Santa Cruz DUI Records
Santa Cruz County maintains DUI records through the Superior Court and Sheriff's Office. The court keeps criminal case files for all drunk driving prosecutions filed in the county. You can search for cases online through the California courts system or contact the clerk in Santa Cruz. The sheriff operates the county jail and maintains booking records for all arrests. Most DUI arrests occur along Highway 1 which runs through the county along the coast. The California Highway Patrol makes many stops on this route. Santa Cruz Police Department, Watsonville Police, and other local agencies also arrest drunk drivers. All criminal DUI cases get filed at the Superior Court. Records show arrest details, charges filed under Vehicle Code Section 23152, court hearings, and case outcomes. You can access records through online searches or by contacting agencies directly for copies.
Santa Cruz County Overview
Superior Court Criminal Cases
The Santa Cruz County Superior Court is located at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. This courthouse handles all criminal DUI cases in the county. When police arrest someone for drunk driving, the District Attorney files charges here. The court clerk creates a case file containing all documents including the complaint, motions, and court orders.
Search for criminal cases through the court's online portal at santacruzcourt.org. The website provides access to case search tools. Enter a name or case number to find DUI records. The system shows basic information including filing date, charges, and hearing schedules. Both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases appear in results.
The online system works best for recent cases. Older files may not have complete details online. Call the clerk at 831-420-2205 for help finding older records. Court staff can search archived files and tell you what documents are available. Some historical records exist only in paper format.
Document copies cost 50 cents per page. Visit the courthouse to request copies in person. Bring the case number to speed up the process. The clerk accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. Certified copies cost additional fees. These include an official court seal. Ask the clerk for current pricing on certified documents.
Court hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The courthouse closes on weekends and holidays. Parking can be limited near the courthouse. Arrive early if you need to file paperwork or attend a hearing. The clerk's window may have a wait during busy times.
Sheriff Jail Records
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff operates the county jail at 259 Water Street in Santa Cruz. All DUI arrests lead to booking at this facility. The sheriff maintains custody logs showing who is in jail. You can search for inmates online or call the jail.
The sheriff provides an online inmate search at scsheriff.com. Enter a name to see if someone is in custody. The system shows booking date, charges, bail amount, and next court date. Most DUI arrestees post bail within hours. Some cases have higher bail or other holds.
For inmate questions, call the jail at 831-454-2241. Jail staff can tell you if someone is being held, what the charges are, and how much bail is set. The jail operates 24 hours but call during business hours for detailed information.
The sheriff works with all police agencies in the county. When local police or CHP arrest someone, they bring the person to county jail for booking. The sheriff processes fingerprints and mugshots. This information goes into state databases. The booking record stays on file even if someone posts bail quickly.
To get arrest report copies from the sheriff, contact the Records Division. You need the arrest date and person's name. The sheriff charges fees for copies. Processing time varies based on the request and office workload. Most requests take several days.
City Police and Highway Patrol
Santa Cruz Police Department handles DUI arrests in the city of Santa Cruz. The department patrols downtown, the beach area, and residential streets. The police station is at 155 Center Street. Call 831-420-5820 for records questions. Request police reports through their records division.
Watsonville Police Department serves the south county area. Watsonville sees significant DUI enforcement on Main Street and Highway 1. Contact their records division for arrest reports. Other cities like Capitola and Scotts Valley also have police departments. Check your paperwork to see which agency arrested you.
The California Highway Patrol makes most arrests on Highway 1 and Highway 17. These routes see heavy traffic and frequent DUI enforcement. CHP conducts sobriety checkpoints on holiday weekends. Officers patrol rural areas without city police coverage.
Request CHP reports through the CHP Public Records portal. Enter the date and location of your arrest. CHP charges fees for report copies. