copies on the spot. Pay at the window with cash or check. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday.

You can also mail a request to the Santa Clara County Superior Court Clerk at 190 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110. Include the case number, defendant name, and what documents you need. Enclose a check or money order for the fees. Mail requests may take a few weeks. If you are not sure about fees, call the court ahead of time. The Santa Clara Superior Court website has more details on the process.

For your own state criminal history, contact the California DOJ for a record review. The cost is $25 through Live Scan. This gives you your RAP sheet. It is separate from the court files in Santa Clara County. The Santa Clara County Sheriff also runs an inmate locator if you need to find someone currently in county jail.

Criminal Record Laws in Santa Clara County

Criminal court records in Santa Clara County are public with some exceptions. Anyone can request copies. You do not have to be involved in the case. The clerk provides copies to anyone who pays the fee.

Juvenile cases are sealed under California law. Mental health records in a criminal file are restricted. Domestic violence protective orders and probation reports are not public in Santa Clara County. Under Penal Code Section 11105, the California DOJ maintains state summary criminal history, but this is a different system from the court case files. California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 limits remote electronic access to certain criminal case record types. In Santa Clara County, the online portal shows registers of action and calendars. To view actual documents, you typically need to visit the courthouse. The new AB 1524 law makes it easier to copy what you can see once you are there.

Santa Clara County Conviction Dismissal

A person convicted in Santa Clara County who has completed probation can ask for a dismissal under Penal Code Section 1203.4. The conviction stays on the record, but it shows the case was dismissed. This is commonly called expungement. It can improve your results on background checks and help with job applications.

File the petition with the Santa Clara County Superior Court. A judge decides whether to grant the dismissal. Not all cases qualify. Serious felonies may be excluded. Under Penal Code Section 851.8, someone found factually innocent can also petition for the sealing and destruction of their arrest record. The clerk's office or a legal aid group in Santa Clara County can help you with the process.

Note: The Santa Clara County court does not provide legal advice on whether you qualify for expungement.

Santa Clara County Cities

These major cities are in Santa Clara County. All criminal cases go through the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Select a city for local criminal court record details.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Santa Clara County. Each operates its own Superior Court for criminal cases.