Find Court Records in Downey
Court records for Downey are filed at the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Downey has about 112,000 residents and sits in the southeast part of Los Angeles County. The Downey Courthouse on Imperial Highway handles many local cases. All civil, criminal, family, and small claims cases go through the LA County court system. The county offers online search tools for most record types, and you can also visit any LA County courthouse to view files in person.
Downey Court Records Quick Facts
Where Downey Court Records Are Filed
Downey is in Los Angeles County. The LA County Superior Court handles all cases for the city. The Downey Courthouse at 7500 East Imperial Highway is the local court location. It handles criminal and traffic matters from the area. The Downey facility is one of over 30 courthouses in the LA County system.
For civil cases, the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 North Hill Street in downtown Los Angeles is a common filing location. Family law cases may go to different branches. The LA court system assigns cases across its many locations based on case type and geographic district. If you need to find which courthouse has a specific record, use the court's online tools or call the clerk's office.
The Norwalk Courthouse at 12720 Norwalk Boulevard is also nearby and handles some case types from the southeast LA County area. Cases from Downey may end up at either location depending on the matter.
| Downey Courthouse | 7500 East Imperial Highway Downey, CA 90242 |
|---|---|
| Main Civil Court | Stanley Mosk Courthouse 111 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| onlineServices@lacourt.org | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:10 PM |
Search Downey Court Records Online
The LA Superior Court provides online tools for searching court records. The civil case index lets you search by name for civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases. Guest users pay $4.75 per search. The system has cases going back to 1983 for unlimited civil and family law matters.
Criminal cases have a separate case summary tool. It shows case status, hearing dates, and the register of actions. Full criminal case documents are only viewable at courthouse terminals under California Rule 2.503. The online tool gives you case tracking data but not the complete file.
The LA County criminal case summary shown above lets you look up case status for criminal matters from Downey and other LA County cities.
Note: Online records update daily, so new filings may take up to a day to appear in Downey court record searches.
Fees for Downey Court Records
Los Angeles County uses the statewide fee schedule. Copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00. Clerk searches over 10 minutes run $15.00. These fees apply at all LA County courthouses including Downey.
The online civil case index charges $4.75 per guest search. Registered users pay as low as $1.00 for their first 10 searches. Rates drop further at higher volumes. These online fees are separate from copy costs. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford the charges. File a request and a judge reviews your income.
Legal Resources for Downey
The LA Superior Court self-help center helps people with forms, court procedures, and finding records. The main center is at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse on the 4th floor, Room 426. Phone: (213) 830-0845. The service is free for everyone.
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides free legal help to qualifying residents. Call (800) 399-4529 to check eligibility. They handle civil, family law, and housing matters. The California Courts Self-Help Center has statewide guides for all case types. Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County also serves parts of the county that include Downey.
Types of Court Records in Downey
The LA County Superior Court keeps records for all case types. Civil records include lawsuits, contract disputes, and property matters. Criminal records cover felonies and misdemeanors. Family law has divorce, custody, and support orders. Probate handles wills, estates, and conservatorships. Small claims and traffic cases each create their own records for Downey residents.
Most records are public and open to anyone. Juvenile records are confidential. Mental health proceedings are private. Sealed cases need a court order. California keeps civil records for 10 years, family law for 30, and felony records for 75 years. Adoption and name change files are permanent.
- Civil unlimited: 10-year retention
- Family law: 30 years
- Felony: 75 years
- Small claims: 10 years
- Adoption and name change: permanent
Los Angeles County Court Records
Downey is in Los Angeles County. All court filings go through the LA County Superior Court, the largest trial court system in the country. For full details on the county court system, online search portals, fee schedules, and resources, visit the Los Angeles County court records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities are also in Los Angeles County. Court records for each go through the LA County Superior Court.