Find Alpine County Civil Records

Alpine County Superior Court maintains civil court records for this small mountain county. All civil cases filed in Alpine County are handled through the courthouse in Markleeville. The court processes unlimited civil cases over $35,000, limited civil cases up to $35,000, and small claims matters. Alpine is California's least populous county, so the court has a smaller caseload than most other California counties. Despite its size, the court follows the same rules and procedures as all other California Superior Courts.

Alpine County Courthouse

The Alpine County Superior Court is at 50 Diamond Valley Road in Markleeville, California 96120. This is the only courthouse in the county. All civil filings are submitted here. The clerk's office accepts complaints, answers, motions, and other court documents during business hours.

Court hours are limited compared to larger counties. The courthouse is typically open Monday through Thursday. Hours may vary, so call ahead before visiting. The phone number is on the court's website at alpine.courts.ca.gov.

Markleeville is a remote location in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Plan your travel accordingly. Winter weather can affect access to the courthouse. Roads may be closed or difficult to navigate during snow season. Check road conditions before making the trip.

If you cannot visit in person, you can file documents by mail. Send filings to Alpine County Superior Court, PO Box 518, Markleeville, CA 96120. Include payment for any required fees. The clerk will process mailed filings and send confirmation.

Accessing Civil Court Records

Alpine County does not have an online case search portal like larger counties. You must contact the courthouse directly to get case information. Call the clerk's office or visit in person.

When you contact the clerk, provide the case number if you have it. If you don't know the case number, give the names of the parties. The clerk can search for the case using party names. This may take longer than searching by case number.

You can request copies of court documents by phone or in person. The standard copy fee is $0.50 per page under California Government Code Section 70627. Certified copies cost an additional $40 certification fee. Certified dissolution judgments cost $15 to certify.

For detailed case information or document copies, visiting the courthouse is usually the best option. The clerk can pull the physical file and make copies while you wait if the courthouse is not busy. This gives you immediate access to the records you need.

Filing a Civil Case in Alpine County

To start a civil case in Alpine County, prepare your complaint and supporting documents. File the complaint with the civil clerk in Markleeville. The clerk reviews the documents and accepts them if they meet filing requirements.

Filing fees in Alpine County follow the statewide California fee schedule. An unlimited civil complaint costs $435 to file. The defendant pays $435 to file an answer. Limited civil cases cost $370 for amounts between $10,000 and $35,000. Smaller limited civil cases under $10,000 cost $225 for initial filings.

Small claims cases have much lower fees. You pay $30 to file a claim up to $1,500. Claims from $1,500 to $5,000 cost $50. Claims from $5,000 to $10,000 cost $75. Small claims court is a good option for smaller disputes.

If you cannot afford the filing fees, apply for a fee waiver. Complete the fee waiver application form and provide financial information. The court decides whether to grant the waiver based on your income and expenses. Approved waivers let you file without paying fees.

Note: You can pay fees by cash, check, or money order at the courthouse. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment methods.

Civil Case Types

Alpine County Superior Court handles all types of civil cases. Unlimited civil cases involve disputes over $35,000. These include contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, and property cases. Trial procedures for unlimited civil cases are formal. Discovery is allowed. Cases can take months or years to resolve.

Limited civil cases cover amounts up to $35,000. Common limited civil matters include breach of contract, property damage, and debt collection. Unlawful detainer eviction cases fall under limited civil jurisdiction. These cases move faster than unlimited civil cases with restricted discovery rules.

Small claims court handles disputes up to $10,000 for most filers. You don't need a lawyer in small claims court. Present your evidence to the judge. The judge decides the case quickly. Most small claims trials happen within a few months of filing.

The court also handles probate, guardianship, and conservatorship matters. These cases involve estates, minors, and adults who need assistance managing their affairs. Special rules apply to these case types.

Getting Legal Help

The Alpine County Superior Court website has basic information about court procedures. Visit alpine.courts.ca.gov for court contact information and general filing instructions.

For detailed guidance on representing yourself, use the California Courts Self-Help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This statewide resource provides step-by-step guides for common civil case types. Forms are available for download.

Legal aid organizations serve rural California counties including Alpine. Legal Services of Northern California may be able to help if you qualify based on income. They provide free legal services in civil matters.

If you need to hire an attorney, the State Bar of California offers a lawyer referral service. You can search for attorneys by location and practice area. Many lawyers offer reduced-fee consultations through the referral service.

Because Alpine County is so small, you may need to work with attorneys from nearby counties like El Dorado or Mono. Attorneys licensed in California can represent clients in any California county.

Public Access to Court Records

Civil court records in Alpine County are public under California law. Government Code Section 68150 requires courts to provide reasonable access to records. You can view and copy most civil case files.

Some case types have privacy protections. Family law cases are confidential under California Rules of Court Rule 2.503. You can only see limited information about these cases. Full case files are not available to the public. The same rules apply to guardianship, conservatorship, and mental health cases.

Criminal case records also have restricted access. Only parties to the case and their attorneys can see full criminal files. The public can access registers of actions and calendars for criminal matters but not confidential documents.

Unlawful detainer eviction cases are masked for 60 days after filing under Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161.2. Access is limited during this period. After 60 days, the cases become public if certain conditions are met.

Nearby California Counties

Alpine County borders several other counties in the Sierra Nevada region. Each has its own Superior Court system.