Tulare Public Records /Tulare County Criminal Records

Tulare County Criminal Records

What Is Tulare County Criminal Records

Tulare County criminal records are official documents maintained by various county agencies that document the criminal history of individuals within the jurisdiction. These records are created and maintained pursuant to California Government Code § 6250-6270, which establishes the California Public Records Act. Criminal records in Tulare County typically originate from several official sources:

Arrest records from the Tulare County Sheriff's Office
Court case files from the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare
Booking and incarceration information from county detention facilities
Criminal complaint filings from the Tulare County District Attorney's Office

The Tulare County Sheriff's Records Department serves as the primary custodian for many criminal records, including arrest reports, incident reports, and booking information. This department processes requests for criminal history information in accordance with state law and departmental policies.

Tulare County Sheriff's Office
833 S. Akers Street
Visalia, CA 93277
(559) 802-9400
Tulare County Sheriff

Criminal records serve multiple purposes within the county's criminal justice system, including informing judicial decisions, supporting law enforcement investigations, and providing information for background checks as authorized by law.

Are Criminal Records Public In Tulare County

Criminal records in Tulare County are generally considered public records under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), Government Code § 6250 et seq. However, access to these records is subject to certain limitations and exceptions established by state law to protect privacy interests and ongoing investigations.

Members of the public may access the following types of criminal records:

Court case information through the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare
Current inmate information via the Tulare County Sheriff's inmate search portal
Criminal case dispositions and sentencing information
Certain arrest records, subject to restrictions

Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300-13302, complete criminal history information ("rap sheets") is not available to the general public and is restricted to authorized agencies and individuals with specific statutory authority to access such information. Additionally, certain records may be sealed or expunged under various provisions of California law, including juvenile records, successfully completed diversion programs, and cases dismissed under Penal Code § 1203.4.

Requests for public criminal records may be submitted to the appropriate agency through a formal public records request as outlined in Government Code § 6253. Agencies typically have 10 days to respond to such requests, with a possible 14-day extension under certain circumstances.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Tulare County in 2025

Individuals seeking criminal records in Tulare County in 2025 have several methods available to them, depending on the specific information needed and their relationship to the case. The county has implemented updated procedures to facilitate access while maintaining compliance with privacy laws.

For court records, requestors may:

Visit the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare in person at one of the following locations:

Visalia Division
221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 303
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 730-5000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Porterville Division
300 E. Olive Avenue
Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 782-4700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Submit an online records request through the court's electronic portal
Mail a written request to the appropriate court division with required identifying information

For law enforcement records, individuals may:

Contact the Tulare County Sheriff's Records Department directly at (559) 802-9440
Email requests to SheriffRecords@tularecounty.ca.gov
Submit requests in person at the Sheriff's Office headquarters

Pursuant to California Penal Code § 11105, individuals may also request their own criminal history information through the California Department of Justice by submitting fingerprints via Live Scan at authorized locations throughout the county.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record searches, including full name, date of birth, case numbers (if known), and approximate dates of incidents or court proceedings.

How To Find Criminal Records in Tulare County Online?

Tulare County offers several digital resources for accessing criminal records information online. These electronic systems have been implemented to improve public access while maintaining security and compliance with applicable laws.

The primary online resources for criminal records include:

The Superior Court of California, County of Tulare case information portal, which allows searches by name or case number for non-confidential court records
The Tulare County Sheriff's inmate search database, which provides current custody status and basic case information
The Tulare County Clerk-Recorder's online portal for accessing certain public records

To utilize these online systems effectively:

Identify the specific type of criminal record needed (court case, inmate information, etc.)
Navigate to the appropriate agency website
Locate the search function or records request form
Enter the required identifying information (name, date of birth, case number)
Review the results and follow instructions for obtaining copies if needed

Pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 2.503, certain case types and documents may not be available through public online access, including juvenile cases, domestic violence restraining orders, and cases involving confidential information. Additionally, some documents may only be available in redacted form to protect personal identifying information as required by California Code of Civil Procedure § 1005.8.

For records not available online, requestors may need to submit a formal records request through the court's electronic request system or contact the appropriate agency directly.

Can You Search Tulare County Criminal Records for Free?

Tulare County provides limited free access to certain criminal records information, though comprehensive searches and document copies typically involve fees established by state law and local ordinances.

Free criminal records resources include:

Basic case information searches through the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare public access terminals located at courthouse facilities
The Tulare County Sheriff's inmate search function, which provides current custody status at no charge
Public viewing of non-sealed court records at courthouse locations during regular business hours

However, pursuant to Government Code § 6253(b) and California Rules of Court, Rule 2.506, fees may be assessed for:

Copies of court documents ($0.50 per page as of 2025)
Certified copies of court records ($40.00 per document)
Records searches requiring staff research time ($15.00 per name search)
Electronic delivery of certain documents ($1.00 per document)

Superior Court of California, County of Tulare
221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 303
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 730-5000
Superior Court of California, County of Tulare

Fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals under Government Code § 68632, particularly for parties to active court cases who demonstrate financial hardship. Such waivers must be requested using Judicial Council forms and approved by the court.

