San Benito DUI Cases
San Benito County maintains DUI records through the Superior Court in Hollister and the Sheriff's Office. The court keeps criminal case files for all drunk driving prosecutions. You can search for cases online through the California courts portal or contact the clerk directly. The sheriff handles booking and custody records for DUI arrests. Most arrests happen along Highway 101 and Highway 25. The California Highway Patrol patrols these routes and makes many traffic stops. Hollister Police Department handles arrests within city limits. All criminal cases get filed at the courthouse regardless of which agency made the arrest. Court documents show charges, court dates, plea agreements, and sentencing outcomes for each DUI case.
San Benito County Facts
Superior Court Criminal Files
The San Benito County Superior Court is located at 440 Fifth Street in Hollister. This courthouse handles all criminal cases including DUI prosecutions. When police arrest someone for drunk driving, the District Attorney files charges here. The court clerk creates a file with all case documents.
You can search for criminal cases through the court's online portal. The county uses a case search system accessible from the San Benito County Court website. Enter a name or case number to find DUI records. The system shows basic case information including filing date, charges under Vehicle Code Section 23152, and hearing dates. Results display for both felony and misdemeanor DUI cases.
The online portal covers recent cases. Older files may require you to call or visit the clerk's office in person. Phone the court at 831-636-4057 for questions about case access. The clerk staff can help you locate specific cases and explain how to get copies of court documents.
Document copies cost 50 cents per page. You can request copies by visiting the courthouse during business hours. Bring the case number to speed up the process. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Certified copies of court orders cost additional fees. Ask the clerk for current pricing on certified documents.
Court hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The courthouse is closed on weekends and holidays. If you need to attend a hearing or file paperwork, arrive early. Parking fills up on busy days. The clerk's window may have a wait during peak times.
Some DUI cases involve both criminal charges and Admin Per Se license suspensions. The court handles the criminal case. The DMV handles the license suspension separately. These are two different proceedings. You can lose your license through DMV even if the court dismisses the criminal charges.
Sheriff Arrest and Jail Records
The San Benito County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail at 2301 Technology Parkway in Hollister. Anyone arrested for DUI gets booked here. The sheriff maintains custody logs showing who is in jail and why. You can call to check if someone is being held.
Phone the sheriff at 831-636-4080 for general questions. Ask for the jail section to get inmate information. They can tell you if someone is in custody, what the charges are, and how much bail is set. Most DUI arrestees post bail within hours. Some cases require higher bail or have holds that keep the person in custody longer.
The sheriff processes fingerprints and mugshots during booking. This information goes into state and federal databases. Even if someone posts bail quickly, the booking record stays on file. The arrest shows up in background checks and criminal history reports.
For copies of arrest reports or booking documents, contact the Sheriff's Records Division. You need the arrest date and person's name. The sheriff charges fees for report copies. Processing time varies based on the request type and how busy the office is. Most routine requests take a few days.
Hollister Police and CHP
The Hollister Police Department handles DUI arrests within city limits. Officers patrol the streets and respond to calls about drunk drivers. The department is located at 380 Fourth Street in Hollister. For questions about arrest reports or cases handled by Hollister PD, call 831-636-4330.
Police reports from Hollister PD go through their records system. You can request copies by visiting the station or calling during business hours. The department charges fees for report copies. Bring ID and be ready to provide the report number or incident date. Processing takes time so request reports early if you need them for court.
The California Highway Patrol makes most DUI arrests on highways and rural roads. CHP patrols Highway 101, Highway 25, and other routes through the county. CHP officers conduct sobriety checkpoints during holidays and special events. If CHP arrested you, request reports through the CHP Public Records portal. CHP charges fees for copies.
Small communities in San Benito County rely on sheriff patrols. The sheriff covers unincorporated areas where there is no city police. Check your arrest paperwork to see which agency arrested you. The agency name appears on citations and court documents.
DMV License Suspensions
The California DMV tracks all DUI arrests and convictions statewide. After a DUI arrest in San Benito County, the DMV starts an Admin Per Se suspension process. This happens automatically if you fail or refuse the chemical test. You have ten days from the arrest to request a DMV hearing.
Call the DMV Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703 to request a hearing. Missing the deadline means the suspension takes effect with no chance to fight it. The DMV hearing is separate from your criminal court case. You can lose your license even if the court dismisses your DUI charges.
You can get your driving record online for two dollars. The DMV Online Driver Record Request system lets you view and print your record immediately. Mail requests cost five dollars. The record shows DUI convictions, suspensions, and other driving history.
DUI convictions stay on your record for ten years. This affects insurance rates and employment background checks. Some employers require a clean driving record. A DUI conviction can impact commercial driver licenses and professional licenses that require driving.
How to Find Records
Start with the court's online case search. Enter the person's full name or last name only for broader results. Look for Vehicle Code 23152 charges. These are DUI cases. The case number prefix shows what type of case it is. Criminal cases start with certain letter codes that vary by county.
If the online search returns no results, call the court clerk. Older cases may not appear in the online system. The clerk can check paper files or legacy databases. Have the approximate arrest date ready when you call. This helps narrow the search.
For recent arrests, try calling the sheriff's jail first. Someone might be in custody before the DA files formal charges. The booking happens right away but the court case may not appear for days or weeks. The jail can tell you if they are holding the person and what the bail amount is.
Check neighboring counties if you cannot find a case. Arrests near county lines sometimes get filed elsewhere based on the exact location. Monterey County to the west and Santa Clara County to the north border San Benito. The officer decides where to file based on which side of the line the stop occurred.
Record Costs
Court record copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk can tell you the exact fee when you request certified documents. Bring payment when you visit. The court accepts cash, checks, and cards.
Sheriff arrest reports have fees set by the department. Call the Records Division for current pricing. Different report types cost different amounts. Police reports from Hollister PD also cost money. Each agency sets its own fees.
DMV records cost two dollars online or five by mail. CHP reports vary by type. The CHP website lists fees for different report categories. Court filing fees for motions or other paperwork are separate from record copy costs. Ask about fee waivers if you cannot afford court fees. The judge decides if you qualify based on your income.
San Benito County Contacts
The Superior Court is at 440 Fifth Street in Hollister. Phone 831-636-4057 for the clerk's office. Court hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The court website has forms and information about case filing procedures.
The Sheriff's Office is at 2301 Technology Parkway in Hollister. Call 831-636-4080 for general questions or jail information. The sheriff's website is sbcso.org with details about services and records requests.
Hollister Police Department is at 380 Fourth Street. Phone 831-636-4330 for records or general questions. For DMV issues, call 833-543-7703 to reach the Driver Safety Branch. The DMV website at dmv.ca.gov has forms for license suspension hearings.
Cities in San Benito County
San Benito County has three incorporated cities. None exceed 100,000 population. All DUI cases from these cities get filed at the Superior Court in Hollister.
- Hollister (county seat)
- San Juan Bautista
- Tres Pinos
Neighboring Counties
San Benito County borders several other counties. Check these if you cannot locate a DUI case in San Benito.