Mendocino County DUI Cases

Searching for DUI and DWI records in Mendocino County means checking several sources. The Superior Court in Ukiah handles all criminal DUI cases filed in this county. The California DMV maintains driving records that show DUI convictions for ten years. The Mendocino County Sheriff keeps arrest reports and jail booking records for unincorporated areas. City police departments in Ukiah, Fort Bragg, and Willits handle arrests within city limits. The California Highway Patrol makes arrests on Highway 101 and the coastal Highway 1. Each agency has its own process for getting records and charges different fees for copies.

Superior Court Records

Mendocino County Superior Court hears all DUI criminal cases. The main courthouse is at 100 North State Street in Ukiah. A second location operates in Fort Bragg at 700 South Franklin Street. When police arrest someone for DUI in this county, the case gets filed at one of these courts. The clerk's office keeps a file with every document from that case.

The court participates in the Tyler re:SearchCA portal at researchca.tylerhost.net. This system lets you search for criminal cases by name or case number. The portal shows basic case information like charges, filing dates, and hearing schedules. You cannot view full documents through the portal. Those require a visit to the clerk's office or a formal records request.

California Rule of Court 2.503 limits what criminal case details get posted online. Most courts share basic case info but keep documents restricted. Mendocino County follows this rule. Full records require contacting the clerk directly. Call the Ukiah office at 707-463-4664 or the Fort Bragg office at 707-961-2700.

Copy fees run about 50 cents per page for standard court documents. Certified copies cost $25 to $40 depending on the certification type. The court charges $15 for name searches that take staff more than ten minutes. These fees match standard rates across most California Superior Courts.

DUI misdemeanor records in many California counties get destroyed after ten years. This is a records retention policy to save space. If you need records from an older DUI case, request them before the ten year mark passes. Felony DUI records may stay on file longer than misdemeanors.

DMV Driving Records

The California DMV keeps all DUI convictions on your driving record. These stay there for ten years from the conviction date. Commercial drivers face longer retention. Their 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 on your record.

You can request your own driving record online for just two dollars. The DMV Online Driver Record Request system lets you print your record right away. You need to create an account first. This protects your information. The system adds a small payment processing fee of 1.95 percent to credit card orders.

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. Some older records may show limited details if they predate 2019 system changes.

If you need someone else's driving record, you must fill out Form INF 70. Mail it to the DMV Information Release Unit at PO Box 944247, Sacramento, CA 94244-2470. Include a check for five dollars per record. The mail fee is higher than the online cost. California Code of Regulations Section 350.44 sets these fees.

Admin Per Se Suspensions

California has an administrative license suspension program. Officers call it Admin Per Se or APS. The DMV suspends your license if you get arrested for DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more. You lose your license even before any court case. The suspension is separate from criminal charges.

When an officer arrests you for DUI in Mendocino County, they take your license. They 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. If you miss that deadline, the suspension goes into effect automatically. Call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703 to request your hearing. This number connects you to the state office handling all Admin Per Se cases statewide.

First offense suspensions last four months. If you have a prior DUI within ten years, the suspension extends to one year. Refusing a chemical test brings harsher penalties. A first refusal means one year suspension or two years if you were on DUI probation. A second refusal within ten years triggers a two-year revocation or three years if on probation.

Getting your license back requires 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 company. Keep that SR-22 active for three years. Without these items, the DMV will not reinstate your driving privilege.

Mendocino County Sheriff

The Mendocino 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 sheriffs in California post inmate searches online. Check the Mendocino County Sheriff website to see if they offer this tool. The records show current inmates and recent bookings. For arrest reports, you need to file a public records request with the Sheriff. Include the date, location, and subject of the incident in your request.

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. Some sheriffs charge per page while others charge a flat fee per report. Contact the Sheriff's records division for their current fee schedule.

California DOJ Criminal Records

The California Department of Justice maintains the statewide criminal record repository. Every arrest that includes 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 Mendocino 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 the form 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. If your prints match nothing in the database, you get results in 48 to 72 hours. If they find a match, a technician must review the RAP sheet manually. This takes longer. You can 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 it 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 on your RAP sheet.

A DUI expungement also does not help with DMV records. Vehicle Code Section 13555 makes this clear. Dismissing a DUI under Penal Code 1203.4 does not affect any DMV suspension or revocation. The DMV still counts the DUI as a prior offense if you get arrested again within ten years.

Police Arrest Reports

City police departments in Mendocino County keep arrest reports for DUI cases. These reports include the officer's narrative, field sobriety test results, and chemical test information. 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 copy of a police report for another reason, you can file a California Public Records Act request. Contact the police department directly or check their website for a request form. Fees vary by agency. Some charge per page while others charge a flat fee per report.

The California Highway Patrol handles DUI arrests on state highways in Mendocino County. Highway 101 runs through the entire county north to south. Highway 1 follows the coast. 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.

DUI Laws in California

Vehicle Code Section 23152 defines DUI offenses in California. The law has several subsections. 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 the same time. 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. It does not create a criminal record.

Vehicle Code Section 23153 covers DUI causing injury. This is a more serious charge 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 than misdemeanor cases. The DMV also imposes longer revocation periods for injury DUI convictions.

You can read the full text of these laws on the California Legislative Information website. Vehicle Code Section 23152 shows all the subsections and current penalties. The legislature updates these codes periodically. Always check for the most recent version when researching DUI law.

Who Can Access DUI Records

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 than in-person records, but the basic case information 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 filling out 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

Mendocino County Superior Court Ukiah Division is at 100 North State Street, Ukiah, CA 95482. Call 707-463-4664 for case information. The Fort Bragg Division is at 700 South Franklin Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437. Call 707-961-2700 for that location. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at both locations.

The DMV Information Release Unit handles all 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 about criminal history records. Find Live Scan locations on the DOJ website.

Nearby Counties

Mendocino County borders several other counties. Each has its own Superior Court and record system. If your DUI case happened in a different county, you need to search that county's records.

• Sonoma County - South of Mendocino
• Lake County - Southeast of Mendocino
• Glenn County - East of Mendocino
• Trinity County - Northeast of Mendocino
• Humboldt County - North of Mendocino