Common Questions About Public Records in San Dimas
Real questions from people researching records in San Dimas. Each answer is verified against official agency sources — no third-party services.
❓ How can I find out about the deadlines for having any drug charges reduced to misdemeanors? ▼
California drug-possession charge reclassification runs through Proposition 47 (2014, effective Nov 5, 2014) and Penal Code § 1170.18. What Prop 47 did: reclassified most simple-possession drug offenses (Health & Safety Code §§ 11350, 11357, 11377) from felony to misdemeanor, regardless of when the conviction was entered, plus several non-violent property crimes under $950 (theft, shoplifting, forgery, bad checks, receiving stolen property). The deadline to petition for resentencing or reclassification was originally November 4, 2022 (8 years after passage), but California has extended it indefinitely for those who can show 'good cause' for late filing — there is now no hard deadline, but earlier filings get faster review. How to file in LA County: (1) Free representation through the LA County Public Defender's Prop 47 unit at https://pubdef.lacounty.gov/prop47-faqs/, phone (213) 974-2811. (2) DIY: complete forms CR-180 / CR-181 at the Clerk of the Superior Court in the originating courthouse (Stanley Mosk, Long Beach, Pomona, etc.). Filing fee: $0 if currently in custody or eligible under Cal. Penal Code § 1170.18(g); otherwise standard ~$60 motion fee, waivable under FW-001. (3) DA review: prosecutor has 15–60 days to oppose; if granted, the conviction is reduced to a misdemeanor on your record. Eligibility limits: excluded if you have prior 'super-strike' convictions (PC § 667(e)(2)(C)(iv)) or are a registered sex offender under PC § 290(c). Newer relief tools: Proposition 36 (2024) re-classified some drug-possession offenses back to felony status with treatment alternatives — Prop 47 reclassifications obtained before Prop 36 are NOT reversed. Resources: California Policy Lab Resentencing Brief at https://capolicylab.org; California Courts Prop 47 FAQs at https://courts.ca.gov; Liberty Criminal Defense / Wegman & Levin Prop 47 guides. Strong recommendation: work with the Public Defender or a criminal-defense attorney — eligibility is fact-specific. Sources: California Penal Code § 1170.18, Proposition 47 (2014), LA County Public Defender, California Courts FAQ, California Policy Lab.
Tagged: Los Angeles County · general
📄 How do I find a divorce record in Los Angeles? ▼
Divorce records in Los Angeles County are held by the LA Superior Court, the largest trial court system in the U.S. Three ways to obtain a copy: (1) Online via LA Superior Court Divorce Judgment Documents at https://www.lacourt.ca.gov/pages/lp/access-a-case/tp/os-access-court-documents/cp/divorce-judgment-documents — public ordering of divorce judgments without visiting the Archives & Records Center. (2) In person or mail at the courthouse where the case was filed. Family Law branches: Stanley Mosk (111 N Hill St, downtown), Norwalk Courthouse (12720 Norwalk Blvd), Antelope Valley Courthouse (42011 4th St West, Lancaster), Pomona North (350 W Mission Blvd), Long Beach (275 Magnolia Ave), Torrance (825 Maple Ave), Van Nuys (6230 Sylmar Ave), Pasadena, San Fernando, Inglewood, plus several others. Certified copy fee $40 first 5 pages + $0.50 each additional page (Cal. Gov. Code § 70626); non-certified $0.50 per page; search-record fee $50 for archived files. (3) Archives & Records Center for older or pre-1990s divorces: 222 N Hill St, Los Angeles CA 90012, phone (213) 830-0198. Free public name search of cases at https://www.lacourt.org/pages/lp/access-a-case — covers all 50+ LA County courthouses; search by name and the system returns the correct courthouse. Filing fees for new divorces (for context): Petition for Dissolution $435; Response $435; both fees waivable under FW-001. California does NOT issue separate state-level divorce certificates for divorces 1985 onward — copies come ONLY from the Superior Court Clerk in the filing county. (CDPH issued divorce certificates only for divorces filed 1962–1984.) Sealed cases (DV-related, financial-disclosure orders, family files involving minors) are not visible to the public. Apostille for international use: get the certified copy first, then submit to California Secretary of State, 1500 11th St, Sacramento. Sources: LA Superior Court, LA County RR/CC, California Department of Public Health, Cal. Gov. Code § 70626.
