Richmond Court Docket Access

Richmond court docket records are maintained by Contra Costa County Superior Court. The city operates no separate court system of its own. All cases filed in Richmond or involving local residents go through the county courts. You can search for dockets online using the county portal or visit a courthouse in person to access records. Richmond sits on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay in western Contra Costa County. The county court system handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases. Docket entries go back many years and remain available to the public under California law.

Court Records for Richmond

Richmond is located in Contra Costa County. The county Superior Court manages all judicial records for the city. Cases get filed at the main courthouse in Martinez or at branch locations. The Martinez courthouse sits at 725 Court Street in downtown Martinez. This is the primary location for most case types. Criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, and probate all get processed there.

Richmond has a satellite courthouse for certain matters. But most cases still go through Martinez. The drive from Richmond to Martinez takes about twenty to thirty minutes depending on traffic. Take Highway 580 east. The courthouse has parking nearby but spaces fill up quickly. Plan to arrive early. Public transit also serves the area if you prefer not to drive.

Court hours run from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon on weekdays. Some departments close for lunch. Call ahead to confirm hours for your specific case type. The clerk office phone number appears on the county court website at cc-courts.org.

Search Richmond Court Dockets Online

Contra Costa County provides online docket access through its public portal at odyportal.cc-courts.org/portal. This system covers all cases filed in the county, including those involving Richmond residents. You can search by name, case number, or party information. The portal runs on Tyler Technologies Odyssey software. Many California counties use this same system.

Searching by case number is free. Name searches may require payment. Once you locate a case, you can view the register of actions at no cost. This docket sheet lists all filings in date order. Each entry shows when something got filed, who filed it, and a short note about what it was. To read the actual documents, you must pay to download them.

Document downloads cost money. The county charges per page. Fees vary but typically run around fifty cents per page with a cap per document. The system updates daily. New filings appear within a day or two after they get filed at the courthouse. Older cases going back many years are also available. The county digitized a lot of older paper records.

If you want to avoid online fees, visit a courthouse. Public terminals let you search for free. You can view documents on screen at no charge. Printing costs fifty cents per page. Many people choose this option when they need to review multiple cases or lots of documents. It saves money compared to online downloads.

Courthouse Serving Richmond

The Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez serves Richmond residents for most court business. Criminal cases get arraigned and tried there. Civil cases including personal injury suits and contract disputes go to the same courthouse. Family law matters such as divorce and custody get filed in Martinez. Probate cases for estates and guardianships also go through that location.

The courthouse has security at the entrance. All visitors go through metal detectors. Bags get X-rayed. Do not bring weapons, sharp objects, or large bags. Security will turn you away if you try. Small purses and briefcases are fine. Just be ready to open them for inspection.

The clerk office sits on the first floor. Take a number and wait to be called. Clerks help with filing new cases, searching for records, and requesting copies. They can answer questions about procedures. They cannot give legal advice or tell you how to handle your case. For legal help, you need an attorney or legal aid service.

A self help center operates in the courthouse. This resource center has computers, forms, and staff to assist you. They show you how to fill out paperwork. They explain court processes. Services are free and available to everyone. You do not need an appointment. Just walk in during business hours.

Types of Court Dockets

Contra Costa County maintains dockets for civil cases. These include lawsuits over money, property, and contracts. The docket shows all filings and court dates. You see when the case started, what motions got filed, when hearings took place, and what the judge ordered. Final judgments appear on the docket as well.

Criminal dockets track prosecutions. Both misdemeanors and felonies have docket numbers. The docket lists charges, arraignment dates, plea hearings, and trial information. Sentencing details appear once a case concludes. Some information gets sealed by court order or by law. But most criminal dockets are public records.

Family law dockets cover divorce, custody, and support. State law limits what the public can see in family cases. Financial documents often stay confidential. Custody evaluations do not get released. But you can view hearing dates and final orders. If you are a party to the case, you have full access. The public sees only limited information to protect privacy.

Probate dockets show estate cases. When someone dies, their estate may go through probate court. The docket tracks who filed what, when hearings happened, and how assets got distributed. Probate records are public unless sealed by a judge. Traffic cases also have dockets. Most people just pay their fines. But if you contest a ticket in court, a docket gets created.

Legal Assistance for Richmond Residents

Richmond residents can find legal help through several channels. The Contra Costa County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call them to get matched with an attorney. They connect you with lawyers who handle your type of case. The first consultation usually costs a modest fee. After that, you work out payment terms directly with the attorney.

Bay Area Legal Aid serves low income residents in Contra Costa County. They handle civil cases including housing, family law, and consumer issues. They do not take criminal defense cases. To qualify, your income must fall below certain limits. Call their office to see if you are eligible. Services are free if you meet the requirements.

The courthouse self help center is open to all court users. Staff show you how to search for dockets and explain what the entries mean. They help you find the right forms for your case. They cannot represent you or give legal advice. But they point you toward the resources you need. Many people handle simple cases on their own with help from the self help center.

Nearby Cities in Contra Costa County

These nearby cities also use Contra Costa 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: