Riverside County Superior Court Records
Understanding Riverside County Superior Court
Understanding the operations of the large court system in Riverside County California can be complex. Yet, it is important for those seeking justice, researching legal matters, or obtaining court records to become familiar with. The Riverside County Superior Court in California, being the largest in the county, play a very significant role in the county's Judicial System. There are a total of 16 Superior Court locations in the county, which is divided geographically. This allows the Judicial System to adequately support its citizens in the different cities within the county. These courts hear a range of different case from civil to criminal, family to probate, the court's jurisdiction is broad. We will go through the various cases this court hears, and what records are publicly available.
Types of Cases Heard in Riverside County Superior Court
The Superior Courts hear a variety of cases, which fall under different categories. Here is a outline of the cases heard by these courthouses:
Civil Cases: These types of civil cases involve disputes between individuals, businesses, and entities. They can range from small claims to complex lawsuits and litigation. The goal is to offer a public platform for peaceful resolution of these disputes.
Criminal Cases: The majority of these criminal cases are brought by the state against individuals accused of misdemeanors and felonies. The court handles these cases from arraignment to sentencing. It ensures that the accused are given a fair trial.
Family Law: These types of family court cases deal with matters such as divorce, child custody, domestic violence, and child support. The court plays an important role in resolving these sensitive issues. It aims to protect the rights and welfare of all family members.
Probate: The majority of the probate cases involve wills, estates, and conservatorships, most frequently after someone's death. The court oversees these matters to ensure lawful distribution of assets.
Juvenile: Juvenile cases involve minors who have committed criminal offenses. This court takes a unique approach to these cases, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment when possible.
Traffic: Traffic cases involve moving violations of traffic laws. The court ensures that these cases are processed efficiently and fairly and gives the public a platform for disputing their traffic citations.
Appeals: The Appeals Court hears appeals from lower courts. This judicial division reviews cases to make sure that any errors in the initial trial can be corrected.
Specialty Courts: This court oversees cases such as drug courts or veterans' courts. It was designed to provide tailored justice to specific groups of individuals.
How to Run a Riverside County Superior Court Case Search
Accessing Riverside County Superior Court records can be accomplished a few different ways. The Superior Court website provides an easy way to access court documents. You also have the option to use the California Judicial website, or third party resources, depending on what types of case records you are looking for. Here is a breakdown of the various ways to run a Riverside County Superior Court Case Search.
Superior Courthouse Website: The court's website provides an online case search feature. You can search for case information by using case numbers or party names. If you cannot find what you are looking for on the website it may because the record was purged or sealed from public view. You can contact the Court Clerk for assistance @ 951-777-3147
The Public Access to Electronic Court Records (PACER) System: The PACER System allows you to access court records electronically. It's important to note that not all case information may be available through this system. Some records may only be available at the specific courthouse.
California State Judicial Website: This system allows users to retrieve court records from all over the state. This can be a useful system if you are looking for records from more than one courthouse, or don't know the exact courthouse to search.
Third Party Resources: Since most court case records are considered public records, you don't have to use the various court websites to access the information you are looking for. Many public record websites offer access to civil and criminal court records, as well as most any other public records. These can be useful resources for running a background check on someone, or looking up their criminal history.
Using the Superior Court's Calendar
The court's calendar is a useful tool that can help people track down information about upcoming hearings and trials. You can search the calendar by case number or party name. This can help you find the information you need by visiting the "Online Services" area of the website, located on the home page. Remember, the calendar is subject to change. Always check the calendar for the most up-to-date information.
How Do I Search Riverside County Court Records?
You can access Riverside County court records directly through their courthouse website, through the California Judicial website, or through third party public record websites. You will need to know either the case number or the names of the parties involved to access these records online.
Are Riverside County Court Cases Considered Public Record?
Yes, most every court case is part of the public records system in California. This means that unless the record is sealed or expunged, the general public is granted access to research and view it online.
