Santa Clarita DUI and DWI Records
Santa Clarita DUI records come from Los Angeles County Superior Court and California state agencies. This city of over 228,000 people sits in northern Los Angeles County. DUI arrests by Santa Clarita Sheriff Station deputies result in criminal charges filed at the county courthouse. Court records show case details, charges, hearings, and verdicts. The California DMV keeps driving records that display DUI convictions for ten years. The Department of Justice maintains criminal history records with arrest and court data. Most Santa Clarita DUI records can be searched online through official portals or requested through mail and in-person visits to government offices.
Santa Clarita Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Court System
Los Angeles County Superior Court processes all DUI criminal cases from Santa Clarita. The city does not have its own municipal court. Cases get filed at the San Fernando Courthouse which serves the Santa Clarita Valley area. This courthouse handles criminal, civil, traffic, and family cases for northern Los Angeles County.
Search for Santa Clarita DUI cases online at lacourt.org criminal index. This portal lets you search by defendant name. The system shows case numbers, defendant names, filing dates, and court locations. The search covers felony cases from 1980 forward and misdemeanor cases from 1988 forward. Traffic infractions are not included in this search.
The court charges up to $4.75 per search. To get copies of documents from a Santa Clarita DUI case, contact the courthouse clerk. Call or visit in person. Documents like police reports and court orders may be available for a fee. Email onlineServices@lacourt.org with questions about online services and record access.
Most DUI charges in Santa Clarita are misdemeanors under Vehicle Code 23152. A first offense with no injuries is typically a misdemeanor. If the DUI caused bodily injury to another person, prosecutors can file felony charges under Vehicle Code 23153. Felony DUI cases carry more serious penalties and have longer record retention periods than misdemeanors.
| Court | Los Angeles County Superior Court, San Fernando Courthouse |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 Third Street San Fernando, CA 91340 |
| Phone | (818) 374-2321 |
| Portal | lacourt.org/paos/v2public/CriminalIndex |
Driving Record Information
A DUI conviction from Santa Clarita appears on your California driving record for ten years. The DMV records the violation code, date, and Los Angeles County as the location. This stays on your record even if you move to another state. Employers, insurance companies, and licensing boards can all see the DUI conviction when they request your driving record.
You can get your own driving record online for two dollars. Visit the DMV Online Driver Record Request page. Make an account and log in. You can print your record right away. It shows all DUI convictions from Santa Clarita and other places for the past ten years. Credit card payments include a 1.95 percent processing fee.
To request someone else's driving 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 under California law. The DMV will not release records without proper cause.
Admin Per Se suspensions apply to DUI arrests in Santa Clarita. When a deputy arrests you for DUI, they confiscate 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 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 brings longer suspensions of one or two years. These DMV actions happen independently of your criminal case in Santa Clarita. You can lose your license through the DMV even if your court case gets dismissed.
Sheriff Station Records
Santa Clarita is a contract city with the Los Angeles County Sheriff providing law enforcement. The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station handles DUI arrests within city limits. Deputies conduct traffic stops, field sobriety tests, and chemical tests. They write detailed reports about the stop, observations, test results, and arrest.
Getting a copy of your DUI arrest report from the Sheriff can be difficult. Many law enforcement agencies 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 Los Angeles County Sheriff operates jails where people arrested for DUI in Santa Clarita may be booked. Search for inmates at app5.lasd.org/iic. This inmate information center shows current inmates and their charges. You can also check the booking log at app5.lasd.org/bklog for recent bookings. Most DUI arrests result in release within hours after posting bail or on own recognizance.
For questions about someone in custody after a Santa Clarita DUI arrest, call the 24-hour inmate information line at (213) 473-6100. Have the person's full name and date of birth ready when you call. The Sheriff can tell you which facility they are in and when they might be released.
Note: The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station is at 23740 Magic Mountain Parkway in Valencia.
State Criminal Records
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal records for all DUI arrests in Santa Clarita. 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 Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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 applications. 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 Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita, 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 Los Angeles 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 Santa Clarita. 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 Legal Help
Several options exist for legal help with DUI cases in Santa Clarita. The Los Angeles 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 Santa Clarita 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 Clarita DUI arrest.
Los Angeles County Information
Santa Clarita is located in Los Angeles County. All DUI court cases from the city are processed through the Los Angeles County Superior Court system. The county maintains court records, jail information, and other public records related to DUI arrests. For comprehensive information on county resources, court locations, and record access procedures, visit the Los Angeles County DUI records page.