Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County is home to at least 1.9 million people, with a large Hispanic population that makes up more than a quarter of local residents. The county was created in 1850 and is located in northern California, stretching about 1291 square miles of land. It is part of the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the state's busiest urban areas.
As designed by California's judicial system, Santa Clara County is under the jurisdiction of the Santa Clara County Superior Court. The court comprises Criminal, Traffic, Civil, Family, Small Claims, Juvenile, and Probate Divisions. The Criminal Division primarily hears cases involving felony and misdemeanor offenses, ranging from minor offenses like traffic violations to serious crimes such as murder and robbery. On the other hand, the Civil Division handles matters involving violation of private rights. Such cases include lawsuits in which a party sues another to recover property or money, collect damages for injuries, and enforce a contract.
The Family Division of the Superior Court in Santa Clara County handles cases involving divorce, child custody and visitation, legal separation, establishing parentage, family support/child/support/spousal support, and domestic violence. Various issues involving children and adults, such as adoptions, divorce, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, and transfer of decedents' property, are under the Probate Division's jurisdiction. The Juvenile Division handles suits of minors under 18 years accused of a crime or who violate any law. A special court, known as the Small Claims Division, resolves disputes in which the amount of controversy does not exceed $12,500.
Public court records are documents and information generated in the course of law actions handled by courts. In Santa Clara County, such records, including those gathered from the following cases, are available at the courthouses within the county:
- Civil cases
- Criminal cases
- Probate cases
- Family law cases
- Juvenile cases
The Superior Court in Santa Clara County also provides a Case Information Online Portal that permits members of the public to search records of court cases filed/heard in the county.
