San Bernardino DUI Records
San Bernardino DUI and DWI records are kept by the San Bernardino County Superior Court and California state agencies. This city is the county seat with over 222,000 residents. When San Bernardino Police arrest someone for DUI, criminal charges get filed at the San Bernardino courthouse. Court records include the complaint, police reports, hearing minutes, and sentencing orders. The California DMV maintains driving records that display DUI convictions for ten years. The Department of Justice keeps criminal history records with arrest and conviction details. Most San Bernardino DUI records can be searched online through official portals or requested by mail.
San Bernardino Quick Facts
Superior Court Case Access
San Bernardino County Superior Court processes all DUI criminal cases from the city. The main courthouse for San Bernardino is downtown at 351 North Arrowhead Avenue. This is where DUI charges from San Bernardino get filed and heard. The court maintains case files with all documents related to each DUI case.
Search for San Bernardino DUI cases online at cap.sb-court.org/search. This free portal lets you look up cases by name or case number. The search shows basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and case status. Case data for filings before 1998 may be limited. You cannot view full documents online. To get copies of police reports or court orders from a San Bernardino DUI case, visit the courthouse or call the clerk.
Document copies from San Bernardino DUI cases cost fifty cents per page. Certified copies cost more if you need them for legal purposes. Call the courthouse at the number below for information about getting copies of records. Have your case number ready when you call to help the clerk find your file faster.
Most DUI charges in San Bernardino are misdemeanors under Vehicle Code 23152. A first offense without injuries typically gets charged as a misdemeanor. If the DUI caused bodily harm, prosecutors can file felony charges under Vehicle Code 23153. Felony DUI cases have more serious penalties and longer record retention than misdemeanors.
| Court | San Bernardino County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 351 North Arrowhead Avenue San Bernardino, CA 92415 |
| Phone | (909) 708-8747 |
| Portal | cap.sb-court.org/search |
Driver Record Information
A DUI conviction from San Bernardino appears on your California driving record for ten years. The DMV records the violation code, date, and San Bernardino County as the location. This information stays visible to employers, insurance companies, and licensing boards who request your driving record during those ten years.
You can get your own driving record online for two dollars. Visit the DMV Online Driver Record Request page. Create an account and log in to print your record immediately. It shows all DUI convictions from San Bernardino and other locations for the past ten years. Credit card transactions include a 1.95 percent processing fee.
To request someone else's driving record, fill out Form INF 70 and 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 under California law. The DMV will not release records without proper justification.
Admin Per Se suspensions apply to DUI arrests in San Bernardino. When an officer arrests you for DUI, they confiscate your license and issue a temporary 30-day permit. You have ten days to request a hearing with the DMV Driver Safety Branch. Call (833) 543-7703 to request your hearing. If you do not request a hearing within ten days, your license suspends automatically after the temporary permit expires.
First offense suspensions last four months. Prior DUI offenses within ten years increase the suspension to one year. Refusing a chemical test results in longer suspensions of one or two years. These DMV actions happen independently of your criminal case in San Bernardino. You can lose your license through the DMV even if your court case gets dismissed.
Police Report Requests
The San Bernardino Police Department handles DUI arrests within city limits. Officers conduct traffic stops, field sobriety tests, and chemical tests. They write detailed reports describing the stop, observations, test results, and arrest. These reports become part of the court case file.
Getting a copy of your DUI arrest report from San Bernardino Police is often difficult. Many police departments refuse to release arrest reports to the person arrested. Your defense attorney can obtain the report through discovery in your court case. If you need the report for legal purposes, hire an attorney to request it on your behalf.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff operates jails where people arrested for DUI in San Bernardino may be booked. Search for inmates at jimsnetil.shr.sbcounty.gov/bookingsearch.aspx. The search shows current inmates, charges, and bail amounts. Most DUI arrests result in release within hours after bail is posted or on own recognizance.
For questions about someone in custody after a San Bernardino DUI arrest, contact the county jail. They can tell you if someone is in custody and when they might be released. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready when you call the jail.
Note: San Bernardino Police use body cameras and dash cameras that may record DUI stops.
State Criminal Records
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal records for DUI arrests in San Bernardino. These records include arrest information, charges filed, and court outcomes. A DUI arrest creates a permanent record in the DOJ system even if your case gets dismissed. The state keeps these records until you reach 100 years of age.
Request your own criminal history from the DOJ for $25. Use Live Scan fingerprinting at an authorized location. Complete Form BCIA 8016RR and check the Record Review box. Take the form to a Live Scan site in San Bernardino or anywhere in California. Find locations at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations.
The DOJ processes most requests in 48 to 72 hours if no manual review is needed. If your fingerprints match existing records in the database, a technician reviews your file manually. This takes longer depending on workload. Check request status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov with your ATI number.
Only you can request your own DOJ record. Third parties need your written consent for employment or licensing background checks. If you need a copy for court or personal reasons related to a San Bernardino DUI, use the Record Review process. Contact the DOJ Record Review Unit at (916) 227-3849 or recordreview@doj.ca.gov with questions.
Record Dismissal Options
Some San Bernardino DUI convictions may qualify for expungement under Penal Code 1203.4. This allows you to withdraw your guilty plea and the court dismisses the case. Expungement helps with employment and housing. But it does not erase the conviction from your DMV record or eliminate it completely from all systems.
Vehicle Code 13555 states that expungement does not affect DMV license actions. Your San Bernardino DUI still counts as a prior if you get arrested again within ten years. Courts can use expunged convictions to enhance sentences for new DUI charges. The DMV keeps the conviction on your driving record for the full ten years regardless of court dismissal.
To qualify for expungement in San Bernardino, you must complete all probation requirements. Pay all fines, finish DUI classes, serve any jail time, and meet all other conditions. Once probation ends successfully, file a petition with San Bernardino County Superior Court. The prosecutor can oppose your petition. The judge reviews the case and decides whether to grant dismissal.
Hire an attorney to help with expungement in San Bernardino. The Public Defender does not handle these petitions for old cases. You need a private lawyer or you can file the petition yourself if you know the process. Court staff can tell you what forms to use but cannot give legal advice.
Finding an Attorney
Several options exist for legal help with DUI cases in San Bernardino. The San Bernardino County Bar Association can refer you to private attorneys who handle DUI defense. An experienced DUI lawyer can review your case, negotiate with prosecutors, and represent you in court and at DMV hearings.
If you cannot afford a private attorney, ask for a Public Defender at your first court appearance. The court reviews your income and decides if you qualify for appointed counsel. Only low-income defendants receive free representation through the Public Defender in San Bernardino DUI cases.
The DMV hearing is separate from criminal court and has its own deadline. You must request a hearing within ten days of arrest. Call (833) 543-7703 to reach the Driver Safety Branch. You can represent yourself or hire an attorney for the DMV hearing. A lawyer familiar with DMV procedures can improve your chances of keeping your license after a San Bernardino DUI arrest.
San Bernardino County Information
San Bernardino is the county seat of San Bernardino County. All DUI court cases from the city go through the San Bernardino County Superior Court system. The county maintains court records, jail information, and other public records related to DUI arrests. For more information on county resources, court locations, and record access procedures, visit the San Bernardino County DUI records page.