Civil Records in Norwalk

Civil court records for residents and businesses in Norwalk are handled through Los Angeles Superior Court. The city has a population of about 101,700 people. Cases filed by or against Norwalk residents fall under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County court system. You can search for civil lawsuits, judgments, and other court filings through the county's online portals. Most civil disputes in Norwalk go through the Norwalk Courthouse, which serves the southeast area of Los Angeles County. The court maintains electronic records for cases dating back to the 1980s for some case types.

Los Angeles County Court System

Norwalk is located in Los Angeles County. The city does not run its own court system. All civil litigation for Norwalk goes through Los Angeles County Superior Court, which is the largest trial court in the United States. The court operates multiple locations throughout the county to serve different geographic areas.

Norwalk has its own courthouse at 12720 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, CA 90650. This courthouse handles civil cases for the surrounding communities. It serves Norwalk, Cerritos, La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, and other nearby cities. The Norwalk branch processes limited and unlimited civil matters. It also handles family law cases and probate proceedings. The main civil phone line is (562) 807-7266.

The courthouse building opened in 1963 and went through renovations in later years. It has 13 courtrooms. Judges rotate between different types of cases depending on court assignments. Civil trials, motion hearings, and case management conferences all take place at this location. Parking is available in the courthouse lot and on nearby streets.

If you need to file a civil case in Norwalk, you can file at the Norwalk Courthouse or at any other Los Angeles Superior Court location. Once filed, your case will be assigned to the appropriate courthouse based on the case type and where the parties live. The court has internal rules about which courthouses handle which types of civil matters.

Finding Civil Cases Online

Los Angeles Superior Court provides online access to civil records through multiple systems. The main portal is the Civil Case Name Search at lacourt.ca.gov. This site lets you search for civil, small claims, family law, and probate cases by party name. The database updates daily with new filings and case activity.

Each name search costs $4.75. You pay by credit card. The search returns a list of cases with the party names, case types, filing dates, and courthouse locations. You also see how many documents are available for viewing. Click on a case to view more details about the filings and court proceedings.

If you want to download actual documents, those cost extra. The first five pages of a document run $1.00 per page. Pages six and up cost $0.40 per page. The maximum charge per document is $40.00. Many people just view the case summary to get basic information before deciding whether to buy full documents. The register of actions shows all key dates, filings, and court events without any extra charge once you complete the initial name search.

The court also operates an e-filing portal at portal-lasc.journaltech.com where attorneys and parties can file documents electronically. Electronic filing is mandatory for attorneys in most civil cases. Self-represented parties may choose to file electronically or in person. The e-filing system accepts filings 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For older cases filed before the 1980s or 1990s, you may need to visit the courthouse in person. The court keeps archived files at different locations depending on when the case was filed. Cases from before 1965 are stored at one archive center. Cases from 1965 forward are at another location. Call the archives department at (213) 974-1378 for pre-1965 records or (213) 893-0809 for post-1965 records.

How to File Civil Lawsuits

To start a civil case in Norwalk, prepare your complaint with all required information. Include the names and addresses of all parties. State the facts of your dispute. List what you want the court to do. Sign and date the complaint. Make copies for each defendant plus one for your own records.

Take your complaint to the Norwalk Courthouse during business hours. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The civil clerk's office is on the ground floor. Give the clerk your original complaint and copies. The clerk checks that your forms are filled out correctly. If something is wrong, the clerk will tell you what needs to be fixed.

Pay the filing fee when you submit your papers. Unlimited civil cases cost $435 to file. These are cases over $35,000. Limited civil cases cost $370 for amounts between $10,000 and $35,000. Smaller amounts have lower fees. Small claims cases up to $10,000 have fees ranging from $30 to $75 depending on how much you claim. You can pay by cash, check, money order, or credit card at the courthouse.

If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask for a fee waiver. The clerk has fee waiver applications. Fill out the form with information about your income, expenses, and assets. The court will review your application and decide if you qualify for a waiver. Most people get a decision within a few days. If approved, you file your case without paying the fee.

After filing, the clerk stamps your documents and gives you a case number. You must serve the other party with a copy of the complaint and a summons. Service means officially delivering the papers to the defendant. You cannot serve the papers yourself. Someone over 18 who is not involved in the case must do it. Professional process servers charge a fee to serve papers. The sheriff's office also provides service for a fee.

Services at Norwalk Courthouse

The Norwalk Courthouse offers several services for people involved in civil cases. The civil clerk's office handles filings, payments, and basic procedural questions. Staff can tell you what forms to use and where to file them. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to say in your documents.

The courthouse has a self-help center for people without attorneys. Self-help staff can explain court procedures and help you fill out forms. They provide information packets on common civil matters. The center is available on a walk-in basis. Bring your case documents and any papers you received from the other party. Self-help services are free.

You can access public computers at the courthouse to search for case information. The terminals connect to the court's case management system. You can look up cases by name or case number. Print case summaries for a small fee. The computers are located near the clerk's office.

Copy services are available at the courthouse. The copy fee is $0.50 per page. If you need certified copies, there is an additional $40 certification fee per document. Certified copies have an official court seal. Banks, government agencies, and other courts sometimes require certified copies rather than regular photocopies. Tell the clerk you need a certified copy when you make your request.

Common Civil Disputes in Norwalk

Residents of Norwalk file many types of civil cases. Landlord-tenant disputes are common. These cases involve unpaid rent, security deposit disputes, property damage claims, and eviction proceedings. Most landlord-tenant matters are limited civil cases because the amounts are usually under $35,000. Eviction cases go through a special unlawful detainer process with shorter deadlines.

Contract disputes between businesses or individuals often end up in court. These can include breach of contract claims, collection actions on unpaid debts, and disagreements over business deals. Contract cases range from a few thousand dollars to millions depending on what is at stake. Simple collection matters may settle quickly. Complex business disputes can take years to resolve.

Personal injury cases are another major category. Car accidents make up a large portion of personal injury filings. Slip and fall cases, dog bites, and medical malpractice claims also get filed. Most personal injury cases settle before trial. Insurance companies often prefer to settle rather than risk a jury verdict. When cases do go to trial, they can last several days or weeks.

Small claims court handles everyday disputes. People use small claims for unpaid loans between friends or family. Consumers file against businesses over defective products or poor service. Contractors and customers dispute the quality of work done. You represent yourself in small claims court. Lawyers are not allowed. The process is faster and simpler than regular civil court.

Getting Legal Assistance

Many civil cases are complex. You might need help from a lawyer. The Los Angeles County Bar Association operates a Lawyer Referral Service. Call (213) 243-1525 to get a referral. The service matches you with lawyers who handle your type of case. You pay a fee for an initial consultation. After that, you and the lawyer agree on fees for ongoing representation.

If you have low income, you may qualify for free legal aid. Public Counsel provides free civil legal services to people who cannot afford a lawyer. They handle cases involving housing, family law, consumer issues, and public benefits. Call (213) 385-2977 to see if you qualify. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles is another option. They serve low-income residents with civil legal problems. Their intake line is (800) 399-4529.

The State Bar of California website at calbar.ca.gov has a directory of all licensed attorneys in California. You can search by location and practice area. The directory shows whether a lawyer is in good standing or has any disciplinary issues. Always verify that your lawyer is licensed and has no serious discipline history.

For some cases, you can represent yourself without a lawyer. This is called appearing pro se or in propria persona. The court's Self-Help Guide at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has information on many types of civil cases. The site has step-by-step instructions and form packets. You can also visit the self-help center at the Norwalk Courthouse for in-person assistance.

Nearby California Cities

Other cities in Los Angeles County with court records available online: