Los Angeles Criminal Records

Criminal records in Los Angeles involve both the city police department and the county court system. The LAPD handles police reports and arrest records for crimes that happen within city limits. Criminal cases go to the Los Angeles Superior Court, the largest trial court in the country. You can search for records online through several portals. The city processes thousands of arrests each year. Whether you need a police report, want to check a court case, or need to look up an inmate, Los Angeles has specific agencies and tools for each type of criminal record.

LAPD Criminal Records in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Police Department handles police reports and arrest records for crimes within city limits. The Records and Identification Division is the main office for getting copies of LAPD records. It runs around the clock, every day of the week. The division is at 100 West 1st Street, Room P1-731, Los Angeles, CA 90012. You can reach them by phone at 213-486-8300 or by email at WC-RI@lapd.online. Crime reports cost $29 each. Arrest summaries cost $25. Detention letters cost $27. These fees apply to all requests, whether you come in person or submit them by mail.

The LAPD Records Division is separate from the court system. Police records cover the initial arrest and investigation. Court records cover what happens after charges are filed. If you need both types for a Los Angeles criminal case, you will have to contact each agency on its own. The LAPD is not authorized to release arrest reports directly to suspects, so keep that in mind when requesting records.

Note: Crime victims in Los Angeles may be exempt from certain report fees when requesting copies of their own case records.

Los Angeles Court Criminal Cases

Criminal cases in Los Angeles go through the LA Superior Court. This is the county court system, not a city court. The superior court handles all criminal charges filed in Los Angeles County, including those from the city of Los Angeles. You can search criminal cases online at lacourt.org. The system lets you look up cases by defendant name. Felony records go back to 1980 and misdemeanor data starts from 1988. Each search has a fee. Guest users pay a flat rate. Registered users get a sliding scale.

For copies of court documents from a Los Angeles criminal case, go to the clerk's office at the courthouse where the case was filed. Copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $40. The Records Bureau at 211 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 handles many of these requests. You can also email onlineServices@lacourt.org for help with the online system. Having the case number speeds things up, but staff can search by name if you do not have one.

The court system is huge. Los Angeles County has dozens of courthouse locations across the region. Cases from the city of Los Angeles may be filed at different courthouses depending on the area where the crime took place. Use the California courts locator if you are not sure which courthouse to contact.

Los Angeles Inmate Search

People arrested in Los Angeles are booked into the LA County jail system, which the sheriff's department runs. The LAPD makes arrests but does not operate jails. Once booked, inmates show up in the sheriff's online search tool at app5.lasd.org/iic. Search by name or booking number. The system shows current custody status, charges, bail, and facility. The main facility is the Men's Central Jail at 441 Bauchet Street in downtown LA. Call (213) 473-6100 for the 24-hour inmate information line.

For people in state prison rather than county jail, use the CDCR's inmate search tool called CIRIS at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. This covers anyone who has been sentenced to state prison from Los Angeles or anywhere else in California. County jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. State prison holds people sentenced to longer terms.

Criminal Background Checks in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has many Live Scan locations for criminal background checks. The California DOJ runs the statewide criminal history system. To check your own record, go to a certified Live Scan site and submit your fingerprints using form BCIA 8016RR. The fee is $25 to the DOJ. Each Live Scan site charges its own rolling fee too. Find a location through the DOJ Live Scan locator. Los Angeles has dozens of sites. Some are at police stations. Others are at private businesses.

Employers in Los Angeles use the DOJ system for background checks too. They need authorization from the state. Once you submit your prints, track your status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov using your ATI number and date of birth. The DOJ processes about 2 million checks a year statewide. A big chunk comes from Los Angeles given its population. Results usually take 48 to 72 hours when no criminal history is found in the system.

The California sex offender registry at meganslaw.ca.gov is also available for searches in Los Angeles. Given the size of the city, results for some areas can be extensive. The registry is free to use.

Clearing Criminal Records in Los Angeles

California law gives several ways to clear or reduce a criminal record from Los Angeles. Penal Code Section 1203.4 lets you petition to dismiss a conviction after completing probation. File the petition with the LA Superior Court in the same courthouse where your case was heard. The conviction will show as "dismissed" on your RAP sheet. It does not vanish, but it helps with job and housing searches.

Penal Code Section 851.87 lets you seal arrest records when no conviction resulted. Proposition 47 allows resentencing for some old drug and theft felonies. Proposition 64 covers past marijuana convictions. All of these require filing a petition with the court. Legal aid groups in Los Angeles can help with the process if you cannot afford a lawyer.

• PC 1203.4 dismissal for completed probation cases
• PC 851.87 arrest record sealing when no conviction
• Prop 47 resentencing for nonviolent drug and theft felonies
• Prop 64 marijuana conviction relief
• Certificate of Rehabilitation for prison sentences

Note: None of these record clearing options happen automatically in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, so you must file paperwork with the court.

Los Angeles County Criminal Records

Los Angeles is in Los Angeles County. All criminal court cases from the city are handled by the LA County Superior Court.

Nearby California Cities

These nearby cities also have criminal record resources and police departments.