Criminal records in Fresno County, California, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. FresnoCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Fresno County. The Fresno County Superior Court's case information system, the Fresno Police Department, and the California Department of Justice also serve as access points for different types of criminal records.
How to Search Criminal Records in Fresno
Several methods are available depending on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- FresnoCourt.us — Search for publicly available Fresno County court record information, including criminal cases. Start with the defendant's name or case number.
- Fresno Superior Court Case Information System — The court's own online portal shows publicly viewable case data. You can search by case number or party name. Note: for civil cases, remove the final three letters from the case number before searching. Criminal case numbers do not require this step.
- California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) — Use this CDCR tool to look up individuals in state prison custody, including those originally sentenced in Fresno County.
- California DOJ Criminal Record Review — To request your own California criminal history, submit fingerprint images and a $25 processing fee to the California Department of Justice.
In Person
- Visit the Fresno County Superior Court Clerk's Office at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse. Public access terminals may be available for case lookups during business hours.
- The court's Archives Department can pull non-confidential files and make copies for members of the public who visit in person.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Fresno County Superior Court Clerk's Office. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. Enclose payment for any applicable copy or certification fees.
- For police reports and incident records, submit a request through the Fresno Police Department Records and Reports unit, located at 2323 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA 93721.
- For a statewide criminal history summary ("RAP sheet"), mail a completed fingerprint card and $25 fee to the California Department of Justice. Details are on the DOJ record review page.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for court searches)
- Case number (if available)
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests or certified copies)
Search Fresno Criminal Cases by Case Number
Fresno County criminal case numbers follow a standard California Superior Court format. Understanding the structure helps you search more efficiently.
A typical Fresno criminal case number looks like this: 24CRFC12345
- 24 — The two-digit filing year (2024)
- CR — Case type code. "CR" indicates a criminal case. You may also see "CF" for criminal felony or "CM" for criminal misdemeanor in older numbering conventions.
- F — Court location code. "F" generally refers to the Fresno courthouse. Outlying court facilities such as Coalinga, Firebaugh, Kerman, Reedley, or Selma may use different location letters.
- C — Additional category indicator (varies by case type)
- 12345 — Sequential case number assigned by the clerk
When searching on the court's online system, enter the case number exactly as it appears on court documents. If you only have a partial number, try searching by party name instead. Older cases archived before the court's current system may not appear online — contact the Archives Department for those records.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Fresno
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The California Penal Code, Health & Safety Code, or Vehicle Code section the defendant is charged under (e.g., PC 459 for burglary) |
| Felony | Serious offense carrying potential state prison time; cases heard in Criminal Court Departments 95, 96, and others |
| Misdemeanor | Less serious offense; maximum one year in county jail |
| Infraction | Minor violation (e.g., certain traffic offenses); typically fine-only |
| Amended charges | Charges modified by the prosecution after initial filing — may be reduced or added |
Case Status
- Pending — Case filed but not yet resolved; proceedings are ongoing
- Active — Case is currently before the court with scheduled hearings
- Disposed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Closed — All proceedings complete, including sentencing and any post-judgment matters
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant's first court appearance; charges are read and a plea is entered
- Preliminary hearing — For felony cases; a judge determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed to trial
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, possible plea agreements, and trial readiness
- Trial — Jury or bench trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing — Judge imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation, treatment programs, or other court orders
Court Results
- Guilty — Defendant convicted by plea or verdict
- Not guilty — Defendant acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the court or prosecution (may be with or without prejudice)
- Acquitted — Formal finding of not guilty after trial
- Nolo contendere — "No contest" plea; treated as a conviction for sentencing but is not an admission of guilt in civil proceedings
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Fresno
Fresno County Superior Court Clerk's Office
Certified copies of criminal court records — including judgments, minutes, and disposition documents — are issued by the clerk's office.
Fresno County Superior Court — Clerk's Office
How to request:
- In person — Visit the clerk's office with a valid government-issued photo ID. Provide the case number or defendant name. Staff will locate the file and prepare certified copies.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the case number, defendant's full name, the specific documents you need, your return address, and a check or money order for the applicable fees. Mail to the address above.
- Online filing — The Fresno Superior Court website offers Odyssey Guide & File for certain filings. Check whether your document type is available through this system.
Fresno Police Department Records
For police reports, arrest records, and incident documentation:
Fresno Police Department — Records Unit
Requests can be submitted through the department's online records request portal or in person.
California Department of Justice
For a certified copy of your own statewide criminal history record, submit a request through the California DOJ record review process. You must provide fingerprint images (Live Scan or ink card) and pay the $25 processing fee. Only individuals may request their own records through this process; third-party requests require authorized agency access.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Fresno
| Service | Fee | Authority / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court document | $0.50 per page | California Government Code § 70627 |
| Certification of a document | $40 per document | California Government Code § 70626 |
| Search fee (clerk searches by name) | No separate search fee for in-person counter requests; fees apply for copies | Fresno Superior Court policy |
| California DOJ personal criminal history (RAP sheet) | $25 | California Penal Code § 11105 |
| Police report copy (Fresno PD) | Varies; contact Records Unit | Fresno Police Department |
| Bulk case index data | Varies by format and scope | Fresno Superior Court bulk distribution policy |
Processing Times
- Online case lookups — Immediate results for cases in the court's electronic system
- In-person certified copies — Often same-day if the file is readily accessible; archived files may take longer
- Mail requests to the clerk — Typically 5–10 business days, depending on volume
- California DOJ criminal history — Allow several weeks for processing after fingerprint submission
- Police report requests — Varies; the Fresno Police Department provides estimated turnaround when the request is submitted
Payment methods accepted at the Fresno Superior Court Clerk's Office generally include cash, checks, and money orders. Contact the clerk at (559) 457-4943 to confirm accepted payment types before visiting.