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Fresno County Court Records

What Is Fresno County Court Records

Fresno County court records are official documents created and maintained by the Fresno County Superior Court system. These records document legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, probate cases, and small claims disputes. Court records typically include filings, motions, orders, judgments, and other documents submitted during court proceedings. The Superior Court of California, County of Fresno maintains these records as part of its legal obligation to document judicial activities.

Superior Court of California, County of Fresno: 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93724

Are Court Records Public In Fresno County

Yes, most court records in Fresno County are public information under California law and the First Amendment right of access to judicial proceedings. The California Rules of Court and Government Code establish that court records are presumptively open to public inspection unless specifically sealed by court order or made confidential by statute.

However, certain types of records may have restricted access, including:

  • Juvenile court records
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Mental health proceedings
  • Certain family law documents containing sensitive information
  • Records sealed by court order
  • Cases involving minors or victims of certain crimes

The Fresno County Superior Court follows the California Rules of Court regarding public access to records while balancing privacy concerns and legal protections.

How To Find Court Records in Fresno County in 2025

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

  1. Online Access: Use the Fresno Superior Court's Case Information portal to search for cases by name, case number, or date.

  2. Visit the Courthouse: Go to the Fresno County Superior Court clerk's office to request records in person. Fresno County Superior Court, B.F. Sisk Courthouse: 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  3. Mail Requests: Submit a written request for copies of court records by mail to the appropriate division of the court.

  4. Use Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at courthouse locations for searching case information. M Street Courthouse: 2317 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  5. Contact the Records Department: For older records or those not available online. Records Management: 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Room 401, Fresno, CA 93724

When requesting records, be prepared to provide specific information such as case numbers, names of parties involved, and approximate dates of the proceedings to facilitate the search process.

How To Look Up Court Records in Fresno County Online?

To look up Fresno County court records online:

  1. Visit the Fresno County Superior Court website (www.fresno.courts.ca.gov).

  2. Navigate to the "Online Services" section and select "Case Information."

  3. Choose the appropriate case type (Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Probate, or Small Claims).

  4. Search using one of these methods:

    • Case number (most precise method)
    • Party name (last name, first name)
    • Filing date range
    • Attorney name

  5. Review the search results, which typically include:

    • Case number and filing date
    • Party names
    • Case type
    • Status (active, disposed, etc.)
    • Register of actions (chronological list of filings)

Note that while basic case information is available online, complete documents may require in-person requests or additional fees. Some older cases may not be available in the electronic system.

Can You Search Fresno County Court Records for Free?

Yes, you can search basic Fresno County court records for free through several methods:

  1. Online Case Index: The Fresno Superior Court provides free access to its case index search, which shows basic case information but not document contents.

  2. Public Access Terminals: Free computer terminals are available at courthouse locations for searching the court's case management system. Fresno County Law Library: 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Room 401, Fresno, CA 93724

  3. In-Person Requests: You can visit the clerk's office to request to view records at no cost.

While searching is free, there are fees for:

  • Printed copies of documents (typically $0.50 per page)
  • Certified copies (additional fee per document)
  • Research assistance from court staff (if extensive time is required)
  • Document retrieval for archived cases

For complex searches or older records, you may need to pay research fees or visit the courthouse in person.

What's Included in a Fresno County Court Record?

A typical Fresno County court record includes:

  1. Case Information:

    • Case number and filing date
    • Names of all parties involved
    • Names of attorneys representing parties
    • Type of case (civil, criminal, family, etc.)

  2. Register of Actions: A chronological listing of all events and documents filed in the case.

  3. Filed Documents:

    • Complaints, petitions, or indictments
    • Answers and responses
    • Motions and supporting documents
    • Court orders and judgments
    • Exhibits admitted into evidence
    • Transcripts of proceedings (if requested)

  4. Hearing Information:

    • Scheduled court dates
    • Minutes from hearings
    • Judicial rulings and decisions

  5. Disposition Information:

    • Final judgment or outcome
    • Sentencing details (in criminal cases)
    • Settlement terms (if publicly filed)

Some information may be redacted or restricted, such as social security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers, in accordance with privacy laws.

How Long Does Fresno County Keep Court Records?

Fresno County Superior Court retains records according to California Government Code and the Trial Court Records Manual. Retention periods vary by case type:

  • Criminal Cases:

    • Capital felonies: Permanent retention
    • Other felonies: 75 years after final disposition
    • Misdemeanors: 5-10 years depending on offense type

  • Civil Cases:

    • Unlimited civil cases (over $25,000): 10 years after final disposition
    • Limited civil cases ($25,000 or less): 5 years after final disposition
    • Small claims: 10 years after judgment

  • Family Law:

    • Divorce/dissolution: Permanent for judgment and custody orders
    • Support orders: Until the youngest child turns 28
    • Other family law matters: 30 years

  • Probate:

    • Estates and guardianships: Permanent for final orders
    • Conservatorships: 10 years after termination

After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed or archived. However, case index information is typically maintained permanently, even after the destruction of physical records.

