Find San Diego DUI Cases

DUI records in San Diego come from three main sources. San Diego Police Department maintains arrest reports for incidents within city limits. San Diego County Superior Court keeps all criminal case files including DUI prosecutions. The California DMV holds statewide driving records that show DUI convictions and administrative suspensions. Most records can be searched through online portals run by these agencies. SDPD police reports cost twelve dollars. Court searches are free by case number. Some older DUI records may have been destroyed under the court's retention policy that purges misdemeanor cases after ten years.

San Diego County Courts

DUI cases filed in San Diego go through San Diego County Superior Court. The court system has multiple locations that serve different parts of the county. Cases get assigned based on where the arrest happened and which law enforcement agency made the arrest.

The main criminal courthouse sits at 220 West Broadway in downtown San Diego. This building handles most felony DUI cases from the city. The Hall of Justice at 330 West Broadway houses additional criminal departments. Vista Courthouse serves the north county area. Chula Vista has a branch that handles cases from the south bay.

San Diego County Superior Court offers free online case search at courtindex.sdcourt.ca.gov. You can look up cases by name or case number. The database shows basic information like charges, hearing dates, and case status. Detailed documents usually require an in-person visit to the clerk's office.

The District Attorney's office maintains a separate case information portal at caseinformation.sdcda.org. This shows prosecution information and case updates. You can see upcoming court dates and filing status. The DA portal often has more current information than the court's system because prosecutors update it regularly.

San Diego County has a records retention policy for misdemeanor cases. The court destroys most misdemeanor traffic records after five years. DUI misdemeanors typically get destroyed after ten years. This means older DUI cases may not appear in the online search. If you need records from a case more than ten years old, contact the court clerk right away. Once destroyed, the court cannot recreate them.

San Diego Police Reports

San Diego Police Department handles DUI arrests within the city. Officers write arrest reports that document field sobriety tests, breathalyzer results, and observations about the driver. These reports become evidence in criminal cases.

SDPD uses NextRequest for public records requests. Visit sandiego.nextrequest.com to submit a request online. You need to create an account and describe what records you want. The system sends updates by email as your request gets processed.

Police reports cost twelve dollars. This is much less than what many other California agencies charge. Some reports may be withheld if they involve ongoing investigations or contain sensitive information. The Records Division reviews each request to determine what can be released.

You can also visit the Records Division in person at 1401 Broadway. The office is open during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Call 619-531-2846 for questions about your records request. Bringing a case number or report number speeds up the process.

The SDPD website explains what types of reports you can request. Not all reports are available to the public. Arrest reports may be withheld from the person arrested to protect the integrity of the criminal case. Defense attorneys can obtain these through the court discovery process.

County Sheriff Records

The San Diego County Sheriff handles DUI arrests in unincorporated areas and contract cities. If your arrest happened outside San Diego city limits, the sheriff may have the records instead of SDPD. Many smaller cities in the county contract with the sheriff for police services.

The sheriff maintains a records division that handles public records requests. Crime and arrest reports cost twenty dollars. Local criminal history reports cost fourteen dollars. Victims of crimes get their first copy free. You need to submit requests in writing and include payment.

Contact the Sheriff's Records Division at 858-974-2110. The office operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Processing time depends on how complex your request is and how busy the division is at that time.

San Diego County jails maintain an online inmate locator. You can search for current inmates and see recent booking information. This helps if you need to know whether someone is in custody on a DUI charge. The jail system updates regularly as people get booked and released.

California DMV Records

Every DUI conviction in San Diego gets reported to the California DMV. The conviction stays on your driving record for ten years. This applies to both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases. Commercial drivers face longer retention of 55 years for DUI convictions.

You can request your own driving record online at dmv.ca.gov for two dollars. The system lets you print your record immediately after payment. Create an account first to protect your information. Credit card payments add a 1.95 percent processing fee.

The driving record shows DUI convictions with the violation date and county. Administrative Per Se suspensions also appear. These are automatic suspensions that happen after a DUI arrest even before conviction. San Diego Police and the Sheriff both report Admin Per Se actions to the DMV.

After a DUI arrest in San Diego, you have ten days to request a DMV hearing. Call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703. The hearing decides whether your license gets suspended administratively. This is separate from your criminal court case. You can lose your license through the DMV even if the criminal charges get dismissed.

First offense DUI triggers a four month suspension. Repeat offenses within ten years bring one year suspensions. Refusing a chemical test results in longer suspension periods. Getting your license back requires paying a $125 reissue fee and filing SR-22 insurance for three years.

San Diego Courthouse Locations

San Diego County Superior Court has several locations. Your case gets assigned based on where the arrest occurred. Knowing which courthouse handles your case helps you attend hearings and request records.

The Central Courthouse at 220 West Broadway handles most San Diego city DUI cases. Department numbers vary depending on the stage of your case. Arraignments happen in different departments than trials. The Hall of Justice at 330 West Broadway has additional criminal courtrooms.

North County has its own courthouse system. Vista Courthouse at 325 South Melrose Drive serves communities north of San Diego. Oceanside has a branch court as well. South Bay Regional Center in Chula Vista handles cases from Imperial Beach, National City, and surrounding areas.

Each courthouse has a clerk's office where you can request documents. Bring your case number if you have it. Document copies cost 50 cents per page at most locations. Certified copies cost more. Some courthouses have public computer terminals for free case lookups.

Call 619-844-2700 for general information about San Diego County Superior Court. The automated system can direct you to specific departments or locations. Court hours vary by location but most operate Monday through Friday during standard business hours.

Local Legal Resources

San Diego has several organizations that provide legal help. Most serve people who cannot afford private attorneys. Public defenders get assigned by the court if you qualify based on income.

The San Diego County Public Defender has offices in multiple locations. The main office sits near the downtown courthouse. Public defenders handle criminal cases for eligible defendants. The judge decides if you qualify at your first court appearance. You provide financial information to show you cannot afford a private lawyer.

Legal Aid Society of San Diego offers help with some criminal record matters. They focus on expungements and record clearance for old cases. Their main office is at 110 South Euclid Avenue. Call for information about their services. They do not represent people in active DUI prosecutions.

The San Diego County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. This helps you find a private attorney who handles DUI cases. Many DUI lawyers offer free consultations. Fees vary based on case complexity and the attorney's experience. Complex cases with injuries or prior convictions cost more to defend.

How to Access Your Records

Getting DUI records requires knowing which agency to contact. Start by identifying where your arrest happened. San Diego city arrests go through SDPD. Arrests outside the city go through the sheriff. All criminal cases end up in Superior Court regardless of which agency made the arrest.

Court records are the easiest to start with. Use the free online case search to find your case number. This tells you which courthouse location has your file. Basic information appears in the search results. Detailed documents require requesting copies from the clerk.

Police reports take longer to obtain. Use the NextRequest portal for SDPD or contact the sheriff directly for their jurisdiction. Include as much detail as possible in your request. Report numbers, dates, and locations help staff find the right records. Processing can take several weeks.

DMV records come fastest. The online system provides instant access to your driving record. This shows all DUI convictions and suspensions on file. The two dollar fee is reasonable for quick access to this information.

Nearby California Cities

Other major cities near San Diego operate under different jurisdictions. Make sure you know where your arrest happened before requesting records.

Los Angeles is north in Los Angeles County. The court system there is completely separate from San Diego. Anaheim and Santa Ana are in Orange County between Los Angeles and San Diego. Each has its own police department and court system.

Riverside is northeast in Riverside County. San Jose is far north in Santa Clara County. These cities use different agencies and procedures for DUI records. Always verify the correct jurisdiction before submitting records requests.