Tagged: Los Angeles County · divorce
📜 How do I find a probated will in Los Angeles? ▼
A probated will in Los Angeles County is filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Probate Division — the largest probate court system in California. Three steps to find a will: (1) Find the case via LA Superior Court Online Services at https://www.lacourt.org — free name search by decedent's name. Returns case number, executor/administrator, asset summary, and document docket. (2) Order the will copy at the Clerk's office — certified copy fee $40 first 5 pages + $0.50 each additional page (Cal. Gov. Code § 70626); non-certified $0.50 per page; search-record fee $50 for archived files. Online ordering also at https://www.lacourt.org. (3) Visit in person if the case is older than ~20 years and not yet digitized. LA Probate has multiple locations: Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Probate Division at 111 N Hill St, Los Angeles CA 90012 — central probate filings. Branch courthouses also handle probate: Antelope Valley (42011 4th St West, Lancaster), Pomona North (350 W Mission Blvd), Long Beach (275 Magnolia Ave), Torrance (825 Maple Ave). Probate filing fees (LA County 2026 schedule): Petition for Probate $435 (Cal. Gov. Code § 70650); Probate Referee fee ~0.1% of appraised non-cash assets (minimum $150); statutory attorney/executor fees under Cal. Prob. Code § 10810: 4% of first $100K, 3% of next $100K, 2% of next $800K, etc. (a $1M estate yields ~$23K each to attorney + executor). Small estate alternative: estates under $184,500 in personal property + $61,500 in real property can use simplified procedures (Cal. Prob. Code § 13100) — no court filing required for personal property; small Affidavit for real property. Important: a will alone does NOT transfer property — it must be probated to be enforceable. Sealed: family-conservatorship matters and certain juvenile probate guardianships are not publicly visible. Sources: LA Superior Court Probate, SwiftProbate LA Guide, Settled Estate, Cal. Prob. Code §§ 10810 / 13100, Cal. Gov. Code § 70650.
Tagged: Los Angeles County · probate
❓ How can I find out what charges are against someone who is out on bail? ▼
To find out what charges are against someone out on bail in Los Angeles County, several public sources combine to give you the full picture. (1) LA Superior Court Case Search at https://www.lacourt.org/pages/lp/access-a-case — free public name search; once a charge is filed (typically 24–72 hours after arrest), the case appears here with the formal charges, hearing dates, and bail amount. Search by defendant name. (2) LASD Inmate Locator at https://app5.lasd.org/ — if the person was held before posting bail, the booking record shows charges and bail amount. General custody questions: (213) 473-6100. LASD Booking Log at https://app5.lasd.org/bklog/ for registered users. (3) City PD arrest blotter for arrests inside city limits — LAPD Adult Arrests at https://stories.opengov.com/phoenixaz; bulk download at https://data.lacity.org. Note: Phoenix link was an example — for LA, use the LAPD Open Data portal at https://data.lacity.org/Public-Safety/Arrest-Data-from-2020-to-Present/amvf-fr72/about_data. (4) Charging document (felony complaint or information) — once filed by the LA County District Attorney at https://da.lacounty.gov, it lists every Penal Code section charged, special allegations, and prior convictions used as enhancements. (5) Bail schedule is set by the LA Superior Court Misdemeanor / Felony Bail Schedule, available at https://www.lacourt.ca.gov — the schedule lists default bail amounts by offense; the actual bail set by a judge can be higher or lower, or denied entirely for serious offenses. CPRA caveat (Cal. Gov. Code § 7920 + Penal Code § 6254(f)): charging documents and bail orders are public; sealed pretrial motions are not. Body-cam footage of the arrest releasable within 45 days under SB 1421 / AB 748 if officer use of force occurred. Sources: LA Superior Court, LASD, LA County DA, LAPD Open Data, Cal. Gov. Code § 7920.