Fresno County Archives: 2220 Tulare Street, Suite 1050, Fresno, CA 93721

Types of Courts In Fresno County

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

  1. Civil Division: Handles lawsuits involving disputes over money, property, contracts, and personal injury. Civil Division: B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  2. Criminal Division: Processes felony and misdemeanor cases, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing. Criminal Division: 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93724

  3. Family Law Division: Manages divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, and other family-related matters. Family Law Division: B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  4. Juvenile Justice Division: Handles cases involving minors accused of crimes and dependency cases for abused or neglected children. Juvenile Justice Campus: 3333 E. American Avenue, Fresno, CA 93725

  5. Probate Division: Oversees wills, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Probate Division: B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  6. Small Claims Division: Resolves disputes involving limited monetary amounts without attorneys. Small Claims Division: B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  7. Traffic Division: Processes traffic citations and infractions. Traffic Division: M Street Courthouse, 2317 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  8. Appellate Division: Reviews appeals from limited civil, misdemeanor, and infraction cases. Appellate Division: 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA 93724

What Types of Cases Do Fresno County Courts Hear?

Fresno County Superior Court hears a wide range of cases:

  1. Criminal Cases:

    • Felonies (serious crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison)
    • Misdemeanors (less serious offenses punishable by up to one year in county jail)
    • Infractions (minor violations typically punishable by fines)

  2. Civil Cases:

    • Unlimited civil (disputes over $25,000)
    • Limited civil (disputes $25,000 or less)
    • Small claims (disputes up to $10,000 for individuals)
    • Personal injury and property damage
    • Contract disputes
    • Real property matters
    • Civil harassment

  3. Family Law:

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

  4. Probate Matters:

    • Wills and estate administration
    • Conservatorships
    • Guardianships
    • Trust administration

  5. Juvenile Cases:

    • Juvenile delinquency (minors accused of crimes)
    • Juvenile dependency (abused or neglected children)

  6. Mental Health Proceedings:

    • Involuntary commitments
    • Capacity determinations

  7. Appeals:

    • Appeals from small claims judgments
    • Appeals from limited civil cases
    • Appeals from misdemeanor convictions

How To Find a Court Docket In Fresno County

To find a court docket in Fresno County:

  1. Online Search:

    • Visit the Fresno Superior Court website (www.fresno.courts.ca.gov)
    • Go to "Online Services" then "Case Information"
    • Search by case number, party name, or attorney
    • View the register of actions, which serves as the court docket

  2. In-Person Request:

    • Visit the clerk's office for the appropriate division
    • Provide the case number or party names
    • Request to view the docket or register of actions Clerk's Office: 1100 Van Ness Avenue, Room 401, Fresno, CA 93724

  3. Daily Calendar:

    • Check the court's daily calendar online for upcoming hearings
    • Calendars are typically posted on the court's website under "Calendars"

  4. Telephone:

    • Call the appropriate division clerk's office
    • Provide case information to request docket information Court Call Center: (559) 457-2000

  5. Subscribe to Updates:

    • For attorneys and frequent users, subscription services may be available for case updates

The docket or register of actions will show all filings, hearings, and actions taken in chronological order, providing a complete history of the case.

Which Courts in Fresno County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Fresno County, as throughout California's unified court system, all divisions of the Superior Court are courts of record, meaning they maintain official records of proceedings and their decisions can be appealed to higher courts.

However, certain proceedings within the Superior Court may have different record-keeping requirements:

  1. Small Claims Division: While small claims courts maintain records, the proceedings are less formal, and the rules of evidence are relaxed. Appeals from small claims judgments are heard as new trials (trials de novo) in the Superior Court's Civil Division. Small Claims Division: B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  2. Informal Probate Proceedings: Some probate matters may be handled through simplified procedures with less extensive record-keeping.

  3. Traffic Infractions: While records are kept, proceedings for minor traffic violations are typically less formal. Traffic Division: M Street Courthouse, 2317 M Street, Fresno, CA 93721

  4. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mediation, arbitration, and settlement conferences conducted through court programs may not generate the same level of formal records as traditional court proceedings, though outcomes that result in court orders are recorded. ADR Services: B.F. Sisk Courthouse, 1130 O Street, Room 300, Fresno, CA 93721

It's important to note that while these proceedings may have different record-keeping practices, they are all part of the Superior Court system and are technically courts of record under California law.

Lookup Court Records in Fresno County

For accessing Fresno County court records, the following resources are available:

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