Access Modesto DUI Records
Modesto DUI and DWI records exist in multiple California agencies. The DMV maintains driving records showing DUI convictions for ten years after the conviction date. Stanislaus County Superior Court keeps all criminal case files from DUI arrests and court hearings in Modesto. The California Department of Justice holds statewide criminal history records based on fingerprints. Police reports from Modesto DUI arrests go through the Modesto Police Department records division. Each of these sources has its own procedures, fees, and access rules for getting DUI records related to Modesto cases.
Modesto Overview
Stanislaus County Court Records
All DUI cases in Modesto get filed at Stanislaus County Superior Court. The main courthouse is in Modesto at 800 11th Street. This courthouse handles criminal cases for the city and surrounding areas. The court clerk maintains all case files and court documents. Misdemeanor and felony DUI charges from Modesto go through this court location.
Stanislaus County may have an online case portal. Contact the court directly for information about searching criminal cases online. Many California counties use Tyler Technologies Odyssey system or similar platforms for public case access. If available, you can search by name or case number to find DUI records from Modesto.
| Court | Stanislaus County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 11th Street Modesto, CA 95354 |
| Phone | (209) 558-6000 |
| Website | stanct.org |
You can visit the clerk office in person to search for DUI cases and get copies of court documents. Bring photo ID and cash or a card for copy fees. Standard copy fees in California courts are fifty cents per page. Certified copies cost more. Call ahead to check current hours and any special procedures for accessing criminal records in Modesto.
Some criminal case details may be restricted to protect privacy under California court rules. Cases still pending in court may have limited information available to the public. Ask the clerk staff for help finding specific DUI cases from Modesto.
Modesto Police DUI Reports
The Modesto Police Department handles DUI arrests within city limits. Officers write detailed reports for each arrest. These reports include the reason for the traffic stop, field sobriety test results, and breathalyzer or blood test outcomes. You can request copies of police reports through the department records section.
Contact the Modesto Police Department to submit a records request. The police station is at 600 10th Street in downtown Modesto. Call (209) 572-9500 for the main line. Processing times for records requests vary based on complexity. Simple requests may be completed in a few days. More involved searches take longer.
There may be fees for copies of police reports and arrest records. Some details in DUI arrest reports may be withheld or redacted to protect victim privacy or ongoing investigations. If your case is still active in court, the police may delay release of the full report until after the case is resolved in Modesto.
If your DUI arrest happened on State Route 99 or another highway, the California Highway Patrol may have the report instead of Modesto PD. Contact CHP if you cannot locate your report through the city police department.
California DMV Records
A DUI conviction from Modesto appears on your California driving record. The DMV keeps it for ten years from the conviction date. Commercial drivers face longer retention periods of 55 years for DUI convictions. The record shows the violation code, the date it occurred, and the county where it happened. Admin Per Se suspensions also appear on your record.
You can request your own driving record online for two dollars. Go to the DMV online portal and create an account. The system lets you print your record immediately after payment. Card payments include a 1.95 percent processing fee. This is the quickest way to check if a Modesto DUI shows on your driving record.
To get 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 at PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. Only authorized parties can request someone else's record under California privacy laws. Processing takes longer than online requests.
When you get arrested for DUI in Modesto, the officer takes your license and gives you a temporary one valid for 30 days. You have ten days from the arrest date to request an Admin Per Se hearing with the DMV Driver Safety Branch. Call (833) 543-7703 to request your hearing. If you miss the deadline, your suspension starts automatically after the temp license expires.
First offense suspensions last four months. A second offense within ten years brings one year suspension. Refusing a chemical test results in longer penalties. First refusal is one year or two years if you were on DUI probation. Second refusal within ten years is two years or three years if on probation. To reinstate your license, you must pay a $125 fee and file an SR-22 insurance form. Keep the SR-22 active for three years.
Note: DUI convictions stay on DMV records even if expunged under Penal Code 1203.4.
DOJ Criminal History Records
The California Department of Justice keeps statewide criminal records. A DUI arrest or conviction in Modesto goes into this database. These records are based on fingerprints and are called RAP sheets. They show arrests, charges, and case outcomes. You can only request your own RAP sheet unless you have legal authority to access someone else's record.
To get your DOJ record, visit a Live Scan site. Fill out Form BCIA 8016RR and check the box for Record Review. The Live Scan operator fingerprints you and sends the data to DOJ electronically. The fee is $25 for DOJ processing. Low-income applicants may qualify for a fee waiver. Find Live Scan locations near Modesto at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations.
If your fingerprints match prints in the DOJ database, a technician must review your file manually. This can take an indeterminate amount of time. If there is no match, processing usually finishes in 48 to 72 hours. You can check your request status online 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 Modesto DUI case was dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge, the arrest may still appear on your RAP sheet. Expungements under Penal Code 1203.4 change the disposition to show the case was dismissed but do not remove the arrest from your record. This matters for employment background checks and professional licensing.
Legal Resources in Modesto
Legal aid organizations serve Modesto residents facing DUI charges. Central California Legal Services offers free help to low-income people. Call their Modesto office for intake information. The Stanislaus County Bar Association may run a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with a DUI defense attorney who practices in Modesto.
If you cannot afford a private attorney and were charged with DUI in Modesto, ask the court to appoint the Stanislaus County Public Defender. The Public Defender represents clients who meet income requirements. Ask at your arraignment if you qualify for appointed counsel.
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 protected. Some case details do not appear online to protect privacy under California Rule of Court 2.503.
Stanislaus County Sheriff
The Stanislaus County Sheriff operates the county jail system. If you were arrested for DUI in Modesto and booked into custody, the Sheriff has booking records. You may be able to search for current inmates online through the Sheriff website. Booking logs and arrest records are public.
You can request copies of arrest reports and booking records from the Sheriff Records Division. There may be fees for copies. The Sheriff also patrols unincorporated areas of Stanislaus County, but within Modesto city limits, the Modesto Police Department handles most DUI enforcement.
Stanislaus County DUI Records
Modesto is the county seat of Stanislaus County. All DUI cases from Modesto get filed through Stanislaus County Superior Court. The county serves over half a million residents in the Central Valley. For more on the county court system, fee schedules, online portals, and other record sources, visit the Stanislaus County DUI records page.