Criminal records of Sonoma County, California, are available through several channels. SonomaCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases related to this county. In addition to this resource, data can be obtained through the official Superior Court of California — County of Sonoma judicial system, county law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk-Recorder's office. Each of these sources serves different types of inquiries — from checking case status to obtaining certified copies.
How to Search Criminal Records in Sonoma
There are several ways to find criminal records in Sonoma County. Below are step-by-step instructions for each method.
Through SonomaCourt.us
- Go to SonomaCourt.us.
- Enter the full name of the person or the case number.
- Review the available public results — type of charge, case status, hearing dates.
Online through Official Portals
- Sonoma County Court Case Portal — case search portal based on the Odyssey system. Allows searching by party name or case number. Criminal, civil, and family cases are available.
- Sheriff's Arrest Data — open arrest database of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office contains information about each arrest or citation, including charges and agency.
- Daily Arrest Log — Arrest Log publishes recent arrests with charges, location, and status.
- State-Level Criminal Record Check — The California Department of Justice allows you to request your own record through a fingerprinting procedure (Live Scan).
In Person
Visit the criminal division of the Superior Court or the court's Records Division. Public terminals are available there for viewing non-confidential cases. You can also make a request directly to the clerk.
By Mail or Written Request
The court accepts written requests for criminal records. Send a request to the Criminal Division with the full name of the defendant, date of birth (if known), and case number. Response time is usually from a week to ten business days.
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
Search Sonoma Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in California receives a unique number upon registration. In Sonoma County Superior Court, the format typically looks like this:
- Prefix — a letter code indicating the type of case. For criminal cases, the typical code is SCR (Sonoma Criminal) or CR.
- Year — a two-digit or four-digit number corresponding to the year the case was filed.
- Sequential Number — a consecutive number assigned within the year.
For example, a number like SCR-123456 indicates a criminal case registered in the county court. If you have the exact number, enter it in the search field on the court portal — this is the fastest way to find the desired case. Without the number, you will have to rely on the name and additional identifiers.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Sonoma
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the California Penal Code (e.g., 459 PC — Burglary) or another state code |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (offense), Infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecution may change or add charges after the initial filing — the updated status is reflected in the case materials |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, proceedings are ongoing
- Active — hearings are scheduled or orders are pending
- Disposed — the case is resolved (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Arraignment — first court appearance, charges are announced, plea is entered
- Preliminary Hearing — for felony cases, the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed
- Pre-Trial — discussion of agreements, motions, preparation for trial
- Sentencing — issuance of a sentence after a plea or conviction
- Review — control hearing to check compliance with conditions (probation, etc.)
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted as a result of the trial |
| Dismissed | The case is closed — charges dropped by the prosecutor or judge |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by a jury or judge after a full trial |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt — has the effect of a guilty plea in court |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Sonoma
Certified copies of court criminal records are issued by the Criminal Division of the Sonoma County Superior Court. These are official documents with the court's seal.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the Criminal Division during business hours and submit a request at the counter.
- By Mail — send a written request with the defendant's name, case number (if known), type of document needed, and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
- Online — some documents can be requested through the court's Criminal Record page.
What You Need for the Request
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number (recommended)
- Date of birth (if available)
- Valid photo ID — for in-person requests
State-Level Criminal History
To obtain a complete summary of criminal history (RAP sheet), contact the California Department of Justice. The procedure requires fingerprinting through a certified Live Scan center.
Contact Information
Sonoma County Superior Court — Criminal Division
Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Sonoma
Fees for court copies and certification are established according to the California Government Code. Exact amounts may be updated — check directly with the court.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (first page) | $0.50 | Standard rate per California Gov. Code §68630 |
| Each additional page | $0.50 | — |
| Certification | $40.00 | Per document; rate set by Gov. Code §70626 |
| Criminal history request (DOJ — Live Scan) | $25.00 | DOJ fee; Live Scan operator may charge an additional fee |
| FBI database search (if needed) | $17.00 | In addition to DOJ fee |
Processing Times
- Copies of court documents (in person) — usually the same day or within a few business days
- Written requests by mail — from 7 to 10 business days, according to court information
- Request to DOJ (criminal history) — from 2 to 4 weeks depending on the submission method
Payment is accepted by money order or cashier's check payable to Sonoma County Superior Court. Confirm current payment methods by calling the court before sending a request by mail.