Riverside County Public Records /Riverside County Court Records

Riverside County Court Records

What Is Riverside County Court Records

Court records in Riverside County encompass all official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records serve as the comprehensive documentation of court activities, proceedings, and decisions maintained by the various courts operating within Riverside County jurisdiction.

Court records typically include:

Case files containing pleadings, motions, and other documents filed by parties
Docket sheets chronicling case events and filing chronology
Judicial orders and final judgments
Hearing and trial transcripts
Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
Sentencing information in criminal matters
Marriage dissolution decrees and custody determinations
Probate inventories and distributions

Court records are distinct from other public records maintained by Riverside County, such as property records (deeds, liens, assessments), vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), and administrative records. The primary distinction lies in their creation within the judicial process rather than through administrative government functions.

According to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550(b)(1), court records include "all documents, papers, exhibits, transcripts, and other materials that are filed in a case." This definition establishes the broad scope of materials considered official court records under California law.

In Riverside County, court records are maintained by several judicial bodies:

Riverside County Superior Court (general jurisdiction)
Appellate Division of Riverside Superior Court
Specialized divisions including Family Law, Probate, Juvenile, and Small Claims
Historic records from formerly separate Municipal Courts (consolidated in 1998)

The California Public Records Act further defines judicial records as public records subject to disclosure with certain exceptions.

Are Court Records Public In Riverside County

Court records in Riverside County are presumptively public documents pursuant to both the California Public Records Act (CPRA) and the common law right of access to judicial records. Under California Government Code § 6253, "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency and every person has a right to inspect any public record."

The California Constitution, Article I, § 3(b)(1) further reinforces this right, stating: "The people have the right of access to information concerning the conduct of the people's business, and, therefore, the meetings of public bodies and the writings of public officials and agencies shall be open to public scrutiny."

Records generally available to the public include:

Civil case files (with limited exceptions for sealed documents)
Criminal case files (post-arraignment)
Judgments and court orders
Docket sheets and registers of actions
Court calendars and hearing schedules
Final opinions and dispositions

However, certain categories of court records remain confidential under California law, including:

Juvenile court proceedings (Welfare & Institutions Code § 827)
Adoption records (Family Code § 9200)
Mental health proceedings (Welfare & Institutions Code § 5328)
Certain family law documents containing private financial information
Records sealed by court order pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550
Grand jury transcripts prior to indictment

The Riverside County Superior Court follows the California Rules of Court regarding public access to records. Rule 2.503 specifically addresses electronic access to court records, establishing different levels of remote access for different case types.

Federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which includes Riverside County, are governed by federal access rules and are available through the federal PACER system rather than county resources.

How To Find Court Records in Riverside County in 2026

Members of the public seeking court records in Riverside County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Riverside County Superior Court maintains multiple access points for record retrieval.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit the appropriate courthouse where the case was filed:

Riverside County Superior Court - Main Courthouse
4050 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court

Counter hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding court holidays.

When requesting records in person:

Complete a Records Request Form (available at the clerk's office)
Provide specific case information (case number preferred)
Present valid photo identification
Pay applicable copy fees ($0.50 per page for standard copies)
Allow processing time for older or archived cases

For written requests by mail, requestors should:

Submit a written request including case name, case number, and specific documents needed
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
Enclose payment for estimated copy fees (checks payable to "Riverside County Superior Court")
Mail to the appropriate division of the court where the case was filed

Pursuant to California Government Code § 68150, the Riverside County Superior Court maintains electronic versions of many court records, particularly for cases filed after 2000. The court's case management system allows for electronic searches of case information through public access terminals located at courthouse locations.

For certified copies of court records, additional fees apply, and requestors must specifically indicate the need for certification. According to California Government Code § 70626, the fee for certification of court records is $25 per document plus copy fees.

Researchers seeking historical court records (pre-1980) may need to contact:

Riverside County Archives
2720 Gateway Drive
Riverside, CA 92507
(951) 955-6046
Riverside County Archives

How To Look Up Court Records in Riverside County Online?

Riverside County provides several online portals for accessing court records electronically. The primary system for public access is the Riverside Superior Court's Public Access system.

To access the Riverside Superior Court's online case information, users should:

Navigate to the court's official website
Select "Case Information" under Online Services
Choose the appropriate case type (Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, etc.)
Enter search criteria (case number, party name, filing date)
Review the results list and select specific cases for detailed information

The online system provides:

Case summary information
Party details
List of filed documents (though not document images)
Future hearing dates
Case status and disposition information

For criminal cases, the Riverside County Criminal Case Information Portal offers:

Defendant information
Charge details
Hearing dates
Sentencing information
Case status

Family law case information is more restricted online due to privacy concerns. Basic case information is available, but document contents typically require in-person requests.

For traffic citations, the Riverside County Traffic Portal allows users to:

Look up citation information
View scheduled court dates
Pay eligible fines online
Request traffic school options

The California Courts maintain a statewide case information portal for appellate cases that may include Riverside County cases appealed to higher courts.

Users should note that pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, certain document types and case categories have restricted online access. Complete case files are generally only available through in-person requests at the courthouse.

