Find DUI Records in Mariposa County
Finding DUI and DWI records in Mariposa County requires checking multiple sources. The Superior Court in Mariposa keeps all criminal DUI case files. Your driving record with DUI convictions stays at the California DMV for ten years. The Mariposa County Sheriff handles arrests in unincorporated areas and runs the county jail. The California Highway Patrol makes many DUI arrests on Highway 140 near Yosemite National Park. Each source has its own search process and fees. This county is small but sees steady DUI enforcement due to tourist traffic heading to Yosemite.
Mariposa County DUI Records Overview
Mariposa Superior Court Cases
Mariposa County Superior Court handles all DUI criminal cases in this county. The courthouse is at 5088 Bullion Street in Mariposa. When someone gets arrested for DUI here, the case gets filed at this court. The clerk keeps a file with all documents including the complaint, police reports if released, court minutes, and the final judgment.
The court does not have a public online case search system right now. You need to call or visit in person for case info. Call the clerk's office at 209-966-2005 for basic details like case status and court dates. The clerk can tell you some info over the phone but getting copies of documents requires a formal request in writing or in person.
Court hours run Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The courthouse serves the whole county from this one location. As a small county, Mariposa handles fewer DUI cases than urban areas but processes them the same way under California law. California Rule of Court 2.503 limits what criminal case details get posted online, so most small counties like this one keep searches manual.
Copy fees follow standard California rates. Expect about 50 cents per page for regular copies. Certified copies cost $25 to $40 depending on what you need certified. The court charges $15 for name searches that take staff more than ten minutes to complete. These fees match what other small California counties charge.
California DMV Records
The California DMV keeps all DUI convictions on your driving record. These stay there for ten years from the conviction date. If you drive commercial vehicles, DUI convictions appear for 55 years. The DMV record shows the violation code, the date, and the county where it happened. Admin Per Se suspensions also appear.
You can get your own driving record online for two dollars. The DMV Online Driver Record Request system prints your record right away. You must create an account first to protect your info. The system adds a 1.95 percent payment processing fee for credit cards.
The online record shows all reportable information. This includes convictions from the past three, seven, or ten years based on the violation type. DUI convictions appear for the full ten years. You also see departmental actions like license suspensions.
If you need someone else's driving record, fill out Form INF 70 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. Mail requests cost more than online. California Code of Regulations Section 350.44 sets the fee amounts.
Admin Per Se License Suspension
California runs an administrative license suspension program called Admin Per Se. The DMV suspends your license if you get arrested for DUI with a BAC of 0.08 percent or more. This happens before any court case. The suspension is separate from criminal charges.
When an officer arrests you for DUI in Mariposa County, they take your license and give you a temporary permit good for 30 days. You have ten days from that date to request a hearing with the DMV Driver Safety Branch. Miss that deadline and the suspension starts automatically. Call 833-543-7703 to request your hearing. This number connects you to the state office that handles all Admin Per Se cases.
First offense suspensions last four months. A prior DUI within ten years extends the suspension to one year. Refusing a chemical test brings tougher penalties. First refusal means one year suspension or two years if you were on DUI probation already. Second refusal within ten years triggers a two-year revocation or three years if on probation.
Getting your license back needs several steps. Pay a $125 reissue fee to the DMV under Vehicle Code Section 14905. File proof of financial responsibility using an SR-22 form from your insurance. Keep that SR-22 active for three years. The DMV will not reinstate your driving privilege without all these items.
Mariposa County Sheriff Records
The Mariposa County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas. They make DUI arrests and keep arrest reports. The Sheriff also runs the county jail where people arrested for DUI get booked. Booking records show who got arrested, the charges, and the booking date. Many DUI arrests in this county happen on Highway 140 between Merced and Yosemite.
For arrest reports, you need to file a public records request with the Sheriff. Include the date, location, and subject of the incident. The California Public Records Act requires a response within ten days. Agencies can extend this by 14 days if needed. Fees for copies vary by agency. Contact the Sheriff's office for their current fee schedule.
Some California sheriffs post inmate searches online. Check the Mariposa County Sheriff website to see if they offer this tool. If not, you can call to ask about current inmates or recent bookings. The Sheriff's office can tell you basic booking information over the phone in most cases.
