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San Bernardino County Court Records

What Is San Bernardino County Court Records

San Bernardino County court records are official documents created and maintained by the county's court system during legal proceedings. These records document various aspects of court cases, including filings, hearings, judgments, and other legal actions that occur within the San Bernardino County court system. The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) maintains these records as part of its official duties to document judicial proceedings and ensure transparency in the legal system.

Are Court Records Public In San Bernardino County

Yes, most court records in San Bernardino County are public documents. Under California law and the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, court records are generally accessible to the public. This transparency allows citizens to monitor the judicial system and access information about legal proceedings.

However, certain records may be sealed or restricted by court order to protect privacy, confidential information, or sensitive matters. Examples include juvenile records, certain family court proceedings, and cases involving confidential personal information. The San Bernardino County Superior Court Clerk's Office (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) manages access to these records in accordance with state laws and court rules.

How To Find Court Records in San Bernardino County in 2025

To find court records in San Bernardino County in 2025, you have several options:

  1. Visit the courthouse in person at the San Bernardino Justice Center (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) or one of the branch locations throughout the county.

  2. Use the court's online portal through the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino website.

  3. Submit a written request to the Court Records Department (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415).

  4. Use the public access terminals available at courthouse locations.

  5. Contact the specific division handling your case type (criminal, civil, family, etc.).

For the most current information, it's recommended to check the official San Bernardino County Superior Court website or call the Court Clerk's Office at their published number, as procedures may have been updated since this information was compiled.

How To Look Up Court Records in San Bernardino County Online?

To look up court records in San Bernardino County online:

  1. Visit the San Bernardino County Superior Court website at www.sb-court.org.

  2. Navigate to "Online Services" or "Case Information."

  3. Select the appropriate case type (civil, criminal, family, probate, etc.).

  4. Use the search function to look up cases by name, case number, or other identifiers.

  5. For criminal and traffic cases, you may be directed to the dedicated portal for those record types.

  6. Some documents may require registration or payment of fees to view or download.

The San Bernardino County Superior Court's Records Management Division (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) oversees the online access system and can provide assistance with any technical difficulties.

Can You Search San Bernardino County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search basic San Bernardino County court records for free, but there are limitations:

  • Basic case information searches are generally available at no cost through the court's online portal.
  • Public access terminals at courthouse locations (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) provide free access to search case information.
  • In-person requests to view physical records at the courthouse typically do not incur a search fee.

However, fees do apply for:

  • Obtaining copies of documents (typically $0.50 per page)
  • Certified copies of court documents
  • Extensive searches requiring staff assistance
  • Some specialized database searches

The San Bernardino County Superior Court Records Division (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) can provide current fee schedules for various record services.

What's Included in a San Bernardino County Court Record?

A San Bernardino County court record typically includes:

  1. Case information sheet with basic details (parties involved, case number, filing date)
  2. Pleadings and motions filed by parties
  3. Court orders and judgments
  4. Evidence admitted during proceedings
  5. Transcripts of hearings (when prepared)
  6. Docket or register of actions showing chronological case events
  7. Settlement agreements made part of the record
  8. Exhibits filed with the court
  9. Notices and correspondence filed with the court
  10. Financial information related to the case (fees, fines, restitution)

The specific contents vary by case type and complexity. The San Bernardino County Superior Court Records Management Department (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) maintains these records according to state regulations and court policies.

How Long Does San Bernardino County Keep Court Records?

San Bernardino County retains court records according to California state retention schedules, which vary by case type:

  • Felony cases: Permanent retention for serious felonies; others may be kept 75 years
  • Misdemeanor cases: Typically 5-10 years after case conclusion
  • Civil cases: Generally 10 years after final disposition
  • Family law cases: Varies by case type, some retained permanently
  • Probate cases: Many are kept permanently, especially estate matters
  • Juvenile cases: Often until the individual reaches age 38, with exceptions
  • Traffic infractions: Usually 3-5 years

The San Bernardino County Superior Court Records Management Division (8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730) follows the California Rules of Court and Government Code regarding record retention. Some historically significant or precedent-setting cases may be preserved permanently regardless of category.