What's Included in a Tulare County Criminal Record?

Tulare County criminal records typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county jurisdiction. The specific content varies based on the nature of the case and the maintaining agency.

Standard elements included in criminal records are:

Demographic information (name, date of birth, physical description)
Arrest information (date, location, arresting agency, charges)
Booking data (booking number, fingerprints, photograph)
Court case information (case number, filing date, charges filed)
Disposition information (pleas, verdicts, dismissals)
Sentencing details (incarceration terms, probation conditions, fines)
Post-conviction status (probation/parole compliance, completion dates)

For felony convictions, records may also include:

Pre-sentence investigation reports (with certain redactions)
DNA collection confirmation
Registration requirements (if applicable)
Restitution orders and payment history

Pursuant to California Penal Code § 13300, criminal history summary information ("rap sheets") containing comprehensive arrest and disposition data is generally restricted to authorized agencies and is not available to the general public. However, individual case records maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare are typically accessible unless sealed or otherwise restricted by law.

Certain sensitive information is routinely redacted from publicly available records, including social security numbers, financial account information, and victim identifying information in specified case types, in accordance with California Rules of Court, Rule 2.550-2.551.

What Are the Penalties for a Tulare County Criminal Trespass Charge?

Criminal trespass in Tulare County is prosecuted under California Penal Code § 602 and related statutes, with penalties varying based on the specific circumstances, property type, and criminal history of the defendant.

Basic trespass violations (Penal Code § 602(m)) are typically charged as misdemeanors and may result in:

Up to 6 months in county jail
Fines up to $1,000
Informal probation for up to 3 years
Stay-away orders from the property in question
Restitution for any property damage

Aggravated trespass circumstances can lead to enhanced penalties:

Trespass with intent to injure property (Penal Code § 602(j)): Up to 6 months in jail and/or fines up to $1,000
Trespass with a deadly weapon (Penal Code § 602.5(b)): Up to 1 year in county jail
Agricultural trespass causing property damage exceeding $250 (Penal Code § 602(k)): Up to 1 year in county jail and/or fines up to $10,000

Cases are typically prosecuted by the Tulare County District Attorney's Office and adjudicated in the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare:

Tulare County District Attorney's Office
221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 224
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 636-5494

Defendants facing trespass charges may be eligible for diversion programs under Penal Code § 1000.95 at the discretion of the court, particularly for first-time offenders without aggravating factors. Successful completion of diversion may result in dismissal of charges.

Repeat offenders may face enhanced penalties, including mandatory minimum jail sentences and higher fines, particularly for trespass violations involving protected facilities such as power plants, water treatment facilities, or agricultural operations.

How Long Does Tulare County Keep Criminal Records?

Tulare County maintains criminal records in accordance with California Government Code § 26202 and the records retention schedules established by the Judicial Council of California and local agencies. Retention periods vary based on the record type, case severity, and outcome.

Standard retention periods include:

Felony case files: Permanent retention for cases resulting in imprisonment; 75 years for other felony convictions
Misdemeanor case files: 5 years after final disposition for most cases; 10 years for DUI and domestic violence cases
Infraction case files: 3 years after final disposition
Arrest records without prosecution: 3 years, subject to sealing under Penal Code § 851.87
Juvenile records: Until age 38 for most offenses; permanent for specified serious offenses

The Superior Court of California, County of Tulare maintains court records according to these schedules, while the Tulare County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies maintain their records under departmental policies aligned with state requirements.

Certain records may be eligible for earlier sealing or expungement under various California laws:

Penal Code § 1203.4 (expungement after successful completion of probation)
Penal Code § 851.8 (sealing and destruction of arrest records for factual innocence)
Penal Code § 851.91 (sealing of arrest records not resulting in conviction)
Welfare & Institutions Code § 781 (sealing of juvenile records)

Individuals seeking to seal or expunge eligible records may file petitions with the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare. Forms and assistance may be available through the court's self-help center:

Superior Court Self-Help Center
221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 303
Visalia, CA 93291
(559) 737-5500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Lookup Criminal Records in Tulare County

Request court records online

Search Tulare County inmate database

Access Sheriff's records information

Submit a public records request

Find Tulare County court information

Access county clerk records

Other Categories in California

Criminal Records Court Records Inmate Records Arrest records Warrant Search Property Records Divorce Records