San Mateo County DUI / DWI Records
San Mateo County maintains DUI records through the Superior Court in Redwood City. This Bay Area county serves over 760,000 residents in cities like Daly City, San Mateo, and Redwood City. Criminal DUI cases get filed at the Hall of Justice and Records Center where the court keeps case files for many years. You can search basic case information online through the court portal. Document copies and full case files need a formal request. The county reports all DUI convictions to the California DMV where they stay on driving records for ten years. Criminal records also go to the state Department of Justice for inclusion in the statewide database.
San Mateo County Overview
Superior Court Criminal Records
The San Mateo County Superior Court handles all DUI criminal cases. The main courthouse is the Hall of Justice and Records Center in Redwood City. This is where criminal cases get filed and maintained. The court uses a modern case management system that lets you search cases online.
Search criminal cases through the online court portal. Enter the defendant name or case number to find DUI cases. The system shows charges, filing dates, and court appearances. Most cases from recent years appear in the database. Very old cases may have limited information or may not be in the computer system at all.
DUI charges appear as Vehicle Code Section 23152 violations. First offense DUI is a misdemeanor in most cases. The charge code shows whether it was filed under subsection (a) for impaired driving or subsection (b) for blood alcohol over 0.08 percent. Many cases have both charges listed. The online portal shows what charges were filed and how the case ended.
| Address |
Hall of Justice and Records Center 400 County Center Redwood City, CA 94063 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (650) 261-5000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
| Website | sanmateocourt.org |
The online system does not show full case documents. You see the case docket and hearing schedule but not arrest reports, lab results, or sentencing orders. Those documents require a request to the criminal clerk office. Visit in person or send a written request with the case number and list of documents you need. The court charges copy fees per page.
How to Get DUI Case Files
Start by finding the case online. Write down the full case number. Then decide what you need. Basic case status is available online at no charge. Full documents cost money. Certified copies cost more than regular copies.
To request documents, go to the criminal clerk window at the courthouse or mail your request. Include the case number, defendant name, and specific documents you want. Payment is required in advance. The clerk can estimate the cost based on how many pages you need. Some records may be sealed or restricted depending on case outcome.
Processing time varies based on how busy the clerk office is. Simple requests may be ready the same day. Large document requests or older cases take longer. Call ahead at (650) 261-5000 to ask about current wait times for document requests in San Mateo County.
San Mateo County Sheriff Records
The San Mateo County Sheriff operates jails and makes arrests in unincorporated areas. They book DUI arrests into the county jail system. Most first offense DUI defendants get released quickly after posting bail. You can check current inmates through the Sheriff website.
Arrest reports come from the agency that made the arrest. If the Sheriff arrested you, request records from them. If a city police department made the arrest, contact that city. Each agency has different procedures for releasing arrest reports. Some restrict access while cases are pending.
Booking records show when someone was arrested, what charges they faced at booking, and bail amount. These records are public once the person is booked. However, booking charges may change. The District Attorney decides final charges after reviewing the case. Always check court records for the actual charges and outcome.
California DUI Law
DUI cases in San Mateo County follow California Vehicle Code Section 23152. This law prohibits driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. It also makes it illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs regardless of blood alcohol level. Police can arrest under either standard.
First time DUI is typically a misdemeanor. Penalties include probation, fines, DUI school, and license suspension. Second DUI within ten years brings harsher penalties. Third and fourth offenses can be charged as felonies. DUI causing injury is always a more serious offense under Vehicle Code Section 23153.
The DMV suspends your license separately from the criminal case. This Admin Per Se suspension happens automatically unless you request a hearing within ten days of arrest. Call the Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703 to request your DMV hearing. First offense brings four months suspension. Prior DUI within ten years means one year or longer.
Even if you get the DUI expunged under Penal Code Section 1203.4, it stays on your DMV driving record. The expungement only affects the criminal court record. Future DUI cases can still use the prior conviction for enhancement under the ten year lookback rule in Vehicle Code Section 23152.
DMV Driving Records
Every DUI conviction in San Mateo County appears on your California driving record. The DMV keeps these convictions for ten years from the conviction date. Commercial drivers face 55 years retention. You can request your own driving record online for two dollars at dmv.ca.gov.
The driving record shows all reportable violations, accidents, and license actions. A DUI appears with the violation code, county where it happened, and date. Admin Per Se suspensions also show. This information is visible to insurance companies, employers, and future courts. It affects your insurance rates and employment opportunities.
To reinstate your license after DUI suspension, complete several steps. Pay the $125 DMV reissue fee under Vehicle Code Section 14905. File SR-22 proof of insurance for three years. Finish court ordered DUI school. Install ignition interlock device if required. The DMV will not give your license back until all requirements are met.
Legal Resources
The San Mateo County Public Defender represents defendants who cannot afford private counsel. Ask about eligibility at your first court appearance. The judge decides based on income and assets. The Public Defender office is in Redwood City near the courthouse. They handle all criminal cases including DUI charges.
Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County helps low income residents with civil legal problems. They do not handle criminal defense. However, they may assist with related matters like license reinstatement or employment issues from a DUI. Their office is in Redwood City. Call (650) 558-0915 for information about services.
The San Mateo County Bar Association has a lawyer referral service. They give names of local attorneys who practice DUI defense. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations. You can also search for attorneys through the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. Check license status and any disciplinary history before hiring.
Statewide Criminal Records
The California Department of Justice maintains criminal records for the entire state. A DUI arrest in San Mateo County gets reported to the DOJ. This creates a permanent record unless sealed by court order. Convictions add to your RAP sheet. Even dismissed cases may appear.
Request your own DOJ criminal history by getting Live Scan fingerprints. Use Form BCIA 8016RR and check Record Review. The DOJ fee is $25. Find Live Scan locations at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. Many private businesses in San Mateo County offer this service.
Processing takes two to three days for first time applicants. If your fingerprints match existing records, manual review is required. This takes longer. Check status at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov with your ATI number. The report shows all California arrests and convictions including those from San Mateo County.
Nearby Counties
San Mateo County is on the San Francisco Peninsula. San Francisco County is north. Santa Clara County is south. Alameda County is across the bay to the east. Each county has its own court system for DUI cases. Make sure you search records in the county where the arrest occurred.
Highway 101 and Interstate 280 run through San Mateo County. Many DUI arrests happen on these highways. If the arrest was near a county line, verify which county has jurisdiction. The arrest paperwork shows the exact location. That determines which court handles the case.