San Diego County, CA Courts and Public Records
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The Superior Court of California, County of San Diego is the county's single trial court. It handles felony, misdemeanor, and infraction cases, along with civil, small claims, family law, probate, mental health, and juvenile matters.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Superior Court of California, County of San Diego |
| Main Address | Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101 |
| Main Phone | (619) 844-2700 (General Information, Central Division) |
| Website | sdcourt.ca.gov |
| Presiding Judge | Hon. Michael S. Groch, two-year term began January 1, 2026 |
| Judicial Officers | 154 judicial officers per the court's January 2026 release; 135 authorized judges and 19 subordinate judicial officers (154 total authorized judicial positions) as of June 30, 2025 (Judicial Council, FY 2024-25) |
| Courthouse Locations | 7 (San Diego, Vista, El Cajon, Chula Vista) |
| Handles | Felony, misdemeanor, and infraction cases; civil, small claims, family law, probate, mental health, and juvenile cases |
| Does NOT Handle | Federal cases (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California) and DMV matters |
| Online Case Search | Online Case Search |
| Criminal Records Requests | Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street; criminal records on the 1st and 2nd floors |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | Pay Your Ticket or File an Extension |
How to Search San Diego County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and the approximate dates ready before you search San Diego County court records.
Online
Go to Online Case Search to look up case information.
Search by party name or case number.
Buy select Register of Actions documents through the court's online services.
Best for: Quick case lookups by case number
In Person
Go to the Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street, San Diego.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Most Central offices stop taking copy requests at 3:30 p.m.
Best for: Copies not available online
By Phone
Call (619) 844-2400 for older records.
Call (619) 844-2700 to confirm which location holds your file.
Best for: Confirming where a file is kept
Search by Name on CaliforniaCourtAccess.org
Go to CaliforniaCourtAccess.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types at once without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
San Diego County Court Statistics (FY 2024-25)
San Diego County's Superior Court received 324,938 new filings in fiscal year 2024-25 and reported 34,002 dispositions (incomplete). Its filings per authorized judicial position rank 45 of 58 counties.
324,938
Total filings in FY 2024-25 (FY 2023-24: 305,546)
34,002 (incomplete)
Total dispositions in FY 2024-25 (FY 2023-24: 67,467)
2,110
Filings per judicial position (rank 45 of 58 counties; 1 = most)
+6.3%
Change in total filings vs FY 2023-24 (305,546)
| Metric | FY 2024-25 | FY 2023-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 324,938 | 305,546 | +6.3% |
| Total Dispositions | 34,002 (incomplete) | 67,467 (incomplete) | -49.6% |
| Criminal Filings (includes traffic) | 217,560 | 207,990 | +4.6% |
| Civil Filings (includes small claims) | 71,521 | 62,630 | +14.2% |
| Family Law Filings | 25,131 | 24,272 | +3.5% |
| Probate Filings | 3,668 | 3,704 | -1.0% |
| Mental Health Filings | 4,752 | 4,489 | +5.9% |
| Juvenile Filings (delinquency and dependency) | 1,768 | 1,904 | -7.1% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | 154.0 | 154.0 | No change |
The largest driver of the change was criminal (+9,570 filings), followed by civil (+8,891). Dispositions flagged as incomplete by the court are marked (incomplete) and the disposition change should be read with caution.
How Have Court Filings Changed in San Diego County?
Total filings in San Diego County moved up over the five fiscal years shown; dispositions are shown beside filings.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024-25 | 324,938 | 34,002 (incomplete) | +6.3% |
| FY 2023-24 | 305,546 | 67,467 (incomplete) | +10.0% |
| FY 2022-23 | 277,828 | ~250,045 | +3.6% |
| FY 2021-22 | 268,198 | ~241,378 | -6.3% |
| FY 2020-21 | 286,236 | ~257,612 | -27.8% |
Total filings changed +13.5% between FY 2020-21 and FY 2024-25, from 286,236 to 324,938. The largest annual change was +10.0% in FY 2023-24. The latest change, FY 2024-25, was +6.3%, led by criminal filings (+9,570). Dispositions flagged as incomplete are marked (incomplete) and years flagged by the court should be read with caution.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in San Diego County?
