Alpine County DUI Records

Alpine County is California's smallest county by population with just over 1,200 residents. DUI and DWI records here come from the Alpine County Superior Court in Markleeville. The court keeps all criminal case files for driving under the influence charges filed in Alpine County. You can also get DMV driving records that show DUI convictions in Alpine County. The California Department of Justice maintains statewide criminal history records that include Alpine County DUI arrests. Most people search these records to check their own driving history, for background checks, or for legal matters. Alpine County follows the same state laws as all California counties for DUI cases.

Alpine County Superior Court

The Alpine County Superior Court handles all DUI cases in the county. This court sits in Markleeville, the county seat. It is one of the smallest courts in California. All criminal cases, including DUI and DWI charges, get filed here. The court keeps physical files and docket information for each case. Alpine County does not have an online case search portal. You must contact the court directly to search for DUI records.

Call the court clerk at 530-694-2113 to request case information. Staff can search by name or case number. They will tell you what records exist and how to get copies. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Plan ahead since Alpine County is remote. The nearest major city is South Lake Tahoe, about 20 miles north.

Alpine County Superior Court is at 50 Diamond Valley Road in Markleeville. This small courthouse serves the entire county. All DUI arraignments, pretrial hearings, and trials happen here. The court follows California law for DUI cases under Vehicle Code Section 23152. This statute makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. It also covers driving under the influence of drugs.

DMV Driving Records in Alpine County

The California DMV keeps DUI convictions on your driving record for ten years. This applies to all California counties, including Alpine County. When you get convicted of DUI in Alpine County, the court reports it to the DMV. The conviction then appears on your official driving record. Anyone with a valid reason can request your record. You can request your own record anytime.

Get your driving record online through the DMV Online Driver Record Request system. The cost is just two dollars. You need to create an account first. This protects your information from unauthorized access. The system charges an extra 1.95 percent fee for credit card payments. Your record shows all DUI convictions from Alpine County and any other California county.

The DMV driving record shows the violation code, date, and county for each DUI. Alpine County DUI convictions appear with the county name. The record also shows license suspensions from Admin Per Se actions. These happen when you fail or refuse a chemical test after a DUI arrest. The DMV can suspend your license even before your court case ends. Call the DMV Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703 with questions about suspensions.

If you need someone else's driving record, fill out Form INF 70. Mail it to the DMV Information Release Unit at PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. Include a check for five dollars per record. Mail requests cost more than online requests. The DMV will send the record to the address you provide on the form.

DOJ Criminal History Records

The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history records for all 58 counties. This includes Alpine County DUI arrests and convictions. These records are more detailed than DMV driving records. They show arrest dates, charges filed, court case numbers, and final dispositions. Employers and licensing boards often request these records for background checks.

You can request your own criminal history record from the DOJ. The fee is $25. You must submit fingerprints at a Live Scan location. Find one near Alpine County using the DOJ Live Scan Locations tool. The nearest locations are likely in South Lake Tahoe or Carson City. Take a completed Live Scan form with you. Mark 'Record Review' as the application type.

The DOJ processes most record requests within 48 to 72 hours if there is no match. If your fingerprints match records in the system, a technician must review them manually. This can take longer. Check your application status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov. The DOJ keeps records until you turn 100 years old. This means an Alpine County DUI stays on your criminal history much longer than your driving record.

Note: The DOJ cannot release criminal records to third parties without legal authorization.

DUI Laws in Alpine County

California's DUI laws apply statewide. Alpine County follows the same statutes as Los Angeles or San Francisco. Vehicle Code Section 23152 is the main DUI law. It has several parts. Section 23152(a) makes it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. Section 23152(b) sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent blood alcohol. Section 23152(f) covers driving under the influence of drugs.

Penalties for DUI in Alpine County depend on your record. A first offense brings fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Second and third offenses within ten years carry harsher penalties. Vehicle Code Section 23153 covers DUI causing injury. This is a more serious charge that can result in felony conviction in Alpine County.

The DMV runs a separate administrative process called Admin Per Se. This happens automatically when you get arrested for DUI in Alpine County. The officer takes your license and gives you a temporary permit. You have ten days to request a DMV hearing. If you miss this deadline, your license gets suspended. The suspension lasts four months for a first offense. Prior offenses bring longer suspensions.

Minors face stricter rules under Vehicle Code Section 23136. Anyone under 21 cannot drive with any measurable alcohol in their system. The limit is 0.01 percent. This is a civil violation, not a criminal charge. It still results in license suspension.

How to Access DUI Records

Getting DUI records in Alpine County requires contacting the right agency. For court case files, call the Alpine County Superior Court. For driving records, use the DMV online system. For complete criminal history, go through the DOJ fingerprint process. Each agency has different fees and access rules.

Court records are public in California. Anyone can request them unless they are sealed. Call 530-694-2113 to ask about a specific case. Have the person's name or case number ready. The clerk can tell you what documents exist. You may need to visit the courthouse in Markleeville to view files or get copies. The court charges for copies based on the number of pages.

DMV records require proper authorization. You can only get your own record without restrictions. To get someone else's record, you must show legal need. Employers, insurance companies, and attorneys can request records with proper forms. The DMV Public Records Portal at dmv-pra.powerappsportals.us handles these requests.

Some Alpine County DUI records may also be available through the California Highway Patrol. CHP officers make many DUI arrests on state highways in Alpine County. Request CHP records through their Public Records Act page. Include the date, location, and names involved in your request.

Legal Resources for Alpine County DUI

Several state resources can help with DUI cases in Alpine County. The California Courts self-help site has guides on criminal cases. Visit selfhelp.courts.ca.gov for information on looking up your case. The site explains what information courts can share online versus in person.

The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-866-442-2529 to find an attorney who handles DUI cases in Alpine County. Most DUI attorneys will travel to Markleeville for court appearances. You can also search for attorneys at calbar.ca.gov. Check that any attorney you hire has a valid California license.

If you cannot afford an attorney, ask the court about a public defender. Alpine County provides defense attorneys for people who qualify based on income. The court will give you financial forms to fill out. Bring proof of income to your first court date. DUI charges are serious. They can affect your job, your license, and your freedom.

DUI Expungement in Alpine County

You may be able to clear a DUI conviction from your record. California calls this expungement. The legal term is relief under Penal Code Section 1203.4. This lets you withdraw your guilty plea and dismiss the case. You must complete probation first. Most DUI probation lasts three to five years in Alpine County.

Expungement helps with background checks. The dismissed case does not show up on most employment screenings. But it does not erase the record completely. The DMV still keeps the DUI on your driving record for ten years. The DOJ keeps it in your criminal history file. If you get arrested for DUI again, the prior case still counts as a prior offense. The same goes for sentencing enhancements.

To request expungement in Alpine County, file a petition with the Superior Court. You may need an attorney to help with the paperwork. The court will schedule a hearing. The judge decides whether to grant relief. Having a clean record since the DUI helps your case. Violating probation hurts it.

Note: Expungement does not restore your gun rights or erase the DUI for DMV purposes under Vehicle Code Section 13555.

Nearby Counties

Alpine County borders several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court that handles DUI cases. If you are not sure which county your case is in, check where the arrest happened. DUI cases get filed in the county where the violation occurred.