Trinity County Court Records

Court records in Trinity County are kept by the Superior Court of California, County of Trinity. The county seat is Weaverville, a small mountain town in a remote part of northwestern California. Trinity County has a population of about 16,000, making it one of the least populated counties in the state. The Superior Court handles civil, criminal, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases despite the small caseload. This page covers how to access court records in Trinity County, what online options exist, the fees involved, and where to find legal help.

Trinity County Court Records Online

The Trinity County Superior Court has a page with information about its online services. The Trinity Online Services page outlines what the court offers for remote access. As a small rural court, online options are more limited than in larger counties. The court has been working to expand digital services, but full online case searching may not be available for all case types.

Below is the Trinity County court's online services page showing the options available for remote access to court records.

Basic case information like case numbers, filing dates, and hearing dates may be available through the court's online tools. Full document viewing for criminal, family law, and juvenile cases is restricted to courthouse access only under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. Civil case documents may have broader access, but availability depends on what the court has digitized.

If you cannot find what you need online, contact the clerk's office directly. In a county this small, the staff often knows the cases well and can quickly tell you whether a record is available and how to get it.

Visit the Trinity County Courthouse

The courthouse is at 11 Court Street in Weaverville, CA 96093. The clerk's office handles records requests during business hours. You can view court records in person at no cost. Bring a photo ID. The staff will pull files for you to review.

Weaverville is in a mountainous area west of Redding. Getting there requires driving on two-lane mountain roads. Highway 299 connects Weaverville to both Redding and the coast. Travel time from Redding is about an hour. In winter, road conditions can be challenging. Call before you visit to confirm hours and make sure the file you need is available.

Note: Trinity County is one of California's most remote courthouses, so plan your visit with extra time and always confirm the court is open before traveling.

Court Record Fees in Trinity County

Fees for court records in Trinity County match the statewide schedule. Copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $40.00 per document. Certified dissolution judgment copies are $15.00. Search fees of $15.00 apply when the clerk spends more than 10 minutes. Comparing a copy to the original costs $1.00 per page. Exemplification is $50.00.

These rates are set by the California Government Code and are the same at every Superior Court in the state. The court cannot charge more or less. You pay at the clerk's window when you pick up copies. Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to Trinity County Superior Court.

Fee waivers are available for people with low income. The standard California fee waiver forms work in Trinity County just like they do everywhere else. A judge reviews each request and makes the decision.

Types of Trinity County Court Records

Even though Trinity County is small, the court handles all types of cases. Civil matters include property disputes, contracts, and lawsuits. Criminal cases cover infractions through felonies. Family law includes divorce, custody, and support. Probate deals with estates and guardianships. Small claims resolve minor disputes quickly. Traffic cases also go through the court.

Public access rules are the same as in every California county. Civil records are the most open. Criminal and family law records have tighter restrictions on remote access. Juvenile cases are confidential by law. The clerk can explain what is available for any specific case you are interested in. Given the small volume of cases in Trinity County, the staff is usually able to respond to requests quickly.

Legal Help in Trinity County

Legal resources in Trinity County are limited because of the small population. The court may offer basic self-help materials, but a full self-help center with regular staffing is not always available. The California Courts Self-Help Center has online resources that anyone in the state can use, including forms, guides, and videos about court processes.

Legal Services of Northern California covers the Trinity County area. Call (916) 551-2150 for information about free legal assistance. California Rural Legal Assistance also serves rural northern California communities and may be able to help. Both organizations focus on low-income individuals who need help with civil legal matters.

Private attorneys in Trinity County are rare. You may need to look in Redding or other nearby cities for a lawyer. Many attorneys in the Shasta County area also take cases in Trinity County. The clerk's office at the courthouse can answer basic questions about records and procedures but cannot give legal advice.

Cities in Trinity County

Trinity County has no incorporated cities. Weaverville is the county seat and the largest community. Other unincorporated areas include Hayfork, Lewiston, and Douglas City. All court activity for the county runs through the single courthouse in Weaverville. No community in Trinity County comes close to the 100,000 population threshold.

Nearby Counties

Trinity County is surrounded by these counties. Each one has its own court system and separate court records.