Contra Costa County Criminal Records
What Is Contra Costa County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Contra Costa County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13100-13103, criminal records encompass a comprehensive collection of information related to arrests, charges, court proceedings, and dispositions.
These records are categorized into several distinct types:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of detentions by law enforcement agencies that may or may not result in formal charges
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by fines or jail terms under one year
The accessibility of these records varies significantly based on their classification:
- Adult Records: Generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions
- Juvenile Records: Typically sealed and confidential under California Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
- Active Warrants: Information about individuals currently sought by law enforcement
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal justice interactions
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Contra Costa County:
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office
651 Pine Street, 7th Floor
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 335-1500
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.
Contra Costa County Superior Court
725 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 608-1000
Contra Costa County Superior Court
The Superior Court maintains case files, court proceedings, dispositions, and sentencing information.
California Department of Justice
1300 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 210-6276
California Department of Justice
The state DOJ maintains the central repository of criminal history information for California.
Criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing, and probation or parole information. The Contra Costa County Superior Court's criminal records division provides access to many of these documents.
Are Criminal Records Public In Contra Costa County
Criminal records in Contra Costa County are generally considered public documents under the California Public Records Act (CPRA). This legislation, codified in Government Code § 6250-6270, establishes the public's right to access government records, including most criminal records.
The Act states: "Access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state." This provision underscores the presumption of accessibility for government records, including criminal justice documents.
However, not all criminal records are publicly accessible. The following categories have restricted access:
- Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure under Government Code § 6254(f)
- Sealed Records: Cases that have been judicially sealed are not available to the public
- Juvenile Records: Records involving minors are confidential under Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
- Expunged Records: Cases that have been legally expunged pursuant to Penal Code § 1203.4
- Certain Diversion Programs: Records of successful completion of diversion programs may be restricted
Records that are typically available to the public include:
- Adult arrest records (with certain limitations)
- Court proceedings and calendars
- Conviction records
- Sentencing information
- Incarceration records
The Contra Costa County Public Records portal provides guidance on accessing various types of public records maintained by county agencies. Additionally, the California Department of Justice offers information about public records access at the state level.
It is important to note that while records may be public, certain personal identifying information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, as required by California law.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Contra Costa County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Contra Costa County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing varying levels of detail.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Contra Costa County Superior Court Records Division
725 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 608-1000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Contra Costa County Superior Court
To request criminal records in person:
- Complete a Court Records Request Form (available at the clerk's office or downloadable from the court website)
- Present valid government-issued photo identification
- Specify the case number or provide the defendant's full name and date of birth
- Pay applicable fees (currently $15 for the first 5 pages, $0.50 per additional page)
- Allow processing time, which varies based on request volume
For written requests by mail:
- Prepare a written request including:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Defendant's full name and date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- Specific documents requested
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery
- Include payment by check or money order
- Mail to the Records Division at the address above
For criminal history background checks, individuals must contact:
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department
2530 Arnold Drive
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 335-1500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department
The process for obtaining criminal history information includes:
- Appearing in person with government-issued photo identification
- Completing fingerprinting via LiveScan
- Paying applicable fees (fees vary based on request type)
- Receiving results by mail (typically within 7-10 business days)
For certified copies of criminal records, requestors must submit a notarized authorization from the subject of the records or demonstrate legal entitlement to access the information under California law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Contra Costa County Online?
Contra Costa County provides several digital platforms for accessing criminal records information online. These resources offer varying levels of detail and accessibility to meet different public information needs.
The primary online portal for court records is:
Contra Costa County Superior Court Public Portal
https://portal.contracosta.courts.ca.gov/
This system allows users to:
- Search cases by name, case number, or filing date
- View case summaries and register of actions
- Access calendars and hearing schedules
- View limited case documents (not all documents are available online)
To use this system:
- Navigate to the portal website
- Select "Smart Search" for name-based searches or "Case Search" for case number searches
- Enter search criteria (full name searches yield more accurate results)
- Review the list of matching cases
- Select individual cases to view available details
For jail custody information, the public may access:
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Custody Search
https://www.cocosheriff.org/bureaus/custody-services/custody-search
This database provides:
- Current inmate status
- Booking information
- Scheduled release dates (when available)
- Bail amounts
- Facility location
No registration is required for basic searches on either system, though certain advanced features may require user accounts.
