Contra Costa County Courts

Over 1.17 million people reside in Contra Costa County, representing approximately 2.9% of California's total population of 39 million. The City of Martinez is the county seat. About 85,000 filings and 64,000 dispositions are recorded in the county's court annually, including 17,275 civil matters, 57,398 criminal cases, 7,282 family matters, 752 juvenile issues, and 2,000 probate matters.

Contra Costa County is primarily served by a unified Superior Court, with divisions located throughout the county.

• The Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County,has jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases. The court is also organized into divisions based on case type, handling family law, juvenile matters, small claims, probate, and traffic infractions.

Contra Costa County has court locations in several towns and cities, including Martinez, Pittsburg, Richmond, and Walnut Creek. This distribution is designed to provide access to the county's court system for all individuals.

How To Access Contra Costa County Court Records

Court records in Contra Costa County may be accessed by the public according to the California Public Records Act (CPRA). However, some records, like those generated from domestic violence matters, sexual assault cases, and child protection orders, may not be accessed by the public. Also, certain sensitive information in court records, such as medical details and private business documents, is restricted from public view.

Individuals seeking court records in Contra Costa County must provide the case number and a valid, government-issued photo ID. Individuals looking to access Contra Costa County court records may do so through the following means:

Online

In Contra Costa County, individuals may access court records online through the Smart Search Portal using case numbers or the offender's name as the search criterion. The county also has a Traffic Case Management Portal where the public may search for traffic cases.

Additionally, publicly available county court records may be accessed through CourtCaseFinder, which offers a convenient way to look up case information across multiple courts nationwide.

Individuals seeking federal court records for cases in Contra Costa County may use the PACER Case Locator service. Creating an account is free, but users typically pay certain fees to access court documents.

In-Person

To obtain criminal court records, individuals may visit the Criminal Clerk's Office at the courthouse located in Martinez, Pittsburgh, or Richmond. Individuals interested in accessing family law, civil, and probate issues may visit the clerk's office at the Court Records Unit to retrieve copies of the case documents. A valid government ID is required to view court records in person. Printed copies of a court record in the county generally cost $0.50 per page and $40 per document for certified copies.

Each courthouse in Contra Costa County provides public access terminals located in the Records Department for public use.

Old and Archived Court Records

The Contra Costa County Historical Society and the California State Archives house an extensive collection of historical materials dating back to 1850 and earlier. The collections include court case files, probate and estate files, court minute books, and government reports. To request these records, individuals may contact the State Archive at:

How To File a Case in Contra Costa County

To file a case in Contra Costa County, first identify the appropriate courthouse based on the type of case and location. For example, civil cases are typically filed at the Wakefield courthouse, and family law matters are filed at the Spinetta Family Law Center in Martinez. Afterward, individuals may file their cases online, in person, or by using drop boxes in certain locations like the Spinetta Family Law Center and the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse. A plaintiff is not required to contact the clerk of the court before filing a case in Contra Costa Superior Court. However, doing so may be helpful, especially if they need to inquire about the appropriate courthouse location to file their case, required forms, filing fees, fee waivers, and other service requirements.

In Contra Costa County, individuals may file legal cases online through the eFile CA Portal. This is available for civil, criminal, juvenile, and family law cases. Typically, cases not subject to mandatory electronic filing may be filed with the clerk by mail or in person at the courthouse. All documents must be filed in the appropriate courthouse as decided by state laws and local court rules and procedures.

Filing cases in the Contra Costa County Superior Court typically requires the payment of specific fees, which vary depending on the type of case. However, individuals who cannot afford the cost may apply for a waiver of court fees pursuant to Rule 3.50-3.58 of the California Rules of Court. To request waivers of court fees and costs, they must submit aRequest to Waive Court Fees Form (FW-001) to the appropriate clerk's offices.

To initiate the filing process in Contra Costa County, individuals must prepare the necessary initial documents relevant to their specific case types. This generally entails the following steps:

• Determine the appropriate courthouse - Identify the appropriate courthouse based on the case type and location. Civil cases are filed at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez. Small Claims and eviction cases are filed in the court serving the city where the dispute occurred.
• Prepare the necessary documents - Ensure you have all the relevant supporting documents, such as letters, affidavits, contracts, memos, photographs, or other exhibits. Additionally, documents such as witness statements, declarations, and evidence submitted for a hearing must be filed with the court.
• Use Court-Approved Forms - Complete official forms (if available on the court's website, or contact the clerk's office). Once the forms are completed, you must file them in person at the appropriate courthouse.
• Pay the Filing Fee - A filing fee is associated with most cases. If you cannot afford the fees, then you can request a waiver by submitting a Request to Waive Court Fees form.
• File and Serve - File your documents either online, in person, or by drop box. After filing, you must serve the opposing party with a copy of the filed documents.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, county court systems play a crucial role in delivering access to justice. Legal help and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants navigating civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In Contra Costa County, if someone cannot afford to hire a lawyer, there are places they may go for legal assistance. They may visit courthouses, identify local legal aid groups, or find free legal services from the county's bar associations. There are also free online tools and resources available to help people manage their legal issues independently.

Here are some organizations that offer low-cost or free legal help and self-help services in the county:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Contra Costa Public Defenders (CCPD)
• Contra Costa Senior Legal Services (CCSLS) offers free legal assistance to residents aged 60 and older in civil cases.
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Contra Costa County Bar Association

Contra Costa County residents may also find helpful legal support through statewide self-help resources listed below:

• Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC)
• State Bar of California
• LawHelpCA

Individuals living in Contra Costa County also have access to a variety of helpful legal aid services and self-help resources, including:

• Bay Area Legal Aid- Assists low-income individuals in Contra Costa County and beyond with access to free civil legal assistance.
• Legal Services of Northern California - Provides civil legal aid to residents in the county.
• California Courts Self-Help Center - Offers guides, forms, and instructions for common legal issues, including family law, small claims, and evictions.
• Contra Costa Superior Court Self-Help Center - Offers information on the court system for individuals interested in learning more about the court processes.
• Modest Means Program - Assists with matters related to Family Law.

Types of Courts in Contra Costa County, California

Contra Costa County has a Unified Superior Court that serves the residents. In addition, there are some federal courts in the county.

Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Primary trial court with jurisdiction over civil, criminal, domestic relations, juvenile, probate, and small claims cases.

Below are lists of court locations for the Superior Court in Contra Costa County, where residents may access various court services:

Wakefield Taylor Courthouse (Civil, Criminal, and Probate)

Spinetta Family Center (Family Law)

A.F. Bray Courthouse (Criminal and Jury)

George D. Carroll Courthouse (Civil, Small Claims, Criminal, Traffic, and Jury)

Richard E. Arnason Justice Center (Civil Division)

Walnut Creek (Juvenile and Traffic)

Federal Courts in Contra Costa County

Residents of Contra Costa County, CA, are served by the following federal courts:

United States District Court -Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts handle matters such as civil rights violations, immigration matters, federal crimes, intellectual property disputes, and lawsuits involving federal agencies. They also hear large multi-state lawsuits, class actions, and appeals from federal administrative decisions.
• Address and Contact Information -

United States Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - These courts specialize exclusively in bankruptcy cases.
• Address and Contact Information -

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Contra Costa County Courts

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the court system in Contra Costa County, California: