Find Santa Clara DUI Records
Santa Clara DUI records are maintained by Santa Clara County Superior Court and California state agencies. This city has approximately 130,000 residents and sits in the heart of Silicon Valley. When Santa Clara Police arrest someone for DUI, the case gets filed at the county courthouse. Court records contain police reports, charges, hearing information, and judgments. The California DMV keeps driving records showing DUI convictions for ten years. The Department of Justice maintains criminal history records with arrest and court outcome data. You can search many Santa Clara DUI records online through official websites or request copies directly from each agency.
Santa Clara Quick Facts
Santa Clara County Court
Santa Clara County Superior Court handles all DUI criminal cases from Santa Clara. The county has several court locations. Most Santa Clara DUI cases get processed through the Hall of Justice in San Jose or other facilities depending on where the arrest occurred and court scheduling needs.
Search Santa Clara County court cases online at portal.scscourt.org/search. This portal allows you to look up cases by name or case number. The system shows basic case details including charges, hearing dates, and case status. Full documents like police reports are generally not available online in Santa Clara County. You must contact the courthouse to request copies of specific documents from a DUI case.
The court charges $15 for name searches that take more than ten minutes to complete. Document copies cost fifty cents per page. Certified copies are $40 per document if you need them for legal purposes. Call the courthouse for information about getting records from Santa Clara DUI cases.
DUI charges in Santa Clara are typically filed as misdemeanors under Vehicle Code 23152. A first offense with no injuries is usually a misdemeanor. If someone was injured in the DUI incident, prosecutors may file felony charges under Vehicle Code 23153. Felony DUI cases carry harsher penalties and have different record retention rules.
| Court | Santa Clara County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Main Location | Hall of Justice 191 North First Street San Jose, CA 95113 |
| Phone | (408) 882-2700 |
| Portal | portal.scscourt.org/search |
DMV Driving Records
A DUI conviction from Santa Clara appears on your California driving record for ten years. The DMV records the violation code, date, and Santa Clara County as the location. This information stays visible to anyone who requests your driving record during those ten years including employers and insurance companies.
Get your own driving record online for two dollars at the DMV Online Driver Record Request website. You need to create an account first. Once logged in, you can print your record immediately. It shows all DUI convictions from Santa Clara and other locations for the past ten years. Online payments include a 1.95 percent credit card 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. The DMV does not release records to the public without cause.
Admin Per Se suspensions apply to DUI arrests in Santa Clara. When an officer arrests you for DUI, they take your license and give you a temporary permit good for 30 days. You have ten days to request a hearing with the DMV Driver Safety Branch. Call (833) 543-7703 to request your hearing. If you miss this deadline, your license suspends automatically after 30 days.
First offense suspensions last four months. If you have a prior DUI within ten years, the suspension extends to one year. Refusing a chemical test brings longer suspensions of one or two years. These DMV actions happen regardless of what occurs in your criminal case in Santa Clara.
Police Report Access
The Santa Clara Police Department handles DUI arrests within city limits. Officers conduct traffic stops, field sobriety tests, and chemical tests. They write detailed arrest reports that include the reason for the stop, observations, test results, and arrest details. These reports become part of the court case file.
Getting a copy of your DUI arrest report from Santa Clara Police can be challenging. Many police departments will not release arrest reports to the person who was 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 for you.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff operates jails where people arrested for DUI in Santa Clara may be booked. Search for inmates at eservices.sccgov.org/ovr/findinmate/find. The search shows current inmates, charges, and bail amounts. Most DUI arrests result in release within hours after posting bail or being released on own recognizance.
For questions about someone in custody after a Santa Clara 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.
Note: Santa Clara Police use body cameras and dash cameras that may record DUI stops and arrests.
Criminal History Records
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal records for all DUI arrests in Santa Clara. These records include arrest dates, charges filed, and court outcomes. A DUI arrest creates a DOJ record even if charges are 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. Fill out Form BCIA 8016RR and check the Record Review box. Take the form to any Live Scan site in Santa Clara or elsewhere 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, a technician reviews your file by hand. This takes longer depending on workload. Check request status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov using 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 Santa Clara DUI, use the Record Review process. Call the DOJ Record Review Unit at (916) 227-3849 or email recordreview@doj.ca.gov with questions.
Expungement Process
Some Santa Clara DUI convictions may be eligible for expungement under Penal Code 1203.4. This process lets you withdraw your guilty plea and the court dismisses your case. Expungement helps with employment and housing applications. But it does not erase the conviction from your DMV record or completely remove it from all systems.
Vehicle Code 13555 states that expungement does not affect DMV license actions. Your Santa Clara 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. The DMV keeps the conviction on your driving record for the full ten years regardless of expungement.
To qualify for expungement in Santa Clara, you must complete all probation terms. This means paying fines, finishing DUI classes, serving jail time, and meeting all other conditions. Once probation ends successfully, file a petition with Santa Clara County Superior Court. The prosecutor can oppose your petition. The judge reviews everything and decides whether to grant dismissal.
An attorney can help with expungement petitions in Santa Clara. Court staff cannot give legal advice but can tell you what forms are needed. The Public Defender does not handle expungements for old cases. You need a private attorney or you can file yourself if you understand the process.
Legal Resources
Several resources exist for legal help with DUI cases in Santa Clara. The Santa Clara County Bar Association can refer you to private attorneys who handle DUI defense. An experienced 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 the Public Defender at your first court appearance. The court reviews your income to decide if you qualify. Only low-income defendants receive free representation through the Public Defender in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara DUI arrest.
Santa Clara County Resources
Santa Clara is located in Santa Clara County. All DUI cases from the city are processed through the county superior court system. The county maintains 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 Santa Clara County DUI records page.