Stanislaus County Dockets

Stanislaus County Superior Court maintains docket records for all cases filed in the county. Court dockets provide a chronological history of everything that happens in a case. Each entry shows dates, hearings, motions, and court orders. You can search for dockets online through the case portal. The system handles civil lawsuits, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, probate proceedings, and traffic violations. Remote access allows you to view docket information from any location with internet. The portal covers cases from courthouses throughout Stanislaus County.

Search Dockets Online

Stanislaus County runs a case portal at stanportal.stanct.org/search. You can search by party name or case number. Name searches may return multiple results if the name is common. Review each case to find the one you need. Case number searches go directly to a specific file. The portal displays register of actions entries that form the official docket. This is the complete record of all proceedings in the case from filing to resolution.

The portal shows docket entries for most case types. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and small claims records appear in the system. Each entry lists the date, type of action, and a brief description. You see when documents were filed, when hearings occurred, and what orders were issued. Some documents may be available for viewing or download. Availability depends on case type and the date of filing.

Some records have restricted access. Juvenile matters, mental health cases, and certain family law files may not be viewable remotely. California law limits online access to protect privacy in sensitive cases. You might need to visit the courthouse to view complete dockets for restricted case types. The clerk staff can explain which records require in person access and which can be viewed from home in Stanislaus County.

Courthouse Information

The main courthouse is at 800 11th Street in Modesto. This facility handles civil cases, family law, probate, and criminal matters. It is the primary judicial location for Stanislaus County. Clerk windows operate during business hours. Public terminals let you search dockets at no charge. Staff can print copies for fifty cents per page. Certified copies cost more due to authentication requirements. Parking is available near the courthouse. Bring identification to enter the building.

A second courthouse serves the Turlock area. It processes certain case types based on geographic jurisdiction. Not every case goes to Turlock. Some must be filed or transferred to the Modesto location. Check the court website or call ahead to confirm where your case is heard. This prevents wasted trips to the wrong courthouse.

Court hours run from around 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Some clerk windows close during lunch. Call ahead to verify hours before you visit. Arrive early if you need help from staff. Lines can be long during busy times. Bring case numbers or other identifying information to speed up searches in Stanislaus County.

Docket Copy Fees

Copies cost fifty cents per page. No charge to view dockets online or at courthouse terminals. You pay only when you want printed copies. A brief docket might run a few pages. Complex cases generate lengthy dockets with many entries. Costs scale with the size of the file you need. Ask for a price estimate before ordering extensive printouts.

Certified copies add a forty dollar fee plus the per page charge. The clerk stamps each page to verify it matches the official court file. Certification proves authenticity. Many institutions require certified copies for legal purposes. Banks, government agencies, and licensing boards often refuse regular photocopies. The certification stamp adds official weight. Order certified copies when you need authenticated documents for formal use.

Fee waivers exist for people who cannot afford court costs. You complete financial forms showing income and expenses. The court reviews your application and decides if you qualify. Approved waivers eliminate or reduce fees for copies and other services. Ask the clerk for fee waiver forms if you need financial help accessing records in Stanislaus County.

Docket Record Types

Civil dockets track lawsuits in Stanislaus County Superior Court. Contract disputes, personal injury claims, property conflicts, and business litigation all create civil dockets. Each docket begins with the complaint. Answers and motions follow. Discovery battles produce many entries. Hearings on procedural issues fill the record. Settlement conferences are scheduled. Trial dates are set and often continued. Many cases settle. The docket shows dismissal or stipulated judgment if parties agree. Trials generate verdict and judgment entries at the end.

Criminal dockets document prosecutions for violations of California law. They start with arraignment where charges are read and bail is set. Preliminary hearings test evidence in felony cases. Pretrial motions address legal issues. Plea deals may resolve the case without trial. If not, jury selection and trial dates appear on the docket. The verdict is recorded. Sentencing entries detail jail time, fines, restitution, and probation terms. Post conviction motions and appeals extend the docket if the defendant challenges the judgment.

Family law dockets handle divorce, custody, support, and restraining orders. These cases often involve repeated hearings over long periods. Probate dockets manage estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. Small claims dockets cover disputes under ten thousand dollars. Traffic dockets list citations, court dates, and fines. All case types create permanent records maintained by the Superior Court in Stanislaus County.

Contact the Court

Call Stanislaus County Superior Court at (209) 530-3100. Staff answer questions about docket searches and record access. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case. If you need help understanding a docket or planning your legal response, consult an attorney. Legal aid organizations may serve Stanislaus County and offer free or reduced cost help to people who qualify based on income.

The court website is at www.stanislaus.courts.ca.gov. The site has information about courthouse locations, hours, and services. You can find forms, instructions, and links to the online case portal. The website lists phone numbers for different court departments. Review the site before visiting to confirm hours and see if your issue can be handled online instead of requiring an in person trip.

Major Cities in Stanislaus County

Several cities are located within Stanislaus County. Court dockets for residents of these cities are maintained by the county Superior Court system. Select a city below for local court information:

Nearby Counties

Stanislaus County borders neighboring counties. Each operates its own court system: