Antioch Civil Court Records

Civil court records for Antioch residents and businesses are maintained by Contra Costa Superior Court. The city is in eastern Contra Costa County with roughly 102,400 people. All civil litigation involving Antioch parties goes through the county court system. You can find case information, court documents, and filing histories through the county's online case portal. Antioch cases are typically heard at courthouses in Martinez or Pittsburg. The court provides electronic access to civil cases filed from November 13, 2007 onward. Earlier cases require in-person research at the courthouse or through written requests to the Records Unit.

Contra Costa County Court Jurisdiction

Antioch falls under the jurisdiction of Contra Costa County Superior Court. The county does not have a separate courthouse in Antioch itself. Cases involving Antioch residents typically get assigned to one of two nearby court locations based on the case type and scheduling needs.

Many civil cases for Antioch go to the courthouse in Pittsburg. This location is closer to Antioch than the main courthouse in Martinez. The Pittsburg courthouse is at 1000 Center Avenue, Pittsburg, CA 94565. It handles limited civil matters, small claims, and unlawful detainer cases. The phone number is (925) 252-4800. The building has parking available in a public lot next to the courthouse.

The main courthouse for Contra Costa County is in Martinez at 1020 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553. This is the county seat. Unlimited civil cases over $35,000 are typically filed here. The courthouse also handles complex civil litigation, probate matters, and civil appeals. You can call (925) 608-1000 for general information. The Martinez courthouse is larger with more courtrooms and handles a higher volume of serious civil disputes.

To get to Martinez from Antioch, you can drive west on Highway 4. The trip takes about 25 minutes depending on traffic. Public transit is available through County Connection buses, but driving is more common for people who have court appearances. Plan extra time for parking and security screening when you arrive at the courthouse.

Searching Civil Cases Online

Contra Costa Superior Court offers free online access to civil case information through its Public Portal. You can search by party name or case number without paying any fees. The portal is at cc-courts.org. It works with most web browsers and does not require you to create an account.

When you search, enter the last name of a party in the case. The system searches through all public civil cases on file. Results show case numbers, filing dates, parties, and case status. Click on a case to view the register of actions. The register lists every document filed, every hearing held, and every court order issued. This gives you a complete timeline of what happened in the case.

Documents filed after November 13, 2007 may be available for free viewing and download. Not every document is digitized, but many are. You can see PDF versions of complaints, answers, motions, declarations, and court orders. There is no charge to download these documents. This is different from many California counties that charge per-page fees.

For cases filed before November 13, 2007, the portal may show basic information but not the actual documents. You need to visit the courthouse to view older case files. The court keeps physical files at an off-site storage facility. Staff retrieve files when someone makes a request. Allow a few days for file retrieval if you plan to review an old case in person.

The court also publishes calendars online. You can see upcoming hearings for civil cases. The calendar shows the date, time, courtroom, and judge assigned to each hearing. This is useful if you want to attend a hearing or if you need to know when a case is scheduled for trial. Calendars update daily with changes and continuances.

Filing Civil Lawsuits in Antioch

To file a civil case, go to the courthouse in person during business hours. For limited civil cases, you can file at the Pittsburg courthouse. Unlimited civil cases must be filed in Martinez. Bring your original complaint and enough copies for all defendants you are suing. The clerk reviews your documents to check for completeness.

Filing fees follow California's standard schedule. Unlimited civil complaints cost $435. That covers cases over $35,000. Limited civil complaints between $10,000 and $35,000 cost $370. Smaller limited civil cases have lower fees. Small claims filings range from $30 to $75 depending on the amount claimed. Pay by cash, check, credit card, or money order.

You can apply for a fee waiver if you have low income or receive public benefits. The clerk has fee waiver forms. Fill out Form FW-001 with details about your income, expenses, and household size. The court will review your application. If approved, you can file without paying the fee. Most fee waiver decisions come within a few days.

