Long Beach Court Docket Search

Long Beach court dockets are maintained by Los Angeles County Superior Court. The city operates no courts. All cases flow through the county system. Long Beach has its own courthouse at 275 Magnolia Avenue. This facility serves the local community. Civil, criminal, family law, and probate cases all get processed through LA County. Online docket portals exist for searching by name or case number. You can also visit clerk windows at any LA County courthouse for in person searches. The database includes cases from Long Beach and all other cities in the county. Millions of docket entries exist across the system.

Long Beach Docket Access

Long Beach sits in Los Angeles County. The Superior Court handles all court dockets. The Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse stands at 275 Magnolia Avenue in downtown Long Beach. This location handles civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases for the city and surrounding areas.

The Long Beach courthouse offers full services. You can file new cases there. Hearings take place daily. Clerk windows stay open during business hours for searches and copies. Some complex matters may transfer to downtown LA courthouses. But most routine cases start and finish in Long Beach.

Parking exists near the courthouse. Lots and metered street parking fill up during peak hours. Arrive early if you have a morning hearing. Public transit serves the area with several bus lines stopping nearby. The Metro Blue Line has a station within walking distance of the courthouse.

Online Docket Searches

Los Angeles County runs online search portals for court dockets. Civil cases use one portal at lacourt.ca.gov. Criminal cases have a separate system. Both charge fees for name searches. Searching by case number costs less if you already have the number.

The portals search countywide. Cases filed in Long Beach appear alongside cases from LA and other cities. You cannot filter by city. Enter a name or case number. The system returns all matches across the entire county database. This makes it easy to find cases no matter where they got filed within LA County.

Document downloads cost extra. Per page fees apply. The county charges more for the first few pages. After that, the rate drops. Caps limit how much any single document can cost. Check the fee before you download. Many people review the docket summary first to identify which documents they need before paying download fees.

The electronic records access guide explains which case types allow remote viewing and which require courthouse visits. Some sensitive matters like family law have limited online access. You may need to visit in person to see full files.

Long Beach Courthouse Services

The courthouse handles all major case types. Civil disputes get filed and tried here. Criminal prosecutions happen in courtrooms upstairs. Family law has dedicated departments. Traffic violations process through their own windows. Each department posts its hours and procedures.

Public computers sit in the clerk office area. Use these terminals to search dockets for free. You avoid online search fees by visiting in person. Print copies for fifty cents per page. Certified copies add a forty dollar fee plus page charges. Most people skip certification unless another agency requires official documents.

Security screening happens at the entrance. Leave weapons and prohibited items at home or in your car. Cell phones may be restricted in courtrooms. Check rules before you enter. Dress codes apply for hearings. Judges can deny entry for inappropriate clothing. Business casual works for most court appearances.

Court Docket Fees

LA County charges about five dollars for online name searches. Document downloads add per page fees. The first few pages cost one dollar each. Additional pages drop to fifty cents. The court caps total document fees to prevent huge bills for large files.

Case number searches save money. If you know the number from a prior search or court notice, use it. The docket pulls up free. You only pay for documents you download. This makes follow up searches much cheaper than repeating name searches.

Free searches exist at courthouse terminals. Visit any clerk office in LA County. Use a public computer. Search as much as you want at no charge. Print what you need for standard copy fees. This helps people who cannot afford online charges or who need to search extensively.

Legal Resources in Long Beach

The Los Angeles County Bar Association operates a lawyer referral service. They connect you with attorneys who handle your type of case. Initial consultations often cost less than standard hourly rates. This lets you discuss your situation and decide whether to hire that lawyer.

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free help to low income residents. They handle civil matters like evictions, family law, and consumer issues. They do not take criminal defense cases. Income limits apply based on household size. Call to see if you qualify for their services.

The court self help center at the Long Beach courthouse offers free assistance. Staff show you how to search dockets. They help you fill out forms. They explain filing procedures. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case. But they help you understand the system when you represent yourself without a lawyer.

Private attorneys practice throughout Long Beach. Many specialize in areas like personal injury, business law, or criminal defense. Check the state bar website to verify a lawyer holds an active license. Read reviews and ask for references. Most attorneys offer free or low cost initial consultations.

California Court Access Laws

State law mandates public access to court records. Government Code 68150 requires trial court records kept in electronic form to remain reasonably accessible for viewing and copying. This applies to all Superior Courts including LA County.

The California Rules of Court add specific access requirements. Some case types have restricted remote viewing. Criminal cases, family law matters, and juvenile proceedings limit what you can see online. You may need to visit a courthouse in person to view full files for these sensitive matters. Most civil and probate cases allow full remote access.

Sealed records stay hidden from public view. A judge must order sealing. This happens in cases involving confidential information like trade secrets or sensitive personal matters. Once sealed, only parties and their attorneys can access the file. The public cannot search or view sealed cases.

Nearby Cities in LA County

These nearby cities also use Los Angeles County Superior Court for their docket records:

Court Records in Other Major California Cities

Looking for court dockets in other large California cities? Try these: