San Diego County DUI Cases
San Diego County maintains DUI records through its Superior Court system and local law enforcement agencies. You can search criminal cases online using the Court Index portal that covers cases from 1974 to present. The District Attorney also runs a public case information system. Sheriff records show booking and custody information. Most records are free to search, but the court destroys some older DUI misdemeanor files after ten years. This means cases from more than a decade ago may not appear in the system or may have limited information available. Start your search with the court portal if you know the defendant's name or case number.
San Diego County Overview
Superior Court Criminal Records
The San Diego Superior Court processes all DUI arrests that result in criminal charges. When someone gets arrested for drunk driving in San Diego County, the case gets filed at one of several courthouse locations. The court keeps a file with the complaint, police reports, court minutes, and final disposition. You can search these records online through two main portals.
The primary search tool is the Court Index system. This portal lets you search by name, case number, or citation number. Enter the defendant's last name to see all matching cases. The search covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic cases from 1974 forward. Some court locations only have misdemeanor records for the past ten years due to file destruction policies.
Juvenile cases do not appear in the public portal. Traffic infractions and minor offenses also stay out of the system. DUI cases get filed as misdemeanors or felonies depending on circumstances. First offense DUI with no injuries typically gets charged as a misdemeanor. DUI causing injury or multiple prior offenses can result in felony charges that stay on record longer.
The San Diego District Attorney runs a separate Case Information portal. This system shows cases that the DA is prosecuting. You can search by defendant name or case number. The DA portal provides charging information, hearing dates, and case status. It works as a supplement to the court portal.
Both court portals are free to use. No registration or fees apply for basic searches. However, the court charges for document copies. Standard photocopies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies of court orders cost more. You have to visit the courthouse or submit a formal records request to get copies of documents.
The court's main phone number is 619-844-2700. Staff can help you locate a case if the online search does not work. Each courthouse has its own clerk's office that handles records requests for cases filed at that location.
DUI Record Retention Rules
San Diego County destroys some old court records to save storage space. Misdemeanor traffic records get destroyed after five years. DUI misdemeanors are destroyed after ten years. This is not an expungement. The court simply purges old files that have reached their retention limit.
If you need records from a DUI case more than ten years old, they may not exist anymore. The court might have only a case summary in the computer system with no physical file. Felony DUI records stay on file longer than misdemeanors. Injury DUI cases keep their records past the ten year mark in most situations.
Infraction records only last three years before destruction. This covers most simple traffic tickets. DUI is not an infraction so this shorter period does not apply. Even after court records get destroyed, the DMV keeps DUI convictions on driving records for ten years. DOJ keeps criminal history records much longer regardless of court file destruction.
Sheriff Arrest and Booking Records
The San Diego Sheriff's Department handles arrests in unincorporated areas and cities that contract for law enforcement. Anyone arrested by the sheriff goes through booking at a county jail facility. The department keeps records of all arrests, bookings, and custody information.
You can request arrest reports and crime reports from the Sheriff's Records Division. Call 858-974-2110 during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is located at the Sheriff's headquarters in San Diego. Request forms are available on the sheriff's website.
Crime and arrest reports cost $20 each. Accident reports also cost $20. Local criminal history reports cost $14. The first copy goes free to crime victims. You need to provide your case number or other identifying information when requesting reports. Processing time varies based on how old the report is and which office handled the original case.
The sheriff does not maintain a public online inmate search like some other counties. Call the Records Division to check on custody status or booking information. Staff can tell you if someone is currently in custody and which facility is holding them.
How to Find DUI Records
Start with the Court Index if you know the person's name. Use their exact last name for best results. The system shows all cases that match. Look for cases with Vehicle Code Section 23152 charges. That is the main DUI statute. You might see 23152(a) for driving under the influence or 23152(b) for BAC over the legal limit.
If the Court Index shows no results, try the DA portal. Sometimes cases appear in one system before the other. The DA portal updates when charges get filed. The court portal updates as cases move through hearings and trials. Check both to get complete information.
Cases in San Diego city limits usually involve San Diego Police Department arrests. The San Diego police have their own records request system. Other cities with police departments include Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, and Carlsbad. Each city police agency keeps its own arrest reports separate from the sheriff.
For arrests that happened years ago, be aware of the ten year destruction policy. If you cannot find an old DUI case, it may have been purged. Request a DMV driving record to confirm whether a conviction occurred. DMV records show all DUI convictions from the past ten years regardless of whether the court file still exists.
Record Search Fees
Court searches are free online. You can look up as many cases as you want through the Court Index or DA portal at no charge. Document copies cost money. The court charges 50 cents per page for standard photocopies. Certified copies cost more based on the document type.
Sheriff reports run $20 for crime, arrest, or accident reports. Local criminal history reports cost $14. Victims get their first copy free but must pay for additional copies. Payment methods include cash, checks, and credit cards at most sheriff offices.
San Diego Police Department charges $12 for police reports. Other city police departments have their own fee schedules. DMV driving records cost $2 online or $5 by mail. DOJ criminal record reviews cost $25 plus fingerprinting fees at a Live Scan location.
San Diego County Contacts
The Superior Court main phone is 619-844-2700. This connects you to the general information line where staff can direct you to the right courthouse or department. The court operates multiple locations throughout San Diego County. Each has its own clerk's office and contact number for records requests.
Sheriff's Records Division phone is 858-974-2110. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The office is closed on weekends and holidays. You can find request forms on the sheriff's website or pick them up in person at the Records Division office.
For DMV questions about DUI license suspensions, call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703. This statewide number handles Admin Per Se hearings and suspension status checks. You have ten days from your DUI arrest to request a hearing if you want to challenge the automatic license suspension.
Cities in San Diego County
San Diego County includes the city of San Diego plus many smaller cities. Some have their own police while others use sheriff services. All DUI cases get filed at San Diego Superior Court regardless of which agency made the arrest.
- San Diego
- Chula Vista
- Oceanside
- Escondido
- Carlsbad
Note: Some DUI arrests near county borders may get filed in neighboring counties. Check Imperial County or Orange County if you cannot find a case in San Diego.
Neighboring Counties
San Diego County borders Orange County to the north and Imperial County to the east. Mexico forms the southern border. If your DUI case does not appear in San Diego records, check these nearby counties.