Bakersfield DUI File Search

Bakersfield DUI records are maintained by city police and Kern County court agencies. Bakersfield Police Department keeps arrest reports for cases within city limits. Kern County Superior Court handles all criminal DUI prosecutions. The California DMV tracks driving records and DUI convictions statewide. Traffic collision reports cost seven dollars from Bakersfield PD through the JustFOIA portal. Court case files are searchable online but document access is not available through the internet according to county policy. Most records must be requested in person at the courthouse. Bakersfield sits in the southern Central Valley in Kern County.

Kern County Courts

DUI cases in Bakersfield get filed in Kern County Superior Court. The county has multiple courthouse locations. Bakersfield cases typically go to one of the courthouses in the city. Cases get assigned based on charge type and when they were filed.

The main courthouse sits at 1415 Truxtun Avenue in downtown Bakersfield. This building handles many criminal cases including DUI prosecutions. Multiple departments hear different types of cases. Some handle only felonies while others do misdemeanors. Your case gets assigned to a specific department based on the charges.

Kern County Superior Court maintains an online portal at portal.kern.courts.ca.gov. You can search for case information by name or case number. The portal shows basic information about cases. However, the court states that access to case files is not available via the internet. You must visit the courthouse or request clerk search services for detailed documents.

Document copies cost 50 cents per page when obtained in person. The clerk's office can perform searches for you for a fee. Call the courthouse for information about fees and procedures for detailed records requests. Processing time depends on how busy the clerk's office is.

Other Kern County courthouses include facilities in Ridgecrest, Delano, Taft, Mojave, Lamont, and Shafter. Cases from those areas get heard at branch locations. Most Bakersfield cases stay in the downtown courthouse. Confirm which location has your case before visiting.

Bakersfield Police Reports

Bakersfield Police Department handles DUI arrests within city limits. Officers write arrest reports documenting traffic stops, field sobriety tests, chemical testing, and observations. These reports become evidence in criminal cases prosecuted by the District Attorney.

Bakersfield PD uses JustFOIA for public records requests. Visit bakersfieldca.justfoia.com to submit a request online. You need to create an account and describe what records you want. The system tracks your request and sends email updates.

Traffic collision reports cost seven dollars. This is one of the lower fees in California for police reports. Many agencies charge fifteen to thirty dollars. Payment is required before you receive copies of records. Other types of reports may have different fees.

The Police Department headquarters is located at 1601 Truxtun Avenue. You can submit records requests in person during business hours or use the online portal. Call 661-326-3854 for questions about records requests and fees. Processing time varies based on request complexity.

Some arrest reports may be withheld from the arrested person. This protects ongoing investigations and criminal prosecutions. If you need your DUI arrest report for your defense, your attorney can obtain it through court discovery. Prosecutors must provide evidence to defense lawyers.

County Sheriff Coverage

Bakersfield has its own police department. The Kern County Sheriff does not patrol within Bakersfield city limits. However, the sheriff handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas and operates the county jail system where Bakersfield arrestees get booked.

The sheriff maintains an inmate information system at kernsheriff.org/Inmate_Info. You can search for current inmates by name. The system shows which facility holds the person and their booking information.

Kern County operates several jail facilities. The main jail is in downtown Bakersfield. Other facilities handle different inmate populations. The inmate locator tells you where someone is held and their expected release date if available. This helps if you need to contact an inmate or attend court hearings.

For arrest reports from the sheriff, contact their Records Division. The process differs from Bakersfield PD. Check the sheriff's website for current procedures and fees. Sheriff records often cost more than city police reports and may take longer to process.

DMV Driving Records

The California DMV records all DUI convictions statewide including Bakersfield. Convictions stay on your driving record for ten years. Commercial drivers face 55 year retention. The DMV maintains these records regardless of where in California the conviction occurred.

Request your driving record online at dmv.ca.gov for two dollars. The system prints your record immediately. Create an account first to protect your information. Credit card payments add 1.95 percent processing fee. Mail requests cost five dollars but take weeks.

The driving record shows DUI convictions with violation codes, dates, and counties. Administrative suspensions appear too. These Admin Per Se suspensions occur after DUI arrest even before conviction. Bakersfield Police reports these to the DMV within days of arrest. You get a temporary permit good for 30 days.

You have ten days after arrest to request a DMV hearing. Call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703. This hearing determines if your license gets suspended administratively. The hearing is separate from criminal court. Different rules and evidence standards apply.

First DUI brings four month suspension. Repeat offenses within ten years trigger one year suspension. Refusing chemical tests results in longer suspensions starting at one year for first refusal. Reinstatement requires paying $125 fee and filing SR-22 insurance for three years.

DUI Court Proceedings

Your first court date is the arraignment. This happens at the Kern County courthouse in Bakersfield. The judge reads the charges. You enter a plea. The court may appoint a public defender if you qualify financially.

Pretrial hearings follow arraignment. Your lawyer negotiates with the prosecutor. Evidence gets exchanged through discovery. Police reports, test results, and witness statements become part of the court file. Many DUI cases resolve through plea agreements without trial.

Trial occurs if you do not plead guilty. A judge or jury hears the evidence. Witnesses testify under oath. The court reporter creates a transcript. Verdicts get recorded. Sentencing happens after conviction. The judge orders fines, DUI classes, probation, or jail time.

Each step creates records. Court minutes document what happened at hearings. Motions contain legal arguments. The judgment shows the final outcome. All these documents stay in your court file. Request copies from the clerk by providing your case number and paying copy fees of 50 cents per page.

Bakersfield Legal Resources

Several organizations provide legal help in Bakersfield. Most serve people who cannot afford private attorneys. The Kern County Public Defender handles criminal cases for eligible defendants.

The Public Defender has an office in Bakersfield near the courthouse. Public defenders get assigned by the judge if you qualify financially. You provide income information at your first court appearance. If approved, you get free representation for your criminal case.

Legal aid organizations in Kern County offer help with some criminal record matters. They focus on expungements and record clearance. Call for information about eligibility and services. They do not represent people in active DUI prosecutions.

The Kern County Bar Association can provide information about private attorneys who handle DUI cases. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations. Fees vary based on case complexity and attorney experience. Simple first offense cases cost less than felony DUI with injuries or multiple priors.

Getting Your Records

Start by identifying what records you need. Court files show charges and outcomes. Police reports have arrest details. DMV records display license suspensions and convictions. Each agency maintains separate records.

Use the online court portal to find your case number. This shows basic information. For detailed documents, you must visit the courthouse in person. Kern County does not provide document access through the internet. Bring identification and your case number when you visit.

Police reports require an online request through JustFOIA. Include dates, locations, and report numbers if available. Processing takes time because staff must review reports before release. Simple collision reports come faster than complex arrest reports.

DMV records are quickest. The online system provides instant access for two dollars. This shows your complete driving history statewide. Print it or save a digital copy.

Central Valley Cities

Other cities in the region have their own police departments and record systems. Know where your arrest occurred before requesting records.

Fresno is north in Fresno County. Stockton is northwest in San Joaquin County. Both use different court systems than Kern County. Los Angeles is south in Los Angeles County.

Sacramento is north in Sacramento County. San Diego is south in San Diego County. Each operates under separate jurisdictions with different agencies and procedures. Always verify the correct county and city before submitting records requests.