Criminal cases make up the largest share of San Diego County filings at 67.0% of the 324,938 filed in FY 2024-25.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2024-25 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 217,560 | 67.0% | +4.6% |
| Traffic infractions | 164,666 | 50.7% | +5.1% |
| Traffic misdemeanors | 9,211 | 2.8% | -5.4% |
| Felonies | 13,097 | 4.0% | +3.2% |
| Nontraffic misdemeanors and infractions | 30,586 | 9.4% | +5.9% |
| Civil | 71,521 | 22.0% | +14.2% |
| Unlimited civil | 23,678 | 7.3% | +5.8% |
| Limited civil (includes unlawful detainer) | 41,795 | 12.9% | +21.6% |
| Small claims | 6,048 | 1.9% | +2.7% |
| Family law | 25,131 | 7.7% | +3.5% |
| Mental health | 4,752 | 1.5% | +5.9% |
| Probate | 3,668 | 1.1% | -1.0% |
| Juvenile delinquency | 1,071 | 0.3% | -8.2% |
| Juvenile dependency | 697 | 0.2% | -5.4% |
| Appeals and habeas corpus | 538 | 0.2% | -3.4% |
Limited civil cases were the fastest-growing category at +21.6%, while juvenile delinquency cases fell fastest at -8.2%.
How Does San Diego County Compare With California Overall?
San Diego County accounted for 6.12% of the 5,306,078 cases filed statewide in California superior courts in FY 2024-25, and its filings grew 6.3% while statewide filings grew 8.5%.
| Metric | San Diego County | California | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 324,938 | 5,306,078 | 6.12% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | +6.3% | +8.5% | -2.2 points vs state |
| Filings per judicial position | 2,110 | 2,636 | -20.0% vs state |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | 219 | 1,741 | -87.4% vs state |
| Criminal share of filings (includes traffic) | 67.0% | 70.1% | -3.2 points vs state |
| Civil share of filings (includes small claims) | 22.0% | 19.5% | +2.5 points vs state |
| Family law share of filings | 7.7% | 5.9% | +1.9 points vs state |
San Diego County's criminal share is lower than the statewide share and its civil share is higher. Its filings per judicial position are below the statewide figure.
San Diego County Crime Statistics (2024)
These figures cover offenses reported by all law enforcement agencies in San Diego County, as published by California DOJ OpenJustice for 2024 and 2023. Total reported violent and property crimes fell 10.5% to 56,438 in 2024 from 63,039 in 2023.
12,190
Violent crimes in 2024 (-2.9% vs 2023)
44,248
Property crimes in 2024 (-12.4% vs 2023)
~369.5
Violent crime rate per 100K residents, 2024
-10.5%
Change in total reported crimes vs 2023 (63,039 to 56,438)
| Offense | 2024 | Rate per 100K | 2023 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 71 | ~2.2 | 79 | -10.1% |
| Rape | 595 | ~18.0 | 641 | -7.2% |
| Robbery | 2,288 | ~69.4 | 2,434 | -6.0% |
| Aggravated assault | 9,236 | ~280.0 | 9,398 | -1.7% |
| Violent crimes total | 12,190 | ~369.5 | 12,552 | -2.9% |
| Burglary | 5,649 | ~171.2 | 6,421 | -12.0% |
| Larceny-theft | 28,679 | ~869.4 | 31,836 | -9.9% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 9,920 | ~300.7 | 12,230 | -18.9% |
| Property crimes total | 44,248 | ~1,341.3 | 50,487 | -12.4% |
The violent crime rate is ~369.5 per 100K countywide, 23% below the statewide rate of ~477.1, and the property crime rate is ~1,341.3 per 100K, 35% below the statewide rate of ~2,069.1.
San Diego County Courthouse Locations
San Diego County has seven Superior Court locations: four in San Diego, plus Vista, El Cajon, and Chula Vista. Check your citation or notice for the assigned location before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Courthouse | 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101 | (619) 844-2700 (General Information) | Criminal records (1st and 2nd floors); Family Court records (4th floor); older records (14th floor) |
| Hall of Justice | 330 West Broadway, San Diego, CA 92101 | See location page | Civil and small claims court records |
| Kearny Mesa Branch (Traffic) | 8950 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123 | (858) 634-1800 | Traffic and minor offense infractions; traffic court records and payment window |
| Juvenile Court | 2851 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego, CA 92123 | (858) 634-1600 (Business Office) | Juvenile Court business office and general information |
| North County Regional Center | 325 South Melrose Drive, Vista, CA 92081 | (760) 201-8600 (General Information) | Civil, family, and small claims records; criminal records; traffic (Annex) |
| East County Regional Center | 250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020 | (619) 456-4100 | Criminal and traffic, restraining orders, and family records |
| South County Regional Center | 500 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 | (619) 746-6200 | Criminal and traffic (2nd floor); civil, family, and small claims (3rd floor) |
Which Court Handles Your Case in San Diego County?
