Criminal records in San Joaquin County, California, are available through several channels. SanJoaquinCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official Superior Court system of the county, law enforcement agencies — including the sheriff's office — and the court clerk's office. Online tools, personal visits, and written requests all work for searching and obtaining criminal records.
How to Search Criminal Records in San Joaquin
Start your search with SanJoaquinCourt.us — the site allows you to view publicly available information on county criminal cases. You will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person (name in Latin script)
- Case number
- Date of birth (if available — narrows results)
Online Search through Official Systems
- Search by Party — use the Search Case By Party tool on the San Joaquin County Superior Court website. Enter the last name and first name — the system will show cases involving this person.
- Case Management Search — a separate case management tool allows you to find a case by number or other parameters.
- Who is in Custody — the Who is in Custody tool from the sheriff's office shows individuals currently held in the county jail.
- State Inmate Search — if a person has been sentenced to serve time in a state facility, use the CDCR CIRIS (California Incarcerated Records & Information Search).
Personal Visit
The Superior Court Clerk's Office accepts visitors who wish to review case materials on-site. Public terminals are available in the courthouse in French Camp. Bring identification and the case number, if known — this will significantly speed up the process.
Written Request
You can send a request by mail to the court clerk's office or use the online records request form. To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, submit a request to the California Department of Justice through the DOJ public records portal. Such a request usually requires fingerprinting.
Search San Joaquin Criminal Cases by Case Number
A criminal case number in California has a standard format consisting of several parts. A typical example: STK-CR-FE-2024-0012345.
- STK — location code (Stockton — the main city of San Joaquin County)
- CR — case category (criminal)
- FE or MI — severity: FE means felony (serious crime), MI — misdemeanor (offense)
- 2024 — year the case was filed
- 0012345 — serial number
Enter this number into the court search system — and you will receive complete information: charges, status, hearing dates, results. The exact format may vary slightly depending on the year and type of case, so if the search yields no results, contact the court clerk's office for clarification.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in San Joaquin
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a section of the California Penal Code (e.g., PC 459 — burglary) |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), misdemeanor (offense), or infraction (violation) |
| Amended charges | Charges modified by the prosecutor during proceedings — may be reduced or reclassified |
Case Status
- Pending — case is open, decision not yet made
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, hearings scheduled
- Disposed — case resolved (verdict, closure, agreement)
- Closed — all procedural actions completed
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — first hearing where charges are announced to the defendant
- Preliminary hearing — preliminary review to determine sufficiency of evidence (only for felony)
- Pre-trial — preparatory hearing before trial
- Sentencing — announcement of sentence after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review — control hearing (e.g., checking probation conditions)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant found guilty |
| Not guilty | Defendant acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed by prosecutor or judge |
| Acquitted | Acquittal after full trial |
| No contest (nolo contendere) | Defendant does not contest the charges, equivalent to a guilty plea for sentencing purposes |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in San Joaquin
Certified copies of criminal records are officially certified documents with the court's seal. They are often required for employment, immigration procedures, or submission to another court.
Where to Apply
San Joaquin County Superior Court Clerk's Office
You can also submit a request online through the Records Request page on the Superior Court website.
Ways to Submit a Request
- Online — fill out the form on the court's website with the case number or party name
- In person — visit the clerk's office with identification (state ID or passport)
- By mail — send a written request with the full name, case number (if known), date of birth, and return address; include payment in the form of a money order
State-Level Criminal History
To obtain a complete criminal history record (RAP sheet), submit a request to the California Department of Justice. The procedure requires fingerprinting through Live Scan. The result usually arrives by mail within a few weeks.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in San Joaquin
Fees for copies and certification are set according to California Government Code § 70626 and the local court fee schedule.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Regular document copy (per page) | $0.50 | The first two pages are usually more expensive — up to $0.50 each |
| Document certification | $25.00 | Per certified document (Gov. Code § 70626) |
| Case search by request (clerk search) | $15.00 | If the case number is unknown and the clerk's office conducts the search |
| State criminal history (DOJ) | $25.00 | Plus Live Scan fee (usually $20–$30 extra, depending on the provider) |
Processing Time
- Personal visit — copies are usually issued the same day if the case is in the electronic system
- Online or mail request — from 5 to 15 business days
- DOJ request (state criminal history) — from 2 to 4 weeks after fingerprinting
Payment is accepted in the form of a money order, cashier's check, or — for personal visits — credit or debit card. Check acceptable payment methods directly with the clerk's office, as rules may change.