Fresno County Court Records
The term court record refers to all transcripts, documents, paper exhibits, electronic tapes, and other materials generated or filed because of a judicial proceeding (Rule 2.502, California Rules of Court).
Per Sections 69840 through 69848 of the California Government Code, court clerks are the official custodians of court records. As such, anyone who wishes to review these records, as well as other Fresno County Public Records, may visit, mail, email, or otherwise contact a court clerk's office.
Fresno County court records offer a concise account of case activities and events, including verdicts rendered by courts. Thus, interested persons (for example, the general public, legal researchers, and legal professionals) may review these records to understand how the law is administered or interpreted within their communities. Individuals can also review court cases to find out the progress, status, or hearing dates of ongoing cases.
Regarding historical significance, court records aid legal research, which judges, attorneys, case parties, scholars, and others can undertake to uncover legal precedents and trends. Legal precedents are often valuable to attorneys of record in trial proceedings when presenting an argument and to judges or magistrates when entering verdicts.
Are Court Records Public in Fresno County?
Yes. Public access to Fresno County court records is permitted under the California Public Records Act (Ca. Gov. Code § 7920.000 et seq.) and the applicable court rules. As a result, anyone interested in a Fresno County court record can obtain such a record from the local court without stating a reason for the request or undergoing an extensive authorization process.
However, the public does not have absolute access to court records in Fresno County. Certain court records are considered confidential under the CPRA, often because the public interest in confidentiality surmounts the public interest in disclosure or because the information is exempt by law or court order. Other reasons for privacy include:
- When disclosure would compromise the safety or security of judicial branch personnel or the courts
- When disclosure would interfere with the administration of justice
- When disclosure would infringe on a person's right to privacy, etc.
Examples of confidential court records include juvenile dependency, juvenile delinquency, and adoption records.
At the same time, some court records in Fresno County are only accessible to the public at the courthouses. For such cases, remote access is only permitted when the requester is a case party. Examples include guardianship or conservatorship, juvenile, divorce, mental health, domestic violence prevention cases, and others listed in Rule 2.503, California Rules of Court.
Finally, the public may only be allowed to examine part of a court record because the rest will be placed under seal or restricted. Examples of such restricted information include
- Fee waiver applications
- Trade secrets and confidential commercial information
- Personal financial information
What Do Fresno County Court Records Contain?
Fresno County court records contain information from legal proceedings held in a county court. These include:
- Court reporter notes, including notes from preliminary hearings
- Case details like the legal names and addresses of the parties involved, case status, filing dates, and presiding judge or jury.
- Docket entries
- Recordings and transcripts
- Final verdicts and sentences issued by a presiding judge or jury
- Pleadings and motions
- Paper and electronic exhibits, including audio recordings and photographs, presented as evidence
Where to Conduct a Fresno County Case Lookup
Members of the public who wish to get information regarding a Fresno County Case may do so at any of these places:
- The local superior courthouse where the case was filed or decided.
- The Fresno County Superior Court's online Case Management and Information System.
- The county archives department (for older case records)
How to Conduct a Fresno County Case Records Search
Fresno County court case records are available for research purposes at the courthouse where a case was filed or heard. The clerk's office within the court typically responds to such inquiries. However, requesters can also view cases at courthouse kiosks or public access terminals in the courthouse.
To search for or view any case at the courthouse, one typically requires a case party's name or case number. It should be noted that only the court can issue a certified record of a case, which can be requested in person or writing.
Alternatively, individuals may access the Fresno County Superior Court's Online Case Management and Information System to conduct a Fresno County case records search. The system requires a case number or party name to return results. Note that some records are not available for public viewing on the portal. Attorneys or parties of a confidential case must visit the courthouse to view the case records.
Finally, members of the public can visit the county's Archives Facility to search for historical case records (prior to 1911)
Persons who require more information on how to find court records in person or by mail in Fresno County can fill out the county superior court's General & Civil Court or Traffic & Criminal contact forms. They may also contact the relevant superior court division for assistance.
Fresno County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court case records refer to the files or documents that contain details about a civil petition filed in a civil court by an individual or organization to collect damages for an injury.
The Superior Court of California, Fresno County, handles all limited and unlimited civil cases. Limited civil cases refer to lawsuits for breach of contract, money or property recovery, personal injury, protection of civil rights, and other cases involving $25,000 or less in damages, except for small claims cases. Meanwhile, unlimited civil cases are lawsuits with over $25,000 in dispute. Records of these cases can be found in the B.F. Sisk Courthouse.
Also, Fresno County's Case Management and Information System is a helpful resource for looking up Fresno County civil court case records online.
Fresno County Criminal Court Case Records
Any official record of a felony, misdemeanor, or criminal infraction case filed or generated in a criminal court is considered a criminal court case record.
Inquirers may visit the "M" Street Courthouse, Fresno Superior Courthouse Downtown Location, Criminal Courts Departments 95 & 96 to inquire about a criminal court case record. However, it must be the courthouse where the case was filed or heard. One way to determine the presiding court is to look up a criminal case on Fresno County's Case Management and Information System.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
The Superior Court of California, Fresno County, offers free access to criminal and civil court records via its Case Management and Information System. However, the court does not guarantee the accuracy of the case information obtained from the website, as entries are not the official court record and are subject to change. Anyone requesting an official copy of a case record from the court must pay a nominal fee to the clerk's office.
Notwithstanding, several third-party platforms offer free and paid access to court records online. One can use these services to search for court records online for free.
Courts in Fresno County, California
Here are the addresses and contact details of the courthouses in Fresno County, California:
M Street Courthouse
2317 Tuolumne Street
Fresno, CA 93721-1220
Phone: (559) 457-1700
B. F. Sisk Courthouse
1130 O Street
Fresno, CA 93721-2220
Phone: (559) 457-2000
Fresno Superior Courthouse (Downtown Location)
1100 Van Ness Avenue
Fresno, CA 93724-0002
Phone: (559) 457-2000
Jail Annex - Criminal Courts Departments 95 & 96
1265 M Street
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 457-2000
Juvenile Justice Court
3333 East American Avenue, Suite A
Fresno, CA 93725
Phone: (559) 457-4810
Other court office locations and contact information are available on the county superior court's website.