It is important to note that online records have limitations:
- Not all case documents are available electronically
- Older cases (generally pre-2000) may have limited online information
- Certain sensitive or sealed cases are excluded from online access
- Documents requiring confidentiality under California law are not available online
For comprehensive criminal history information, individuals must still contact the California Department of Justice for official background checks, as online court records do not constitute complete criminal history reports.
Can You Search Contra Costa County Criminal Records for Free?
Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, Contra Costa County provides several no-cost options for accessing criminal records information. Government Code § 6253(a) establishes that "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency" at no charge.
Free in-person inspection is available at:
Contra Costa County Superior Court Records Division
725 Court Street
Martinez, CA 94553
(925) 608-1000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Contra Costa County Superior Court
Individuals may:
- Review case indexes at public terminals
- Examine non-confidential case files
- View court calendars and registers of actions
No fees are charged for:
- Viewing records at public terminals
- Inspecting physical case files (if available for public viewing)
- Reviewing daily court calendars
Free online resources include:
-
Contra Costa County Superior Court Public Portal
- Basic case information searches
- Register of actions viewing
- Court calendar access
- https://portal.contracosta.courts.ca.gov/
-
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Custody Search
- Current inmate status checks
- Basic booking information
- https://www.cocosheriff.org/bureaus/custody-services/custody-search
-
Contra Costa County Public Records Portal
- Access to various county records
- Information about requesting public records
- https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/2345/Public-Records
While inspection is free, fees apply for:
- Copies of documents ($15 for first 5 pages, $0.50 per additional page)
- Certified copies ($25 per document plus copy fees)
- Background checks (fees vary based on request type)
- Research services ($15 per name/case for clerk-assisted searches)
These fee structures are established pursuant to Government Code § 70627, which authorizes courts to charge reasonable fees for reproduction of public records.
What's Included in a Contra Costa County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Contra Costa County contain standardized information categories that document an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. The content and structure of these records adhere to guidelines established by the California Department of Justice.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- California Driver's License or ID number
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at booking (including California Penal Code citations)
- Bail amount and status
- Detention facility location
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction
- Charges filed by prosecutor (may differ from arrest charges)
- Statutory citations with felony/misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered
- Defense attorney information
- Prosecutor information
- Judge assignment
- Court appearance dates
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration terms
- Probation conditions
- Fines and fees imposed
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
- Appeal information (if applicable)
- Probation/parole status and conditions
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/DWI history
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior conviction history
The comprehensiveness of records varies based on case status and age. Recent cases typically contain more detailed digital information, while older cases may have more limited information available electronically.
Certain information may be redacted from public versions of criminal records, including:
- Social Security Numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical or mental health details
- Information about confidential informants
- Victim identifying information in sensitive cases
- Information sealed by court order
How Long Does Contra Costa County Keep Criminal Records?
Contra Costa County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by California law and county policy. These schedules vary by document type and case classification, with certain records preserved permanently while others are subject to destruction after specified periods.
The primary retention authority comes from Government Code § 68152, which establishes minimum retention periods for court records. Additionally, the Judicial Council of California provides guidance through the Trial Court Records Manual.
For felony cases:
- Capital felony cases (death penalty): Permanent retention
- Serious or violent felonies: 75 years from date of final disposition
- Other felonies: 50 years from date of final disposition
- Felony cases dismissed before trial: 10 years from date of dismissal
For misdemeanor cases:
- DUI misdemeanors: 10 years from date of final disposition
- Domestic violence misdemeanors: 10 years from date of final disposition
- Other misdemeanors: 5 years from date of final disposition
- Misdemeanors dismissed before trial: 1 year from date of dismissal
For arrest records without prosecution:
- Felony arrests not resulting in charges: 5 years from date of arrest
- Misdemeanor arrests not resulting in charges: 1 year from date of arrest
Court exhibits are typically retained until 60 days after the final disposition of the case, though biological and toxicological exhibits may be retained longer under specific circumstances.
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as physical records, though the county has implemented digital preservation strategies for records with permanent retention requirements.
It is important to note that even after county-level destruction of records, the California Department of Justice maintains a central repository of criminal history information that may retain records for longer periods. Additionally, private background check companies may maintain information in their databases even after official records have been destroyed.
The Contra Costa County Superior Court follows the Judicial Council's Trial Court Records Manual for specific retention guidelines beyond those mandated by statute.
Lookup Criminal Records in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department
Court Records for Criminal Cases in Contra Costa County