Access Sierra County Criminal Court Records

Sierra County criminal court records are filed with the Sierra County Superior Court in Downieville. This is the least populated county in California, with just over 3,000 residents. The court handles a small number of criminal cases each year compared to larger counties. There is no online case search portal for Sierra County. All record requests must go through the clerk's office directly, either by phone, mail, or in person. This page explains how to find and get criminal court records from the Sierra County Superior Court, what fees to expect, and what other tools can help with your search.

Sierra County Criminal Records Access

Sierra County does not have an online case search portal. This is one of the few counties in California where you cannot look up criminal court records through a website. The court is small and handles a limited number of filings each year. Because of this, all searches are staff-assisted. You call the clerk, write a letter, or show up in person.

The California courts system provides a guide for getting copies of court records at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. That page covers the general process for any Superior Court in the state, including Sierra County.

The self-help guide covers the steps to request copies. For Sierra County, the clerk's office is your only option. Contact them at (530) 289-3698 to ask about a case or start a records request. You can also email the court at superiorcourt@sierracourt.org. The staff can tell you if a record exists and how to get copies.

Request Criminal Court Records in Sierra County

In person is the most direct way. Visit the Sierra County Superior Court at 100 Courthouse Square, Second Floor, Downieville, CA 95936. The clerk window is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Bring a photo ID. Give the clerk the case number or defendant name, and they can pull the file. You can get copies printed while you are there.

By mail, send a written request to PO Box 476, Downieville, CA 95936. Include the case number, defendant name, and what documents you want. Add a check or money order made out to the Sierra County Superior Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the court can mail back the copies. Mail requests may take a couple of weeks, depending on how busy the staff is. Since the court does not have an online system, mail and phone are the main ways to reach them if you can't visit in person.

Note: Phone inquiries about Sierra County criminal court records are taken at (530) 289-3698 during business hours.

Sierra County Criminal Court Record Fees

Copy fees are the same as the rest of California. You pay $0.50 per page for plain copies of criminal court records in Sierra County. Certified copies cost $40 per document plus the page charge. That certified rate is set by state law under Government Code Section 70626.

The clerk may charge a $15 search fee if it takes more than 10 minutes to find a record. For older files stored off site, a $10 retrieval fee can apply too. These fees are standard across all California Superior Courts. Since Sierra County is a small court with few staff members, it helps to have as much information as possible when you make your request. A case number speeds things up. If you only have a name, the search may take longer and that $15 fee is more likely to kick in.

Criminal Record Laws in Sierra County

Most criminal court records in Sierra County are public. You can ask for copies of nearly any case. You do not need to be a party to the case or give a reason for your request.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases are sealed under California law. Mental health documents in a criminal file are not public. Certain domestic violence records may be limited as well. Under Penal Code Section 11105, the California DOJ maintains state summary criminal history, but that is a different system from what the court holds. Since Sierra County has no online portal, the remote access limits under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 do not really apply here in a practical sense. Everything goes through the clerk.

For your own criminal history from the state database, the California DOJ record review process costs $25. You submit fingerprints through Live Scan and get your RAP sheet back. That covers your full state criminal history, not just Sierra County cases.

Sierra County Criminal Record Dismissal

After finishing probation on a Sierra County conviction, you may petition for dismissal. Penal Code Section 1203.4 lets a person ask the court to dismiss a conviction once probation is done. The record stays, but it shows as dismissed. This can make a real difference on background checks for jobs or housing.

File the petition with the Sierra County Superior Court in Downieville. The judge looks at it and makes a decision. Not every conviction qualifies. Serious felonies are usually not eligible. If you were arrested but found factually innocent, Penal Code Section 851.8 provides a way to get that arrest record sealed and destroyed.

State Resources for Sierra County Records

The CIRIS database from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation lets you search for people in state prison. If someone convicted in Sierra County ended up in a CDCR facility, you can look them up by name. Results show their location, CDCR number, and admission date.

The Sierra County Sheriff's Office also keeps its own records. For arrest reports or incident reports tied to a criminal case, contact the sheriff directly. The court file and the law enforcement file are separate things. The Sierra County Superior Court website has general information about the court, even though it does not offer an online case search tool.

Sierra County Cities

Sierra County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a separate page. Downieville serves as the county seat. All criminal cases go through the Sierra County Superior Court there.

Nearby Counties

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