Los Angeles County Court Case Search
Los Angeles is the largest county not only in California, but the entire United States. The county's judicial system reflects that with more criminal and civil cases being heard here than anywhere else. Navigating the complex of the various courts and obtaining copies of court records can be simplified with this guide. We'll show you on how to access Los Angeles County Court Records with the various online resources. Whether you need official certified copies of records or just want to do some research on a specific case, this guide is for you.
The Various Types of Courts in Los Angeles County
LA County has a large and diverse judicial system. It's designed to handle a wide range of legal matters including criminal, civil, traffic, probate, and family cases. Each court has its unique jurisdiction and defines what types of case they hear. Here's a brief overview of the main courthouses:
1). LA Superior Court: This is the largest single unified court in the entire United States, with 37 courthouses and over 600 courtrooms. It has primary jurisdiction of all civil and criminal cases in the county. The hear
2). Criminal Court: These courthouses handle criminal cases that include both felony and misdemeanor cases. They also handle traffic violations which are considered criminal infractions.
3). Civil Court: This division handles non-criminal cases that include lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, property disputes, employment disputes, and intellectual property claims.
4). Family Court: These courthouses deal with family legal matters, adoptions, guardianships, alimony and child support, and divorces.
5). Probate Court: This division deals solely with issues related to will and estates mostly relating to a person's assets when they pass away.
6). Juvenile Court: This courthouse handles criminal and civil offenses for juveniles and minors under the age of 18.
7). Small Claims Court: They deal with mostly civil disputes and lawsuits that involve small amounts of money, usually under $10,000.
How to Search Los Angeles County Court Records
Running a Los Angeles County Court Records Search can be done in a few different ways. You can either search online, visit the courthouse in person, or use a third-party resource. The method you choose depends on your needs. Some records may only be available in person and certified records require verifying your identity. Here is a breakdown of the various methods of record retrieval.
LA County Court Case Search: LA County provides an online publicly accessible database for court case record request. This allows you to search for records by case number, or you can lookup a case number by the party names or attorney names. However, not all records may be available online. Some may require an in-person visit, this is especially true for older cases that may not have been digitally transcribed.
In-Person Records Search: For records not available online, you can visit the courthouse. The County Clerk's Office maintains these records. Remember to bring the case number and party names. It's recommended to make an appointment as this office is always busy, you can call them directly or book an appointment online.
California Judicial Branch: The Judicial Branch collects and archives all records from the respective courthouses within California. You can visit their website and use their self-help record retrieval service to find electronic copies of case records. You will need to setup and register and account to use this service and pay for any records you want copies of.
Third Party Resources: Third party websites, are privately run sites that offer online access to court case records, criminal records, civil records, and background checks for a fee. These resources are easy to use and often offer more information than the state or county government sites. However, these resources are primarily used for reference and research only, and do not typically offer official or certified copies of documents.
Privacy and Accessibility of LA Court Records
Not all LA court records are open to the public. Some records may be sealed or confidential due to privacy laws, or those involving juveniles or minors. It's important to make sure that when doing your research to use a resource that is relevant to your needs. For example, if you need certified copies of a court proceeding, conviction, outcome, or any other official document, then you will want to get those directly from the respective courthouse. Additionally, you must comply with the privacy laws of California and use the information you obtain only as intended and within the guidelines of the law.