Fresno County Courts

Fresno County is home to approximately 1.02 million residents, making up about 2.6% of California's total population of 40.9 million. The county seat is Fresno, which is the state's fifth-most populous city. In a single fiscal year, the Fresno County Superior Court processes over 136,000 cases and disposes of more than 120,000.

The Fresno County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over all case types. These courts include the following:

• Fresno County Superior Court (Civil Division): Handles unlimited civil cases (over $35,000), limited civil cases ($35,000 or less), unlawful detainer (eviction) cases, civil harassment matters, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings
• Fresno County Superior Court (Criminal Division): Hears all criminal matters, such as felony cases, misdemeanor cases, traffic violations and infractions, preliminary hearings, drug court proceedings, and domestic violence cases
• Fresno County Superior Court (Family Law Division): Oversees divorce and dissolution proceedings, legal separation and nullity cases, child custody and visitation disputes, domestic violence restraining orders, and paternity cases
• Fresno County Superior Court (Probate Division): Handles probate cases and estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, mental health matters, and trust administration
• Fresno County Superior Court (Small Claims Division): Addresses small claims matters with jurisdiction limited to $12,500 for individuals and sole proprietors and $6,250 for corporations and other business entities
• Fresno County Superior Court (Juvenile Division): Handles juvenile delinquency cases, dependency matters involving child welfare and protection, truancy proceedings, and other matters involving minors under the court's jurisdiction
• Fresno County Superior Court (Appeals Division): Serves as an appellate court for limited civil cases, misdemeanor criminal cases, infractions, and small claims appeals

All the courts in Fresno County are located in the county seat of Fresno, where they operate from several facilities, including the main Fresno Superior Courthouse Downtown at 1100 Van Ness Avenue, the "M" Street Courthouse at 2317 Tuolumne Street, and the B.F. Sisk Courthouse.

How To Access Fresno County Court Records

Unless sealed by court order or protected by statute, Fresno County court records are generally available to the public following California's Public Records Act. Records that may be restricted from public viewing include those related to juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, and documents containing confidential medical information.

To access a court record in Fresno County, individuals may be required to present valid government-issued photo identification and provide relevant case details. This information could include the names of parties involved, case numbers, or dates of filing. Note that there may be associated processing fees for obtaining these records.

Fresno County court records may be accessed through the following methods:

Online

Individuals may obtain Fresno County court records electronically through the Fresno County Odyssey Portal. This digital system offers public access to docket information and case details maintained by the Fresno County Superior Court and its various divisions. However, certain historical records for different court divisions may not be accessible through the online system.

Interested persons may also access Fresno County court records through CourtCaseFinder. This third-party resource provides access to court documents and case details spanning all counties throughout the United States.

Additionally, in cases where a federal case is adjudicated within Fresno County, records of such proceedings may be obtained through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) portal. It should be noted that PACER requires users to create accounts and imposes administrative fees for accessing court records.

In-Person

Fresno County court records may also be obtained by visiting the records department or the Clerk of Court's office at the courthouse where the case was handled. The Clerk's Office hours at most locations are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, the B.F. Sisk Courthouse Clerk's Office has different hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. It is recommended that record seekers contact the appropriate clerk's office in advance to verify the record's availability and to learn about its access procedures.

Alternatively, some courthouses offer on-site public access terminals to simplify the process of locating legal records. These computer stations generally help requesters to identify the exact records needed before making a formal request for copies.

Note that although viewing court records is free of charge, administrative fees may apply if a requester seeks to duplicate and certify Fresno County court records. Regular copies cost $0.50 per page, while obtaining the certified form of a record comes with an additional fee of $40.00 per certification.

Old and Archived Court Records

Old case files that are no longer part of the active court system are stored as archived records. Individuals in need of these documents may contact the Archives Department of the Fresno County Superior Court at:

The San Joaquin Valley Heritage & Genealogy Center, located within the Fresno County Public Library, also provides access to historical court records of the county. Requesters may contact this center at:

How To File a Case in Fresno County

Cases in Fresno County may be filed through any of the following methods:

• In person at the appropriate courthouse
• Electronically through the court's online filing system
• By mail using official court forms

The Fresno Superior Court maintains an electronic self-help service called Guide & File to assist parties in the electronic filing process. This service generally assists litigants in preparing court documents and filing cases through a two-step process: answering questions online to prepare the case filing and automatically generating legal documents at no cost. The documents generated may then be filed electronically or printed for in-person filing at the courthouse.

