Tuolumne County Criminal Court Records

Tuolumne County criminal court records are held at the Superior Court of California, County of Tuolumne, located in Sonora. The court operates its own custom online portal for criminal case searches. Tuolumne County sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills, covering the areas around Sonora, Jamestown, and the western gateway to Yosemite. Criminal cases from across the county go through the Sonora courthouse. This page explains how to search for and obtain criminal court records in Tuolumne County, from online lookups to in-person visits and mail requests.

Search Tuolumne County Criminal Records Online

The Tuolumne County Superior Court runs a custom online portal for criminal case searches. You can access it at apps.tuolumne.courts.ca.gov/Criminal. Unlike many California courts that use Tyler Odyssey or other third-party platforms, Tuolumne County built its own system. The portal lets you search by defendant name or case number. Results include the case type, charges, and hearing schedule.

The custom portal covers criminal cases filed in Tuolumne County. When you find a match, you can see the register of actions for that case. The register lists every court event from arraignment through final disposition. It shows charges, plea entries, continuances, and sentencing. This is a free public tool. No login or account is needed to run a search.

Keep in mind that California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 limits remote access to some criminal case documents. The portal shows case indexes and calendars. But the full case file, including motions, evidence lists, and reports, can only be viewed at the courthouse in Sonora. That rule applies across all of California, not just Tuolumne County.

Tuolumne County Superior Court Location

The Tuolumne County Superior Court is at 60 North Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370. Sonora is a Gold Rush-era town that serves as the county seat. All criminal cases in Tuolumne County go through this single courthouse. The clerk's office handles record requests, copies, and file access.

Visit the clerk's office during business hours to request copies of Tuolumne County criminal court records. Bring the case number if you have it. Without one, the clerk can search by name, but that takes more time. Sonora is about two hours east of Stockton on Highway 108, so plan ahead if you are traveling from outside the county. The California Courts directory lists the phone number and hours for the Tuolumne County court. Call before you go.

The California DOJ background checks page shown above covers the state-level criminal history system. For Tuolumne County court records specifically, the local court is the right place to start.

Fees for Tuolumne County Criminal Court Records

Tuolumne County follows the statewide fee schedule for court record copies. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $40 per document plus the per-page charge. A certified copy carries the court seal and is needed for legal proceedings or official submissions. The fees are the same in every California county.

If the clerk has to search for more than 10 minutes to find your Tuolumne County criminal court record, a $15 search fee applies. Records kept in off-site storage carry an extra $10 retrieval charge. These rates come from California Government Code sections 70626 and 70627. For mail requests, send payment by check or money order to the Tuolumne County Superior Court. In-person fees are paid at the clerk's window.

Note: Fee waivers are an option for people who meet the income requirements, so check with the Tuolumne County clerk if you need assistance.

Get Copies of Tuolumne County Criminal Records

The quickest way to get Tuolumne County criminal court records is to visit the courthouse in Sonora. The clerk can search, pull the file, and print copies while you wait. You pay at the window and leave with the documents. This is the best option if you are in the area or can make the drive to Tuolumne County.

By mail, send a written request to the Tuolumne County Superior Court, 60 North Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370. Include the defendant's name, case number if available, what documents you need, and a check or money order for the copy fees. Mail requests take a few weeks to process. The California Self-Help Center has a step-by-step guide on requesting court records that covers what to include in your letter. Online, the custom criminal portal lets you view case info for free. Printing official copies from the portal may not be available for all types of documents.

Criminal Record Access Laws for Tuolumne County

Criminal court records in Tuolumne County are public. Anyone can ask for copies. You do not have to be a party to the case. Juvenile records are sealed. Mental health records in criminal files are restricted. But standard criminal case documents, including charges, pleas, and sentencing, are open to the public.

The California DOJ keeps a statewide criminal history database under Penal Code Section 11105. That system is separate from Tuolumne County court files. To get your own DOJ record, pay $25 and go through the Live Scan record review. Under Penal Code Section 1203.4, someone who completes probation can petition for dismissal of their conviction. The record stays in the system but reflects the court's order. The CDCR inmate search tool covers people in state prison, which is a different database from the Tuolumne County Superior Court system.

Cities in Tuolumne County

Tuolumne County includes Sonora and several unincorporated communities like Twain Harte and Groveland. No cities in Tuolumne County meet the 100,000 population threshold. All criminal matters go through the Superior Court in Sonora.

Nearby Counties

These counties share borders with Tuolumne County. Each handles criminal cases through its own Superior Court.