Lancaster DUI Records
DUI and DWI records in Lancaster come from multiple state and county sources. The DMV keeps driving records with DUI convictions for ten years from the conviction date. Los Angeles County Superior Court maintains all criminal case files from DUI arrests and court proceedings in Lancaster. The California DOJ holds statewide criminal history records. Police reports for Lancaster DUI arrests go through the Los Angeles County Sheriff, which provides law enforcement services for this contract city. Each agency has its own rules and fees for releasing DUI records to the public.
Lancaster Quick Facts
Court DUI Records in Lancaster
Lancaster DUI cases get filed at Los Angeles County Superior Court. The Antelope Valley Courthouse in Lancaster handles criminal cases for this area. It sits at 42011 4th Street West in downtown Lancaster. This courthouse serves the northern part of Los Angeles County. All misdemeanor and felony DUI charges from Lancaster go through this location.
Los Angeles County has an online criminal case search at lacourt.org. You can search by defendant name or case number. The system shows case numbers, defendant names, filing dates, and filing locations. Felony cases from 1980 forward are searchable. Misdemeanor cases from 1988 forward appear as well. Traffic infractions do not show up in this search.
Search fees go up to $4.75 per search. The online system gives basic case details like charges and hearing dates. If you need full court documents or certified copies, you may have to visit the Lancaster courthouse in person. Email questions about criminal records to onlineServices@lacourt.org or call the court at (213) 830-0801.
| Court | Los Angeles County Superior Court - Antelope Valley Courthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 42011 4th Street West Lancaster, CA 93534 |
| Main Office | 111 N. Hill Street, Room 105E Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| Phone | (213) 830-0801 |
| Search Portal | lacourt.org/paos/v2public/CriminalIndex |
You can visit the clerk office at the Antelope Valley Courthouse to get copies of DUI case files from Lancaster. Bring valid photo ID and be ready to pay for copies. The courthouse has security screening. Some criminal case details may be restricted to protect privacy or because the case is still pending.
LA County Sheriff DUI Reports
Lancaster is a contract city. This means the Los Angeles County Sheriff provides law enforcement instead of a city police department. All DUI arrests within Lancaster city limits are made by Sheriff deputies. They write detailed reports for each arrest. These include the traffic stop details, field sobriety tests, and chemical test results.
You can request copies of Sheriff reports through the LA County Sheriff Records Division. Processing times vary. Simple requests may take a few days. More complex searches take longer. There are fees for copies. Some information in DUI reports may be redacted to protect victim privacy or ongoing investigations.
The Sheriff also runs the county jail system. If you were arrested for DUI in Lancaster and booked into custody, you can search for inmates at app5.lasd.org/iic. The booking log is at app5.lasd.org/bklog. Call the 24-hour inmate information line at (213) 473-6100 for questions about someone in custody.
If your DUI arrest happened on State Route 14 or another highway, the California Highway Patrol may have the report instead of the Sheriff. Check with CHP if you cannot locate your report through the Sheriff Records Division.
DMV Driving Records
A DUI conviction in Lancaster appears on your California driving record. The DMV keeps these for ten years from the conviction date. Commercial drivers face longer retention. Their DUI convictions stay on file for 55 years. The record shows the violation code, the date, and the county where it occurred.
You can get your own driving record online for two dollars. Visit the DMV online portal and create an account. The system lets you print your record right away. There is a 1.95 percent payment processing fee for credit card transactions. This is the fastest way to check if a Lancaster DUI shows on your record.
To request another person's driving record, use Form INF 70. Mail it with a check for five dollars per record to the DMV Information Release Unit. The address is PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. Only authorized parties can request someone else's record under California privacy laws.
When you get arrested for DUI in Lancaster, the officer takes your license and gives you a temp one good for 30 days. You have ten days from the arrest to request an Admin Per Se hearing with the DMV. Call the Driver Safety Branch at (833) 543-7703 to request your hearing. If you miss this deadline, your suspension starts automatically after 30 days.
First offense suspensions last four months. A second offense within ten years brings one year suspension. Refusing a chemical test results in harsher penalties. First refusal is one year or two years if you were on DUI probation. To get your license back, you must pay a $125 reissue fee and file an SR-22 insurance form. Keep that SR-22 active for three years.
Note: Expunged DUI convictions still appear on DMV records and count as prior offenses for ten years.
California DOJ Records
The California Department of Justice keeps statewide criminal history records. A DUI arrest or conviction in Lancaster goes into this database. These records are based on fingerprints and are called RAP sheets. They show arrests, charges, and case outcomes. You can request your own record but not someone else's unless you have legal authority.
To get your DOJ record, go to a Live Scan site. Fill out Form BCIA 8016RR and mark the box for Record Review. The Live Scan operator fingerprints you and sends the data to DOJ. The fee is $25 for processing. Low-income applicants may qualify for a fee waiver. Find Live Scan locations at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations.
If your prints match prints in the DOJ system, a technician reviews your file manually. This takes longer. If there is no match, the check usually finishes in 48 to 72 hours. Track your request status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov using the tracking number from your Live Scan receipt.
DOJ records include all reportable arrests and convictions. Even if your Lancaster DUI case was dismissed, the arrest may still appear. Expungements under Penal Code 1203.4 change the disposition but do not erase the arrest. This matters for background checks and licensing applications.
Legal Resources in Lancaster
Legal aid organizations serve Lancaster residents. Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles offers free help to low-income people in criminal matters. Call their intake line to check eligibility. The Los Angeles County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service at (213) 243-1525. They can connect you with a DUI defense attorney who practices in the Antelope Valley area.
If you cannot afford a private attorney and were charged with DUI in Lancaster, ask the court to appoint the Los Angeles County Public Defender. The Public Defender represents thousands of clients each year in criminal cases across the county. Ask at your arraignment if you qualify based on income.
California Courts Self-Help at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has guides for finding case information online. The site explains what criminal records are public and what is restricted. Some details in criminal cases do not appear online to protect privacy under California court rules.
Los Angeles County DUI Records
Lancaster is in Los Angeles County. All DUI cases from the city go through Los Angeles County Superior Court. The county is the most populous in California, serving over 10 million residents. For more on the county court system, online portals, fee schedules, and other record sources, visit the Los Angeles County DUI records page.