Types of Courts In San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County's court system consists of various divisions within the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino:

  1. Civil Division (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) - Handles general civil matters, including lawsuits seeking monetary damages or specific performance.

  2. Criminal Division (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) - Processes felony and misdemeanor criminal cases.

  3. Family Law Division (351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415) - Handles divorce, child custody, support, and domestic violence cases.

  4. Juvenile Division (900 East Gilbert Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) - Oversees dependency and delinquency matters involving minors.

  5. Probate Division (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) - Manages estates, conservatorships, guardianships, and mental health cases.

  6. Traffic Division (8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730) - Processes traffic violations and infractions.

  7. Small Claims Division (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) - Handles civil claims with limited monetary value.

  8. Appellate Division (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) - Reviews appeals from limited civil and misdemeanor cases.

These courts operate across multiple locations throughout the county to serve its large geographic area.

What Types of Cases Do San Bernardino County Courts Hear?

San Bernardino County courts hear a wide range of cases:

  1. Criminal Cases:

    • Felonies (serious crimes punishable by imprisonment)
    • Misdemeanors (less serious offenses with shorter jail terms)
    • Infractions (minor violations typically punishable by fines)

  2. Civil Cases:

    • Personal injury claims
    • Contract disputes
    • Property disputes
    • Civil rights violations
    • Small claims (limited to $10,000 or less)

  3. Family Law:

    • Divorce and legal separation
    • Child custody and visitation
    • Child and spousal support
    • Domestic violence restraining orders
    • Adoptions

  4. Probate Matters:

    • Wills and estate administration
    • Conservatorships and guardianships
    • Trust administration
    • Mental health commitments

  5. Juvenile Cases:

    • Dependency (child abuse/neglect)
    • Delinquency (juvenile criminal offenses)

  6. Traffic Violations:

    • Moving violations
    • Parking tickets
    • DUI/DWI offenses

The San Bernardino County Superior Court (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) processes tens of thousands of cases annually across these various categories.

How To Find a Court Docket In San Bernardino County

To find a court docket in San Bernardino County:

  1. Online Access:

    • Visit the San Bernardino County Superior Court website (www.sb-court.org)
    • Navigate to "Case Information" or "Online Services"
    • Search by case number, party name, or filing date
    • Review the register of actions (docket)

  2. In-Person:

    • Visit the appropriate courthouse division where the case is filed
    • Use public access terminals at the courthouse
    • Request assistance from the clerk's office

  3. By Mail:

    • Submit a written request to the Court Records Department (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415)
    • Include case information and required fees

  4. By Phone:

    • Contact the specific division handling your case type
    • Provide case number or party names
    • Basic docket information may be available by phone

The San Bernardino County Superior Court Records Management Office (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) can provide guidance on accessing docket information for specific case types.

Which Courts in San Bernardino County Are Not Courts of Record?

In San Bernardino County, all courts are technically courts of record as California eliminated its lower non-record courts through court unification. However, certain proceedings within the Superior Court system may have different recording requirements:

  1. Small Claims Court proceedings (247 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA 92415) - While part of the Superior Court, these proceedings are less formal and typically not recorded verbatim, though written judgments are maintained.

  2. Traffic Infractions Court (8303 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730) - Basic proceedings for minor traffic violations may have simplified record-keeping.

  3. Certain Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) proceedings - Mediation sessions and some arbitration proceedings may not generate official court records.

  4. Informal juvenile proceedings - Some initial or diversionary juvenile matters may have limited record creation.

It's important to note that while these proceedings may have different recording standards, the San Bernardino County Superior Court still maintains some form of documentation for all cases within its jurisdiction.

Lookup Court Records in San Bernardino County

For comprehensive access to San Bernardino County court records, the following resources are available:

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