Orange DUI Records
DUI and DWI records in Orange exist across multiple California agencies. The DMV maintains driving records with DUI convictions for ten years from the conviction date. Orange County Superior Court keeps all criminal case files from DUI arrests and court hearings in Orange. The California DOJ holds statewide criminal history records. Police reports from DUI arrests go through the Orange Police Department records section. Each source has different procedures and fees for accessing DUI records related to Orange cases. You can search many of these records online through official portals.
Orange Quick Facts
Orange County Court Records
All DUI cases in Orange get filed at Orange County Superior Court. The Central Justice Center in Santa Ana handles criminal cases for this area. It sits at 700 Civic Center Drive West. This is the main criminal courthouse for Orange County. All misdemeanor and felony DUI charges from Orange go through this location. The court clerk maintains all case files and court documents.
Orange County offers online case search at visionpublic.occourts.org. This portal covers criminal and traffic cases. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. The system includes cases from across Orange County, including all DUI filings from Orange. Basic case information appears at no charge.
The portal shows hearing dates, charges, and case status. Traffic citations may not appear in the system for up to 21 days after the ticket was issued. Some case 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.
Orange County also has a name search portal at namesearch.occourts.org. This lets you find cases by party name across all case types. Both portals are free to use for basic searches. If you need certified copies or full case files, visit the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
| 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 Orange cases.
Orange Police DUI Reports
The Orange Police Department handles 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 office.
Contact the Orange Police Department to submit a records request. The police station is at 1107 North Batavia Street. Call (714) 744-7444 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 information in DUI arrest reports may be 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 the case is resolved in Orange.
If your DUI arrest happened on State Route 55 or another highway, the California Highway Patrol may have the report instead of Orange PD. Contact CHP if you cannot locate your report through the city police department.
DMV Driving Records
A DUI conviction from Orange appears on your California driving record. The DMV keeps it for ten years from the conviction date. Commercial drivers face longer retention of 55 years for DUI convictions. The record shows the violation code, the date, and the 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 payment processing fee of 1.95 percent added to card transactions. This is the fastest way to check if an Orange 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 under California law.
When you get arrested for DUI in Orange, the officer takes your license and gives you a temp 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.
California DOJ Records
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history for the whole state. If you were arrested or convicted of DUI in Orange, 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 Orange. 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 Orange 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
The Orange County Sheriff runs the county jail. If you were booked for DUI in Orange, 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 Orange city limits, the local police department handles most DUI enforcement.
Legal Resources in Orange
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 Orange.
If you cannot afford a private attorney and were charged with DUI in Orange, 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
Orange 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.