Criminal

You can search for basic information on your case here, or you can call the criminal division number at (530) 406-6705 to speak to a deputy clerk who will assist you with limited case information over the phone.  You can find out if you have fines owing, if a warrant exists or if you have a court date and the date, time, and department of the hearing. For information about posting bail, please contact the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department at (530) 668-5245. 

You can call the Criminal Division at (530) 406-6705 to speak to a deputy clerk who will assist you or turn yourself into law enforcement or contact an attorney who can advise you. If there is a misdemeanor warrant out for your arrest you can contact the Criminal Division to set a court date for a “warrant surrender" or turn yourself into local law enforcement. *Note* The court permits a “one-time" request to be placed on the calendar for a warrant surrender. No further court dates will be scheduled if you fail to appear and the warrant will remain outstanding.

You can call the Criminal Division at (530) 406-6705 to speak to a deputy clerk who will assist you. You can request to be placed on the calendar for a “warrant surrender". If your request is granted, and you do not appear for your scheduled court date, you will have to surrender yourself to law enforcement. The court will not grant another court date and the warrant will remain outstanding until you appear.

In-custody arraignments are held Monday-Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Department 1, located at 1000 Main Street, Woodland, CA. Most in-custody defendants are placed on the calendar the morning of court and may not appear on the court calendar.

• Arraignment - A proceeding in which an individual who is accused of committing a crime (felony or misdemeanor) is brought into court where there is a reading of the charges against you, reading of your Constitutional rights, and entering of a plea.
• Pretrial Conference (PTC) - A conference for a misdemeanor case between parties (prosecutor and defense) regarding the planning of the trial, review of proposed evidence and witnesses, and setting the trial schedule. May also discuss the possibility of settling the case.
• Preliminary Examination/Hearing (PX) - A felony hearing held before a judicial officer in which evidence is presented so that the court can determine whether there is sufficient evidence or cause to hold the accused for a trial on a felony charge in Superior Court.
• Trial - The examination of evidence and the decision of the issues of law by a judge or jury to determine guilt or innocence. Can be either (1) a bench trial, i.e., a court trial that is heard and decided by a judge, or (2) a jury trial, i.e., a court trial that is heard and decided by a jury, which usually consists of 12 people.

As a defendant, you should expect to be in Court for a substantial portion of the day to take care of all possible matters.

When you come to Court it is important that you bring any relevant paperwork having to do with your case, such as:
• Copy of citation
• Appearance letter and/or Jail release papers
• Bond receipt
• Cash bail receipt
• Documents demonstrating proof of compliance with judicial orders and sentence
• Money for fines and fees

Look for your name, your courtroom location, and the time your case will be heard on the scrolling calendar monitor. The calendar Kiosk is located near the security station on the 1st floor of the courthouse located at 1000 Main Street. *Note* Information displayed on the calendar monitor is sorted alphabetically by last name, first name.

To find out which department your case is being heard in, please review the Court Calendar section on this Website or phone the Criminal Division to speak to a clerk at (530) 406-6705.

If you were scheduled to appear in Court and your name doesn't appear on the calendar, call (530) 406-6705 to speak to a clerk or go to the Criminal Division, located on the 1st floor of the courthouse.

Whether or not you need an attorney will be determined when you appear in Court. If you can not afford an attorney one may be appointed for you by the court.

There are two ways to obtain copies of your case.
• In Person: You can appear in person at the clerk's windows and the clerk will assist you. The cost is $.50 per page copied. For certified copies, there is an additional cost of $40.00 per document.
• In Writing: You can request to have copies by submitting a written request. You will need to include your full name, date of birth, which documents you would like copied, and the year of arrest/violation along with a telephone number where we can reach you if additional information is needed in order to process your request. The cost is the same as above, but there is an additional research fee of $15.00 and checks should be made payable to "Yolo Superior Court". Since the total amount due will depend on the number of pages copied, please include in the memorandum section of your check "not to exceed $(with the dollar amount maximum you wish to stay within)". You will also need to include a self-addressed stamped envelope so that the court can return your documents/copies. Mail your request to: Yolo Superior Court, 1000 Main Street, Attn: Research RM#1511, Woodland, CA. 95695.

Yes. Anyone can review a case that has been filed with the court. Viewable information includes the charging document, minutes of the court, reporter transcripts, sentencing information, and various other documents and filings.
Confidential information such as police reports, probation reports, or any document deemed confidential under the law is not made available or viewable to the general public.

If you were convicted of a non-motor vehicle-related infraction or misdemeanor and were not placed on probation, you or an attorney can file a Petition per PC 1203.4a and Order for Petition per PC 1203.4a to have the charges dismissed from your record. These forms are located on the Judicial Council of California Forms section. A filing fee may be collected by the court, to be determined by the judge. Further self-help can be located on the Judicial Council of California website.

If you are calling from another government agency for reference checks, court dates and times, or background history, please call (530) 406-6705 and notify the clerk that you are calling from a government agency regarding one of the above items.

A civil assessment is a $100 penalty issued for failing to appear for court or for failing to pay your fines. If you have been issued a civil assessment you have 15 days to contact the Court to schedule a Court date to stop the process. After 15 days the civil assessment is final and you will need to file a “Motion to Vacate Civil Assessment". At this point, a civil assessment can only be dropped per the Judge's discretion. The filing fee for this process is $60.00.