Pasadena Court Docket Files

Pasadena court dockets are filed and maintained by Los Angeles County Superior Court. This historic city has no independent court system. All cases go through county courts. The Pasadena courthouse sits in the city and handles many types of cases for local residents. You can search docket information online using county portals or visit the courthouse to use free public terminals. Civil, criminal, family, and probate cases all get filed with the same county system. Online access charges fees for name searches and document downloads. The courthouse offers free access to public computers where you can search and view records without paying online fees. Staff at the courthouse can help you find what you need or point you to self help resources if you represent yourself.

Court Records in Pasadena

Pasadena falls under Los Angeles County jurisdiction. All court dockets for Pasadena residents get filed with the county Superior Court. No separate city court exists. Cases filed in Pasadena appear in the same databases as cases from anywhere else in the county.

The Pasadena courthouse sits at 300 East Walnut Street. This location handles civil, criminal, family, and other case types for Pasadena and surrounding areas. Staff can search for any case filed anywhere in Los Angeles County. You do not need to travel downtown to access court records. The Pasadena courthouse has full access to county databases.

Online portals exist at www.lacourt.org. The county runs separate search systems for civil and criminal cases. Civil cases use the portal at www.lacourt.ca.gov/paos/v2web3/CivilIndex. Criminal cases use www.lacourt.org/paos/v2public/CriminalIndex/. Both charge fees for name searches. Document downloads cost per page. Check the fee schedule before you use these portals or you might face unexpected charges.

Pasadena Courthouse Access

The Pasadena courthouse operates during regular business hours on weekdays. Doors open in the morning. The clerk office closes in the afternoon. Check the court website for exact hours. Different departments may keep different schedules. Some close for lunch. Others stay open all day.

Parking exists near the courthouse but can be limited. Arrive early to find a spot. Public transit options include buses and light rail that stop near the courthouse. Many people take the Metro Gold Line to avoid parking hassles. Plan your visit to allow time for security screening which can take a while during busy periods.

Public computer terminals sit in the clerk office area. Ask staff for access. You can search dockets for free on these machines. View documents on screen at no charge. Print copies for fifty cents per page if you need paper records. This saves money compared to paying online download fees for each document you want to review or keep.

Online Docket Search

Los Angeles County offers online docket access through multiple portals. Pick the right one for your case type. Civil cases include lawsuits, small claims, unlawful detainer, probate, and family law. Criminal cases cover misdemeanors and felonies. Traffic cases have their own system. Using the wrong portal returns no results even if the case exists in another database.

Name searches cost about five dollars each. The system returns all matches for the name you enter. Check dates, addresses, and case types to make sure you have the right person. Many people share similar names. Case number searches cost less if you already know the number from a court notice or prior search. You go directly to that one case without paying for a broader name search.

Document downloads cost per page. The first few pages run higher rates. Additional pages cost less. The county caps fees at a set maximum per document. Read the fee schedule on the court website before you download files. Charges add up quickly if you need many documents or run multiple searches without checking prices first.

Understanding Court Dockets

A docket shows the history of a case. It lists when the case started with the initial filing. It shows each document added by the parties. It records hearing dates and what happened at each hearing. You can see if a case is still active or already closed. You can check when the next court date is scheduled if proceedings continue.

Each docket entry has a date and description. Some entries have document numbers you can click to view the filed papers. Others show as filed but with no online access. You might need to visit the courthouse to get those records from the clerk office. Privacy rules limit what gets posted online especially for family law and juvenile cases.

Dockets use abbreviations and codes. Terms like ROA mean register of actions. Codes identify different document types. The clerk office can explain what these mean if you get confused. Self help centers have guides that define common court terms and abbreviations used on docket sheets throughout the county.

Copy Fees and Charges

California law sets standard fees for court records. Copies run fifty cents per page. Certified copies add a forty dollar certification fee on top of the per page charge. You need certified copies only for official use like presenting records to another court or government agency. Regular copies work fine for personal review or reference.

Online fees differ from in person fees. Los Angeles County charges per page for downloads. The first five pages cost one dollar each. Additional pages run forty cents each. The county caps total fees at forty dollars per document. Large files hit the cap. Small files cost just a few dollars. Calculate your costs before downloading if you need many documents.

Free viewing exists at courthouse public terminals. Walk in and ask to use a computer. Search all you want. View documents on screen at no charge. Print only what you truly need. Many people search online first to find case numbers and then visit the courthouse to view full files for free. This strategy saves money on download fees while still giving you convenient access to basic docket information.

Legal Aid Resources

Public Counsel offers free legal help to low income Pasadena residents. They handle civil cases involving family law, housing, and immigration. Call to see if you qualify based on income and case type. They do not take criminal cases. If you face criminal charges, contact the public defender office or look for a private attorney who offers payment plans you can afford.

The Los Angeles County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. They match you with attorneys who practice in your area of need. The first consultation costs a modest fee. After that, you work out fees with the lawyer. Ask about hourly rates, flat fees, or payment plans during your initial meeting. Many attorneys offer flexible payment options if you cannot pay a large retainer up front.

Self help centers operate at courthouses including the Pasadena location. Staff show you how to search dockets and fill out basic forms. They explain court procedures. They cannot give legal advice about your specific case. For that, you need a licensed attorney who can review your situation and tell you what steps to take next in your legal matter.

Nearby Los Angeles County Cities

These cities also use Los Angeles County Superior Court:

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