DOJ Statewide Criminal Records
The California Department of Justice maintains the statewide criminal record repository. Every arrest with fingerprinting gets sent to DOJ. They create a Record of Arrests and Prosecutions called a RAP sheet. This document lists all arrests, charges, and dispositions tied to your fingerprints. DUI arrests in Mariposa County appear on RAP sheets.
Only you can request your own criminal history from DOJ. Third parties cannot get someone else's RAP sheet without legal authority. To request your record, use Live Scan fingerprinting at any authorized site. Fill out Form BCIA 8016RR and check the box for Record Review. Take it to a Live Scan location. The technician scans your prints and sends them to DOJ with a $25 processing fee.
Processing time depends on whether DOJ finds a match. No match in the database means results in 48 to 72 hours. If they find a match, a technician must review the RAP sheet manually. This takes longer. Check your request status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov using your ATI number from the Live Scan receipt.
DOJ keeps criminal records until the person reaches 100 years of age. Expunging a DUI under Penal Code Section 1203.4 does not remove it from the RAP sheet. The record gets marked as dismissed but still appears. Law enforcement and some employers can still see it. You can contact the Record Review Unit at 916-227-3849 if you find errors.
Highway Patrol Reports
The California Highway Patrol makes many DUI arrests in Mariposa County. Highway 140 sees heavy traffic heading to Yosemite. Other state routes like Highway 49 also fall under CHP jurisdiction. If CHP made your arrest, you need to request reports from them, not local police.
You can request CHP reports through their Public Records Center. Include the date, location, and subject of the incident in your request. The Public Records Act requires a response within ten days, though agencies can extend this by 14 days if needed.
Most departments will not release arrest reports to the person arrested. You usually need a lawyer to get them through the discovery process in your criminal case. If you need a report for another reason like insurance, the public records request process works better.
California DUI Laws
Vehicle Code Section 23152 defines DUI offenses in California. Section 23152(a) makes it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. Section 23152(b) sets the legal limit at 0.08 percent blood alcohol content. You can get charged with both at once. The statute also covers drugs and combinations of drugs and alcohol.
Commercial drivers face stricter limits under Section 23152(d). The legal limit drops to 0.04 percent when driving a commercial vehicle. Drivers under 21 fall under the zero tolerance law in Vehicle Code Section 23136. Any detectable alcohol of 0.01 percent or more triggers penalties for underage drivers. This is a civil violation, not a criminal offense.
Vehicle Code Section 23153 covers DUI causing injury. This is more serious than standard DUI. It applies when someone drives under the influence and causes bodily harm to another person through a negligent act. These cases often get filed as felonies. Felony DUI records stay on file longer. You can read the full text at the California Legislative Information website.
Record Access Rules
California law treats DUI records as public in most situations. Court records for criminal cases are public unless sealed by a judge. Anyone can go to the courthouse and ask to see a criminal case file. Online access may show less detail, but basic case info stays public.
DMV driving records have more restrictions. You can only get your own record through the online system. Getting someone else's record requires Form INF 70 and showing a permissible use under the law. Employers, insurance companies, and courts can request driving records for specific purposes. Regular people cannot pull someone's DMV record without consent.
DOJ criminal records are the most restricted. Only you can request your own RAP sheet for personal review. Law enforcement agencies can access these records for official purposes. Some employers with fingerprint requirements can run DOJ background checks as part of hiring. The general public cannot request DOJ records for other people.
Contact Information
Mariposa County Superior Court is at 5088 Bullion Street, Mariposa, CA 95338. Call 209-966-2005 for case information. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The DMV Information Release Unit handles driving record requests by mail. Send requests to PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. Call 916-657-8098 for questions about driving records. The Driver Safety Branch handles Admin Per Se hearings at 833-543-7703.
The California Department of Justice Record Review Unit can be reached at 916-227-3849. Mail record review requests to PO Box 160207, Sacramento, CA 95816-0207. Email recordreview@doj.ca.gov for questions. Find Live Scan locations on the DOJ website.
Nearby Counties
Mariposa County borders several other counties. Each has its own court and record system. If your case happened in a different county, search that county's records.
- Merced County - West of Mariposa
- Madera County - West and south of Mariposa
- Tuolumne County - North of Mariposa
- Mono County - East of Mariposa