Find Kings County DUI Records

Kings County is located in the San Joaquin Valley with about 150,000 residents. The county seat is Hanford. DUI and DWI records are maintained by the Kings County Superior Court. All criminal cases for driving under the influence get filed at the courthouse in Hanford. The court keeps comprehensive case files that include charges, court appearances, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. The California DMV also maintains driving records that show DUI convictions for ten years. The Department of Justice keeps statewide criminal history records for background checks. Most Kings County DUI records are public and available through official request channels.

Kings County Superior Court

The Kings County Superior Court is at 1426 South Drive in Hanford. This courthouse handles all criminal matters for the county including DUI cases. The court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor and felony drunk driving charges. Case files include arrest information, charging documents, court orders, and sentencing records.

Contact the court at 559-582-3211 for case information. Staff can search by defendant name or case number. Kings County may have limited online case search access. You might need to call or visit in person to get detailed information. The courthouse is open weekdays during business hours. Bring photo ID if you want 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 provide case status, charges, 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.

Kings County applies Vehicle Code Section 23152 to 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 any intoxicating substance.

DMV Driving Records

The California DMV keeps all DUI convictions on your record for ten years. When Kings 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. 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 Kings County DUI appears with the violation code and county name. 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 Kings 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. Kings County has Live Scan locations in Hanford and other cities. 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. A Kings 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 Kings County

Kings 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.

A first offense DUI in Kings 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 Kings County with prison time.

The DMV Admin Per Se program operates separately from criminal court. When arrested for DUI in Kings 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 Kings 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 Kings County Superior Court at 559-582-3211 for case information. 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 Kings 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 41 and other state routes. Request CHP reports through their Public Records Act page.

Legal Resources for Kings County

If you face DUI charges in Kings 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 in Hanford and nearby Fresno handle Kings 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 a Kings County DUI

California allows expungement of some DUI convictions under Penal Code Section 1203.4. You must complete probation successfully. Most DUI probation in Kings County lasts three to five years. You must finish your DUI program, pay fines, and avoid new arrests.

File a petition with Kings 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 Kings 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

Kings 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.