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Contra Costa County Court Records

In Contra Costa County, California, court records refer to the official documentation of court proceedings and related documents created and maintained by the Superior Court of California in Contra Costa County. These records include information about criminal and civil cases, such as case summaries, court orders, judgments, pleadings, motions, and other legal documents.

To access court records in Contra Costa County, a person can visit the Clerk's Office at the Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County, or online through the court's website. There may be fees associated with accessing court records, and certain restrictions may apply depending on the record type and the case status. However, all Contra Costa Public Records are subject to disclosure according to the provisions of California law. Contra costa county court records include:

  • Civil Court Records
  • Criminal Court Records
  • Probate Court Records
  • Family Court Records
  • Traffic Court Records.

Are Court Records Public in Contra Costa County?

Court Records are public in Contra Costa County because of the California Public Records Act (CPRA) law. The CPRA allows individuals to access public records held by state and local government agencies. To access public records in Contra Costa County, a person submits a request to the county's public records department and pays any applicable fees for the records.

It is important to note that specific policies regarding public access to records can vary by jurisdiction and by the type of record in question. Some records not generally available to the public include:

  • Confidential personal information: Records containing sensitive personal information, such as medical or financial records, may be protected from public access.
  • Juvenile court records: Generally, court records related to juvenile delinquency cases are not open to the public. This is to protect the privacy of minors who are involved in these cases.
  • Mental health records: Certain court records related to mental health evaluations, diagnoses, and treatments may be sealed or restricted from public access to protect the privacy of individuals receiving treatment.
  • Domestic violence records: Court records related to domestic violence cases may be sealed or restricted from public access to protect the safety and privacy of victims and their families.
  • Adoption records: Court records related to adoptions may be sealed or restricted from public access to protect the privacy of the adoptive family and the child.
  • Sealed criminal records: In some cases, criminal records may be sealed or restricted from public access for reasons such as protecting the privacy of the defendant or encouraging rehabilitation.

What Do Contra Costa County Court Records Contain?

Contra Costa County Court Records contain different information about court proceedings and cases heard within the county. Some contents of the records include:

  • Case information: This includes the names of the parties involved in the case, and the type of case, case numbers, and court dates.
  • Court orders: These are documents that contain the decisions or rulings made by the court in a particular case.
  • Pleadings: Pleadings are documents filed by parties in a case that set out their legal arguments or positions. They can include complaints, answers, motions, and other types of documents.
  • Transcripts: These are written or recorded records of court proceedings, such as hearings, trials, and depositions.
  • Exhibits: Exhibits are documents or physical objects that are introduced as evidence in a case and may be included in court records.
  • Judgments and opinions: These are written statements issued by the court that explain the reasons for the court's decision in a case.
  • Sentencing documents: Sentencing documents include the sentence or punishment imposed on a defendant and may also include information on restitution, probation, and other terms of the sentence.

Where to Conduct a Contra Costa County Case Lookup

A Contra Costa County case lookup can be conducted online, in person, or through a public access terminal.

  • Online Case Search: Through the Contra Costa County Superior Court online case search tool.
  • In-Person Records Request: Go to the records department and make a request.
  • Public Access Terminals: look up court cases at the courthouse during business hours

These court records are generated through a variety of means, including initial filing, court proceedings, pleadings and motions, exhibits and evidence and lastly, sentencing and judgment.

How to Conduct a Contra Costa County Court Case Search

A Contra Costa county case record search can be conducted online, in person or through public access terminals. The process for conducting each of these searches includes the following:

Online Contra Costa County Case Records Search:

This tool allows users to search for civil, criminal, family law, probate, and small claims cases. It provides access to basic case information, such as case number, case type, and case status. The steps for searching include:

  • Go to the Contra Costa County Superior Court website
  • Click on "Case Information" on the left:hand side of the page.
  • Select the type of case being searched for (e.g. civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims).
  • Enter the case number or name of one of the parties involved in the case.
  • Click on "Search" to view the case information and related documents.

In Person Contra Costa County Case Records Search:

Visit the Records Division of the Contra Costa County Superior Court located at 725 Court Street, Martinez, CA 94553. They are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The steps for searching include:

  • Fill out a request form for the specific case records needed.
  • Present a government:issued photo ID to the Records Division clerk.
  • Pay any fees associated with the request.
  • The clerk will provide the requester with copies of the requested records or allow them to view them on a public access terminal.