The Superior Court handles most local matters at its divisions, while federal cases go to the U.S. District Court. Check the location on your paperwork before you go.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Traffic offices at Kearny Mesa, Vista, Chula Vista, or El Cajon | Infractions are handled at the traffic offices; pay or extend the ticket through the online portal. |
| Misdemeanor | Criminal records at Central, North, East, and South locations | Criminal records are kept at the Central Courthouse and the regional centers in Vista, El Cajon, and Chula Vista. |
| Civil lawsuit | Civil records at Hall of Justice, or regional centers in Vista and Chula Vista | Civil records are kept at the Hall of Justice (330 West Broadway) and the North and South County centers. |
| Small claims | Small claims records at Hall of Justice, Vista, or Chula Vista | Small claims records are kept at the Hall of Justice (330 West Broadway) and the North and South County centers. |
| Divorce | Family Court, 1100 Union Street | Family Court is on the 4th floor of the Central Courthouse; Family Court Services can be reached at (619) 844-2888. |
| Child custody or support | Family Court, 1100 Union Street | Family Support Division (619) 844-2799; Family Court Services (619) 844-2888. |
| Juvenile case | Juvenile Court, 2851 Meadow Lark Drive, San Diego | Juvenile Court business office: (858) 634-1600. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California | Not handled by the Superior Court. |
Are San Diego County Court Records Public?
Yes, most San Diego County court records are public, with exceptions for sealed, confidential, and juvenile records.
Public records
Under California Rules of Court, rules 2.500 to 2.507, the public may inspect most trial court records, including civil, criminal, and traffic case files.
Restricted or confidential records
Sealed records, juvenile records, and records made confidential by law or court order are not available without a court order or legal right. Family, probate, and mental health files can also be restricted in part.
Online access
Online Case Search lists case information for San Diego cases. Select Register of Actions documents can be purchased through the court's online services, but not every document is online.
In-person access
Visit the Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street, or a regional records office to view or request records. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and most offices stop copy requests at 3:30 p.m.
Fees
The court lists copy fees in its fee table at sdcourt.ca.gov/fees. This section does not quote amounts that the court did not state on its pages.
How to Search San Diego County Court Records Online
Use the court's online case search to locate San Diego County cases, and request documents that are not online from the court records office.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, or juvenile.
- Open Online Case Search to look up cases by name or case number.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case information for status and scheduled dates.
- Contact the court records office at the location that holds your file to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Online Case Search | Case information and status | Documents may require a request to the records office |
| Traffic | Pay Your Ticket portal | Ticket payment and extension requests | Case search for traffic records is through the records office at Kearny Mesa |
| Civil | Online Case Search | Case information | Documents may require a request to the Hall of Justice records office |
| Small claims | Online Case Search | Case information | Documents may require a request to the Hall of Justice records office |
| Family law | Family Court records, 1100 Union Street | Case information through the records office | Family details are restricted; confirm with the office |
| Probate | Probate is not listed in the general online search on the court pages reviewed | Contact the court for probate records | Not all probate files are online |
| Juvenile | Juvenile Court business office, (858) 634-1600 | Limited information through the office | Juvenile case records are confidential and not in the public search |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in San Diego County
The court lists these official options for traffic tickets. You may also ask the court to reduce the amount owed based on your ability to pay.
- Online: Pay Your Ticket or File an Extension lets you pay or file an extension for a traffic ticket.
- Ability to pay: MyCitations: Ability to Pay lets you request a reduction based on your ability to pay.
- In person: Pay at the payment windows at Kearny Mesa (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) or Vista (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).
- Express drop box: Use the drop box at each traffic location, which is available 24 hours a day at Kearny Mesa and Vista.
Parking tickets are separate from traffic citations; follow the payment instructions printed on the ticket.
San Diego County Court Records FAQ
How do I search San Diego County court records?
