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Los Angeles Criminal Records
Locate a Los Angeles Superior Court criminal case by name or number, understand name-search charges, and distinguish an index result from the court document.
If you already have the Los Angeles criminal case number, start there
The Los Angeles Superior Court Find a Case page separates known-case-number access from a name search. Use the case number first because it identifies a specific court matter without paying for a broad name query or risking a same-name match.
The court also warns that criminal document images are not available online. Online case access can help identify the matter and calendar information, but the underlying criminal filing may still require a copy request through the courthouse that holds the record.
When the case number is unknown, the court’s criminal defendant name search is the locator
Paid search
The court’s criminal defendant name-search FAQ describes a nonrefundable fee for each name search. Search methods include exact, starts-with and sounds-like matching.
Narrow the date range
The FAQ says a filing-date range can be used to narrow results. This can reduce same-name noise when the likely time period is known.
Goal of the search
The name-search system is designed to locate case numbers by defendant name. Once the correct case is identified, save the case number for the copy or courthouse step.
Know the online criminal-index date coverage before concluding that no Los Angeles record exists
| Case type | Online index stated coverage | If the case is older or absent |
|---|---|---|
| Felony | 1980 to present | Use the court/archive route for older material or records outside the online index. |
| Misdemeanor | 1988 to present, with some former municipal-court data reaching 1983 | Use the courthouse/archive route when the online name search does not cover the time period. |
An online case result is not the same as an online criminal document
Criminal document images are not available online
The Superior Court case-access page expressly states that criminal document images are not available online. Use the search result to identify the case, court and case number; use a copy request when you need the complaint, minute order, judgment, sentencing document or another filed item.
Request copies from the courthouse that holds the record
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01
Identify the handling courthouse
The Superior Court recommends contacting the courthouse before mailing a copy request so the request goes to the location where the record is held.
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02
Name the document
A precise request for a judgment, minute order or other identified filing is more useful than asking for a generic “criminal record.”
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03
Budget for copy and certification
The court copy guidance lists copies at $0.50 per page and certification at $40 per certification.
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04
Use the permitted payment method
For mailed requests, the court lists check, money order or credit card and says not to mail cash. Include the required return materials such as a self-addressed stamped envelope when directed.
Use the name index as a locator, then verify identity and disposition in the actual case
A name match is not a statewide criminal-history report
Los Angeles Superior Court search is a court-case system, not a California statewide background-check product. Confirm the person using available identifiers and read the disposition or judgment before describing the outcome. If the search does not reach the relevant date range, use the archive/courthouse path instead of declaring that no record exists.