Criminal records in El Dorado County, California, can be accessed through several channels. ElDoradoCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the El Dorado County Superior Court's online portal, the court clerk's office, law enforcement agencies, and the California Department of Justice. Whether you need to look up a case, check a hearing date, or request certified documents, the resources below explain each method.
How to Search Criminal Records in El Dorado
There are several ways to search for criminal records in El Dorado County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what format you need.
Through ElDoradoCourt.us
Start at ElDoradoCourt.us to search for publicly available criminal case information. You can look up cases using a defendant's name or a case number.
Online — Court and State Portals
- El Dorado Superior Court Web Portal: The court operates a public access portal that lets you search case data from the court's case management system. You can search by party name, case number, or hearing date for criminal, civil, and traffic cases.
- Case Index & Department Calendars: The court's case index page provides access to upcoming hearings and judicial calendars. Note that the most recent filings may not yet appear in the system.
- California DOJ Data Portal: The California Department of Justice's OpenJustice data portal offers statewide criminal justice data and statistics.
- CDCR Incarcerated Records Search: To locate someone currently in state prison, use the California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) tool.
In Person
Visit the El Dorado County Superior Court clerk's office to access case files and use public access terminals. The Criminal Division maintains an index of filings and criminal case records. Some electronic records may only be viewable at the courthouse under California Rules of Court, rule 2.503.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request to the court clerk using Local Form M-5 if you have a case number and want to view the file. The form can be mailed or delivered in person. Details are available on the court's record search requests page.
For statewide criminal history records, submit a request to the California Department of Justice. Individuals may request their own records through a Live Scan fingerprint submission.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required)
- Case number (if available)
- Approximate date of filing or arrest (narrows results)
Search El Dorado Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Enter it directly into the court's public access portal for immediate results.
California superior court case numbers typically follow this format:
- Letter prefix — indicates the case type. Common criminal prefixes include P (felony) and M (misdemeanor), though local courts may use variations such as S or other designators.
- Year digits — two or four digits representing the year the case was filed.
- Sequential number — a numeric sequence assigned in the order the case was filed.
For example, a case number like P22-1234 would indicate a felony case filed in 2022 as the 1,234th filing of that type. If you are unsure of the exact format, the clerk's office can help you identify the correct case number from a name search.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in El Dorado
Criminal case records in El Dorado County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The California Penal Code section (or other code) the defendant is charged under, e.g., PC 459 (burglary) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines potential penalties and court procedures |
| Amended charges | Charges may be added, reduced, or changed through plea negotiations or at the prosecution's discretion |
Case Status
- Pending: The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active: Proceedings are ongoing, with scheduled hearings or trial
- Disposed: The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed: All post-disposition requirements are complete and the case is administratively closed
Hearing Types
- Arraignment: The defendant's first court appearance where charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing: A judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed to trial (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss case issues, potential plea agreements, and trial readiness
- Sentencing: The judge imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing: Follow-up appearances to monitor probation compliance or other court orders
Court Results
- 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 — cannot be retried on the same charges
- Nolo contendere: No contest plea — treated as a conviction for sentencing but is not an admission of guilt in civil proceedings
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in El Dorado
Certified copies of criminal case records are handled by the El Dorado County Superior Court Clerk's Office. These are official documents bearing the court seal, suitable for legal or employment purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- Identify your case: You will need the case number. If you do not have it, request a name search first.
- Complete Local Form M-5: This form is required to request access to a specific case file. It can be submitted by mail or in person at the clerk's counter.
- Pay applicable fees: Fees apply for copies and certification (see fee section below).
- Receive your records: Processing times vary depending on the request type and whether the court is currently digitizing records — some files may be temporarily unavailable.
Identification
A valid government-issued photo ID is generally required for in-person requests. For requests by mail, include a copy of your ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Contact Information
El Dorado County Superior Court — Main Courthouse
South Lake Tahoe Branch
State Criminal History Records
For a comprehensive criminal history report (rap sheet), contact the California Department of Justice. Individuals can request their own record through a Live Scan fingerprint submission at an authorized location. The DOJ's public records page provides additional guidance on requesting state-level records.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in El Dorado
The following fees are based on California Government Code sections 70626–70634 and the El Dorado County Superior Court's fee schedule. Confirm current amounts with the clerk's office, as fees may be updated.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court documents (first page) | $0.50 |
| Copies of court documents (each additional page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $25 per document |
| Record search (by name, per name per 10-year period) | $15 |
| DOJ personal criminal history (Live Scan) | $25 (DOJ fee; additional rolling fees may apply at the Live Scan site) |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Often processed the same day if the file is available. The court is currently digitizing records, so some files may be temporarily unavailable.
- Mail requests: Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume and file availability.
- DOJ criminal history (Live Scan): Results are usually returned within 3–7 business days for personal record requests.
Fees are generally payable by cash, check, or money order at the clerk's counter. Contact the court directly to confirm accepted payment methods for mail-in requests.