How To Search Riverside County Court Records for Free?

California law guarantees the public's right to inspect judicial records without charge. According to California Government Code § 6253(a), "public records are open to inspection at all times during the office hours of the state or local agency." While copying fees may apply, inspection itself is free of charge.

Free access options in Riverside County include:

In-Person Inspection:

Visit any Riverside County Superior Court location during business hours
Use public access terminals available in courthouse lobbies
Request to view specific case files at the clerk's counter
Take notes from records without incurring fees

Free Online Resources:

Riverside Superior Court Case Information - Basic case information is available without charge
Riverside Court Calendar Information - Daily court calendars viewable without fees
California Appellate Court Case Information - Appeals involving Riverside cases

The Riverside Law Library also provides free public access to court record research tools:

Riverside Law Library - Main Branch
3989 Lemon Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 368-0368
Riverside Law Library

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-7:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

While inspection is free, fees apply for:

Photocopies ($0.50 per page)
Certified copies ($25 plus copy fees)
Complex searches requiring staff research time
Electronic delivery of documents

Under California Rules of Court, Rule 2.506, courts may charge reasonable fees for electronic access to court records that exceed direct costs. However, basic case information remains available without charge.

What's Included in a Riverside County Court Record?

Riverside County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but generally include:

Civil Case Records:

Complaint or petition initiating the action
Summons and proof of service
Answers and responsive pleadings
Motions and supporting documentation
Discovery documents (when filed with the court)
Court orders and minute entries
Exhibits admitted into evidence
Judgment documents
Notice of appeal (if applicable)

Criminal Case Records:

Charging documents (complaint, information, or indictment)
Arraignment minutes
Bail and custody information
Pretrial motions and rulings
Plea agreements
Trial transcripts (when prepared)
Verdict forms
Sentencing documents
Probation reports (often confidential)
Appeal notices and briefs

Family Law Records:

Petition for dissolution or legal separation
Response to petition
Financial disclosure declarations
Child custody and support orders
Marital settlement agreements
Qualified domestic relations orders
Judgments and decrees

Probate Records:

Petition for probate or conservatorship
Inventories and appraisals
Creditor claims
Accounting reports
Distribution orders
Letters of administration or testamentary

Small Claims Records:

Plaintiff's claim form
Proof of service
Defendant's response (if any)
Judgment documents
Satisfaction of judgment (when filed)

According to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550(b), the court record also includes "all documents, papers, exhibits, transcripts, and other materials that are filed in a case." This encompasses both physical and electronic filings maintained by the court.

Administrative records related to court operations, such as personnel files, internal memoranda, and administrative reports, are not considered part of the court record accessible to the public under standard record request procedures.

How Long Does Riverside County Keep Court Records?

Riverside County Superior Court retains court records according to schedules established by the Judicial Council of California pursuant to Government Code § 68152. Retention periods vary significantly based on case type and document importance.

Permanent Retention:

All judgments and court orders in civil cases
Register of actions (docket sheets)
Index of parties
Capital felony case files
Civil unlimited case files involving real property rights
Family law judgments and orders
Probate case files involving real property distribution
Adoption records

Extended Retention (50+ years):

Non-capital felony case files (75 years)
Domestic violence restraining orders (permanent if issued, otherwise 50 years)
Civil harassment restraining orders (permanent if issued, otherwise 50 years)

Medium-Term Retention (10-30 years):

Civil limited case files (10 years after final disposition)
Misdemeanor case files (5-10 years depending on offense type)
Small claims judgments (10 years)
Non-judgment civil unlimited cases (10 years)
Probate case files not involving real property (10 years)

Short-Term Retention (Less than 10 years):

Traffic infractions (5 years)
Civil harassment petitions denied (5 years)
Small claims cases dismissed (3 years)
Civil cases dismissed before hearing (1 year)

The California Trial Court Records Manual provides comprehensive guidance on retention schedules followed by Riverside County courts. This manual implements the requirements of Government Code § 68152 and California Rules of Court, Rule 10.854.

Records scheduled for destruction may be preserved if they have historical value. The Riverside County Archives may maintain court records beyond their required retention period if they are deemed historically significant.

Researchers seeking older records should note that pre-1998 Municipal Court records may follow different retention schedules, and some historical records may have been transferred to the Riverside County Archives or the California State Archives.

Types of Courts In Riverside County

Riverside County's judicial system consists of several court types operating under the unified Superior Court structure. Following the 1998 unification of California's trial courts, all trial-level courts in Riverside County operate as branches of the Superior Court.

Riverside County Superior Court - Main Courthouse
4050 Main Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Riverside County Superior Court - Southwest Justice Center
30755-D Auld Road
Murrieta, CA 92563
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Riverside County Superior Court - Larson Justice Center
46-200 Oasis Street
Indio, CA 92201
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Riverside County Superior Court - Banning Justice Center
311 E. Ramsey Street
Banning, CA 92220
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

Riverside County Superior Court - Hemet Courthouse
880 N. State Street
Hemet, CA 92543
(951) 777-3147
Riverside County Superior Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

The court hierarchy for cases originating in Riverside County follows this structure:

Riverside County Superior Court (trial court level)
California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Two (located in Riverside)
California Supreme Court (final state appellate authority)

Federal cases involving Riverside County residents are heard in:

United States District Court - Central District of California, Eastern Division
3470 Twelfth Street
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 328-4450
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM

Appeals from federal cases proceed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, headquartered in San Francisco.

