Search Los Angeles Felony Records

Los Angeles felony records come from the Superior Court and local law enforcement. The city has one of the largest criminal case databases in California. LAPD keeps arrest reports and booking logs. The Superior Court handles all felony prosecutions for the city and county. Online portals let you search by name or case number. Los Angeles County Sheriff tracks custody status for all jails. Court records date back to 1980 for felonies and 1988 for misdemeanors. You can access most of this data from home through official websites.

Los Angeles County Processes Felony Cases

All Los Angeles felony cases are handled by Los Angeles County Superior Court. The court system covers both the city and the entire county. There are 38 courthouses spread across the region. Downtown Los Angeles houses the main criminal courts complex.

You can find case info for free using the county's online portal at lacourt.org. Guest users pay $4.75 per name search. Registered users get cheaper rates after 10 searches. First-time users can sign up for a free account to reduce costs. Documents cost $1 per page for pages one through five and 40 cents per page after that. The total fee per document caps at $40 no matter how long it is.

Felony records in this database go back to 1980. Misdemeanor cases start in 1988. Traffic citations and infractions are not in the criminal index. Use the separate traffic search tool if you need those records. Search results show the case number, filing date, charges, and court location. From there you can view the full docket and request copies of documents like complaints, motions, and judgments.

The Los Angeles District Attorney prosecutes all felonies in the county. For misdemeanors, the DA only handles cases in unincorporated areas and some cities. The city of Los Angeles itself uses the DA for its misdemeanor cases too. Contact the DA office at da.lacounty.gov if you have questions about a specific case or need victim services.

Get Police Reports from LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department Records and Identification Division handles all report requests. LAPD charges $29 for a copy of a police report. This applies to crime reports, accident reports, and arrest records created by LAPD officers.

Visit the LAPD Records Division page at lapdonline.org to learn about the process. You must request reports by mail. Include the report number if you have it. If not, give the date, time, and location of the incident along with the names of those involved. Mail your request to LAPD Records Division, PO Box 30158, Los Angeles, CA 90030. Include a check or money order for $29 payable to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Processing can take two to four weeks depending on demand. LAPD does not offer online report requests at this time. You cannot get copies in person at the Records Division. All requests go through the mail system. If you were a victim of a crime, ask if fee waivers are available. Some exceptions exist for victims who need records for insurance or legal purposes.

Call the Records Division at (213) 486-8300 during business hours if you have questions. They can confirm whether a report exists and what info you need to include with your request. LAPD keeps records for all arrests made by its officers within city limits. These records are separate from the court case files but may contain overlapping information.

Los Angeles County Jail Searches

Los Angeles County Sheriff operates the largest jail system in the nation. The Inmate Information Center lets you search for anyone in custody at county facilities. Use the tool at app5.lasd.org/iic to find inmates by name or booking number.

The search is free. Results show the booking date, charges, bail amount, and facility location. The system updates in real time as people are booked or released. For 24-hour inmate info by phone, call (213) 473-6100. This line is staffed around the clock and can tell you current custody status.

A separate booking log is available at app5.lasd.org/bklog. This log shows recent arrests. Journalists, researchers, and others seeking booking data must complete a Booking Information Declaration form. Mail it to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Discovery Unit, 4900 S. Eastern Ave Suite 210, Commerce, CA 90040.

For public records requests related to arrest or booking data, contact the PRA Unit at (323) 890-5050 or email PRArequest@lasd.org. The Sheriff's Records and ID Bureau can be reached at (562) 345-4441. Use this number for general questions about booking records or to request copies of arrest reports.

Searching Court Case Files

Los Angeles Superior Court uses the Tyler Odyssey system for case management. The public portal shows case numbers, parties, filing dates, and charges. You must register for an account to download documents. Free accounts are available but searches above 10 cost money.

Once you find a case, you can view the docket online for no charge. The docket lists every filing in the case with the date and document type. If you need full copies of motions, transcripts, or other filings, you will pay the per-page fee noted earlier. Large case files can get expensive so ask the court if a summary is enough for your needs.

Criminal records clerks are located at the downtown courthouse and several regional locations. Call (213) 830-0801 to reach the criminal records department. They can help you find older cases or those not yet in the online system. Some sealed or confidential cases will not show up in public searches. The clerk can tell you if a case is restricted and what steps you need to take to access it if allowed.

If you want certified copies of documents, you must request them from the clerk's office. Certification adds a $40 fee plus the per-page cost. Certified copies are needed for some legal proceedings or official purposes. Regular copies are fine for most research or personal use.

Legal Help and Resources

Los Angeles has several public legal aid groups. The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles offers free help for low-income residents facing criminal charges or needing expungements. Visit lafla.org or call their intake line for eligibility screening.

The Los Angeles County Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a private attorney. If you are charged with a felony and meet income rules, the court will appoint a public defender. Their main office is at 210 W. Temple St. in downtown LA. Call (213) 974-3000 for general information.

Bid Ur Time is a local group that helps people get records expunged and sealed. They focus on those with past convictions who want a clean start for jobs and housing. Many community groups also offer workshops on understanding your criminal record and how to fix errors. Check with local libraries and community centers for upcoming sessions.

Nearby Major Cities

Other large cities in the region that have their own pages include Long Beach and Glendale. Both cities are in Los Angeles County but operate their own police departments. Long Beach has its own city attorney who handles some misdemeanors. Glendale uses the county DA for most prosecutions. All felony cases from these cities go to Los Angeles County Superior Court just like cases from the city of Los Angeles.

Nearby Anaheim and Santa Ana are in Orange County. They have separate court systems and sheriff departments. If you are looking for records in those cities, use the Orange County resources instead.