The court charges a fee for copies of court records, which may vary depending on the type of record and the number of pages requested. The court may also impose some legal restrictions on releasing certain types of records. Examples of these include cases related to juvenile proceedings, mental health cases, or cases that have been sealed by court order.

Public Access Terminals

The Contra Costa County Superior Court provides public access terminals at the courthouse for individuals who wish to conduct a court case lookup. These terminals are available during normal business hours and provide access to court records for all case types. The terminals are located at the courthouse in Martinez, as well as at other court locations throughout the county.

Contra Costa County Civil Court Case Records

A civil court case is a legal dispute between private citizens or institutions. Examples of civil court cases include:

  • Contract disputes: Cases involving disagreements over the terms and obligations of a contract between two or more parties.
  • Personal injury claims: Cases involving injuries suffered by one party as a result of the actions of another party.
  • Property disputes: Cases involving disagreements over ownership or use of real estate or personal property.
  • Family law cases: Cases involving disputes over issues such as divorce, child custody, and child support.
  • Employment disputes: Cases involving disputes between employers and employees, such as wrongful termination or discrimination.
  • Probate cases: Cases involving the distribution of the assets and property of a deceased individual.

The Superior Court of Contra Costa County has jurisdiction over all civil cases that have been filed and adjudicated in the county, including small claims, family law, and probate cases. People can access these records online or in person, subject to certain restrictions and fees. To obtain a copy of a civil court case in Contra Costa County, one can physically visit the clerk's office of the Superior Court or make a request by mail.

Contra Costa County Criminal Court Case Records

Criminal records in Contra Costa County are official records maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and other government entities related to a person's criminal history within the county. These records include information about arrests, charges, convictions, sentencing, and probation or parole status. Examples of criminal court cases include:

  • Felony Cases: These are crimes such as murder, rape, and burglary, which are punishable by imprisonment in state prison.
  • Misdemeanor Cases: These are less serious offenses such as traffic violations, minor drug offenses, and certain property crimes that are punishable by up to one year in the county jail
  • Juvenile Cases: These are criminal cases involving minors who are under the age of 18, and they are handled in a separate juvenile court.
  • Domestic Violence Cases: These are cases where a person is accused of physically, sexually, or emotionally abusing a spouse or partner.
  • DUI Cases: These are cases involving driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • White Collar Crimes: These are non-violent crimes typically committed in a business or financial setting, such as embezzlement, fraud, or identity theft.
  • Drug Offenses: These are cases involving the possession, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs.
  • Sex Crimes: These are cases involving sexual assault, rape, or other sexual offenses.
  • Property Crimes: These are cases involving theft, burglary, vandalism, or other offenses against property.

The Contra Costa County Superior Court maintains a criminal record database that can be obtained through its website or physically at the courthouse where the case was heard. For a fee, the clerk's Office of the Superior Court can provide the requester with copies of court records, including certified copies.

How to Get Court Records Online for Free

A person can get court records online for free in Contra Costa County by using the public access system provided by the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa. A free court case search on Costa County superior court website will typically bring up basic information about the case, including:

  • Case number
  • Names of parties involved
  • Case status
  • Hearing dates

It is important to note that not all court records may be available for free online, and some sensitive information may be redacted from the records. This is to protect the privacy of individuals involved in the case.

Considered open to citizens of the United States, court records are available through both traditional, government sources, and through third-party websites and organizations. In many cases, third-party websites make the search easier as they are not limited geographically or by technological limitations. They are considered a good place to start when looking for a specific record or multiple records. In order to gain access to these records, interested parties must typically provide:

  • The name of the person listed in the record. Juveniles are typically exempt from this search method.
  • The last known or assumed location of the person listed in the record. This includes cities, counties, and states.

While third-party sites offer such services, they are not government sponsored entities, and record availability may vary on these sites when compared to government sources.

Courts in Contra Costa County

Some of the courts in Contra Costa County include

A.F. Bray Courthouse
1020 Ward St.
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 608-1000

George D. Carroll Courthouse
100 37th St.
Richmond, CA 94805
(510) 374-3171

Pittsburg Courthouse
1000 Center Dr.
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 252-4200

Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
725 Court St.
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 608-1000

Walnut Creek Courthouse
640 Ygnacio Valley Rd.
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 608-1000