Criminal records of Mendocino County, California, are available through several channels. MendocinoCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the official Mendocino County Superior Court system, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. Below are step-by-step instructions for each search method, explanations of case data, and the procedure for requesting certified copies.
How to Search Criminal Records in Mendocino
There are several ways to find criminal records in Mendocino County. The choice depends on the specific information you are looking for and how formal a document you need.
Online Search
- MendocinoCourt.us — start here if you need to quickly check publicly available information about a criminal case. Enter the person's name or case number.
- re:SearchCA — the official portal of the Mendocino County Superior Court. Through the Court Case Information page, you can view case data, party information, scheduled hearings, and some filed documents. The system also allows you to view case records for free.
- Fort Bragg Police Booking Log — Booking Log contains recent arrest records.
- CIRIS — California Incarcerated Records & Information Search helps find individuals under the custody of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
In Person
The Mendocino County Superior Court Clerk's Office is open to visitors Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, excluding court holidays. You can use public access terminals there or ask a clerk to help you find a specific case.
By Mail
To request records by mail, fill out the Research Request form (MMC-900), which can be downloaded from the Court Records Requests page. Make checks payable to Mendocino County Superior Court.
Request Your Own Criminal History
To obtain a copy of your own state-level criminal record, you need to submit fingerprints and pay $25 to the California Department of Justice. Detailed instructions are on the Criminal Records – Request Your Own page. Fingerprinting services are available, for example, at the Mendocino County Sheriff's Department.
What You Need for the Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (for precise search)
Search Mendocino Criminal Cases by Case Number
Searching by case number is the most accurate way to find the required record. In California, case numbers are assigned by the Superior Court of each county and have a standard structure.
The typical format of a criminal case number in Mendocino County:
- County prefix or court code — a letter designation identifying the court.
- Case type code — for example, "CR" for criminal cases, "CM" for limited civil cases, etc.
- Filing year — a two-digit number indicating the year the case was registered.
- Sequential number — a unique sequential number within the year.
Example: SCUKCRCR-2024-12345 — where the first part indicates the court and case type, 2024 is the year, and 12345 is the sequential number. The format may vary slightly depending on the court branch (Ukiah or Fort Bragg).
Enter the full case number in the re:SearchCA portal to instantly get information about the status, parties, hearings, and filed documents.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Mendocino
Each criminal case in the county contains several key elements. Below are explanations of each.
Charges
| Element | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Statute code | Reference to the California Penal Code (e.g., PC 459 — burglary) |
| Severity | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction |
| Amended charges | The prosecutor may change or add charges during the case review |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is in active proceedings
- Disposed — the case has been resolved (verdict, closure, dismissal)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Hearings
A criminal case usually goes through the following stages:
- Arraignment — first court appearance, announcement of charges
- Preliminary hearing — a preliminary hearing (for felonies) where the judge determines the sufficiency of evidence
- Pre-trial — pre-trial hearing to resolve procedural issues
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review — review of probation conditions or other obligations
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed (charges dropped) |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
| Nolo contendere | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Mendocino
Certified copies are official documents with the court seal, accepted by other institutions as legal proof. The procedure for obtaining them depends on the type of record.
Court Records
The Mendocino County Superior Court Clerk's Office issues certified copies of court documents. Requests can be submitted:
- Online — through the Court Records Requests portal. Most recent records are available for purchase and download through re:SearchCA.
- In person — at the court clerk's office in Ukiah or Fort Bragg.
- By mail — fill out the MMC-900 form (available on the local court forms page), include payment by check to Mendocino County Superior Court.
To request, you need to specify the case number or party name and document type. Identification is usually required when obtaining certified copies in person.
Court Clerk's Office Contact Information
State-Level Criminal History
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is the official repository of state criminal records. To obtain your own criminal history, submit fingerprints via Live Scan and pay a $25 fee. The Sheriff's Office at 951 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 95482 provides fingerprinting services.
DOJ public records requests can also be submitted through the online DOJ form.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Mendocino
Fees for copies and certification are set according to the California Government Code (Government Code § 70626 and related sections). Specific amounts may change — always verify current rates with the court clerk's office.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $0.50 per page | Via re:SearchCA or at the clerk's office |
| Document certification | $40 for the first document, $25 for each additional | According to Gov. Code § 70626 |
| DOJ criminal history search (own record) | $25 | Submitted via Live Scan |
| Search via re:SearchCA | Free (viewing); copies — for a separate fee | Downloading documents may incur additional costs |
Processing Time
- Online requests via re:SearchCA — instant access for viewing; purchasing copies is usually processed within minutes.
- Mail requests — from 5 to 15 business days, depending on the volume and complexity of the request.
- DOJ criminal history — typically 2 to 4 weeks after submitting fingerprints via Live Scan.
- In-person requests — generally processed on the day of the visit if records are available in the electronic system. Older cases may require additional time for archive search.
Payment at the court clerk's office is accepted by check or money order. Confirm if cash or cards are accepted directly before visiting.