Find Berkeley DUI Records

Berkeley DUI records are kept by multiple agencies in California. Criminal cases get filed at the Alameda County Superior Court, which has courthouses in Oakland, Hayward, and other locations throughout the county. Berkeley Police Department maintains arrest reports and incident records for DUI cases that happen within city limits. The California DMV tracks DUI convictions on driving records for ten years, and the state Department of Justice keeps criminal history records based on fingerprints. Each type of record requires a different search process and may have fees.

Berkeley Police Records

Berkeley Police Department handles DUI enforcement in the city. Officers make arrests and write detailed reports about each incident. These reports contain information about the traffic stop, field sobriety tests, chemical test results, and the officer's observations. You usually need an attorney to get arrest reports through the discovery process in your criminal case. The department does not typically release arrest reports directly to the person who was arrested.

For other public records requests, Berkeley uses an online system. The city contracts with NextRequest for records management. You can submit requests at cityofberkeleyca.nextrequest.com. This portal handles all California Public Records Act requests for the police department. The system lets you track your request status online and get notified when records are ready.

Response time depends on what you ask for. Simple requests may get answered in a week. Complex ones take longer. The law requires a response within ten days, but agencies can extend that by 14 more days if needed. Some information gets redacted to protect privacy or active investigations. Witness names and personal details often get blacked out before release.

Fees for police records vary. Clearance letters cost $10. Collision reports also cost $10. Some other records may be free. The department tells you the cost before releasing documents. You pay online through the NextRequest portal once your request is approved.

Alameda County Court Search

All Berkeley DUI cases get filed at the Alameda County Superior Court. The county has multiple courthouses. Criminal cases from Berkeley usually go to the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland or the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin. The court clerk maintains files for all criminal cases going back to 1974. These files include charging documents, court minutes, and final judgments.

You can search criminal cases online through the Alameda County Superior Court website. The court offers a free public portal that shows basic case information. You can see charges, court dates, and case status. Documents are not available online. You must visit the courthouse or submit a records request to get copies of documents from the case file.

For formal criminal record requests, use the court's online system at criminalrecords.alameda.courts.ca.gov. This portal lets you request copies of criminal case records. The court charges fees based on how many pages you need. The first five pages cost one dollar each. Additional pages cost 50 cents each. There is a $50 cap on copy fees. You can also pay $300 for 30 days of unlimited name searches if you need to look up many cases.

The court uses Tyler Technologies Odyssey as its case management system. Many large California counties use this same system. If you have searched court records in Los Angeles, Orange, or San Diego counties, the Alameda portal works similarly. Search by name or case number to find records.

Driver Record Information

DUI convictions from Berkeley appear on California DMV driving records. These records stay active for ten years from the conviction date. It does not matter where in California the DUI happened. All convictions go on your statewide record. Commercial drivers see their DUI convictions for 55 years instead of ten years. This longer retention applies to anyone with a commercial license.

Get your own driving record online at dmv.ca.gov. The cost is two dollars plus a small processing fee of 1.95 percent. You need to set up an account first. Once you pay, print your record right away. The system only lets you print it once. The record shows all violations, suspensions, and actions on your license. DUI convictions appear with the violation code, date, and county where it happened.

Admin Per Se suspensions also show up on DMV records. These are administrative actions that happen after a DUI arrest. The DMV suspends your license based on blood alcohol level or test refusal. This happens before any criminal conviction. The suspension goes on your record for three years from the reinstatement date. This is separate from the ten-year reporting period for the criminal conviction itself.

You cannot get someone else's driving record through the online system. To request another person's record, fill out Form INF 70 and mail it to the DMV in Sacramento. Include a check for five dollars. You must state why you need the record. California law limits who can access driving records. Employers, insurance companies, and attorneys can get them for legitimate purposes. Random members of the public cannot pull driving records without a valid reason.

Note: The DMV keeps DUI convictions on file even if you get an expungement through the court under Penal Code Section 1203.4.

Inmate and Booking Records

People arrested for DUI in Berkeley may be booked into the Alameda County jail system. The county runs Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. This is the main detention facility for the county. Booking information becomes public once someone is processed. You can search for current inmates online through the Alameda County Sheriff website.

The Alameda County Sheriff maintains an inmate locator. Search by name to see if someone is in custody. The system shows booking date, charges, bail amount, and housing location. DUI charges appear along with any other charges from the same arrest. The database updates regularly as new people get booked and others get released.

