Butte County DUI and DWI Records

Butte County maintains DUI and DWI records through the Superior Court in Oroville. Criminal cases for driving under the influence get filed here. The court serves all of Butte County including Chico, Paradise, and Oroville. You can search for case information by contacting the court clerk. The California DMV keeps separate driving records that show DUI convictions for ten years. The Department of Justice maintains criminal history records for background checks. Butte County has over 220,000 residents and sees many DUI arrests each year on its highways and city streets. Most records are public and available through official state agencies.

Butte County Superior Court

The Butte County Superior Court handles all criminal DUI cases in the county. The main courthouse is at One Court Street in Oroville. This court has jurisdiction over the entire county. All DUI charges filed in Chico, Paradise, Gridley, and other Butte County communities end up here. The court keeps case files, docket sheets, and court orders for each DUI case.

Contact the criminal division at 530-532-7002 for case information. Staff can search by defendant name or case number. Butte County may have limited online access compared to larger counties. You may need to visit or call to get detailed case information. The courthouse is open weekdays during business hours. Bring photo ID if you plan to view case files in person.

Most Butte County DUI cases are public records. Anyone can request information unless the case is sealed. The clerk can tell you charges filed, plea agreements, and sentencing outcomes. Court documents cost money to copy. Standard copies run around 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost more. You need certified copies for legal matters like expungement petitions or appeals.

Butte County follows all California DUI laws. The court applies Vehicle Code Section 23152 to all cases. 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 or any intoxicating substance.

DMV Driving Records

The California DMV tracks all DUI convictions from Butte County. When the court convicts you, it reports the conviction to the DMV. The DMV adds it to your driving record. It stays there for ten years from the date of conviction. This applies whether you got your DUI in Chico, Oroville, or anywhere else in Butte County.

Get your driving record online through the DMV Online Driver Record Request system. The cost is two dollars. You must create an account first. This protects your personal information from unauthorized access. The online system shows all convictions, suspensions, and accidents on your record. You can print it right away after paying the fee.

Your Butte County DUI shows up with the violation code and county name. The record also includes any license suspensions from Admin Per Se actions. These are separate from court convictions. The DMV suspends your license administratively when you fail or refuse a chemical test. This suspension happens even if you later beat the criminal charges in Butte County Superior Court.

Requesting another person's driving record requires Form INF 70. Fill it out and mail it to the DMV Information Release Unit at PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. Include a check for five dollars per record. Only people with legal authority can get someone else's record. Employers, insurance companies, and lawyers with proper forms can request them. The DMV reviews each request to protect privacy.

Criminal History from DOJ

The California Department of Justice keeps criminal history records for all 58 counties. If you got arrested for DUI in Butte County, it appears in your statewide criminal history. DOJ records include more detail than DMV records. They show arrest dates, booking numbers, charges filed, and final case outcomes. Employers and professional licensing boards often request these records.

Request your own criminal history by going to a Live Scan location. You must submit fingerprints. The DOJ fee is $25. Find a Live Scan site near Butte County using the DOJ Live Scan Locations tool. Chico and Oroville likely have several locations. Bring a completed Live Scan form with 'Record Review' marked.

Most DOJ record requests process within 48 to 72 hours if there is no match in the system. If your fingerprints match records on file, a DOJ technician must review them manually. This can take longer. Check your request status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov. Enter your ATI number from your Live Scan receipt.

DOJ keeps records much longer than the DMV. They stay in the system until you turn 100 years old. This means a Butte County DUI from 20 years ago may still appear on a DOJ background check. The conviction will not show on your DMV driving record after ten years, but it stays in the DOJ database. Expungement can help with employment screenings but does not fully erase the record.

DUI Laws in Butte County

Butte County enforces California state DUI statutes. The main law is Vehicle Code Section 23152. This makes it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It also sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration. Lower limits apply to commercial drivers and minors.

A first DUI in Butte County is usually a misdemeanor. Penalties include fines, license suspension, and possible jail time. Most first offenders get probation instead of jail. Probation lasts three to five years. You must complete a DUI education program, pay fines and fees, and stay out of trouble. Violating probation can result in jail time.

