Find DUI Records in El Dorado County
El Dorado County stretches from the Sacramento Valley to Lake Tahoe with about 190,000 residents. DUI and DWI records are maintained through the Superior Court in Placerville. All criminal cases for driving under the influence get filed at this courthouse. The court keeps complete case files with charges, court appearances, and final outcomes. The California DMV also maintains driving records that show DUI convictions for ten years. The Department of Justice keeps statewide criminal history records that include all El Dorado County arrests and convictions. People search these records for personal history checks, employment background screening, and legal proceedings. Most El Dorado County DUI records are public and accessible through official state agencies.
El Dorado County Quick Facts
El Dorado County Superior Court
The El Dorado County Superior Court has its main location at 1354 Johnson Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe, with another branch at 2850 Fairlane Court in Placerville. These courts handle all DUI cases filed in El Dorado County. The court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor and felony drunk driving charges throughout the county. Case files include arrest information, charging documents, plea agreements, and sentencing orders.
Call the court at 530-621-6426 for case information at the Placerville location. For South Lake Tahoe cases, call 530-573-3075. Staff can search by defendant name or case number. El Dorado County may have limited online case access. You might need to call or visit in person for detailed information. Both courthouses are open weekdays during business hours. Bring photo ID to view case files.
Most court records are public under California law. Anyone can request case information unless a judge has sealed the file. The clerk can tell you about charges, court dates, and sentencing. Full case files may require an in-person visit. Copies cost money. Standard copies run about 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost more and are needed for legal matters.
El Dorado County enforces Vehicle Code Section 23152 for all DUI cases. This law 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 alcohol to any degree that impairs driving ability.
DMV Driving Records
The California DMV keeps all DUI convictions on your record for ten years. When El Dorado County Superior Court convicts you of DUI, the court reports it to the DMV. The conviction appears on your driving record with the date, violation code, and county name. Commercial drivers face 55-year retention instead of ten years for DUI convictions.
Get your driving record online through the DMV Online Driver Record Request system. The cost is two dollars. Create an account to protect your information. The online system shows all convictions, suspensions, and accidents. You can print your record immediately after paying. Credit card payments include a 1.95 percent processing fee.
Your El Dorado County DUI appears with the violation code and county. The record also shows Admin Per Se suspensions from the DMV. These happen when you fail or refuse a chemical test during a DUI arrest. The suspension appears even if criminal charges are later dismissed. Admin Per Se actions stay on your record for three years from reinstatement.
To get another person's record, fill out Form INF 70 and mail it with a five-dollar check to the DMV Information Release Unit at PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. Only authorized parties can access other people's records. Employers with releases, insurance companies, and attorneys with proper documents can request records.
DOJ Criminal History Records
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal history records for all 58 counties. A DUI arrest in El Dorado County appears in your statewide record. DOJ records show more detail than DMV records. They include arrest dates, charges, case numbers, and final dispositions. Many employers and licensing agencies require DOJ background checks.
Request your own record by submitting fingerprints at a Live Scan location. The DOJ charges $25. Find a Live Scan site using the DOJ Live Scan Locations tool. El Dorado County has Live Scan locations in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe. Take a completed form marked 'Record Review.'
The DOJ processes most requests in 48 to 72 hours if no match is found. If your prints match records on file, manual review is needed. This takes longer. Check your status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov with your ATI number from the Live Scan receipt.
DOJ keeps records until you turn 100 years old. This is much longer than the DMV's ten-year retention. An El Dorado County DUI from 20 years ago may still appear on a DOJ check even though it is off your driving record. Expungement helps with some checks but does not erase DOJ records.
DUI Laws in El Dorado County
El Dorado County enforces California DUI statutes. The main law is Vehicle Code Section 23152. It prohibits driving with 0.08 percent blood alcohol or higher. It also covers driving under the influence of drugs. Lower limits apply to commercial drivers and minors under 21.
A first offense DUI in El Dorado County is usually a misdemeanor. Penalties include fines, license suspension, and possible jail. Most first offenders get probation instead of jail. Probation lasts three to five years. You must complete a DUI program, pay fines, and avoid new arrests.
Second and third offenses bring harsher penalties. Multiple DUIs within ten years result in longer suspensions and mandatory jail time. Vehicle Code Section 23153 applies when DUI causes injury. This can be a felony in El Dorado County with prison time.
The DMV Admin Per Se program operates separately from criminal court. When arrested for DUI in El Dorado County, officers take your license. You get a 30-day temporary permit. You have ten days to request a DMV hearing. Call 833-543-7703 to schedule it. Missing the deadline results in automatic suspension after 30 days. First offense suspensions last four months.
How to Search DUI Records
Finding DUI records in El Dorado County requires contacting the correct agency. Court records come from the Superior Court. Driving records come from the DMV. Complete criminal histories come from the DOJ. Each has different search procedures and fees.
Call El Dorado County Superior Court for case information. Use 530-621-6426 for Placerville or 530-573-3075 for South Lake Tahoe. Have the name or case number ready. The clerk can provide case status, charges, and court dates. You may need to visit the courthouse for complete files. Some information is available by phone.
DMV records are easiest to get online for your own record. The official portal requires your license number and Social Security number. The two-dollar fee includes one full record. For other people's records, you need proper authorization. The DMV reviews all third-party requests.
The El Dorado County Sheriff and local police investigate DUI cases. Request arrest reports from the agency that made the arrest. The California Highway Patrol handles many arrests on Highway 50 and other state routes. Request CHP reports through their Public Records Act page.
Legal Resources for El Dorado County
If you face DUI charges in El Dorado County, several resources can help. The court provides public defenders for people who qualify financially. Ask at your arraignment. You must complete forms showing income and assets. The court determines eligibility.
Private attorneys also handle DUI cases. The State Bar of California offers a referral service at 1-866-442-2529. Search for attorneys at calbar.ca.gov. Look for DUI defense experience. Many attorneys from Sacramento also take El Dorado County cases.
The California Courts website has self-help information at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov. This site explains case lookup and public records access. It provides general legal information but not specific legal advice.
Note: DUI convictions can affect your driving privilege, employment, and criminal record for years.
Expunging an El Dorado County DUI
California allows expungement of some DUI convictions under Penal Code Section 1203.4. You must complete probation successfully. Most DUI probation in El Dorado County lasts three to five years. You must finish your DUI program, pay fines, and avoid new arrests.
File a petition with El Dorado County Superior Court. The court schedules a hearing. A judge reviews your conduct since conviction. Clean behavior helps. New arrests hurt. If granted, the court dismisses the case. You can then state you were not convicted for most purposes.
Expungement has limits. The DMV keeps the DUI on your driving record for ten years under Vehicle Code Section 13555. The DOJ keeps it in your criminal history. A new DUI means the prior El Dorado County case still counts. Expungement mainly helps with employment checks.
Some people hire lawyers for expungement. Attorneys can prepare paperwork and represent you at hearings. You can also file yourself. The court clerk has forms and instructions. Make sure you meet all requirements before filing.
Nearby Counties
El Dorado County borders several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court. Make sure you know which county filed your charges. Cases get filed where the arrest occurred.