Access Merced County DUI Records

Getting DUI and DWI records in Merced County involves multiple agencies. The Superior Court in Merced processes all criminal DUI cases filed throughout the county. The California DMV keeps driving records showing DUI convictions for a full ten years. The Merced County Sheriff maintains arrest reports and booking records for the county jail. City police in Merced, Los Banos, and Atwater handle arrests in their jurisdictions. The California Highway Patrol patrols Highway 99 and makes many DUI arrests along that corridor. Each office follows different procedures for releasing records and charges varying fees.

Superior Court Case Files

Merced County Superior Court handles all DUI criminal cases. The main courthouse is at 670 West 22nd Street in Merced. When someone gets arrested for DUI anywhere in this county, the case gets filed here. The clerk's office keeps files with all case documents. This includes the complaint, court minutes, and final judgment.

The court does not currently offer public online case search. You need to call or visit in person to find case information. Call the clerk's office at 209-385-7627 for basic details like case status and court dates. Getting copies of actual documents requires a written request or visit to the courthouse.

California Rule of Court 2.503 limits what criminal case information appears online. Most courts share basic case info but restrict access to documents. Merced County follows this guideline. Full records require direct contact with the clerk. Court hours run Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Standard copy fees apply. Expect 50 cents per page for regular document copies. Certified copies cost $25 to $40 depending on the document type. The court charges $15 for name searches taking staff more than ten minutes. These rates match what most California Superior Courts charge.

DMV Driving Records

The California DMV keeps all DUI convictions on your driving record. These stay for ten years from the conviction date. Commercial drivers see DUI convictions for 55 years. The record shows the violation code, date, and county. 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 instantly. You must create an account first. 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 violation type. DUI convictions appear for the full ten years. You also see departmental actions like license suspensions.

For 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 costs more than online. California Code of Regulations Section 350.44 sets the fees.

Admin Per Se License Suspension

California runs an administrative license suspension program called Admin Per Se. The DMV suspends your license if 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 Merced County, they take your license and give you a temporary permit good for 30 days. You have ten days 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.

First offense suspensions last four months. A prior DUI within ten years extends it to one year. Refusing a chemical test brings harsher penalties. First refusal means one year suspension or two years if on DUI probation. 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. Keep that SR-22 active for three years. The DMV will not reinstate your driving privilege without all these items.

Merced County Sheriff Records

The Merced County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas. They make DUI arrests and keep arrest reports. The Sheriff runs the county jail where people arrested for DUI get booked. Booking records show who got arrested, charges, and booking dates.

Many California sheriffs post inmate searches online. Check the Merced County Sheriff website for this tool. For arrest reports, 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 records division for their current fee schedule.

California DOJ 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 lists all arrests, charges, and dispositions tied to your fingerprints. DUI arrests in Merced 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 means results in 48 to 72 hours. A match requires manual review by a technician, which 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.

Police and CHP Reports

City police departments in Merced County keep arrest reports for DUI cases. 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, file a California Public Records Act request. Contact the police department directly. Fees vary by agency.

The California Highway Patrol handles DUI arrests on state highways. Highway 99 runs through Merced County. You can request CHP reports through their Public Records Center. Include the date, location, and subject of the incident. The Public Records Act requires a response within ten days, though agencies can extend this by 14 days if needed.

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.

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.

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 through a negligent act. These cases often get filed as felonies. 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.

DMV driving records have more restrictions. You can only get your own record through the online system. Getting someone else's requires Form INF 70 and showing a permissible use under the law.

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. The general public cannot request DOJ records for other people.

Contact Information

Merced County Superior Court is at 670 West 22nd Street, Merced, CA 95340. Call 209-385-7627 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. 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

Merced County borders several other counties. Each has its own court and record system.

• Stanislaus County - North of Merced
• Madera County - South of Merced
• Mariposa County - East of Merced
• San Benito County - West of Merced