Tagged: Los Angeles County · general
🔍 How do I run a background check in California? ▼
Background checks for California residents run through state-level agencies, not local police. Two paths: (1) California DOJ criminal history record review (your own record only) at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints. Get a Live Scan fingerprint capture at any local vendor — IdentoGO (https://www.identogo.com), Certifix Live Scan (https://www.certifixlivescan.com), A1 Live Scan (https://a1livescan.com), or any participating police/sheriff records counter. Find a vendor at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. Complete BCIA 8016RR form at https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/BCIA-8016RR.pdf, pay $25 California DOJ state fee plus rolling fee ($20–$50). For an FBI national check, add the federal fee (~$17). Fee waiver at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review/fee-waiver. Turnaround 5–10 business days; results mailed only. (2) Court records (third-party visible): each county Superior Court has its own portal — California Courts directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm. LA Superior Court at https://www.lacourt.org is the largest in the U.S. (3) Local arrest blotter / inmate locator: county sheriff and city PD pages vary by jurisdiction. (4) Sex-offender check (Megan's Law): https://meganslaw.ca.gov. For employment use, you cannot pull someone else's CA DOJ record without permissible-use justification under Penal Code § 11105 — vendors (Checkr, Sterling, GoodHire) wrap state, FBI, court, county, and MVR into one FCRA-compliant report. California Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code § 12952) prohibits employers with 5+ employees from asking about conviction history before a conditional offer; ban-the-box requirements apply. Limits: CA DOJ check covers California convictions only; federal cases need PACER ($0.10/page); juvenile and sealed cases excluded. Accuracy disputes: form BCIA 8706. Sources: California DOJ, BCIA 8016RR, Penal Code § 11105, Cal. Gov. Code § 12952.
Tagged: California · background check
🏠 Where do I find a deed or property record in California? ▼
California has no statewide property database — each of the 58 counties runs its own Recorder and Assessor offices. For a deed or property record, deal with two offices: (1) County Recorder for recorded documents (deeds, deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats, surveys). Most counties offer free online document search — examples: LA County RR/CC at https://www.lavote.gov/home/recorder; San Diego at https://www.sdarcc.gov; Orange County at https://cr.ocgov.com; San Francisco at https://www.sfassessor.org; Sacramento at https://assessor.saccounty.gov; Alameda at https://www.acgov.org/auditor/clerk/; Santa Clara at https://clerkrecorder.sccgov.org. (2) County Assessor for parcel valuation, ownership, and parcel maps — same county sites typically host both. (3) County Treasurer-Tax Collector for tax-payment status. Recording fees statewide (per Cal. Gov. Code § 27361): base $13 first page + $3 each additional; +$75 SB 2 fee per non-exempt real estate transfer (Building Homes and Jobs Act). For typical 1-page deed, plan on ~$88 first page. Documentary Transfer Tax: $1.10 per $1,000 of value, plus city-specific local taxes (LA Measure ULA adds $4.50 per $1,000 for transfers under $5M; SF charges 0.5%–6% sliding scale). Certified copies $5 + $0.50 per page. Statewide aggregators (paid services covering all 58 counties): ParcelQuest at https://www.parcelquest.com (~13M parcels updated daily); California Property Records at https://californiapropertyrecords.us; U.S. Title Records at https://www.ustitlerecords.com/california/. Free statewide directory: California State Board of Equalization at https://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/assessors.htm lists every county Assessor. Property fraud alert: most county Recorders offer a free email notification when a document records under your name. Sources: ParcelQuest, California Property Records, Cal. Gov. Code § 27361, California State Board of Equalization.
