Criminal records in Contra Costa County, California, are accessible through several channels. ContraCostaCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information filed in the county. The Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa maintains its own online portal and clerk's office for case lookups. Law enforcement agencies, including the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department and the California Department of Justice, also provide access to certain criminal history records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Contra Costa
Several methods are available depending on what information you have and how detailed a result you need.
Through ContraCostaCourt.us
Start at ContraCostaCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information in Contra Costa County. You can search using a defendant's name or a case number.
Online — Court Public Portal
The Superior Court of Contra Costa offers a Public Portal for criminal case records. Through this portal you can look up basic case information. Note that minutes, case documents, and orders are not available online — you will need to contact court records directly for those.
To begin a search, you will generally need at least one of the following:
- Defendant's full legal name
- Case number
- Date of birth (helpful for narrowing results)
For statewide criminal history information, the California Department of Justice handles requests for personal criminal history records (known as "RAP sheets"). These require fingerprint-based identification and are typically available only to the individual or authorized agencies.
To locate someone currently in state prison, use the California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) maintained by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
In Person
Visit the criminal clerk's office at the Superior Court. However, the court has noted that in-person processing of most file copy requests for criminal cases is currently limited. Check the court's criminal records page for the latest instructions before visiting.
Superior Court of Contra Costa — A.F. Bray Courthouse
By Mail
The court accepts written requests for criminal case records by mail. Use the mail request form available on the Order a File & Records page. Include the case number, defendant name, and the specific documents you need. Enclose any required fees by check or money order payable to the Superior Court of Contra Costa.
For fingerprint-based criminal history checks, contact the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department, which serves as a Live Scan fingerprinting location for submissions to the California DOJ.
Search Contra Costa Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Enter it directly into the court's Public Portal for the fastest results.
California Superior Court case numbers follow a structured format. In Contra Costa County, a typical criminal case number may look like this:
- Prefix code — a short alpha code indicating case type (e.g., a prefix beginning with a letter or letters that designates the case as a felony, misdemeanor, or other criminal matter)
- Two-digit year — the year the case was filed
- Sequential number — a unique number assigned in the order the case was filed
For example, a case number might appear as something like 05-180123-X, though exact formatting can vary. If you are unsure of the format, the clerk's office at (925) 608-1000 can help you identify or verify a case number.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Contra Costa
Charges
- Statute codes — each charge references a section of the California Penal Code, Health & Safety Code, Vehicle Code, or other applicable statute
- Severity — charges are classified as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions. Some offenses (known as "wobblers") may be filed as either a felony or misdemeanor at the prosecutor's discretion
- Amended charges — charges may be reduced, added, or modified through plea negotiations or at preliminary hearing
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case has been filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | Proceedings are ongoing; hearings are scheduled |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, etc.) |
| Closed | All matters in the case are concluded, including sentencing and any post-judgment activity |
Hearings
- Arraignment — the defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — in felony cases, a judge determines whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial
- Pre-trial conference — attorneys discuss case status, potential plea agreements, and trial readiness
- Trial — the case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — the court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — follow-up hearings for probation compliance, restitution, or other court-ordered conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Acquitted | Found not guilty after trial |
| No contest (nolo contendere) | Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes |
| Diversion | Case suspended while defendant completes a program; charges may be dismissed upon completion |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Contra Costa
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the Clerk of the Superior Court. These carry an official court seal and are accepted as legal proof of the record's contents.
How to Submit a Request
- Online/By mail — download the mail request form from the court's Order a File & Records page. Complete the form, include the case number and a description of the documents needed, and mail it with payment to the court.
- In person — visit the criminal clerk's office at the A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. Be aware that in-person processing for criminal file copy requests is currently limited; check the court website before visiting.
What You Need
- Case number (required for most requests)
- Defendant's full name
- Valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person
- Payment for applicable copy and certification fees
State Criminal History Records
For a complete California criminal history report (RAP sheet), requests go through the California Department of Justice. Individuals can request their own record by submitting a fingerprint-based application. The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department offers Live Scan fingerprinting for this purpose.
Superior Court of Contra Costa — Criminal Records
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Contra Costa
Fees for court record copies in California are set by Government Code § 70626 and the Uniform Civil Fees and Standard Fee Schedule. The following are standard fees applicable in Contra Costa County Superior Court:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court records (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $40 per document |
| Search fee (if clerk must locate a record by name rather than case number) | Varies; contact the clerk's office |
| Live Scan fingerprinting (DOJ criminal history check — state fee) | $32 (DOJ processing fee; rolling fee charged by the agency may be additional) |
| Live Scan fingerprinting (FBI check, if required) | $17 (FBI processing fee, in addition to DOJ fee) |
Payment Methods
- In person: cash, check, or money order payable to the Superior Court of Contra Costa
- By mail: check or money order only
Processing Times
- Online portal lookups — immediate for basic case information
- Mail requests for copies — typically 5 to 10 business days, though the court advises that criminal file copy requests may take longer due to current processing limitations
- Certified copies — same timeframe as standard copies, plus any additional time for certification
- DOJ criminal history (Live Scan) — results are typically returned within 3 to 7 business days for standard requests; some applicant types may receive expedited processing
Contact the criminal clerk's office at (925) 608-1000 to confirm current fees and estimated turnaround times before submitting a request.