Kern County DUI Case Records
Kern County maintains DUI records through its Superior Court online portal and sheriff custody system. The court portal provides case information searches at no charge. However, the court does not make case files available via the Internet. You must visit the courthouse or request clerk searches for document copies. The sheriff operates an inmate information portal showing current custody status and recent bookings. Bakersfield generates most DUI arrests in the county, though arrests also occur in other cities and unincorporated areas. The main courthouse in Bakersfield handles most criminal cases. Document copies cost 50 cents per page when you request them from the clerk's office. All DUI cases from anywhere in Kern County get filed at the Superior Court.
Kern County Overview
Superior Court Portal
The Kern County Superior Court operates an online portal at portal.kern.courts.ca.gov. This system lets you search for case information at no charge. You can look up criminal cases by name or case number. The portal shows basic case details but does not provide document downloads.
Search by defendant name to find DUI cases. Enter the person's last name and optionally their first name. The system returns matching criminal cases. Results show case numbers, filing dates, and case types. Click on a case to see charges, court dates, and disposition. DUI cases appear with Vehicle Code Section 23152 charges.
The court states that access to case files is not available via the Internet. This means you cannot download documents online like you can in some other counties. To get copies of police reports, court filings, or other documents, you must visit the courthouse in person or request clerk search services for a fee. The clerk can pull files and make copies while you wait or mail them to you.
Document copies cost 50 cents per page. This is the standard California court fee. Certified copies cost more based on the document type. The clerk's office can provide fee estimates before you request large files. Payment is due when you pick up copies or before they mail them.
The main courthouse is in Bakersfield. Contact the court for questions about specific cases or how to request documents. The court website provides phone numbers and addresses for all courthouse locations. Kern County has courthouses in other cities as well for cases filed in those areas.
Sheriff Inmate Information
The Kern County Sheriff's Department runs the county jail system. The sheriff maintains an inmate information portal on its website. This tool shows current inmates in custody. Search by name to see if someone is in jail right now.
The inmate portal displays booking date, charges, bail amount, and facility location. Most DUI arrestees post bail quickly. If they stay in custody, the system shows their current status and next court date. Kern County operates multiple detention facilities throughout the county. The inmate information indicates which facility is holding each person.
For questions about inmates or custody, contact the jail facility directly. The sheriff's website lists phone numbers for all facilities. Each has its own contact information and visiting hours. The main jail complex is in Bakersfield. Other facilities serve outlying areas of this large county.
Bakersfield has its own police department. If Bakersfield PD made the arrest, contact them for police reports. The city's records portal is at bakersfieldca.justfoia.com. Other cities may have their own police or contract with the sheriff. All criminal cases get filed at Kern County Superior Court regardless of which agency made the arrest.
Getting Court Documents
Since Kern County does not provide online document access, you have two options. Visit the courthouse in person to request copies. Or submit a formal records request and pay for clerk search time plus copy fees. The clerk's office can search files and make copies for you.
In-person visits work best if you live near the courthouse. Go to the clerk's office and request the documents you need. Bring photo ID. The clerk pulls the file and makes copies while you wait or schedules a time to pick them up. This avoids mailing delays and lets you verify you get the right documents.
Mail requests work if you cannot visit in person. Contact the clerk's office to explain what documents you need. Provide the case number if you have it. The clerk gives you a fee estimate. Send payment with your request or as instructed. The clerk processes the request and mails copies to you. Processing time varies based on workload.
Some documents may be restricted by law or court order. The clerk can tell you whether specific documents are available. Most standard DUI cases have public records with no restrictions. Sealed cases or ongoing investigations may limit what gets released.
How to Search Kern County
Start with the court portal. Enter the defendant's name to search for criminal cases. The system returns all matches. Look for cases with DUI charges under Vehicle Code Section 23152. Click on a case to see charges, hearing dates, and outcomes. The portal gives you enough information to know whether you need documents.
If you find a case and need documents, decide whether to visit in person or request by mail. In-person visits work faster. Mail requests take longer but avoid travel. The clerk's office can help you figure out which approach makes sense based on what you need and where you live.
For very recent arrests, the case may not be in the system yet. New cases take time to enter the portal. Wait a week or two and search again if you expect a recent case. The sheriff inmate portal shows bookings faster than the court portal shows filed cases. Check both systems.
If you cannot find a case in Kern County, verify you are searching the right county. DUI arrests near county lines sometimes get filed in the neighboring county. Check Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, or Tulare counties if the arrest happened near those borders.
Court and Sheriff Fees
Court case searches are free online. You can look up as many cases as you want through the portal. No registration or payment is required for basic case information. Document copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost more based on what you need certified.
The clerk may charge for search time if your request requires extensive file searching. Ask for a fee estimate before submitting complex requests. The clerk explains all costs before processing your request. You can decide whether to proceed based on the estimated fees.
The sheriff inmate search is free online. No fees apply for checking custody status. If you need copies of booking documents or arrest reports, the sheriff charges separate fees. Contact the Records Division for current pricing.
Bakersfield Police Department charges $7 for traffic collision reports. Other police reports may have different fees. Contact Bakersfield PD through their records portal for fee information. DMV driving records cost $2 online or $5 by mail. DOJ criminal record checks cost $25 plus Live Scan fingerprinting fees.
Kern County Contacts
The Kern County Superior Court main courthouse is in Bakersfield. Contact the court for questions about specific cases or document requests. The court website provides phone numbers and addresses for all courthouse locations. The clerk's office handles records requests and can explain the process and fees.
The Kern County Sheriff's website is at kernsheriff.org. The site has links to the inmate information portal and contact information for all jail facilities. Phone numbers and addresses are listed for each facility. Visiting hours and rules are also on the website.
For DMV license suspension questions, call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703. This statewide number handles Admin Per Se hearings. Request a hearing within ten days of your DUI arrest to challenge the automatic suspension. Missing the deadline means the suspension takes effect with no opportunity to contest it.
Cities in Kern County
Kern County includes Bakersfield and many smaller communities in the southern Central Valley. Some cities have their own police while others use sheriff services. All DUI cases get filed at Kern County Superior Court.
- Bakersfield
- Delano
- Ridgecrest
- Shafter
- Wasco
Neighboring Counties
Kern County borders several other counties in the southern Central Valley and mountain regions. Check neighboring counties if you cannot find a DUI case in Kern.