Find San Jose Felony Records

Felony records in San Jose come from Santa Clara County Superior Court and the San Jose Police Department. The court handles all criminal prosecutions for the city and county. SJPD keeps arrest reports and incident records for crimes in San Jose. The county sheriff tracks inmates in local jails. Online portals let you search case files and custody data. Most court searches are free. Police reports cost up to $16 depending on the type of record you need.

Santa Clara County Court Records

All San Jose felony cases are processed by Santa Clara County Superior Court. The court has several locations but the main criminal division is at the Hall of Justice, 190 W Hedding St in San Jose.

Use the free online portal at portal.scscourt.org/search to look up cases. Search by name, case number, or attorney. The system shows civil, criminal, family, probate, and other case types. Case details include parties, filing dates, charges, and hearing schedules. You can view dockets and some documents online.

Starting January 1, 2026, California law AB 1524 lets you use your own camera or phone to photograph court records. This applies to electronic records you can view at the courthouse. You do not need special permission. Just ask the clerk to access the record and then you can take photos with your device. This makes it easier to get copies without paying per-page fees.

If you need certified copies of documents, request them from the clerk's office. Certification costs $40 plus copy fees. Regular copies may be enough for most uses unless you need them for official legal proceedings. Some courts in the county may still charge per page for standard copies so ask about current fees when you visit or call.

Get Reports from San Jose Police

San Jose Police Department charges up to $16 for police reports. The fee varies by record type. Crime reports, accident reports, and arrest records are all available through the SJPD Records Unit.

Visit sjpd.org to learn how to request records. The department uses GovQA to handle public records requests. Submit your request online through the portal. Include the report number or incident details like date, time, location, and names of those involved.

SJPD reviews each request to see if the record can be released. Some reports may be withheld if they involve open investigations or contain exempt info. The department will send you an invoice for any fees. Pay online and the records are emailed to you. Processing times range from a few days to a few weeks depending on the complexity of your request.

Victims and involved parties may get fee waivers. Ask about this when you submit your request. The department can tell you if you qualify. Call the Records Unit at (408) 277-4261 for questions about fees or the status of your request.

Inmate Locator for Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County Department of Correction operates the jail system. Use the inmate locator at eservices.sccgov.org to search for people in custody. The tool is free and shows current inmates at all county facilities.

Search by last name and first name or by booking number. Results include the booking date, charges, bail amount, and housing location. The Main Jail Complex is located at 150 W Hedding St in San Jose next to the Hall of Justice. Call the Department of Correction at (408) 299-2305 for general questions. The Main Jail phone is (408) 808-2800.

Booking logs are updated throughout the day as people are booked and released. The data is for informational use only. Do not rely on it for legal matters without confirming with official sources. If an inmate is not showing up, they may have been released or transferred to state prison.

Santa Clara County DA Prosecutions

The Santa Clara County District Attorney prosecutes all felonies in the county including those from San Jose. The DA office also handles most misdemeanors. Visit the DA website for info on victim services and case updates. The office is located at 70 W Hedding St, just blocks from the courthouse.

Victims of crimes can contact the Victim Services Unit for help. They provide updates on case status, court dates, and plea deals. This service is free. Call the main DA office at (408) 299-3099 to be directed to the right division.

The DA office works closely with SJPD and other local police agencies to prosecute crimes. Once an arrest is made, the police send reports to the DA. Prosecutors review the case and decide whether to file charges. If charges are filed, the case goes through the Superior Court system.

Free Legal Resources

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley offers free legal help to low-income residents. They assist with criminal record expungements and sealing. Visit lawfoundation.org or call (408) 280-2424 to see if you qualify.

Santa Clara County Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a lawyer. If you are charged with a felony and meet income requirements, the court will appoint a public defender. Their office is at 120 W Mission St in San Jose. Call (408) 299-7700 for info.

Several community centers and libraries offer legal workshops on understanding your criminal record. These sessions cover how to request records, fix errors, and apply for expungements. Check local event calendars for upcoming workshops.

Other Cities in the Area

Fremont is nearby in Alameda County. It has its own court system and sheriff department. If you need records from Fremont, use Alameda County resources instead of Santa Clara County. Within Santa Clara County, most smaller cities do not have their own pages on this site because they fall below the 100,000 population threshold.