This search is free and open to the public. You do not need to register or create an account. Just enter a name and the system shows results. If someone is no longer in custody, they will not appear in the search. The system only tracks current inmates.

For older booking records or arrest reports from the sheriff, contact their records division. They can provide information about past bookings for a fee. Call ahead to find out what information they need and how much it costs to get copies of old booking reports.

California DOJ Records

The California Department of Justice keeps statewide criminal records. Every arrest that includes fingerprinting goes into the DOJ database. They create a Record of Arrests and Prosecutions, called a RAP sheet. This document lists every arrest, the charges, and what happened with each case. DUI arrests from Berkeley appear on your RAP sheet if you were fingerprinted.

Only you can request your own RAP sheet. Other people cannot get your criminal record from DOJ without legal authority. To request your record, you need Live Scan fingerprinting. Fill out Form BCIA 8016RR and check the box for Record Review. Take this form to a Live Scan location in or near Berkeley. The technician scans your fingerprints and submits them to DOJ with the $25 processing fee.

Find authorized Live Scan sites at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. Several businesses in Berkeley and the surrounding area offer this service. Call ahead to make sure they handle Record Review requests. Some locations only do employment background checks and cannot process personal record review requests.

Processing time depends on what DOJ finds. If your fingerprints match no records, you get results in 48 to 72 hours. If they find a match, a technician must manually review your RAP sheet. This takes longer. You can check your request status online at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov. Enter your ATI number from the Live Scan receipt to see the status. Results get mailed to the address you put on the form.

The RAP sheet shows each arrest with dates, charges, and dispositions. If you were arrested for DUI in Berkeley, it appears on this record. Convictions stay on the RAP sheet permanently. DOJ keeps these records until you turn 100 years old. Expungements change the disposition to show the case was dismissed, but the arrest remains on the record. Law enforcement can always see the full record.

California DUI Laws

DUI cases in Berkeley follow California state law. Vehicle Code Section 23152 defines driving under the influence. Section 23152(a) makes it illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol. Section 23152(b) sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent blood alcohol. You can be charged with both at once.

Commercial drivers have a lower limit. Vehicle Code Section 23152(d) sets their limit at 0.04 percent when operating a commercial vehicle. Drivers under 21 face zero tolerance under Vehicle Code Section 23136. Any detectable alcohol of 0.01 percent or more triggers penalties for underage drivers. This is a civil violation handled by the DMV, not a criminal charge.

Vehicle Code Section 23153 covers DUI with injury. This applies when someone drives under the influence and causes bodily harm through a negligent act. These cases often get filed as felonies. The penalties are much harsher than standard DUI. The DMV also imposes longer license revocations for injury DUI.

If you get arrested for DUI in Berkeley, you face two separate processes. The criminal case goes through Alameda County Superior Court. The DMV Admin Per Se process happens separately. You have ten days from the arrest date to request a DMV hearing. Call 833-543-7703 to request this hearing. If you miss the deadline, your license gets suspended automatically. The criminal case and DMV case are independent. You can lose your license through the DMV even if you win in criminal court.

Legal Help in Berkeley

Several resources exist for people facing DUI charges in Berkeley. The Alameda County Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a private attorney. You must qualify based on income. The court determines eligibility at your first appearance. If you do not qualify for the public defender, you need to hire a private attorney or represent yourself.

The Alameda County Bar Association offers a lawyer referral service. Call to get names of attorneys who handle DUI cases in Berkeley. Many attorneys offer a free or low-cost initial consultation. Talk to a few lawyers before you decide. DUI defense costs vary based on case complexity and the attorney's experience.

For general legal information, the Alameda County Law Library has resources for people representing themselves. The library is in the courthouse in Oakland. Staff can help you find forms and legal information. They cannot give legal advice. Most people hire an attorney for DUI cases because the consequences are serious. A DUI conviction affects your license, your job, and your criminal record.

If you get a DMV hearing notice, you can handle that yourself or hire a lawyer. Some DUI attorneys include the DMV hearing in their services. Others charge separately. The DMV hearing happens faster than the criminal case. Act quickly if you want to challenge the license suspension. The hearing officer decides whether to uphold the suspension based on the evidence.

Alameda County DUI Records

Berkeley is located in Alameda County. All criminal court cases from Berkeley go through the Alameda County Superior Court system. The county handles DUI cases for Berkeley and many other cities throughout the East Bay. For more details about county court locations, regional services, and additional resources for DUI records, visit the Alameda County page.

View Alameda County DUI Records