Ventura County Court Records
Ventura County court records are official records detailing information about a criminal action or civil claim handled by a court. Court records typically include charging documents, court trial transcripts, schedules, exhibits, electronic recordings, orders, jury verdicts, and associated materials maintained by the court in a judicial proceeding.
Court records are considered a part of Ventura County Public Records. Hence, they are publicly accessible and are helpful in research, background checks, and investigative journalism. In cases where the need for security and privacy outweigh public interest, court records may be sealed by federal or state law or judicial order.
In Ventura County, California, court records are managed by the Department of Records Ventura County Superior Court and the court clerk of the appellate and juvenile courts.
Are Court Records Public in Ventura County?
Yes, Ventura County court records are public information. The California Public Records Act (CPRA) empowers residents with the right to access public information maintained by state and local government agencies, including the Department of Justice. Rule 2.400(a) of the California Rules of Court states that members of the public may inspect all papers attached to court files in the office of the court clerk.
The CPRA requires the state legislature to provide court records upon request, within set timeframes, except records exempt from public disclosure or sealed by federal law, state law, or court order.
Court records restricted from public access under the CPRA include:
- Records relating to pending cases where a public agency is a party
- Medical records
- Surrogacy records
- Paternity records
- Some criminal court records - rap sheets (criminal offender record information)
- Court records where the defendant was detained unlawfully
- Adoption records
- Juvenile records.
What Do Ventura County Court Records Contain?
A Ventura County court record search presents the researcher with information like the type of case to trial dates, verdicts, and other court documents maintained by the Ventura County court system. A typical court record in Ventura County will contain the following:
- Case Information: Name and contact information of the plaintiff and defendant, the type of the case, arrest dates, trial dates, filing date, case status, court location, and log notes.
- Attorney/legal representative details.
- The name of the judge(s) presiding over the case.
- Court docket: Brief entries of events, filings, and actions during a case in the order they occurred.
- Notice of petition
- Warrants
- Sworn declaration
- Motions
- Pleadings
- Transcripts
- Log notes
- Audio and video recordings of legal proceedings
- Affidavit
- Verdict/judgment
Where to Conduct a Ventura County Case Lookup
Researchers and residents of Ventura County can conduct County Case lookup and case information, transcripts, and audio recordings of court proceedings using the following sources:
- The Ventura County courthouse
- The California Appellate Courts Case Information System
How to Conduct a Ventura County Case Records Search
The options available to persons looking for case records in Ventura County include:
Superior Court of California, County of Ventura
Residents of Ventura County search records in-person, online, or by mail through the Ventura Superior Court, also called the Hall of Justice. In-person requesters are advised to contact the court clerk beforehand to inquire about the procedure, possible fees, and information they need to provide to search for records. Researchers must schedule an appointment with the Records and Exhibits Department prior to their visit. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, walk-in services are no longer available. All appointments are limited to 20 minutes.
After booking the appointment, head to Room 218 in the building to conduct the case search. Note that a picture identification is required to get access to the cases. Search requests cost $15, and there must be a maximum of 15 names. Also, making copies of a document costs $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost an additional $40. Individuals can choose to pay with cash(for in-person requests only), credit card, or check.
Alternatively, mail a completed copy of the ‘Records Request Form’ to the Ventura Superior Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope along with payment. The same payment rules for in-person searches apply here.
A third option is conducting an online search using the electronic case search options. The Ventura Superior Court has a case management system that allows individuals to view case information online. To find Ventura County case records online:
- Go to the Ventura Superior Court Case Access website.
- Follow the steps to log in or create an account.
- Enter the party's name, case number, attorney name, or date to find the case.
- Provide credit card details to access documents or to purchase copies if desired.
The California Appellate Courts Case Information System
The California Appellate Court Case Information System is an online case search portal that provides information on appellate court cases. This system has provisions for the California Second District Court of Appeal (Los Angeles and Ventura County). Individuals can search for Ventura County Appellate court cases by case number, party name, attorney name, law firm name, or case name.
Ventura County Civil Court Case Records
A Ventura County civil court case record is an official document of legal proceedings that accounts for every court hearing, dispute, claim, motion moved, appeal, judgment, and paper filed with respect to a civil matter. In California, civil court case records are commonly on issues of torts, negligence, trespass, contract, credit card debt, bankruptcy, work-related disputes, real property, and personal property.
The custodian of civil court case records in Ventura County is the Ventura County Superior Court. Individuals can obtain civil court records should
- Visit the Ventura Superior Court website, follow the instructions to sign up/log in, fill out the search criteria, and review the results.
- Schedule an appointment with the Records and Exhibit Department at the Ventura Hall of Justice.
- Provide a valid means of identity (picture identity)
- Pay for search request
- Find the records needed
- Pay for copying or certification
Ventura County Criminal Court Case Records
It is the duty of the court clerk to file criminal court case records for their respective courts. The Records and Exhibit Department of the Superior Court of California, Ventura County, maintains all court documents in the county. Members of the public can look at criminal court records online on the Ventura Superior Court case management system or the Appellate court case information website referenced in earlier subheadings.
For in-person requests, searchers must book an appointment with the Records office before visiting the court clerk's office. This service costs $15 for 20 minutes, and there is no provision to extend the length of the appointment. However, people may find sending a physical written mail or an email record request more convenient. Both mail requests should be sent with a filled copy of the records request form with fees attached. Requesters are to send the email request to the Records Department email address (RecordsCorrespondence@ventura.courts.ca.gov) and written mail to the Superior Courts’ physical address.
Juvenile criminal court records are not accessible to all and sundry. The law requires people requesting such protected records to be - a party to the case, legal representative, parent or guardian, law enforcement agent, or persons with a legitimate interest in the case. The court has the right to deny or approve access to juvenile delinquency court records. To view juvenile records:
- Book an appointment with the Records Office at the Juvenile Courthouse, Oxnard.
- Visit the Juvenile courthouse with a valid means of identity.
- Go to Room 122 to perform the case search
- Pay for the search request and other required charges.
- Return all case files and collect your ID card from the court clerk.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Interested persons can access court records for free on the Ventura County Superior Court website. The searcher must sign up, enter the relevant search criteria, and retrieve and review the records. However, some case information may have paid access. In the same vein, copying, certifying, and authenticating court records are also paid services.
Members of the public may also get access to appellate court case information for free online. Using third-party aggregate sites is another way to access court records for free. The downside is that these websites may not always have the specific court record the searcher needs.
Courts in Ventura County
The Ventura County court system comprises a Court of Appeal, a Superior Court, and a Juvenile Court. These courts preside on criminal, civil, probate, and family matters, depending on their legal authority. Here is a directory of courts in Ventura County, including website links.
Superior Court of California - County of Ventura
Ventura Hall of Justice
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009
Email: RecordsCorrespondence@ventura.courts.ca.gov
Phone: (805) 289-8900
Records Office: (805) 289-8668
Ventura Court of Appeal - Second Appellate District
200 East Santa Clara Street
Ventura, CA 93001
Phone: (805) 641-4700
Simi Valley - East County Courthouse
3855-F Alamo Street
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Phone: (805) 289-8900
Ventura County Juvenile Court
4353 East Vineyard Avenue
Oxnard, CA 93036
Phone: (805) 289-8820
