Stanislaus County Court Records
California Rules of Court Rule 2.502 defines court records as any paper, exhibit, document, order, or judgment maintained by the court in judicial proceedings. This excludes court case information, a judge’s personal notes or preliminary memoranda, statutorily mandated reporting between or within government entities, and judicial administrative records. The Stanislaus County Superior Court maintains court records in compliance with the California Rules of Court. Court records are useful in several ways:
- They give the public access to what transpired during a judicial proceeding. This helps resolve conflict about what was said in court or the evidence provided.
- Attorneys can use court records as evidence in a future proceeding.
- Court records help to ensure transparency and fairness in Stanislaus County’s judicial system.
Are Court Records Public in Stanislaus County
Yes. Per California Public Records Law (CPRA) and California Rules of Court, rule 2.400(a), Stanislaus County court records are public and subject to public inspection and copying. However, not all records are presumed open according to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550(a). Examples of confidential court records in Stanislaus County are:
- Juvenile records
- Mental health records
- Adoption records
- Guardianship or conservatorship proceedings
- Family proceeding records like child custody, child and spousal support, dissolution, legal separation, and nullity of marriage, and domestic violence prevention proceedings.
What Do Stanislaus County Court Records Contain?
Stanislaus County Court Records contain a wide range of information and documents related to legal proceedings and cases that have taken place within Stanislaus County. The specific contents of these records can vary depending on the type of case and its status, but they typically include the following types of information:
- Case information (case type, number, and status, filing type, and court location)
- Parties (type, full names of defendant and plaintiff, and attorneys’ names)
- Events (file date, type, and the name of the person who filed the document)
- Hearings (department, type, date, time, and result)
Where to Conduct a Stanislaus County Case Lookup
Court records are created when the record custodian receives papers or documents regarding a case. Everything pertaining to that case will be documented and kept electronically and in paper form. This allows for easy access to the case in the future. A good place to start searching for a court record in Stanislaus County is the Superior Court of Stanislaus and the 5th District Court of Appeal.
How to Conduct a Stanislaus County Case Records Search
This is how to conduct a case records search in Stanislaus County through the Superior Court and the 5th District Court of Appeal:
Stanislaus County Superior Court
Interested persons can visit the Case Index Portal to look up cases handled by the Stanislaus County Superior Court. Members of the public can click on the Public Portal button to access case information by case number, party, business, or filing date. Justice partners can use the Justice Partner Access Portal to find case records. Alternatively, requesters can visit the Superior Court during office hours to obtain copies of court records. The requester would be required to provide the court with specific facts about the case, like case number, case name, or date, to aid assistance.
5th District Court of Appeal
The 5th Appellate District Court of Appeal has a Case Information System that can be used to view court records. The search parameters are by Court of Appeal or Trial Court case number, party, attorney, or case caption. Each search option will take the requester to a Case Summary screen once they have identified the case number of interest. Copies of court records can be retrieved at the 5th Appellate District Court of Appeal Clerk’s Office from Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Stanislaus County Civil Court Case Records
Civil case records are any document a Stanislaus County Court receives when private citizens (or companies) sue each other. The Stanislaus County Superior Court Civil Division hears all civil cases. The Division handles civil, name change, probate estates and trusts, and civil harassment cases.
The Superior Court provides access to most civil cases online through its Public Portal. However, civil harassment cases can only be viewed at the Clerk’s Office counter or on a court kiosk. Some older and inactive cases can be accessed via mail. Mail requesters must submit a completed Research Request Form or writing requests alongside a check/money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage for returning copies. Civil record requests might be possible by phone at (209) 530-3100 (6,1) or by email at Civil.Requests@stanct.org.
Alternatively, individuals can visit the Civil Division Clerk’s Office during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:15 a.m.–3 p.m.) to request copies of civil court records. A valid photo ID, a case number, the plaintiff or defendant’s full name, and the appropriate fees would be required to complete the search. Requesters should expect to pay any of the following fees to retrieve civil court records:
- $15 for the search fee
- $0.50 per page for copies
- $40 per document for certification
- $10 for regular (1-2 week delivery)
- $55 for urgent (4-hour delivery)
- $95 for emergency (2-hour delivery)
Stanislaus County Criminal Court Case Records
A criminal case record contains information about lawsuits brought by the state against an individual who has broken a criminal law. The Superior Court Criminal Division handles all felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions in Stanislaus County. Interested persons can view criminal records online or submit requests by mail, Phone: ((209) 530-3100, #4), email (Criminal.Requests@stanct.org), or in person. Mail requesters can submit a Research Request Form to the Criminal Division at:
Stanislaus County Superior Court
Attn: Criminal Division
800 11th Street, Room 140
P.O. Box 1098
Modesto, CA 95353
In-person requests can be made at the courthouse from Monday - Friday, 8:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Requesters must provide the defendant's full name, a case number, birth date, the year the charges were filed, and the type of offense committed. A $15 search fee applies when the case number is unknown. Copies of criminal records cost $0.50 a page, and certified copies cost $40.00 per document with the cost of the copies made. An additional $10 retrieval fee applies to criminal records located in Superior Court's offsite storage facility.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
California Rules of Court Rule 2.503 permits public access to electronic records. This allows record seekers to view court records online for free on the Stanislaus County Superior Court website. Here is how to get court records for free at the Superior Court:
- Go to the Stanislaus County Superior Court homepage
- Click the Case Index Lookup tool
- Click the “Public Portal and Traffic Payments” tab
- Click the Index Search link on the welcome page
- On the search page, conduct a search by case number, party, business, or filing date
Courts in Stanislaus County
Below is the list of names, addresses, and contact information of all the Courts in Stanislaus County:
Fifth District Court of Appeal
2424 Ventura Street
Fresno, CA 93721
Phone: (559) 445-5491
Fax: (559) 445-5769
Stanislaus County Main Courthouse
800 11th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
Phone: (209) 530-3100
Stanislaus County Traffic Court
2260 Floyd Avenue
Modesto, CA 95355
Phone: (209) 530-3100
Stanislaus County Civil and Probate Division (Estates, Trusts and Conservatorships)
801 10th Street
Modesto, CA 95354
Phone: (209) 530-3100
Stanislaus County Juvenile Department
2215 Blue Gum Avenue
Modesto, CA 95358
Phone: (209) 530-3100
Stanislaus County Turlock Division (Small Claims & Unlawful Detainers)
300 Starr Ave
Turlock, CA 95380
Phone: (209) 530-3100
