Public Records, Media, and Research Requests

California Rules of Court rule 10.500 sets forth comprehensive public access provisions applicable to judicial administrative records maintained by state trial and appellate courts, and the Judicial Council of California (the council).

The court will make identifiable judicial administrative records available upon request, unless the records are exempt from disclosure under Rule 10.500. Records may be subject to payment of a fee.

Requests should be made in writing and directed to:

Court Executive Officer
Superior Court, County of Sierra
100 Courthouse Square, 2nd Floor
Post Office Box 476
Downieville, CA 95936

Court Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Fax: (530) 289-0205

Media Requests

California Rules of Court rule 1.150 sets forth comprehensive public access provisions applicable to photographing, recording, and broadcasting court proceedings. Except as provided by rule 1.150, court proceedings may not be photographed, recorded, or broadcast. Media coverage may be permitted only on written order of the Judicial Officer. Members of the media may submit a request by completing Judicial Council forms MC-500 and MC-510. Email the completed forms to superiorcourt@sierracourt.org. The request must be made 5 court days prior to the hearing unless the Judicial Officer finds good cause to shorten the filing deadline. Once the request is reviewed and approved by the Judicial Officer, a copy of the order will be provided to the requesting media.

Research and Records

Sierra County Superior Court does not have an online search engine that allows for public access to the court’s case management system for Name Searches and Records. All search requests and copying are performed by a clerk or staff member employed by the court.

TO MAKE A REQUEST:

A name search request requires:

• The person’s full legal name (and any aliases)
• Date of birth
• Case Number (if case number is unknown, years to search)

Record requests without a case or docket number will be charged a search fee to locate the file.  

The court will search back 10 years for Criminal and/or Civil records searches unless otherwise specified. 

When making a Records or Name Search Request, please be as specific as possible and send a payment for services with the request. Each service performed by the court requires a fee which needs to be paid before the research or copying of records can occur. You may use the Court provided Name Search and Records Request Form.  

FEES: 

If no case or docket number is provided, there is a $15.00 Search Fee per Name/ Alias. 

E.g. If searching for John Doe, aka John Roger Does, you would pay $30.00. 

For copies of documents, there is a  $0.50 per page Copy Fee. 

Other records related fees can be found in the Statewide Civil Fee Schedule. 

Appearing at the counter to make a records request does not require a fee, except for copies. 

PAYMENT: 

When mailing your request, enclose a check or money order for the search(es) requested. 

Please note the court will NOT conduct a search for records until payment has been received for the search. Payment for copies are handled separately, and the court will provide the total amount for copy fees AFTER a written request has been received for the SPECIFIC documents.

WHERE TO SEND THE REQUEST:

Requests can be mailed to:

Sierra County Superior Court
PO Box 476
Downieville, CA 95936

The court does NOT handle records requests through email and will only respond to requests over the phone if you already know the case number. 

TO RECEIVE SEARCH RESULTS: 

Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your mailed in request, and the court will send the results back to you. If you have requested copies with the results, be sure to include an appropriately sized envelope. If a return envelope is not included with the request, postage and mailing fees will apply. 

The court will NOT email records request results. 

RESULTS: 

The court will provide the following basic information for any known misdemeanor or felony cases in the date range provided. Infractions are excluded from the results unless requested.

• Case Number
• Violation date/initial filing date
• Charge/violation code
• Severity of charge (i.e. Infraction, Misdemeanor or Felony)
• Sentencing (i.e. Dismissed, Convicted, Forfeited, etc.)
• Date of Sentencing
• Plea
• Court Orders (i.e. fine amount, probation, time served, etc.)

The court tries to complete any search requests of this type within 10 days from the date of receipt. 

More Information

Government Agencies

Per California Government Code §70633(c), Sierra County Superior Court does not charge civil fees, including records related fees, for service to any municipality or county in the state, to the state government, nor to the United States of America or any of its officers acting in his or her official capacity.

Verification of identity is required by any employee before the court will proceed with the search. This can be accomplished by the search request being mailed or faxed on the agency's letterhead.