What Types of Cases Do Riverside County Courts Hear?

Riverside County Superior Court has jurisdiction over a comprehensive range of case types as established by the California Constitution and state statutes. The court's divisions handle specific categories of legal matters.

Civil Division:

Unlimited civil cases (claims exceeding $25,000)
Limited civil cases ($25,000 or less)
Small claims actions (maximum $10,000 for individuals)
Civil harassment restraining orders
Name change petitions
Elder abuse prevention
Workplace violence prevention
Civil appeals from limited jurisdiction cases

Criminal Division:

Felony prosecutions (preliminary hearings and trials)
Misdemeanor prosecutions
Criminal appeals from infractions
Bail hearings and arraignments
Probation violation proceedings
Mental health competency hearings
Criminal protective orders

Family Law Division:

Divorce and legal separation
Child custody and visitation
Child and spousal support
Domestic violence restraining orders
Paternity establishment
Marital property division
Guardianship of minors
Adoption proceedings

Probate Division:

Decedent estate administration
Trust proceedings
Conservatorships (adult guardianships)
Mental health commitments
Elder care proceedings
Estate planning document validation

Juvenile Division:

Juvenile dependency (child welfare cases)
Juvenile delinquency (youth offenses)
Juvenile traffic matters
Adoption finalizations
Emancipation of minors

Traffic Division:

Traffic infractions
Driving under the influence (misdemeanor)
Driver's license issues
Traffic school eligibility

Appellate Division:

Appeals from limited civil cases
Appeals from misdemeanor criminal cases
Appeals from traffic infraction cases
Writ proceedings

Case assignment within the Riverside County Superior Court system is governed by local rules established pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 10.603. Geographic considerations and case type determine which courthouse location handles specific matters.

How To Find a Court Docket In Riverside County

Court dockets, also known as registers of actions in California courts, provide chronological summaries of all proceedings and filings in a case. Riverside County offers several methods to access these important records.

To locate a court docket in Riverside County:

Online Access:

Visit the Riverside Superior Court's Public Access portal
Select the appropriate case type category
Enter search criteria (case number is most efficient)
View the register of actions showing all case events in chronological order

In-Person Access:

Visit any Riverside County Superior Court location
Use public access terminals in the lobby area
Request assistance from the clerk's office if needed
Provide case number or party names to locate the docket

Case Information by Phone: Limited docket information may be available by calling the court's automated system at (951) 777-3147. This service provides basic case status and next hearing dates but not complete docket details.

For specialized case types:

Criminal Cases: The Riverside County Criminal Case Information portal provides docket information for criminal proceedings.

Probate Cases: Probate case dockets can be searched through the Riverside Superior Court Probate Notes system.

Appellate Cases: For cases appealed from Riverside County, docket information is available through the California Appellate Courts Case Information System.

Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, electronic access to court records may be subject to certain restrictions. Complete docket information for all case types is always available through in-person inspection at the courthouse.

When searching for dockets, users should note that:

Case numbering formats vary by case type and filing year
Some older cases may not have complete electronic docket information
Sealed or confidential cases may have restricted docket access
Juvenile case dockets are generally not publicly accessible

Which Courts in Riverside County Are Not Courts of Record?

In California's unified court system, all Superior Courts, including all branches of the Riverside County Superior Court, are courts of record as defined by California Constitution Article VI, § 1. This constitutional provision states: "The judicial power of this State is vested in the Supreme Court, courts of appeal, and superior courts, all of which are courts of record."

As courts of record, all Riverside County Superior Court proceedings:

Maintain official verbatim records of proceedings
Issue formal written orders and judgments
Follow rules of evidence and procedure
Have decisions subject to appellate review
Maintain permanent records of all actions

Prior to court unification in 1998, California maintained Municipal Courts and Justice Courts that were not always courts of record for all proceedings. However, these courts no longer exist in Riverside County or elsewhere in California.

Currently, the only judicial bodies in Riverside County that might be considered "not courts of record" include:

Small Claims Division: While technically part of the Superior Court, small claims proceedings are conducted informally without court reporters. However, records of judgments and orders are still maintained as official court records. Appeals from small claims judgments are heard de novo (completely new hearing) rather than based on a record of the original proceeding.

Administrative Hearings: Various administrative bodies conduct quasi-judicial hearings that are not courts of record, including:

Local administrative citation hearings
Parking citation appeals
School disciplinary hearings
Certain licensing proceedings

These administrative proceedings, while adjudicatory in nature, are not conducted by the judicial branch and do not create court records in the formal sense.

According to California Government Code § 27706, proceedings not designated as courts of record do not require official court reporters, though records of decisions must still be maintained. All judicial proceedings in Riverside County Superior Court locations are courts of record under California law.