San Bernardino Court Docket Search
San Bernardino court dockets are kept by San Bernardino County Superior Court. The city has no separate judicial system. All cases filed in San Bernardino or involving local residents go through the county courts. You can search dockets online using the county public access portal or visit the courthouse in person. San Bernardino is the county seat, so the main courthouse sits downtown at 247 West Third Street. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases all get processed through this court system. Docket records dating back many years remain accessible to the public under state law.
San Bernardino Court Quick Facts
Court Records for San Bernardino
San Bernardino sits in San Bernardino County. The county Superior Court manages all judicial records for the city. The main courthouse is located at 247 West Third Street in downtown San Bernardino. This building serves as the primary filing location for cases throughout the county. Criminal cases, civil lawsuits, family law matters, and probate all get processed here. It is one of the busiest courthouses in Southern California.
The downtown courthouse sits near the intersection of Third Street and Arrowhead Avenue. Take Interstate 10 or Interstate 215 to get close. Street parking is limited. Paid lots are nearby. A parking structure serves the courthouse. Arrive early if you have a court date. Security lines get long during morning rush.
Court hours run from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon on weekdays. The clerk office stays open during those hours. Some departments close for lunch. Call ahead to confirm hours for your specific case type. The main phone number is listed on the county court website at sanbernardino.courts.ca.gov.
Search San Bernardino Court Dockets Online
San Bernardino County provides online docket access at cap.sb-court.org/search. This Court Access Portal covers all cases filed in the county. You can search by name, case number, or other details. The system runs on Tyler Technologies Odyssey software. Many California counties use this same platform.
Searching by case number is free. Name searches may require payment. Once you locate a case, you can view the register of actions. This docket sheet lists all filings in date order. Each entry shows when something got filed, who filed it, and a brief description. To read the actual documents, you must pay a download fee.
Document downloads cost fifty cents per page with a fifty dollar cap per document. The system updates daily. New filings appear within one or two business days after they get filed at the courthouse. Older cases dating back many years are also available. The county has digitized a lot of older paper records.
Free access exists at courthouse terminals. Walk into the San Bernardino courthouse or any branch location. Ask the clerk for access to a public computer. Search as much as you want at no charge. View documents on screen for free. Print copies for fifty cents per page. Many people choose this option when they need to review multiple cases or lots of documents.
San Bernardino Justice Center
The San Bernardino Justice Center stands at 247 West Third Street downtown. This large building houses civil, criminal, family, and probate courts. Criminal arraignments happen daily. Civil trials get scheduled months in advance. Family law hearings take place in dedicated courtrooms. Probate matters get scheduled as needed.
Security screens all visitors at the entrance. You walk through metal detectors. Bags go through X-ray machines. Do not bring weapons or large bags. Security will not let you in with prohibited items. Small purses and briefcases are fine. Just be ready to open them for inspection.
The clerk office sits on the first floor. Windows line the counter. Take a number and wait to be called. Clerks help with filing new cases, searching for records, and requesting copies. They answer procedural questions. They cannot give legal advice. 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 who can assist you. They show you how to search for dockets. They explain what the entries mean. They help you fill out forms. Services are free to everyone. Walk in during business hours. No appointment is needed.
Types of Court Dockets
San Bernardino County maintains dockets for civil cases. These include personal injury lawsuits, contract disputes, and property claims. The docket shows all filings from start to finish. 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 once entered.
Criminal dockets track prosecutions. Both misdemeanors and felonies get docket numbers. The docket lists charges, court dates, and outcomes. You see arraignment dates, plea hearings, trial dates, and sentencing information. Some details get sealed if the case involves sensitive information. But most criminal dockets are public records.
Family law dockets cover divorce, custody, and support cases. State law limits what the public can see in family cases. Financial documents remain confidential. Custody reports do not get released. But you can view hearing dates and final orders. Parties to the case get full access. The public sees a limited version to protect privacy.
Probate dockets show estate administration. When someone dies with property, the estate may go through probate court. The docket tracks petitions, hearings, and asset distributions. Most probate records are public. Traffic cases also have dockets. If you contest a ticket in court, a docket gets created. The docket shows your hearing date and outcome.
Legal Resources for San Bernardino Residents
San Bernardino residents can find legal help through several sources. The San Bernardino County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call them to get matched with an attorney who handles your type of case. They charge a small fee for the first consultation. After that, you work out payment terms with the lawyer. Many attorneys offer payment plans.
Inland Counties Legal Services provides free legal aid to low income residents. They serve San Bernardino County along with neighboring counties. They handle civil matters including housing, family law, and consumer cases. They do not take criminal defense cases. To qualify, your income must fall below certain limits. Call to check eligibility.
The courthouse self help center is open to all court users. Staff show you how to search for dockets. They explain what the entries mean. They help you find the right forms. 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 San Bernardino County
These nearby cities also use San Bernardino County Superior Court for their docket records:
Court Records in Other Major California Cities
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