What You Need to Check a Case

To look up a court case in California, you typically need one or more of the following:

  • Case number: The most reliable identifier. It appears on court documents, citations, and bail paperwork.
  • Defendant's full legal name: Required for name-based searches. Use the name exactly as it appears on government-issued ID.
  • Date of birth: Helps narrow results when multiple people share the same name.
  • County: California court records are maintained by each county's superior court. You must search in the correct county.

Los Angeles County Court Resources

The Los Angeles Superior Court provides online case access through its public portal:

Orange County Court Resources

The Orange County Superior Court provides case access through its online portal:

Riverside County Court Resources

The Riverside County Superior Court provides case information online:

Bench Warrants vs. Arrest Warrants

A bench warrant is issued by a judge when a defendant fails to appear for a scheduled court date or violates a court order. An arrest warrant is issued by a judge based on probable cause that a person committed a crime. Both types result in arrest if the person is encountered by law enforcement. A bench warrant may also affect bail — a judge may set a higher bail or deny bail for someone with an outstanding warrant.

Why Warrant Information May Not Appear Online

Warrant information is not always publicly searchable online. Many counties do not publish active warrant databases to the public to avoid alerting wanted individuals. Warrant records may be sealed or restricted in certain case types. Processing delays mean a recently issued warrant may not appear in any database for hours or days. Post It Bail Bonds does not maintain government court or warrant databases. For booking and inmate information, see our bail and booking information guide.

Finding Courthouse Locations

Criminal cases in California are heard at the superior court in the county where the offense occurred. The case documents or the court portal will show which courthouse and department is assigned to the case.

Next Steps

If you are researching a case because someone has been arrested and bail has been set, you can check the scheduled bail amount and estimated 8% premium without providing any personal information.

Check the Scheduled Bail and Estimated 8% Premium →

Reviewed by: Post It Bail Bonds, California License #1M37243. Last reviewed September 1, 2026. This article is for general informational purposes only. Post It does not maintain government court or warrant databases.