Use Online Case Search or visit the records office at the location that holds your file.
Are San Diego County court records public?
Most are, under California Rules of Court, rules 2.500 to 2.507, but sealed, juvenile, and confidential records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name or case number in Online Case Search, or call the Central Courthouse at (619) 844-2700 for criminal records on the 1st and 2nd floors.
How do I find a court date?
Check your notice or citation, then look up the case in Online Case Search or call the location on your paperwork.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Pay online through the traffic portal or at the Kearny Mesa or Vista payment windows, or use the ability-to-pay option if you cannot afford the amount.
How many cases are filed in San Diego County each year?
San Diego County recorded 305,546 filings in FY 2023-24, up 10.0% from 277,828 in FY 2022-23.
What is the most common type of case?
Criminal cases, including traffic, made up 207,990 filings or 68.1% of the FY 2023-24 total, with traffic infractions alone at 156,681.
Is crime in San Diego County rising or falling?
Total reported violent and property crimes fell 10.5% to 56,438 in 2024 from 63,039 in 2023, according to California DOJ data.
Courts in the County
California 4th District Court of AppealMore Info
| Address: | 750 B Street, Suite 300, San Diego, CA, 92101 |
| Phone Number: | 619-744-0760 |
| Website: | https://www.courts.ca.gov/4dca.htm |
San Diego County Superior CourtMore Info
| Address: | 1100 Union St, San Diego, CA, 92101 |
| Phone Number: | 619-844-2700 |
| Website: | http://www.sdcourt.ca.gov |
Useful Links
- Superior Court of California, County of San Diego Official website for San Diego County Superior Court providing access to case information, forms, and local court services.
- California Courts - Self-Help Center California Judicial Branch resource offering guidance on legal processes, forms, and accessing judicial services statewide, including San Diego.
- San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk Official San Diego County site for property records, vital records, marriage licenses, and other public record services.
- Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) - San Diego Law Library Access federal court records electronically through PACER with guidance from San Diego Law Library's research resources.
- Records Request Forms - San Diego County Guide for requesting public records in San Diego County, including court documents and real estate records.
- San Diego County District Attorney - Consumer Protection and Outreach Consumer protection information and contact details for San Diego District Attorney’s office to report fraud and access services.
- San Diego County Public Defender Services Information on obtaining legal defense services for low-income individuals in San Diego through public defender assistance.
- San Diego County Probation Department Department providing supervision services, community programs, and resources for probationers within San Diego County.
- San Diego Law Library Public law library offering extensive collections of legal research materials and access to legal information for residents.
- San Diego Police Department - Records Division Access police records, traffic reports, and background checks through the San Diego Police Department's Records Division services.
- California State Bar - San Diego County Bar Association Resource for connecting with lawyers, legal education, and pro bono services through San Diego's local bar association.
- San Diego County Public Defender Office Official public defender’s website outlining legal defense services and resources available to eligible clients in the county.
- Network of Care - San Diego Online resource network providing information on health, legal, and social services available in San Diego County.
- Family Court Services - San Diego Superior Court Resources and services for family law cases, including custody mediations and restraining orders, provided by the superior court.
- UD-150 Residential Unlawful Detainer Information - California Courts Comprehensive guide on unlawful detainer procedures and tenant rights in California, relevant to San Diego renters and landlords.
- Get Legal Help - San Diego Free Press Compilation of legal aid resources, clinics, and services for low-income residents seeking legal assistance in San Diego.
- San Diego County Public Records Search - CourthouseDirect.com Online platform offering access to property and court records across various San Diego County jurisdictions for public use.
- Region 17 Trustee Program - US Dept of Justice Bankruptcy court jurisdiction guidance for San Diego County, including trustee resources and filing support from the US Dept of Justice.
- San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency County agency providing public health services, including legal guidance and support for mental health and social services.
- San Diego County Sheriff's Department Provides information on detention facilities, public safety resources, and law enforcement services across San Diego County.
Table of Contents
- San Diego County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search San Diego County Court Records
- San Diego County Court Statistics (FY 2024-25)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in San Diego County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in San Diego County?
- How Does San Diego County Compare With California Overall?
- San Diego County Crime Statistics (2024)
- San Diego County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in San Diego County?
- Are San Diego County Court Records Public?
- How to Search San Diego County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in San Diego County
- San Diego County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links