Criminal records of Riverside County, California, are available through several channels — online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. RiversideCourt.us allows you to quickly find publicly available information about criminal cases. Additionally, you can use the Riverside County Superior Court portal, the sheriff's office, and directly visit the court clerk's office to obtain official documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in Riverside
Searching for criminal records in Riverside can be done in several ways. Here is a step-by-step guide for each method.
Online Search
- RiversideCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to view publicly available information about court criminal cases.
- California Judicial Branch Portal — on the Judicial Branch of California public records page, you can learn how to request copies of court documents at the state level.
- Sheriff's Inmate Search Tool — Inmate Information on the Riverside County Sheriff website allows you to find booking numbers and current detention data.
- CIRIS — California Incarcerated Records & Information Search by CDCR helps find individuals incarcerated in state prisons.
In Person
Visit the Riverside County Superior Court criminal clerk's office. Public terminals in the courthouse allow you to view the case registry and check the status. A clerk can help clarify details if you know the defendant's name or case number.
By Mail or Written Request
Send a written request to the court clerk's office (Clerk of the Court) specifying the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number. To obtain an official state-level criminal history, submit a request to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) with a completed Live Scan form or criminal history request form.
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following elements:
- Full name (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
- Booking number — for inmate searches
Search Riverside Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in California is assigned a unique number. Understanding its structure speeds up the search and reduces the risk of error.
A typical case number format in Riverside County Superior Court looks like this:
- Alphabetic prefix — indicates the type of case. For example, RIF or SWF denote a criminal case from a specific court division (Riverside, Southwest, etc.).
- Year — two digits of the year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024).
- Sequential number — a sequential numeric identifier assigned within the year.
Example: RIF2401234 means a criminal case filed in the Riverside court division in 2024 under sequential number 01234. If you know the exact number, enter it into the court's search system — the result will appear immediately, without the need to filter by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Riverside
Court records contain several key categories of data. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the California Penal Code or Health & Safety Code under which the charges are brought |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or add charges during the proceedings — updated information is reflected in the registry |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, proceedings are ongoing
- Active — a hearing is scheduled or procedural actions are expected
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, the case is closed
Hearings
Main types of hearings in county criminal cases:
- Arraignment — the first court session where charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing to determine the sufficiency of evidence (only for felonies)
- Pre-Trial — a pre-trial conference between parties
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review — a review hearing to check compliance with conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or guilty plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after case review |
| Dismissed | Case closed without conviction — by court or prosecutor's initiative |
| Acquitted | Full acquittal after a jury or judge trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Riverside
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for official purposes — employment, immigration, licensing. Here's where to apply.
Clerk of the Court
Riverside County Superior Court issues certified copies of court documents — judgments, records, orders. Requests can be made in person or by mail. You must specify the case number and document name. Present valid photo identification.
State-Level Criminal History
To obtain a complete criminal history (California RAP sheet), contact the California Department of Justice. Submit an application through Live Scan (electronic fingerprinting) or send form BCIA 8016 by mail along with a fingerprint card and payment.
Police Reports
Copies of police reports within the city of Riverside can be requested through the city's public records portal or by contacting the Riverside Police Department. For requests in unincorporated areas of the county, contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
You will need:
- Valid photo identification (state ID or passport)
- Case number or police report number
- Completed request form (depending on the agency)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Riverside
Fees depend on the type of request and the agency. Below are approximate rates according to the current California Government Code and court fee schedules.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 — first page; thereafter at the court's established rate | Exact rates set by Riverside County Superior Court |
| Document certification | $25–$40 per document | According to Gov. Code § 70626 and local fee schedule |
| Criminal history via DOJ (personal request) | $25 | Submitted through Live Scan; Live Scan operator may charge an additional fee |
| Criminal history via DOJ (by mail) | $25 | Form BCIA 8016 + fingerprint card |
| Copy of police report | Usually free for victims; others at agency rate | Cal. Penal Code § 841.5 guarantees a free copy to the victim |
Processing Times
- Copies of court documents — usually 3–5 business days for in-person requests; up to 2–3 weeks by mail
- DOJ RAP sheet — results via Live Scan arrive within 1–2 weeks; mail requests may take 4–8 weeks
- Police reports — depending on the complexity of the request, from a few days to 10 business days according to the California Public Records Act
If your request concerns a case that has been sealed or expunged by court order (expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4), the clerk's office may refuse to issue or provide limited information. Check the availability status of a specific record directly with the court clerk.