Criminal records in Imperial County, California, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. ImperialCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial, maintains its own online services portal, while the Imperial County Sheriff's Office and the California Department of Justice offer additional access points for arrest and conviction history.
How to Search Criminal Records in Imperial
There are several ways to search criminal records in Imperial County, depending on what information you have and what type of record you need.
Through ImperialCourt.us
Start at ImperialCourt.us to search for publicly available court record information associated with Imperial County criminal cases. You can look up case details using a defendant's name or case number.
Online — Imperial County Superior Court
The court offers two primary online tools:
- ROA/Case Lookup by Case Number — The ROA/Case Lookup tool lets the public search for case information using a known case number. Confidential and sealed cases are excluded from results.
- Named Record Searches — The court's Named Record Search allows searches by party name. You must create an online account through the eCourt public portal to use this feature. A name search returns a list of matching case numbers and filing dates. If you need a search by name and date of birth or driver's license number, submit a criminal records request through the court's Contact Us page.
To begin a search, you will typically need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number
- Date of birth or driver's license number (for clerk-assisted name searches)
In Person
Visit the Criminal Division of the Imperial County Superior Court:
Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse. Ask the clerk's office about walk-in availability for record lookups.
By Mail or Written Request
You can mail a written request for criminal record searches to the Criminal Division at the address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if available. Enclose the applicable fees (check or money order payable to the Imperial County Superior Court).
Statewide Criminal History
For a complete California criminal history (rap sheet), submit a fingerprint-based request through the California Department of Justice. The DOJ Record Review process requires Live Scan fingerprinting, which is available at the Imperial County Sheriff's Office at 328 Applestill Road, El Centro, CA 92243.
Search Imperial Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, the fastest way to pull up case details is through the court's ROA/Case Lookup tool.
California Case Number Format
California superior courts use a standardized case numbering system. A typical Imperial County criminal case number looks like this:
ECR###### or a similar prefix-based format.
- Letter prefix — Indicates the case type and sometimes the courthouse location. For criminal cases filed in El Centro, the prefix often begins with characters identifying the criminal division.
- Numeric sequence — A sequential number assigned when the case is filed.
- Year indicator — Some case numbers embed a two-digit year to indicate when the case was filed.
Enter the full case number exactly as it appears on court documents. The system will return the Register of Actions (ROA), which lists all filed documents, hearing dates, and case milestones. Confidential and sealed cases will not appear in public search results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Imperial
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The California Penal Code (or other code) section the defendant is charged under, e.g., PC 459 (burglary) |
| Severity | Felony (F), misdemeanor (M), or infraction (I) |
| Amended charges | Charges may be added, reduced, or dismissed as the case progresses; the ROA will reflect each change |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Case filed but not yet resolved |
| Active | Case is currently being adjudicated |
| Disposed | Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal) |
| Closed | All proceedings, including sentencing and post-judgment matters, are complete |
Hearing Types
- Arraignment — Defendant is formally advised of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing — Judge determines whether enough evidence exists to hold the defendant for trial (felony cases)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss case status, potential plea agreements, and trial readiness
- Trial — Bench or jury trial where the case is decided on the merits
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Court checks compliance with probation, diversion, or other post-judgment orders
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | Defendant acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| Acquitted | Formal finding of not guilty after trial |
| Nolo contendere | No contest plea — treated as a conviction for sentencing but is not an admission of guilt |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Imperial
From the Court Clerk (Criminal Division)
Certified copies of court records — including minute orders, abstracts of judgment, and case dispositions — are handled by the Criminal Division of the Imperial County Superior Court.
How to submit a request:
- In person — Visit the Criminal Division clerk's window at 650 Wake Ave, El Centro.
- By mail — Send a written request specifying the case number, document needed, and number of certified copies. Include a check or money order payable to the Imperial County Superior Court.
- Online — The court's website allows you to download public filed documents on public cases; however, certified copies typically require an in-person or mail request.
Identification: A valid government-issued photo ID is generally required for in-person requests. For mail requests, include a copy of your ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
From the California Department of Justice
For a certified state-level criminal history record (rap sheet), individuals can request their own record through the California DOJ using Live Scan fingerprinting. The Imperial County Sheriff's Office provides Live Scan services:
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Imperial
The following fees are based on the Imperial County Superior Court's published fee schedule and California Government Code § 70626 et seq.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certification of a document | $40 per document |
| Search fee (per name/10-year period) | $15 |
| DOJ personal criminal history (Live Scan) | $25 (DOJ fee) plus rolling fee charged by the Live Scan site |
Fees are set by statute and may be updated by the California Judicial Council or legislature. Confirm current amounts with the clerk before submitting payment.
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on workload.
- Mail requests — Typically 2–4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the search and the clerk's current volume.
- DOJ criminal history (Live Scan) — Results are usually available within 1–2 weeks after fingerprints are submitted, though processing times can vary.
For questions about specific fees or turnaround times, contact the Criminal Division directly at (442) 265-2600 or use the court's online services page to initiate a live chat with a court clerk.