Second and third offenses bring harsher penalties. Multiple DUIs within ten years result in longer license suspensions and mandatory jail time. Vehicle Code Section 23153 applies when DUI causes injury to another person. This can be charged as a felony in Butte County. Felony DUI results in state prison time and a permanent criminal record.

The DMV operates a separate Admin Per Se program. When police arrest you for DUI in Butte County, they confiscate your license. They issue a temporary permit valid for 30 days. You have ten days from the arrest date to request a DMV hearing. Call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703 to schedule your hearing. If you miss the ten-day deadline, your license gets suspended automatically after 30 days. First offense suspensions last four months. Prior offenses or chemical test refusals bring longer suspensions of one or two years.

How to Find DUI Records

Finding DUI records in Butte County requires contacting the right agency. Court records come from the Superior Court. Driving records come from the DMV. Complete criminal histories come from the DOJ. Each agency has different procedures and fees for releasing records.

Call the Butte County Superior Court at 530-532-7002 for criminal case information. Have the person's full name or the case number ready. The clerk can tell you the case status, charges, and court dates. You may need to visit the courthouse in Oroville to see the complete file. Some information is available over the phone. Detailed documents require in-person access or a formal records request.

DMV records are easiest to get online if you need your own record. The official DMV portal requires your driver license number and Social Security number. The two-dollar fee covers one complete driving record. For records of other people, you need legal authorization. Insurance companies and employers with signed consent forms can request them through the DMV Public Records Portal.

The Butte County Sheriff and local police departments may have arrest reports. These agencies investigate DUI cases before filing charges in court. Request arrest reports through the agency that made the arrest. The California Highway Patrol handles many DUI arrests on Highway 99 and other state routes in Butte County. Request CHP reports through their Public Records Act page.

Legal Help in Butte County

Several resources exist for people facing DUI charges in Butte County. The court appoints public defenders for people who cannot afford private attorneys. Ask about a public defender at your arraignment. You must fill out financial forms showing your income and assets. The court decides whether you qualify based on this information.

Private DUI attorneys also practice in Butte County. The State Bar of California runs a lawyer referral service. Call 1-866-442-2529 to get connected with local attorneys. You can also search for lawyers at calbar.ca.gov. Look for attorneys who focus on DUI defense and have experience in Butte County Superior Court.

The California Courts website offers self-help resources at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This site explains how to look up cases and what information is public. It has general legal information but does not give advice for specific cases. Hiring a lawyer is the best way to protect your rights in a DUI case.

Note: DUI convictions can affect your job, your driving privilege, and your freedom.

Expunging Butte County DUI

California law allows you to clear some DUI convictions from your record. This process is called expungement. The legal authority comes from Penal Code Section 1203.4. You must complete probation successfully before you can apply. Most Butte County DUI probation lasts three to five years. You must finish your DUI program, pay all fines, and avoid new arrests.

File a petition with Butte County Superior Court to request expungement. The court will schedule a hearing. A judge reviews your case and your conduct since conviction. Clean behavior helps your chances. New arrests or probation violations hurt them. If the judge grants your petition, the court withdraws your guilty plea and dismisses the case. You can then legally state you were not convicted for most purposes.

Expungement has limits you should understand. The DMV still keeps the DUI on your driving record for ten years under Vehicle Code Section 13555. The DOJ still maintains the arrest and conviction in your criminal history file. If you get arrested for DUI again in Butte County or anywhere in California, the prior case still counts as a prior offense for sentencing purposes. Expungement mainly helps with employment background checks.

Some people hire attorneys to handle expungement petitions. Lawyers can prepare the paperwork and represent you at the hearing. You can also file on your own. The court clerk can provide forms and basic instructions. Either way, make sure you meet all the requirements before filing. The judge will deny your petition if you still owe fines or have not finished probation.

Nearby Counties

Butte County shares borders with several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court that handles DUI cases. Make sure you know which county filed your charges. DUI cases get filed where the arrest happened, not where you live.