Find DUI Records in Marin County

Marin County DUI records exist at the Superior Court in San Rafael. This Bay Area county serves about 260,000 residents in cities like San Rafael, Novato, and Mill Valley. The court maintains files on all criminal cases including DUI arrests, charges, plea deals, and sentences. You can search case information through an online public portal without charge. Document copies and certified records require payment and may need an in-person request. The court keeps records for many years but older cases may have limited online availability. Criminal history records from Marin County also get reported to state agencies including the California DMV and Department of Justice.

Marin Superior Court Portal

Search Marin County DUI cases online at webportal.marin.courts.ca.gov/publicportal. The portal lets you find cases by name or case number. It shows basic information like charges, court dates, and case status. You need the full name of the defendant to search. Partial names may not work.

The system runs on JournalTech software used by several Northern California courts. Most recent criminal cases appear in the portal. Very old cases from before the computer system may not show up. Call the clerk office at (415) 444-7040 if you cannot find a case online. They can search older records manually.

DUI cases in Marin County follow California laws under Vehicle Code Section 23152. First offense DUI is typically a misdemeanor. The charge appears as VC 23152(a) for impaired driving or VC 23152(b) for blood alcohol over 0.08 percent. Many cases have both charges. The portal shows which charges were filed and how the case was resolved.

The online portal does not show court documents. You see the docket and hearing schedule but not the actual filings. To get police reports, plea agreements, sentencing orders, or probation terms, you must request those from the criminal clerk. Visit the courthouse or send a written request with the case number. Include payment for copies. Standard copy fees apply per page.

Sheriff Booking and Jail Records

The Marin County Sheriff runs the jail in San Rafael. They book all DUI arrests made in the county. Most DUI defendants get released within hours after posting bail. Some stay longer if they have other warrants or cannot make bail. Check current inmates in the booking log online.

The Sheriff maintains booking records with arrest details. These records include the booking date, charges at arrest, bail amount, and release date. Booking charges may differ from the final charges filed by the District Attorney. Some arrests never result in criminal charges. Always check the court record to see the actual charges and outcome.

To request arrest reports or booking records, contact the Sheriff Records Unit. Some records may be restricted or not available to the public while a case is under investigation. Defendants and their attorneys have broader access to arrest records through the discovery process in criminal court.

How to Get DUI Records

Start by searching the online court portal. Write down the case number if you find it. Then decide what records you need. Basic case status is free online. Full case files cost money. Certified copies cost more than regular copies.

For documents, visit the clerk office in person or mail a written request. Your request should include the case number, defendant name, date of birth if known, and a list of documents you want. The clerk charges per page for copies. Payment must be by check, money order, or credit card. Cash may not be accepted for mail requests.

Some DUI records are sealed or confidential. Juvenile DUI cases are not public. Expunged cases under Penal Code Section 1203.4 may have limited availability. The clerk will tell you if records are restricted. You may need a court order to access sealed files.

DMV Records and License Suspensions

Every Marin County DUI arrest triggers an Admin Per Se action with the California DMV. The officer takes your license at the time of arrest. You get a temporary permit good 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 within that timeframe.

The DMV hearing is separate from criminal court. You can lose your license through the DMV even if you win the criminal case. The DMV only looks at whether your blood alcohol was over the legal limit and whether the officer had reasonable cause to stop you. First offense brings a four month suspension. Prior DUI within ten years means one year suspension.

Your driving record shows all DUI convictions for ten years. Commercial drivers face 55 years retention. Get your driving record online at dmv.ca.gov for two dollars. The record shows conviction date, county, and violation code. This information is visible to employers, insurance companies, and future courts.

License reinstatement after DUI requires several steps. Pay the $125 reissue fee. File SR-22 insurance for three years. Complete court ordered DUI school. Install an ignition interlock device if required. All conditions must be met before the DMV will give your license back. Processing takes time so submit paperwork early.

Legal Resources

The Marin County Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a private attorney. Ask the judge about eligibility at your first court appearance. The Public Defender office is in San Rafael near the courthouse. They handle all types of criminal cases including DUI defense.

Legal Aid of Marin provides free legal help to low income residents. They focus on civil matters such as housing and family law. They do not handle criminal defense. However, they may assist with related problems like employment issues or license reinstatement after a DUI. Their office is at 30 North San Pedro Road in San Rafael. Call (415) 492-0230 for information.

The Marin County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. Call to get names of local attorneys who practice DUI defense. Many offer free consultations. You can also search for attorneys through the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. Check their license status and any disciplinary history before hiring.

Statewide Criminal Records

The California Department of Justice keeps criminal history records for the whole state. A DUI arrest in Marin County gets reported to the DOJ. This creates a record in the state database. Convictions add to your RAP sheet. Even dismissed cases may appear unless sealed by court order.

Request your own criminal history from the DOJ. Use Form BCIA 8016RR and select Record Review. Get Live Scan fingerprints at any authorized location. Find locations at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. The DOJ fee is $25. Many private businesses in Marin County offer Live Scan services.

Processing takes two to three days for people with no prior record. If your fingerprints match existing records, a technician must review them manually. This can take weeks or longer. Check your application status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov with the ATI number from your fingerprint receipt. The report shows all California arrests and convictions including those from Marin County.

An expunged DUI under Penal Code Section 1203.4 changes how the DOJ record appears. The conviction gets dismissed on the RAP sheet. However, it still shows as an arrest. Law enforcement can still see it. And it does not come off your DMV driving record. Future DUI cases can still use it for enhancement under the ten year lookback rule in Vehicle Code Section 23152.

Nearby Counties

Marin County is north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. Sonoma County is to the north. Contra Costa County is east. San Francisco County is south. Each county has its own court system. Make sure you search records in the county where the arrest occurred.

Highway Patrol makes many DUI arrests on Highway 101 and Interstate 580 in Marin County. Those cases get filed in Marin Superior Court. If the arrest happened in another county, the case will be there instead. Check the arrest paperwork for the exact location. The county where the offense occurred has jurisdiction.