San Luis Obispo County DUI Records
San Luis Obispo County DUI records are kept by the Superior Court and Sheriff's Office. The court maintains criminal case files for all drunk driving prosecutions in the county. You can search cases online or visit the courthouse in San Luis Obispo. The sheriff runs the county jail and keeps booking logs for all arrests. Most DUI arrests happen along Highway 101 which runs through the county. The California Highway Patrol patrols this route heavily. City police in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and other towns also make DUI arrests. All criminal cases get filed at one of the county courthouses. Records include arrest information, charges filed, court hearings, and case outcomes. You can access most records through online portals or by contacting the agencies directly.
San Luis Obispo County Information
Superior Court Case Files
The San Luis Obispo County Superior Court has courthouses in San Luis Obispo and other locations. The main courthouse is at 1035 Palm Street in San Luis Obispo. Criminal DUI cases get filed here or at branch locations based on where the arrest occurred. The court clerk maintains all case files with documents showing charges, hearings, and outcomes.
Search for criminal cases through the court's online portal. The county provides case search access through their website at slo.courts.ca.gov. Enter a name or case number to find DUI records. The system displays basic case information including filing dates, charges under Vehicle Code Section 23152, and scheduled hearings. Both felony and misdemeanor DUI cases appear in search results.
The online portal works well for recent cases. Older files may not show full details online. Call the clerk at 805-781-5421 for help with older records. The clerk staff can search archived files and explain what documents are available. Some historical records exist only on paper or microfiche.
Document copies cost 50 cents per page. Visit the courthouse to request copies in person. Bring your case number to make the process faster. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Certified copies of court orders cost additional fees. These official copies include a court seal. Ask the clerk for current certified copy pricing.
The court has locations in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Grover Beach. Different courthouses handle cases from different parts of the county. Check your court paperwork to see which location handles your case. Going to the wrong courthouse wastes time. The clerk can tell you which department to visit.
Sheriff Jail and Booking Logs
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff operates the county jail facility. All DUI arrests lead to booking at the jail. The sheriff maintains custody records and inmate information. You can check if someone is in custody by using the sheriff's online inmate search at slosheriff.org or by calling the jail.
The inmate search portal shows who is currently in custody. Enter a name to see booking date, charges, bail amount, and facility location. Most DUI arrestees post bail within hours. Some cases involve higher bail or other holds that keep people in custody longer. The system updates regularly as people get booked or released.
For questions about inmates, call the jail at 805-781-4260. Jail staff can provide custody information over the phone. They can tell you if someone is being held, what the charges are, and when the next court date is. The jail operates 24 hours but call during business hours for detailed questions.
The sheriff works with all police agencies in the county. When city police or CHP arrest someone, they bring the person to the county jail for booking. The sheriff processes fingerprints and mugshots. This information goes into state databases. Even if someone posts bail quickly, the arrest record remains on file.
To get copies of arrest reports from the sheriff, contact the Records Division. You need the arrest date and person's name. The sheriff charges fees for report copies. Processing time depends on the request and office workload. Most requests take several days to complete.
City Police and CHP
Several cities in San Luis Obispo County have their own police departments. San Luis Obispo Police Department patrols the city and Cal Poly area. The department is at 1042 Walnut Street. Call 805-781-7312 for records questions. Paso Robles Police Department serves the north county area. Other cities like Atascadero and Pismo Beach also have police departments.
Each police department keeps its own arrest reports. Request reports from the agency that made the arrest. Check your paperwork to see which department arrested you. Police reports go through the records division of each department. Expect to pay fees for copies. Each city sets its own pricing.
The California Highway Patrol handles most arrests on Highway 101 and rural roads. CHP officers patrol heavily through San Luis Obispo County. The highway runs the entire length of the county from north to south. CHP conducts sobriety checkpoints during holidays. Weekend nights see more DUI enforcement.
Request CHP reports through the CHP Public Records portal. Enter the date and location of your arrest. CHP charges fees for report copies. Processing takes time so submit requests early if you need documents for court deadlines.
DMV License Records
The California DMV tracks all DUI arrests and convictions. After a DUI arrest in San Luis Obispo County, the DMV begins an Admin Per Se suspension process. This automatic suspension happens if you fail or refuse the chemical test. You have ten days to request a hearing.
Call 833-543-7703 to reach the DMV Driver Safety Branch. Request a hearing within ten days of your arrest. Missing this deadline means your license gets suspended automatically. The DMV hearing is separate from your criminal case. You can lose your license through DMV even if the court dismisses criminal charges.
Get your driving record online for two dollars at the DMV Online Driver Record Request portal. Mail requests cost five dollars. Your record shows DUI convictions, suspensions, and other driving history. DUI convictions stay on your record for ten years.
The nearest DMV field office may be in San Luis Obispo. Check the DMV website for office locations and hours. Many services work online without needing to visit. You only need in-person visits for tests or special documents like Real ID.
Finding DUI Records
Start with the court's online case search. Enter the person's name to find matching cases. Look for Vehicle Code Section 23152 charges. This is the main DUI statute in California. Case numbers include prefixes that show the case type and year. Criminal cases have certain letter codes.
If online search fails, call the court clerk. Some older cases are not in the online system. The clerk can check paper files or older databases. Have the approximate arrest date ready. This helps narrow the search. The clerk can also tell you which courthouse location has the file.
For very recent arrests, try the sheriff's inmate search first. Someone might be in custody before formal charges get filed. The jail booking happens immediately but the court case may not appear for days or weeks. The jail can confirm if they are holding the person.
Check neighboring counties if you find nothing. Arrests near county lines sometimes get filed in the adjacent county. Monterey County to the north and Santa Barbara County to the south border San Luis Obispo. The arresting officer decides where to file based on the exact stop location.
Record Copy Costs
Court copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost more. The clerk can quote prices for certified documents. Bring payment when you visit the courthouse. They accept cash, checks, and cards.
Sheriff reports have fees set by the department. Call the Records Division for pricing. Police reports from city departments also cost money. Each agency sets its own fees. DMV records cost two dollars online or five by mail. CHP reports vary by type.
Court filing fees are separate from copy costs. If you need to file motions or other paperwork, ask about those fees. Fee waivers exist for people who cannot afford court costs. Submit financial information with the fee waiver forms. The judge decides if you qualify.
San Luis Obispo County Contacts
The Superior Court main courthouse is at 1035 Palm Street in San Luis Obispo. Phone 805-781-5421 for the clerk's office. Court hours are Monday through Friday during business hours. The court website at slo.courts.ca.gov has forms and case search links.
The Sheriff's Office main number is 805-781-4260. This connects to the jail for inmate information. The sheriff's website at slosheriff.org has the inmate search portal and records request information.
San Luis Obispo Police Department is at 1042 Walnut Street. Call 805-781-7312 for records. For DMV issues, call 833-543-7703 to reach the Driver Safety Branch. The DMV website at dmv.ca.gov has online services and forms.
Cities in San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County has several cities but none over 100,000 population. All DUI cases from these cities get filed at the Superior Court.
- San Luis Obispo (county seat)
- Paso Robles
- Atascadero
- Morro Bay
- Pismo Beach
- Grover Beach
- Arroyo Grande
Neighboring Counties
San Luis Obispo County borders several other counties on the central coast. Check these if you cannot find a DUI case in San Luis Obispo.