Riverside DUI Records Access

Riverside DUI records are kept by city police and Riverside County court agencies. Riverside Police Department maintains arrest reports for cases within city limits. Riverside County Superior Court handles all criminal DUI prosecutions. The California DMV tracks driving records statewide. Court records searchable online go back to April 1992 for most cases. Case number searches are free but name searches cost one dollar or require a monthly subscription of $250 for unlimited access. Documents cost one dollar per page for the first five pages and 50 cents for additional pages. Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County in the Inland Empire region.

Riverside County Courts

DUI cases in Riverside get filed in Riverside County Superior Court. The county has multiple courthouse locations. Riverside cases typically go to the Hall of Justice in downtown Riverside. The courthouse serves the city and surrounding communities.

Riverside Hall of Justice sits at 4100 Main Street. This building handles criminal cases including DUI prosecutions. Multiple departments hear different types of cases. Some handle felonies while others do misdemeanors. Your case gets assigned based on the charges and when it was filed.

Riverside County Superior Court offers online public access at epublic-access.riverside.courts.ca.gov. Almost all cases from April 1992 forward are available. You can search by case number for free. Name searches cost one dollar for one credit. Unlimited searches cost $250 per 30 days.

The system limits searches to 30 per five-minute interval. This prevents abuse of the system. If you need to run many searches, consider the monthly subscription. Document viewing and downloads cost money as well. The first five pages cost one dollar per page. Additional pages cost 50 cents each.

Call 951-777-3147 for information about the Riverside Hall of Justice. The clerk's office operates during regular business hours Monday through Friday. For detailed documents, you may need to visit in person or submit a formal records request.

Riverside Police Reports

Riverside Police Department handles DUI arrests within the city. Officers write arrest reports documenting traffic stops, field sobriety tests, chemical testing, and observations. These reports become evidence in criminal cases.

For police records requests, contact the Riverside PD Records Division. Check their website for current procedures and fees. Many California police departments use online portals for records requests. Processing time varies based on request complexity and staff workload.

Include as much information as possible in your request. Dates, locations, report numbers, and officer names help staff locate the right records. Vague requests take longer to process. Be specific about what documents you want and why you need them.

Some arrest reports may be withheld from the arrested person. This protects ongoing investigations and criminal cases. If you need your DUI arrest report for your defense, your attorney can obtain it through court discovery. Prosecutors must provide evidence to defense lawyers during the case.

County Sheriff Services

Riverside has its own police department. The Riverside County Sheriff does not patrol within Riverside city limits. However, the sheriff handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas and operates the county jail system where Riverside arrestees get booked.

The sheriff maintains an inmate search system at jimspub.riversidesheriff.org. You can search for current inmates by name or booking number. The system shows which facility holds the person and their booking information.

Riverside County operates several jail facilities across the county. The main facilities are in Riverside, Indio, and Blythe. The inmate search tells you where someone is held. This helps if you need to contact them or attend court hearings.

For arrest reports from the sheriff in unincorporated areas, contact their Records Division. The process and fees differ from Riverside PD. Check the sheriff's website for current procedures. Sheriff records often cost more than city police reports.

California DMV Records

Every DUI conviction in Riverside gets reported to the California DMV. The conviction appears on your driving record for ten years. Commercial drivers face 55 year retention. The DMV maintains these records statewide regardless of where the conviction occurred in California.

Request your driving record online at dmv.ca.gov for two dollars. The system prints your record immediately. Create an account first to protect your information. Credit card payments add 1.95 percent processing fee. Mail requests cost five dollars and take weeks.

The driving record shows all DUI convictions with dates and counties. Administrative suspensions appear too. These Admin Per Se suspensions occur after DUI arrest even before conviction. Riverside Police reports these to the DMV within days of arrest. You get a temporary permit good for 30 days.

You have ten days after arrest to request a DMV hearing. Call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703. This hearing determines if your license gets suspended administratively. The hearing is separate from criminal court. Different rules and evidence standards apply.

First DUI triggers four month suspension. Repeat offenses within ten years bring one year suspension. Refusing chemical tests results in longer suspensions starting at one year for first refusal. Reinstatement requires paying $125 fee and filing SR-22 insurance for three years.

DUI Court Process

Your first court date is the arraignment. This happens at Riverside Hall of Justice. The judge reads the charges. You enter a plea. The court may appoint a public defender if you qualify financially.

Pretrial hearings follow arraignment. Your lawyer negotiates with the prosecutor. Evidence gets exchanged through discovery. Police reports, test results, and witness statements become part of the court file. Many cases resolve through plea agreements without trial.

Trial occurs if you do not plead guilty. A judge or jury hears the evidence. Witnesses testify under oath. The court reporter creates a transcript. Verdicts get recorded. Sentencing happens after conviction. The judge orders fines, DUI classes, probation, or jail time.

Each step creates records. Court minutes document what happened at hearings. Motions contain legal arguments. The judgment shows the final outcome. All these documents stay in your court file. Request copies through the online system or from the clerk in person.

Riverside Legal Resources

Several organizations provide legal help in Riverside County. Most serve people who cannot afford private attorneys. The Riverside County Public Defender handles criminal cases for eligible defendants.

The Public Defender has an office in Riverside near the courthouse. Public defenders get assigned by the judge if you qualify financially. You provide income information at your first court appearance. If approved, you get free representation for your criminal case.

Legal aid organizations offer help with some criminal record matters. They focus on expungements and record clearance for old convictions. Call for information about eligibility and services. They do not represent people in active DUI prosecutions.

The Riverside County Bar Association can provide information about private attorneys who handle DUI cases. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations. Fees vary based on case complexity and attorney experience. Simple cases cost less than complex felony prosecutions.

How to Access Records

Start by identifying what records you need. Court files show charges and outcomes. Police reports have arrest details. DMV records display license suspensions and convictions. Each agency maintains separate records.

Use the online court portal to search cases. If you know your case number, searches are free. Name searches cost one dollar each. The system shows basic information and lets you view documents for additional fees. This saves trips to the courthouse for many purposes.

Police reports require contacting the Records Division. Check the department's website for current procedures. Include all details you have about the incident. Processing takes time because staff must review reports before release.

DMV records are quickest. The online system provides instant access for two dollars. This shows your complete driving history statewide. Print it or save a digital copy.

Inland Empire Cities

Other cities in Riverside County and nearby counties have their own police departments. Know where your arrest occurred before requesting records.

San Bernardino is northwest in San Bernardino County. Both counties are part of the Inland Empire. Los Angeles is west in Los Angeles County. San Diego is south in San Diego County.

Anaheim and Santa Ana are west in Orange County. Each operates under separate jurisdictions with different court systems. Always verify the correct county and city before submitting records requests.