Find Felony Records in San Mateo County

San Mateo County felony records are held by the Superior Court and Sheriff Department. The court keeps files for all felony cases filed in the county. Many California counties now offer online case search portals where you can look up criminal cases by name or case number. The Sheriff tracks arrest records and current custody status for people booked into county jails. Access to these records is governed by California law. Some information is public while other details may be restricted to protect privacy or ongoing investigations.

San Mateo Superior Court Criminal Records

The San Mateo County Superior Court handles all felony cases in the county. Check the court website for online case search options. Many California counties use systems like Tyler Odyssey, eCourt, or re:SearchCA for public access. Search by defendant name or case number to find basic case info like charges, filing dates, and court locations. Most online searches are free but fees may apply for document copies.

To get copies of court documents, contact the clerk at the courthouse where the case was filed. Copy fees typically range from 10 to 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost extra, usually $40 per document plus the per-page fee. Some courts let you download documents online. Others require you to visit in person or request copies by mail. Call the court to ask about current fees and procedures for your specific request.

The Superior Court serves the entire county. Most counties have a main courthouse in the county seat plus branch locations in other cities. Criminal cases are assigned to a courthouse based on where the offense occurred. Check the court website or call to find which courthouse handles a specific case. Hours are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some courts close for lunch or have limited hours on certain days.

Sheriff Arrest and Custody Records

The San Mateo County Sheriff operates the county jail system. Most sheriffs maintain an online inmate locator where you can search for people currently in custody. These databases show booking date, charges, bail amount, and housing location. Data typically updates several times per day. Some counties also post booking logs that list recent arrests. These tools are free to use and open to the public.

For arrest records and booking information, contact the Sheriff Records Division. Each county sets its own fees for arrest reports and criminal history summaries. Fees can range from $10 to $50 depending on the county and type of report. Processing times vary from a few days to a few weeks. The Sheriff provides law enforcement for unincorporated areas and may contract with some cities for police services.

How to Find San Mateo County Felony Records

Start with the Superior Court website. Look for an online case search or public portal link. Enter the person's name to search for criminal cases. Results show case numbers and basic details. Write down the case number if you plan to request copies. For current inmates, check the Sheriff inmate locator if one is available online. Or call the jail to ask about custody status.

If you cannot find what you need online, call the courthouse. The clerk can help you locate case files and explain how to get copies. Bring photo ID if you visit the courthouse in person. Some records may be sealed or confidential. The clerk will tell you if a record cannot be released to the public. For arrest records from city police, contact the police department directly. The Sheriff handles arrests in unincorporated areas.

All felony cases in California are filed with the Superior Court no matter which agency made the arrest. This means court case files are centralized at the county level. Once charges are filed, you can find the case through the court system. Before charges are filed, you may only find booking records through the Sheriff or local police. Check both sources if you are researching a recent arrest.

Nearby Counties

San Mateo County is located in California. For felony records in other counties, visit the court and sheriff websites for those counties. Each county maintains its own records system. California has 58 counties total. Use the counties list to find links to all county pages.