Find DUI Records in Huntington Beach
DUI and DWI records in Huntington Beach are spread across multiple sources. The DMV keeps your driving record with DUI convictions for ten years. Orange County Superior Court maintains criminal case files for all DUI arrests and court proceedings in Huntington Beach. The California Department of Justice holds statewide criminal history records based on fingerprints. Police reports from DUI arrests go through the Huntington Beach Police Department. Each agency has its own access procedures and fees for releasing DUI records to the public in Huntington Beach.
Huntington Beach DUI Overview
Orange County Court Records
Huntington Beach DUI cases get filed at Orange County Superior Court. The main courthouse for criminal cases is the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. It sits at 700 Civic Center Drive West. All misdemeanor and felony DUI arrests from Huntington Beach go through this court. The clerk office keeps case files and court documents.
Orange County offers online case search through its public portal. Go to visionpublic.occourts.org to access criminal and traffic cases. The system includes cases from across Orange County, including all Huntington Beach DUI filings. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. Basic case information appears at no charge.
The portal shows hearing dates, charges, and case status. Some details may be restricted to protect privacy. If you need copies of court documents, you may have to visit the courthouse or submit a formal records request. Traffic citations may not show up in the system for up to 21 days after the ticket was issued in Huntington Beach.
Orange County also runs a name search portal at namesearch.occourts.org. This lets you find cases by party name across all case types. It works well when you know the defendant name but not the case number. Both portals are free to use for basic searches.
| Court | Orange County Superior Court - Central Justice Center |
|---|---|
| Address | 700 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 |
| Phone | (657) 622-6878 |
| Case Portal | visionpublic.occourts.org |
You can visit the clerk office in person if you need certified copies or documents not available online. Bring photo ID and be ready to pay copy fees. The courthouse has security screening at the entrance. Allow extra time for that when you visit to get DUI records from Huntington Beach cases.
Huntington Beach Police Reports
The Huntington Beach Police Department makes most DUI arrests within city limits. Officers write detailed reports for each arrest. These include the reason for the stop, field sobriety test results, and chemical test outcomes. You can request copies of police reports through the department records unit.
Huntington Beach PD uses an online records request system. Visit huntingtonbeachca.mycusthelp.com to submit your request. Police reports are free to obtain. Clearance letters cost $34. Processing time varies based on the complexity of the request.
Some information in DUI reports may be redacted. This protects victim privacy and ongoing investigations. If the report involves a case still in court, the release may be delayed. The department is open seven days a week from 6:00 am to 6:30 pm. This makes it easier to pick up records in person if you live in Huntington Beach.
The police station is at 2000 Main Street. Call (714) 960-8825 for questions about records requests. If your DUI arrest happened on Pacific Coast Highway or another state route, the California Highway Patrol may have the report instead of Huntington Beach PD. Check with CHP if you cannot find your report through the city.
California DMV Records
A DUI conviction in Huntington Beach goes on your California driving record. The DMV keeps these for ten years. Commercial drivers see their DUI stay on file for 55 years. The record shows the violation code, date, and county. Admin Per Se actions also appear if your license was suspended after arrest.
You can get your own driving record online for two dollars. Go to the DMV online portal and set up an account. The system lets you print your record right away. There is a small payment processing fee of 1.95 percent added to card transactions. This is the fastest way to check if a Huntington Beach DUI appears on your record.
If you need another person's driving record, you must use Form INF 70. Mail it to the DMV with a check for five dollars per record. The address is PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. Only certain people and entities can request someone else's record. Casual requests from friends or family are not allowed under California law.
When you get arrested for DUI in Huntington Beach, the officer takes your license and gives you a temporary one. That temp license lasts 30 days. You have ten days from the arrest date to request an Admin Per Se hearing. Call the DMV Driver Safety Branch at (833) 543-7703. If you miss the deadline, your suspension starts automatically on day 31.
First offense suspensions last four months. Second offenses within ten years bring a one-year suspension. Refusing a chemical test makes it worse. First refusal is one year, or two years if you were on DUI probation. You need to pay a $125 reissue fee and file an SR-22 to get your license back after the suspension ends.
Note: DUI convictions stay on your DMV record even if the court case was expunged under Penal Code 1203.4.
DOJ Criminal Records
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history for the whole state. If you were arrested or convicted of DUI in Huntington Beach, that information goes into the DOJ system. These records are based on fingerprints. You can get your own record but not someone else's unless you have legal authorization.
To request your DOJ record, use Live Scan. Fill out Form BCIA 8016RR and mark it as a Record Review request. Take the form to any Live Scan site near Huntington Beach. The site fingerprints you and sends the data to DOJ. The processing fee is $25. Some applicants qualify for a fee waiver if they meet income limits.
If your fingerprints match prints already in the DOJ database, a technician reviews your file manually. This takes longer. If there is no match, the check usually finishes in two to three days. You can track your request status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov using the number on your Live Scan receipt.
DOJ records show all arrests and convictions reported by law enforcement. Even if your Huntington Beach DUI case was dismissed, the arrest may still appear. Expungements change the disposition but do not erase the arrest. This matters for background checks and professional licensing.
Orange County Sheriff Records
The Orange County Sheriff runs the county jail. If you were booked for DUI in Huntington Beach, you may have been held at the Intake and Release Center in Santa Ana. The facility is at 550 North Flower Street. You can search for current inmates online through the Sheriff inmate portal at apps.ocsheriff.gov.
Booking records are public. You can request copies from the Sheriff Records Division. There may be fees for copies. Call the Inmate Booking and Release line at (714) 584-6790 for information about someone in custody. The Sheriff also patrols unincorporated areas of Orange County, but within Huntington Beach city limits, the local police department handles most DUI enforcement.
Legal Help in Huntington Beach
Legal Aid Society of Orange County offers free help to low-income residents. They do not handle criminal cases directly but can refer you to public defender services. Call (714) 571-5200 for their main office. The Orange County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (714) 434-6498. They connect you with attorneys who practice DUI defense in Huntington Beach.
If you cannot afford a private attorney and were charged with DUI in Huntington Beach, the court may appoint the Orange County Public Defender. Ask at your arraignment if you meet the income requirements. The Public Defender office is at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. They represent thousands of clients each year in criminal cases across the county.
California Courts Self-Help has guides at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov for finding case information. The site explains what records are public and what is restricted. Some details in criminal cases do not appear online to protect privacy under court rules.
Orange County DUI Records
Huntington Beach is in Orange County. All DUI cases from the city go through Orange County Superior Court. The county serves over 3 million people across 34 cities. For more details on the county court system, online portals, fee schedules, and related record sources, visit the Orange County DUI records page.