Search Richmond DUI and DWI Records
DUI and DWI records for Richmond are maintained by Contra Costa County Superior Court and state agencies. Richmond sits in western Contra Costa County with a population over 116,000. DUI arrests by Richmond Police lead to criminal cases filed at the county courthouse. Court records show case details, charges, and outcomes. DMV driving records display DUI convictions for ten years. The California Department of Justice keeps criminal history files with arrest and conviction data. You can search most of these records online or request copies through official channels in Richmond.
Richmond Quick Facts
Contra Costa Court Records
Contra Costa County Superior Court handles all DUI criminal cases from Richmond. When someone gets arrested for DUI in Richmond, charges are filed at one of several court locations in the county. Most Richmond cases go to the Richmond courthouse or the Martinez courthouse depending on where the arrest happened and court scheduling.
The county court system has an online portal at odyportal.cc-courts.org/portal. You can search for criminal cases by name or case number. The system shows basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and case status. Full documents like police reports and court orders are not available online. You must visit the courthouse or call the clerk to get copies of those records from a Richmond DUI case.
To request documents from a Richmond DUI case, contact the Contra Costa Superior Court clerk. Call them at (925) 608-1000. They can tell you which courthouse has your case file and how to get copies. Document copies cost fifty cents per page. Certified copies cost more if you need them for legal purposes.
DUI charges in Richmond usually get filed as misdemeanors under Vehicle Code 23152. A standard first offense with no injuries is a misdemeanor. If someone was hurt in the DUI incident, prosecutors may file felony charges under Vehicle Code 23153. Felony DUI cases have more serious penalties and longer record retention periods.
| Court | Contra Costa County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Richmond Courthouse | 100 37th Street Richmond, CA 94805 |
| Main Court Phone | (925) 608-1000 |
| Case Portal | odyportal.cc-courts.org/portal |
Contra Costa County also has self-help services for people handling their own cases. The court cannot give legal advice but staff can help you find forms and explain procedures. If you have questions about a Richmond DUI case, call the court or visit in person during business hours.
DMV Records for Richmond Drivers
A DUI conviction from Richmond stays on your California driving record for ten years. The DMV tracks all convictions from every county. Your record will show the violation, the date, and Contra Costa County as the location. Anyone who requests your driving record during those ten years will see the DUI conviction from Richmond.
Get your own driving record online for two dollars at the DMV Online Driver Record Request page. You need to create an account first. Once logged in, you can print your record right away. The system adds a 1.95 percent fee for credit card payments. Your record shows all DUI convictions and other violations from Richmond and anywhere else in California.
If you need to request someone else's record, use Form INF 70. Mail it with a five dollar check to DMV Information Release Unit, MS G199, PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. You must have a legal reason to request another person's record. The DMV does not release records to the public without cause.
The DMV also manages administrative suspensions for DUI arrests in Richmond. This is separate from the criminal case. When police arrest you for DUI, they take your license and give you a temporary permit good for 30 days. You have ten days to ask for a DMV hearing. Call the Driver Safety Branch at (833) 543-7703 to request your hearing. If you miss the deadline, your license gets suspended automatically after the 30 days.
First offense Admin Per Se suspensions last four months. If you have a prior DUI in the past ten years, the suspension extends to one year. Refusing a breath or blood test brings harsher penalties. A first refusal means one year suspension. Second refusals within ten years result in two year revocations. These DMV suspensions apply even if your criminal case gets dismissed in Richmond.
Richmond Police Reports
The Richmond Police Department handles DUI arrests within city limits. When an officer arrests someone for DUI in Richmond, they write a report with details of the stop, field sobriety tests, and chemical test results. These police reports become part of the court case file.
Getting a copy of a DUI arrest report from Richmond Police can be difficult. Many departments will not release arrest reports to the person who was arrested. Your defense attorney can get the report through the discovery process in court. If you need the report for legal purposes, hire an attorney to request it for you.
The Contra Costa County Sheriff also operates the county jail system. People arrested for DUI in Richmond may be booked at the Martinez Detention Facility or West County Detention Facility depending on where the arrest occurred. You can search for inmates online at inmateinfo.so.cccounty.us/Web/InCustodyReports. The search shows current inmates and their charges. Most DUI arrests result in booking and release within hours after posting bail.
For questions about someone in custody after a DUI arrest in Richmond, call the jail directly. The Martinez Detention Facility serves as the main booking location for many arrests in western Contra Costa County including Richmond.
DOJ Background Checks
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal records for all DUI arrests and convictions in Richmond. These records include your arrest date, charges filed, and court outcomes. A DUI arrest creates a DOJ record even if charges are later dropped or dismissed. The state keeps these records until you reach 100 years of age.
You can request your own criminal history from the DOJ for $25. Use Live Scan fingerprinting at an authorized location. Fill out Form BCIA 8016RR and mark Record Review as the application type. Take the form to any Live Scan site in Richmond or elsewhere in California. Find locations at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations.
The DOJ processes most requests within 48 to 72 hours if no manual review is needed. If your fingerprints match existing records, a technician must review your file by hand. This takes longer and the timing varies by workload. Check your request status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov using your ATI number.
Only you can request your own DOJ criminal history. Third parties cannot access your record without your consent through an employer or agency process. If you need a copy for court, legal, or personal reasons related to a Richmond DUI, the Record Review process is the official method. Call the DOJ Record Review Unit at (916) 227-3849 with questions or email recordreview@doj.ca.gov.
Expungement Options
Some people with DUI convictions in Richmond may be able to get expungement under Penal Code 1203.4. This process lets you withdraw your guilty plea and the court dismisses your case. An expunged DUI helps with employment and housing. But it does not remove the conviction from your DMV record or erase it completely.
Vehicle Code 13555 states that expungement does not affect DMV suspensions or revocations. Your DUI still counts as a prior offense if you get arrested again within ten years. Courts can use expunged convictions to enhance penalties for new DUI charges in Richmond. The DMV keeps the conviction on your driving record for the full ten years regardless of expungement.
To qualify for expungement in Richmond, you must complete all probation terms. This means paying fines, finishing DUI classes, and serving any jail time ordered by the court. Once probation ends successfully, you can file a petition with Contra Costa Superior Court. The prosecutor can object to your petition. The judge reviews everything and decides whether to grant expungement.
An attorney can help file expungement petitions in Richmond. Court staff cannot give legal advice but they can tell you what forms are needed. The Contra Costa County Public Defender does not handle expungements for old cases. You need a private attorney or you can file the petition yourself if you understand the process.
Note: Expungement does not restore gun rights or remove sex offender registration requirements.
Legal Help in Richmond
Several resources can help with DUI cases in Richmond. The Contra Costa County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Private attorneys handle DUI defense, DMV hearings, and expungement petitions. An attorney can review your case and explain your options after a DUI arrest in Richmond.
If you cannot afford a private attorney, ask the court to appoint the Public Defender. This only works if you meet income guidelines. Tell the judge at your first court appearance that you need appointed counsel. The court reviews your finances and decides if you qualify for free legal representation in your Richmond DUI case.
The DMV hearing is separate from criminal court. You must request a hearing within ten days of your arrest. Call the Driver Safety Branch at (833) 543-7703. You can represent yourself at the hearing or hire an attorney. An experienced DUI attorney knows how to challenge DMV suspensions and may be able to save your license after a Richmond DUI arrest.
Contra Costa County Resources
Richmond is located in Contra Costa County. All DUI cases from the city are processed through the county court system. The county provides court records, jail information, and other public records related to DUI arrests. For comprehensive information on county services, court locations, and record access procedures, visit the Contra Costa County DUI records page.