Filing a case in Fresno County typically involves fees that vary by case type and court division. These filing fees are charged as follows:

• Small Claims: $30 for claims of $1,500 or less, $50 for claims over $1,500 but not exceeding $5,000, and $75 for claims between $5,000 and $12,500
• Limited Civil Cases: $225 for civil cases up to $10,000 and $370 for cases valued between $10,000 and $35,000
• Unlimited Civil Cases (Amounts over $35,000): $435
• Family Law and Probate Cases: $435

Note, however, that fee waivers are available through California's fee waiver procedures for persons who cannot afford filing fees. Such individuals may apply for a fee waiver by filling out a Request to Waive Court Fees form and submitting proof of financial hardship. The application must include a complete breakdown of income, assets, expenses, and any public benefits received. The court will use this financial information to determine eligibility based on public benefit status or federal poverty guidelines. Those in assistance programs such as SSI, SSP, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, County Relief, or CAPI are often automatically considered eligible.

If approved, the waiver may cover filing fees and other necessary court expenses.

Below are the basic steps for filing a case in Fresno County:

• Classify the type of case to be filed and locate the court that has the legal jurisdiction to address that case
• Prepare the petition or complaint document based on the nature of the case. Be sure to include any relevant evidence, affidavits, exhibits, or other supporting materials. Note, however, that criminal cases are generally initiated by the Fresno County District Attorney's Office on behalf of the state
• Fill out any necessary case information sheets or other forms required by the specific court division. The Fresno Superior Court offers local forms that align with its current Local Court Rules. If the form needed is not listed among the local options, a California statewide form will likely apply
• Be sure to meet any extra requirements specific to the court handling the case. This might involve securing necessary service documents, like a summons, or completing additional paperwork required by that division
• Submit the completed petition or complaint to the appropriate court, making sure to include any necessary filing fees, unless a fee waiver has been granted

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

Across the United States, the role of county court systems in providing access to justice cannot be underplayed. Legal help and self-help resources are essential for this access, especially for people representing themselves in civil, family, probate, or small claims cases. These resources vary by location but typically include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court assistance programs.

Generally, individuals seeking assistance with court cases in the county may turn to the Fresno County courthouse, local legal aid societies, and the local bar association attorney referral services to find legal help and self-help resources.

Fresno County courts also offer self-help resources to qualified litigants through courthouse assistance programs such as the Self-Help Service Center located at the following address:

Self-Help Service Center of Fresno County

This program provides education and equal access to the court system for qualified litigants by offering educational information and language assistance. Furthermore, LawHelpCA, the state's official legal aid website, provides self-help resources and legal information accessible to Fresno County residents, including court forms, legal guides, and procedural information. LawHelpCA also offers virtual assistance for various legal matters and connects users to local resources throughout California.

The following are other Legal aid organizations and pro bono services available to Fresno County residents:

• Central California Legal Services (CCLS): Advocacy and representation organization focused on issues affecting low-income residents of Fresno and surrounding areas, including housing, healthcare, family law, and public benefits
• California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA): Statewide legal aid network providing legal assistance and advocacy for low-income residents in rural areas and smaller cities throughout California, including employment, housing, and public benefits issues
• Fresno County Bar Association Attorney Referral and Information Service: Certified program that connects individuals with pre-screened attorneys who meet specific qualifications and experience requirements
• Centro La Familia Advocacy Services: Provides specialized legal services designed for low-income individuals facing issues such as housing problems, domestic violence situations, and government benefits disputes
• Civil Rights Department (CRD): State agency that investigates and resolves complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations throughout California, including Fresno County

Types of Courts in Fresno County, California

The Fresno County court system consists of Superior and Federal courts. The jurisdiction of each court and contact information are provided below:

Fresno County Superior Courts

Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: This court has general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases in Fresno County, including felony criminal matters, civil cases exceeding $25,000, juvenile delinquency cases, and appeals from lower courts. The Superior Courts in Fresno County are as follows:

Fresno County Superior Court - Civil Division

Fresno County Superior Court - Criminal Division

Fresno County Superior Court - Downtown

Fresno County Superior Court - Juvenile Division

Fresno County Superior Court - M Street Courthouse

Federal Courts Serving Fresno County

The following are the federal courts serving Fresno County:

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: The federal district court has the power to preside over cases for federal crimes, constitutional law, and other matters allocated by jurisdictional rule, such as patents and copyrights.
• Address and Contact Information:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: The bankruptcy court handles all bankruptcy proceedings filed within its territorial jurisdiction, including Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations, Chapter 12 family farmer bankruptcies, and Chapter 13 individual debt adjustment cases.
• Address and Contact Information:

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard: The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has appellate jurisdiction over district courts in the Eastern District of California and other western districts.
• Address and Contact Information:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Fresno County Courts

Below are responses to some of the commonly asked questions regarding Fresno County trial courts: