Find San Jose Criminal Records

Criminal records in San Jose come from two main sources. The San Jose Police Department handles police reports and arrest records for incidents within city limits. Criminal court cases are managed by the Santa Clara County Superior Court. San Jose is the largest city in the Bay Area by population and the tenth largest in the country. Its police department processes thousands of reports each year. Both the police records division and the county court system offer ways to search for and obtain copies of criminal records tied to San Jose cases.

SJPD Police Records in San Jose

The San Jose Police Department maintains police reports and arrest records for crimes that happen in the city. The SJPD Records Unit handles all public requests for copies of these records. You can submit requests through the department's online portal.

The online records portal at sanjoseca.govqa.us is the main way to request police reports from the SJPD. You create an account, describe what records you need, and submit the request. The system tracks your request and notifies you when documents are ready. In-person requests can be made at the Records Unit located at 201 W. Mission Street, San Jose, CA 95110. The phone number is 408-277-8900. Staff can help you figure out what records are available for a given case or incident.

Processing times vary. Simple report requests may take a few business days. More involved requests that need review for redactions or legal holds can take longer. If you have the case number or report number, include it with your request. It makes the search faster for the records staff.

Note: The SJPD records portal handles police reports only. Court documents and jail records come from separate agencies in Santa Clara County.

San Jose Court Criminal Cases

Criminal cases from San Jose go through the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The court has an online case search tool at santaclara.courts.ca.gov. You can look up criminal, civil, traffic, and other case types by name or case number. The system covers cases filed across all Santa Clara County courthouse locations.

The Hall of Justice at 190 West Hedding Street in San Jose handles many criminal cases from the city. Other courthouses in the county include the South County courthouse at 301 Diana Avenue in Morgan Hill and the Palo Alto courthouse at 270 Grant Avenue. Which courthouse handles a specific case depends on where the crime took place and the type of charge filed. Court staff can help direct you if you are unsure.

Copies of court documents cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies are $40. A records search that takes more than 10 minutes costs $15. These are standard fees set by state law and apply across all California courts. You can request copies at any clerk's office window or by mail.

San Jose Inmate Search

People arrested in San Jose are booked into the Santa Clara County jail system. The county sheriff runs the jails, not the city police. The main jail facility is near the Hall of Justice in San Jose. Once booked, inmates can be found using the sheriff's online search tool. The Santa Clara County inmate finder lets you search by name to see who is currently in custody. Call (408) 299-2305 for the jail information line.

For people who have been sentenced to state prison rather than county jail, use the CDCR's inmate search called CIRIS at ciris.mt.cdcr.ca.gov. County jail holds people awaiting trial or serving short sentences. State prison is for longer terms after conviction. The two systems are completely separate, so you may need to check both depending on the person's situation.

Criminal Background Checks in San Jose

San Jose residents and employers can run criminal background checks through the California DOJ's Live Scan system. Visit any certified Live Scan location with form BCIA 8016RR to check your own record. The DOJ fee is $25. Each Live Scan site charges its own rolling fee as well. The DOJ Live Scan locator lists all certified sites in San Jose and the surrounding area. There are dozens of options, from police station sites to private fingerprinting businesses.

After submitting your fingerprints, check the status of your background check at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov. You will need your ATI number and date of birth. Results take 48 to 72 hours when no record is found. A match against the criminal history database takes longer due to manual review. Employers cannot see your results directly through this portal. They get results through their own authorized channel with the DOJ.

The California sex offender registry at meganslaw.ca.gov lets you search for registered offenders in San Jose or any other California city. The search is free and can be filtered by name or location on a map.

Clearing Records in San Jose

If you have a criminal record from San Jose and want to clear it, California law gives you several paths. Penal Code Section 1203.4 covers dismissal of convictions after probation is done. You file a petition with the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The same courthouse that handled your original case is where you file. If the court grants the petition, the conviction shows as "dismissed" on your RAP sheet going forward.

Penal Code Section 851.87 lets you seal arrest records when no conviction came from the arrest. Proposition 47 allows resentencing for certain nonviolent drug and theft felonies that were charged before the law changed. Proposition 64 covers old marijuana convictions. All of these options require you to take action. The court does not do it for you.

• PC 1203.4 dismissal for completed probation
• PC 851.87 arrest record sealing
• Prop 47 resentencing for reclassified felonies
• Prop 64 marijuana conviction dismissal
• Certificate of Rehabilitation after a prison term
• Juvenile record sealing under Welfare and Institutions Code

Note: Several legal aid organizations in Santa Clara County assist San Jose residents with the record clearing process at no cost.

Santa Clara County Criminal Records

San Jose is in Santa Clara County. Criminal court cases from the city are handled by the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

Nearby California Cities

Other major California cities with their own criminal record resources.