After filing, you get a case number and a summons. You must serve the defendant with copies of the summons and complaint within a certain time limit. Service must be done by someone over 18 who is not a party to the case. You can hire a professional process server. The Contra Costa County Sheriff also provides civil process service for a fee. Call (925) 313-2760 to arrange for sheriff's service.

E-filing is available for civil cases in Contra Costa County. Attorneys are required to file electronically in most situations. Self-represented parties may choose to e-file or file on paper. To e-file, you need an account with an approved e-filing service provider. The court's website lists approved providers. E-filing lets you submit documents 24 hours a day from any location with internet access.

Types of Civil Cases

Antioch residents file many types of civil cases. Contract disputes are common. These include unpaid debts, breach of contract claims, and disagreements over business deals. Many contract cases settle before trial. Parties often reach agreements through negotiation or mediation. When cases do go to trial, judges hear evidence from both sides and issue a decision.

Personal injury lawsuits are another major category. Car accidents on Highway 4 and local streets lead to injury claims. Slip and fall cases happen at stores and businesses. Dog bites, defective products, and workplace injuries also generate lawsuits. Most personal injury cases settle with insurance companies. Trials happen when parties cannot agree on who is at fault or how much compensation is fair.

Landlord-tenant disputes come up often in Antioch. These involve unpaid rent, property damage, lease violations, and eviction proceedings. Eviction cases are called unlawful detainer actions. They move quickly through the court system. Tenants have only a few days to respond after being served. Trials are short and focus on whether the tenant violated the lease or owes rent.

Small claims court handles everyday disputes up to $10,000 for individuals or $5,000 for businesses and people who file frequently. Common small claims cases include security deposit disputes, minor property damage, unpaid loans between individuals, and consumer complaints about defective merchandise. You don't need a lawyer. Both sides present evidence and the judge makes a decision the same day in most cases.

Business litigation happens when companies sue each other or when businesses sue individuals. These cases can involve partnership disputes, shareholder issues, unfair competition, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty. Business cases tend to be more complex than simple contract disputes. They often involve extensive discovery with depositions and document production. Trials can last weeks depending on how complicated the issues are.

Services Available

The clerk's office helps with filing documents, paying fees, and getting copies of records. Clerks can tell you what forms to use and how to fill them out. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to say in your case. That is up to you or your lawyer.

Copy services are available at the courthouse. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies require an additional $40 certification fee. Some agencies and institutions require certified copies with the court seal rather than regular photocopies. Tell the clerk you need certification when you request copies.

The court has a self-help center for people without lawyers. Self-help staff explain court procedures and help you complete forms. They provide information packets on common civil matters like small claims, evictions, and collections. The center operates on a walk-in basis. Bring your court papers and any documents related to your case. Services are free.

Legal research computers are available for public use. You can access legal databases and look up California statutes and court rules. Some courthouses have law libraries with books and reference materials. Ask the clerk where the library or computers are located.

Finding Legal Assistance

If you need help with a civil case, consider hiring a lawyer. The Contra Costa County Bar Association runs a Lawyer Referral Service. Call (925) 686-6900 to get matched with an attorney who handles your type of case. The initial consultation costs a small fee. After that, you and the lawyer negotiate fees for ongoing work.

Bay Area Legal Aid provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. They handle housing cases, consumer issues, public benefits, and family law matters. Call (800) 551-5554 to see if you qualify. Legal Services of Northern California is another option for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Their intake number is (866) 898-5245.

The State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov has a search tool for finding licensed attorneys. You can filter by practice area and location. The directory shows whether a lawyer is in good standing and whether they have any disciplinary history. Always check credentials before hiring someone.

For smaller disputes, you might represent yourself. The California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides and forms for many civil matters. The site walks you through each step of the process. It explains what documents to file and when to file them. You can print forms directly from the site.

Nearby California Cities

Other cities in Contra Costa County and the surrounding area: