San Joaquin County Courts

San Joaquin County accounts for 2% of California's population of 39 million. The county is home to about 787,000 residents, with Stockton serving as the county seat and its largest city. Annually, San Joaquin County processes approximately 86,649 case filings, with about 74,461 cases resolved. These filings typically include 61,315 criminal cases, 13,593 civil, and 7,318 family-related proceedings.

The Superior Court of San Joaquin County exercises general jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases, and is organized into divisions based on case type.

• The Criminal Division handles both felony and misdemeanor cases
• The Civil Division manages non-criminal matters, including contract disputes, property damage, personal injury claims, and landlord-tenant cases
• The Juvenile Division deals with cases such as child abuse, neglect, and juvenile crime
• The Traffic Court Division typically processes violations, including red-light infractions and speeding offenses

San Joaquin County Superior Court operates in several locations across the county, allowing residents to access the judicial system within their local jurisdiction.

How To Access San Joaquin County Court Records

According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), court records, including those maintained in San Joaquin County, are open to the public for inspection and copying. However, some court records are considered confidential, such as those involving minors, adoptions, and mental health records. Also, sealed or expunged court records may not be publicly disclosed. Individuals seeking to obtain or search San Joaquin County court records must provide a case number and valid identification. Below are several ways to access the county's court records:

Online

Interested members of the public may search for San Joaquin County court records online through the Case Information Search portal. This portal enables users to look up criminal, civil, family, probate, and traffic cases by party name or case number. Alternatively, court records may be retrieved through CourtCaseFinder, a platform that provides access to court files from various counties across the United States. In addition, federal cases filed in San Joaquin County may be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.

In-Person

Requesters may obtain court records, including certified copies, by submitting a completed request form (CR-109) to the Records Management Division, located at the courthouse where the case was filed. Certain fees apply when obtaining these records. Printed copies cost $0.50 per page, while certified copies cost $40.00 for any public record document other than divorce documents. Court records may also be viewed at no cost through the public access terminals available within the courthouses.

Old and Archived Court Records

Older court records in San Joaquin County, including those dating back to 1850, are generally held by the Superior Court's Records Management Division, which manages archived public records. Requesters may obtain San Joaquin County Superior Court records in person or through an online request.

Alternatively, the California State Archives primarily holds collections of court records from California's Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal, and its local government records include documents from many counties. Researchers may contact the California State Archives' reference desk to confirm whether any San Joaquin County court records are archived under their Local Government Records collections at:

How To File a Case in San Joaquin County

Any Individual in the county may initiate court proceedings online using the eFile California system. They may also file a case in person at the San Joaquin County Superior Court Clerk's Office, or by mail (if permitted). Before filing a case, a litigant must identify the appropriate court division with jurisdiction over the case. Jurisdiction usually depends on the type of case, which includes civil, family, criminal, or probate.

Individuals filing a case are also required to prepare and submit the necessary documents in accordance with the California Rules of Court and the County of San Joaquin local rules. Once filed, the Clerk's Office assigns case numbers and enters them into the court docket. The initiating parties must ensure that the process is served, typically through personal service, certified mail, or licensed process servers. Proofs of service must then be filed with the court.

Filing fees vary depending on the type of case. Litigants who cannot afford filing fees may request fee waivers by submitting the Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs Form to the county clerk's office. The waivers may cover filing fees, service costs, and other court-related expenses. Interested parties may review the Form Information Sheet on Waiver of Superior Court Fees and Costs for guidance.

Courts may approve fee waivers for persons who receive public assistance, have low income, or demonstrate financial hardship for designated hearings through sworn declarations.

The following are steps for filing a case in San Joaquin County:

• Identify case type and jurisdiction
• Prepare required documents, including complaints or petitions, summonses, and cover sheets
• Complete all mandatory Judicial Council and local forms specific to the case types.
• Pay the required filing fees or apply for fee waivers
• Submit documents electronically, in person, or by mail (if allowed), and ensure timely service of process on opposing parties.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

County court systems are crucial in ensuring access to justice throughout the United States. Legal assistance and self-help resources are essential in supporting individuals, particularly self-represented litigants involved in civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, nonprofit legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated support programs.

In San Joaquin County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation may obtain assistance through courthouse-based self-help centers, local legal aid providers, and pro bono programs offered by bar associations. Free or low-cost support is also available through online platforms and court-sponsored resources that assist with common legal procedures. However, state agencies are not permitted to act as personal attorneys or provide legal advice to individuals.

Below are organizations offering affordable or no-cost legal assistance in San Joaquin County:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-Income Persons
• California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) - This organization offers free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals living in rural areas of California, including San Joaquin County. Services generally cover housing, labor, education, public benefits, and civil rights
• Central California Legal Services (CCLS) - This platform offers legal aid on civil law issues, including tenant rights, healthcare access, consumer issues, and public benefits. Services are typically available to qualified low-income residents
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• San Joaquin County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service - This organization connects individuals with vetted attorneys for low-cost consultations
• Voluntary Legal Services Program (VLSP) of Northern California - This legal clinic provides referrals to volunteer attorneys offering free civil legal assistance to eligible low income parties residing in the Sacramento region, including San Joaquin County
• Free Small Claims Court Advice
• San Joaquin County Self-Help Center - This self-help center offers guidance on small claims procedures, including preparation of forms and filing

Types of Courts in San Joaquin County, California

San Joaquin County is served by the Superior Court and federal courts, whose jurisdiction and contact information are listed below:

Superior Court of San Joaquin County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Criminal and civil matters, including felonies, misdemeanors, family law, probate, and juvenile cases

Outlined below are the Superior Court of San Joaquin County division locations where residents may access various court services:

San Joaquin County Superior Court - Juvenile Justice Center

San Joaquin County Superior Court - Lodi branch - Department L-1

San Joaquin County Superior Court - Lodi Branch - Department L-2

San Joaquin County Superior Court - Manteca Branch

San Joaquin County Superior Court - Stockton Courthouse

Federal Courts in San Joaquin County, California

Residents of San Joaquin County are served by the following federal courts:

United States District Court - Eastern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Criminal and civil cases arising under federal law, including immigration proceedings, federal crimes, civil rights, multi-district litigation, federal regulatory violations, and constitutional issues
• Address and Contact Information

United States Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - Bankruptcy filings submitted under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code within its district, including San Joaquin County
• Address and Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About San Joaquin County Courts

The following are commonly asked questions regarding how San Joaquin County courts operate and their answers: