Search Plumas County DUI Records
Plumas County DUI records exist in the Superior Court criminal case files and sheriff booking logs. The court maintains records for all drunk driving prosecutions filed in the county. You can search for criminal cases online through the California courts portal or contact the clerk directly in Quincy. The sheriff keeps arrest logs and inmate information for people booked into county jail. Most DUI arrests in Plumas County happen along Highway 70 and Highway 89. The California Highway Patrol handles many traffic stops in rural areas. Local police in Portola also make DUI arrests. All cases get filed at the courthouse in Quincy regardless of which agency did the arrest. Court records show charges, hearings, and outcomes for each case.
Plumas County Overview
Plumas Superior Court Records
The Plumas County Superior Court handles all criminal DUI cases in the county. The courthouse sits at 520 Main Street in Quincy. When someone gets arrested for drunk driving, the District Attorney files charges at this location. The court clerk creates a case file with all documents including the complaint, court minutes, and sentencing orders.
You can search for criminal cases through the Plumas County Court website which provides links to the online portal. The county uses the Tyler Technologies case search system that covers many California courts. Enter a name or case number to find DUI cases. Results show basic case information like filing date, charges, and hearing dates.
The online portal shows recent cases. Older files may require calling or visiting the clerk's office. The court clerk can help you find specific cases and explain what records are available. Phone the clerk at 530-283-6232 during business hours Monday through Friday. Court staff can answer questions about accessing documents and making copies.
Document copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies of court orders cost more. Bring exact case numbers when requesting documents. This speeds up the process. You can pay with cash, check, or card at the clerk's window. Most requests get processed the same day if you visit in person.
The court holds hearings at the Quincy location. Some cases may have hearings at the Portola branch courthouse depending on where the arrest occurred. Check your court paperwork or call the clerk to verify which courtroom handles your case. Showing up at the wrong location causes delays and missed appearances.
Sheriff Booking and Jail Info
The Plumas County Sheriff's Office runs the jail facility in Quincy. Anyone arrested for DUI in the county goes through booking there. The sheriff maintains custody logs and inmate information. You can call the jail to check if someone is in custody.
The sheriff's main office is at 1400 East Main Street in Quincy. Call 530-283-6300 for general information. For inmate questions, ask for the jail staff. They can tell you if someone is being held and what the bail amount is. Most DUI arrestees post bail within hours. More serious cases may require longer custody.
The sheriff works closely with CHP and local police. When these agencies arrest someone, they bring them to the county jail for booking. The sheriff processes fingerprints and takes mugshots. This information goes into the state database. Even if someone posts bail quickly, the booking record remains on file.
Arrest reports from the sheriff cost money to copy. Contact the Records Division to request these documents. You need the arrest date and person's name. Processing time varies based on how busy the office is. Most requests take a few days to a week.
CHP and Local Agencies
The California Highway Patrol handles most DUI arrests in Plumas County. CHP officers patrol the highways and rural roads. Highway 70 runs through the county east to west. Highway 89 goes north to south. Both see heavy traffic during summer months when tourists visit the area. CHP sets up checkpoints during holidays and special events.
CHP reports go through their records system. You can request copies through the CHP Public Records portal. Enter the date and location of your arrest or accident. CHP charges fees for report copies. Processing takes time so submit requests early if you need documents for court.
The city of Portola has its own police department. Portola PD handles arrests within city limits. If your DUI happened in Portola, contact their Records Division. The department is small so call ahead to check hours. Phone 530-832-4444 for Portola police questions.
Other areas of Plumas County rely on sheriff patrols. Small communities without city police get service from the sheriff. This includes Chester, Greenville, and many rural areas. Check which agency made the arrest by looking at your paperwork. The arresting agency name appears on citations and reports.
DMV Driving Records
The California DMV keeps all DUI convictions on your driving record. This applies to Plumas County residents and everyone else in California. The DMV tracks convictions for ten years. Admin Per Se suspensions also appear on your record. These happen automatically after a DUI arrest if you fail or refuse the chemical test.
You can get your own driving record online for two dollars. The DMV Online Driver Record Request portal lets you view and print your record immediately. Mail requests cost five dollars and take longer. Credit cards add a small processing fee for online orders.
If you got arrested for DUI in Plumas County, you have ten days to request a DMV hearing. Call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703. This hearing challenges the automatic license suspension. Missing the ten day deadline means your license gets suspended with no chance to contest it. The DMV hearing is separate from your criminal court case.
The nearest DMV field office to Quincy may be in Chico or Reno depending on which direction you travel. Plumas County does not have a local DMV office. Plan ahead if you need to visit in person. Most DMV services work online or by mail. You only need to visit for things like taking the driving test or getting Real ID.
How to Search
Start with the online court portal. Enter the person's name to see matching cases. DUI charges appear under Vehicle Code Section 23152. Look for case numbers that start with letters showing the case type. CR means criminal. The number after tells you the year.
If online search finds nothing, call the court clerk. Older cases may not be in the online system. The clerk can check paper files or older databases. Have the approximate arrest date ready when you call. This helps narrow down the search.
Check neighboring counties if you cannot find the case. DUI stops near county lines sometimes get filed elsewhere. Lassen County to the north and Sierra County to the south are closest. Butte County to the west also borders Plumas. The arresting officer decides where to file based on exact location of the stop.
For recent arrests, try the sheriff first. Someone might be in custody before charges get filed. The jail can tell you if they are holding the person. Court cases take days or weeks to appear in the system after an arrest.
Costs and Fees
Court record copies cost 50 cents per page. The clerk's office accepts cash, checks, and cards. Certified copies cost more. Ask the clerk for the current price on certified documents. These are official copies with a court seal.
Sheriff arrest reports cost money to obtain. Call the Records Division for pricing. Each county sets its own fees. DMV records cost two dollars online or five by mail. CHP reports vary by type. The CHP website lists current fees for different report types.
Court filing fees for motions or petitions are separate from record search costs. If you need to file paperwork with the court, ask about those fees. Fee waivers exist for people who cannot afford court costs. Fill out the fee waiver forms and submit financial information. The judge decides if you qualify.
Plumas County Contacts
The Superior Court is at 520 Main Street in Quincy. Phone 530-283-6232 for the clerk's office. Court hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court website is plumascourt.ca.gov with information about case filing and records.
The Sheriff's Office sits at 1400 East Main Street in Quincy. Call 530-283-6300 for general questions. The jail section can answer custody questions. Sheriff records requests go through the main office during business hours.
For DMV license issues, call 833-543-7703 to reach the Driver Safety Branch. This statewide line handles Admin Per Se hearings. You can also visit the DMV website at dmv.ca.gov for forms and information about license suspensions.
Cities in Plumas County
Plumas County has several small towns but none over 100,000 population. All DUI cases from these areas get filed at the Superior Court in Quincy.
- Quincy (county seat)
- Portola
- Chester
- Greenville
Each community is small. Most rely on CHP or sheriff for law enforcement. Portola has its own police department.
Neighboring Counties
Plumas County borders several other counties in northeastern California. Check these counties if you cannot find a DUI case in Plumas.
- Lassen County
- Sierra County
- Butte County
- Tehama County