Shasta County, California State Court Records
Several circumstances may occur that could cause individuals, businesses, and even the government to file a lawsuit. These reasons include compensation for damages, securing justice for the offended, or prosecuting a criminal offender.
In Shasta County, the Superior Court handles various legal matters that cut across civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, traffic, and small claims. Records from these cases are filed as court records, which provide a comprehensive account of all actions carried out to resolve a legal dispute.
During the resolution of legal disputes, certain public records, such as vital records or arrest reports, are occasionally cited in court files when filed as part of the case.
Are Shasta County Court Records Public?
Yes. Records kept by the court are considered public under the California Rules of Court, Rules 2.400-2.507. These court rules open Shasta County court records to anyone who desires to inspect and copy them.
Nonetheless, certain records are removed from the public's view. These include:
- Juvenile court records, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code § 827
- Adoption records
- Certain sensitive family law proceedings
- Records sealed by court order
- Records whose disclosure may jeopardize the outcome of a case
- Medical records
What Information is Available in Shasta County Court Records?
Information found in Shasta County court records includes
- Parties' full legal names
- Filing dates
- Case numbers
- Hearing schedules
- Court orders
- Motions, pleadings, and responses
- Charges filed in criminal cases
- Trial transcripts
- Sentencing information
- Jury verdicts
- Docket entries
- Attorney information
Shasta County Court Records Search
There are three practical methods to access court records in Shasta County: online, in person, or by mail or phone request. The best option to choose depends on the type of records the requester needs and the degree of access required.
Online Access
Shasta County court records can be viewed online through the Shasta County Superior Court's Online Case Search portal. Users can query the system by case number or party name. Pursuant to California Rule of Court 2.503, certain case types do not have remote access and can only be viewed in person at the county courthouse. Criminal and civil records are generally available online, while family law, juvenile, and probate cases require a courthouse visit.
In-Person Access
The Shasta County Superior Courthouse is open during business hours to receive visitors who want to inspect or obtain physical copies of court records that may not be accessible through online searches. Public access terminals are also available within the court premises, where record seekers may search the specific records they desire. The court is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but closed on weekends and holidays.
Mail and Phone Requests
To request copies of court records by mail, requesters should complete the Request for Record Search and Copies Form or submit a written request that includes the case number or party name and specifies the type of record they need. They will also need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with enough postage to return the document. Unlike in-person requests, where a request of 10 pages or less may be processed immediately, a mail request may take several weeks to process, depending on the workload.
Acceptable payment methods for mail requests include checks or money orders, which must be made payable to the Shasta County Superior Court. Cash payments are only accepted during an in-person visit.
All mail requests should be addressed to
1450 Court Street
Suite 260
Redding, CA 96001
Fees for Court Records in Shasta County
Certain fees are necessary to cover the administrative costs of processing court records requests in Shasta County, such as printing, copying, certification, and staff time. The following fees, established by the state, apply to Shasta County Superior Court:
- Copy fee (uncertified): 50 cents per page
- Certified copies: $1 per page
- Search fee: $15 for record searches that last longer than 10 minutes (includes index search, and 50 cents for each page search
- Document certification fee: $15 per document, and an extra 50 cents per page copy fee (for dissolution of marriage, nullity, and legal separation)
Shasta County Courthouse Locations
Shasta County has one sole court-the Superior Court-that hears all local cases. Most court divisions are housed within the main courthouse in Redding, California.
Shasta County Courthouse
1515 Court Street
Redding, CA 96001
Phone: (530) 245-6789
Criminal Records Access in Shasta County
Criminal records requested by Shasta County residents are typically of two types: individual criminal files maintained at the county level and criminal history records processed by the state.
In California, the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) is the state agency responsible for conducting official criminal history checks, and not the county court. The CA DOJ oversees the state's criminal history database and conducts background checks via a Live Scan fingerprinting system. Individuals can procure copies of their criminal history records by completing the appropriate form and paying the required processing fee of $25.
By contrast, county-based criminal records, which include charges, court orders, and final case dispositions for specific cases filed in Shasta County, can be accessed through the Superior Court. This court handles all local criminal trials and maintains records of its proceedings.
Shasta County Probate Records
In California, a probate proceeding serves as the legal mechanism for overseeing a decedent's estate. It involves identifying assets, resolving outstanding debts, and distributing the remaining property to designated heirs and beneficiaries. Under California law, a probate proceeding is mandatory when an estate's value surpasses $166,250, and the assets are solely registered in the name of the deceased. Probate filings include:
- Estate inventories and appraisals
- Guardianship reports for minors
- Conservatorship reports for adults unable to manage their own affairs
- Petitions to administer or close estates
- Trust administration documents
- Wills and codicils are filed with the court
More recent probate filings are available for review via the Superior Court's Online Case Search portal. Nonetheless, confidential matters, such as records about minors or sealed conservatorship proceedings, are restricted and may require either a court order or proof of interest before access can be granted.
Shasta County Family Court Records
The Shasta County Superior Court, Family Law Division, hears cases relating to legal separation, dissolution of marriage (divorce), annulment of marriage, child support, custody, paternity, civil harassment, and domestic violence restraining orders. These cases are filed and adjudicated at the county courthouse.
Access to family court records follows California's general public access rules, with key exceptions. Records related to juvenile dependency, adoption, and domestic violence are restricted. While divorce filings and custody orders are usually public, sensitive financial information might be partially sealed.
To obtain certified copies of Shasta County family court judgments or orders, interested persons may visit the family law division at the county courthouse or mail a request to the Superior Court, along with the required fees. The certification fee for a family law judgment is $15, plus 50 cents per page.
Alternatively, family law case index information is available on the court's Online Case Search portal; the full document may need to be obtained in person.
Federal Court Records in Shasta County
Federal court records include cases exclusively under federal jurisdiction, such as federal crimes, bankruptcy filings, civil rights violations, lawsuits involving federal agencies, and immigration. These cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, which serves Shasta and 33 other counties in the state.
Federal court records are accessible via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), the centralized online case management platform of the federal judiciary. This platform lets users search for information related to cases, dockets, and other documents. Users must register, however, and there is a fee for downloading documents, currently 10 cents per page viewed, with a maximum charge of $3 per document.
