Find Los Angeles County court case information online via the Los Angeles Superior Court website. The Los Angeles County online case system, “LA Court Online” provides visitors with a set of comprehensive case searching tools. LA county is the most-populous county in the United States, so self-service is a must.
Be sure to have your case information available prior to accessing the case lookup system. You may need to include important information such as the case number, name(s) of the parties involved, and filing date. Having these details with you will simplify your search. County case searches are not for general research or investigative purposes, so please review what is allowed prior to beginning your search.
Case lookup options include:
Criminal Court Cases
A criminal defendant index that allows users to search for defendants in criminal cases anywhere in Los Angeles county.
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
Civil Court Cases
Use this system option to find civil, family law, probate, and small claims court cases in Los Angeles County.
Civil Case Documents Online
Access civil case documents and files. Lookup case documents using names and/or case numbers. Though many court documents are available online, some documents are not yet available; please contact the county clerk’s office for more information or copies of case documents that cannot be found online.
Traffic Court Case / Tickets
This option allows you to manage your traffic ticket case online (you have the option to pay fines and more). Be sure to take appropriate action or make ticket payments prior to the indicated due date; delayed payments or filings will likely result in increase fines, additional citations, or warrants.
Small Claims Filings
Complete this online filing form to initiate and submit your small claims case. Be sure to review the self-help documentation regarding the LA County small claim filing process. Court cases can be substantially delayed if the process is not followed or the incorrect forms are submitted.
Divorce Court Case / Documents
Scanned copies of divorce case documents are accessible using this tool. Select the appropriate search option to find your case information. Not all searches on the Los Angeles County courts website are free. Some of the search options require visitors to pay a per-search fee of $4.75. The pricing for searches decreases with a higher volume of searches.
Court House Locations
The Los Angeles County Superior court consists of a network of 38 courthouses across LA County. A comprehensive list of all of the locations can be found here.
Los Angeles County is the most-populous county in the United States. Los Angeles County, California consists of an area of 4057.88 miles. The 2014 official population estimate is 10116705 (or 2493 people per mile). The county seat is located in Los Angeles.
COVID-19 – Note that the Los Angeles court system requires all individuals (vaccinated or not) to wear a face mask while in a courthouse or supporting court facility. For more information, please review the general order, here.
The Los Angeles County Court System is one of the most significant judicial systems in the United States, responsible for handling a large number of cases each year. This system is comprised of numerous courts that are responsible for different types of cases, ranging from criminal offenses to civil disputes. This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the Los Angeles County Court System, discussing its history, structure, organization, and processes.
Los Angeles County Court History
The Los Angeles County Court System has a long and complex history that dates back to the early 19th century. In 1850, California was admitted to the Union, and the State Legislature established the Los Angeles County Court System, which included a Superior Court, a District Court, and a County Court. The Superior Court was responsible for hearing all civil and criminal cases, while the District Court was responsible for hearing appeals from the Superior Court. The County Court, on the other hand, was responsible for hearing minor civil and criminal cases.
Over time, the Los Angeles County Court System evolved, and the number of courts increased. In 1961, the California Legislature created the Municipal Court System, which was responsible for hearing misdemeanor cases and civil disputes involving small amounts of money. In 2000, the California Legislature created the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, which consolidated the Municipal Court, the Superior Court, and the Juvenile Court into a single court system.
Court Structure and Organization
The Los Angeles County Court System is structured in a hierarchical manner, with the Superior Court at the top, followed by the Appellate Court and the California Supreme Court. The Superior Court is divided into several divisions, including the Civil Division, the Criminal Division, the Family Law Division, the Juvenile Division, and the Probate Division.
The Civil Division is responsible for hearing civil cases, including personal injury cases, breach of contract cases, and other types of civil disputes. The Criminal Division is responsible for hearing criminal cases, including misdemeanors and felonies. The Family Law Division is responsible for hearing cases involving divorce, child custody, and domestic violence. The Juvenile Division is responsible for hearing cases involving minors who are accused of committing crimes. Finally, the Probate Division is responsible for hearing cases involving wills, trusts, and estate planning.
Each division of the Superior Court is led by a presiding judge, who is responsible for managing the court’s operations, including scheduling hearings, assigning cases to judges, and overseeing court personnel. The presiding judge is assisted by several assistant presiding judges, who are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the court.
The Appellate Court is responsible for hearing appeals from the Superior Court, while the California Supreme Court is responsible for hearing appeals from the Appellate Court. The Appellate Court is divided into two divisions, the First District and the Second District. The First District is responsible for hearing appeals from the Superior Court in the Northern California region, while the Second District is responsible for hearing appeals from the Superior Court in the Southern California region.
Court Processes
The Los Angeles County Court System follows a set of processes that are designed to ensure that cases are heard in a fair and timely manner. The process begins with the filing of a complaint or petition by the plaintiff or petitioner, respectively. The complaint or petition must include a statement of the facts underlying the claim or request, as well as a demand for relief.
Once the complaint or petition is filed, the defendant or respondent is served with a copy of the complaint or petition, along with a summons. The summons informs the defendant or respondent of the lawsuit and provides instructions on how to respond. The defendant or respondent must file an answer to the complaint or petition within a specified period, typically 30 days.
During the discovery phase, the parties exchange information and evidence related to the case, including documents, witness statements, and expert opinions. This process is designed to ensure that both parties have access to all the relevant information before the trial begins.
After the discovery phase, the case may proceed to a settlement conference, during which the parties attempt to resolve the case through negotiation and settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, the case proceeds to trial.
During the trial, both parties present their arguments and evidence to a judge or a jury. The judge or jury then makes a decision based on the evidence presented and the applicable law. If the verdict is in favor of the plaintiff or petitioner, the court will issue a judgment in their favor, which may include an award of damages or other relief.
If either party is dissatisfied with the outcome of the trial, they may file an appeal to the Appellate Court. The Appellate Court reviews the trial court’s decision and determines whether there were any errors in the trial court’s application of the law or handling of the case. If the Appellate Court finds errors, it may overturn the trial court’s decision and order a new trial or modify the judgment.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles County Court System is a complex and extensive judicial system that handles a significant number of cases each year. Its hierarchical structure and multiple divisions are designed to ensure that cases are heard in a fair and timely manner. The system’s processes, including filing a complaint or petition, serving the defendant or respondent, and proceeding through the discovery, settlement, and trial phases, are all designed to ensure that both parties have access to all the relevant information before a verdict is reached. While the system is not without flaws, it is a critical component of the legal system in Los Angeles County and plays an essential role in resolving disputes and ensuring justice is served.