Tagged: California · property
🔍 How do I get a criminal background check in California? ▼
An official California criminal background check runs through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints. The process: (1) Get a Live Scan fingerprint capture at any participating vendor — IdentoGO https://www.identogo.com, Certifix Live Scan https://www.certifixlivescan.com, A1 Live Scan https://a1livescan.com, or any participating police/sheriff records counter. Find a vendor at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. (2) Complete the BCIA 8016RR form at https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/BCIA-8016RR.pdf — Personal Record Review. (3) Pay the $25 California DOJ state fee plus rolling fee at the vendor (typically $20–$50, total $45–$90). For an FBI national-level check, add the federal fee (~$17). Fee waiver at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review/fee-waiver. Turnaround 5–10 business days; results mailed only — no email or PDF. Court records (separate from criminal history): each county Superior Court has its own portal — California Courts directory at https://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm. Sex-offender check: California Megan's Law at https://meganslaw.ca.gov. For employment use, you cannot pull someone else's CA DOJ record without permissible-use justification under Penal Code § 11105 — vendors (Checkr, Sterling, GoodHire) wrap state, FBI, court, county, and MVR into one FCRA-compliant report. California Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code § 12952): employers with 5+ employees cannot ask about convictions until after a conditional offer. Limits: CA DOJ check covers California convictions only; federal cases need PACER ($0.10/page); juvenile and sealed cases excluded. Accuracy disputes: form BCIA 8706. Sources: California DOJ, BCIA 8016RR, Penal Code § 11105, Cal. Gov. Code § 12952.
Tagged: California · background check
Have a question about records in San Dimas? The agencies that hold these records are listed throughout this page — start there.
Records access in San Dimas
The San Dimas Police Department is responsible for maintaining law and order in the city, ensuring the safety of its residents through proactive policing and community engagement. Arrest and criminal records are carefully tracked and maintained within the department, with a commitment to transparency. If you need information on local inmates or criminal history, the Los Angeles County Jail provides a centralized database, where individuals can search for inmate records or request background checks online or in person. The department is involved in various community outreach programs and initiatives aimed at building trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public. Residents of San Dimas looking to request public records can do so under the California Public Records Act (CPRA), which allows for access to governmental documents. Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, can be obtained through the Los Angeles County Clerk's Office, which offers both in-person and online request options. Property records are accessible via the Los Angeles County Assessor's office, providing detailed information about real estate transactions and assessments. Court records can be accessed through the Los Angeles County Superior Court's website, which features an online portal for streamlined searches.
Crime statistics · San Dimas, CA · FBI UCR 2024
Reported offenses for the San Dimas jurisdiction, total population 35809. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program.
| Violent crimes | Property crimes |
|---|---|
|
Total: 92 Murder & non-negligent manslaughter: 1 Rape: 15 Robbery: 29 Aggravated assault: 58 |
Total: 898 Burglary: 215 Larceny / theft: 659 Motor-vehicle theft: 85 Arson: 12 |
Reporting period: calendar year 2024. Numbers reflect offenses known to law-enforcement agencies serving San Dimas.
San Dimas · Population & demographics
| Total population | 33371 |
|---|---|
| White | 72% |
| Black or African American | 3.2% |
| Asian | 10.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 31.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial count.
California Public Records Act
Records held by San Dimas city offices, the Los Angeles County Sheriff, and the Los Angeles County Superior Court are subject to the California Public Records Act (Cal. Gov. Code § 7920 et seq.). Agencies must respond within 10 calendar days. Booking photos and arrest information are public per Sacramento Bee v. Yuba County and Penal Code § 13300. Body-cam footage related to officer-involved shootings is releasable within 45 days under SB 1421 and AB 748.
Where to file a records request in San Dimas
Police records: file with the San Dimas Police Department or via the Los Angeles County Sheriff for unincorporated areas.
Court records: Los Angeles County Superior Court handles criminal, civil, family, and probate matters. Felonies and most misdemeanors flow through the Superior Court system.
Booking and inmate records: Los Angeles County Sheriff publishes a public inmate roster including booking photos and charges.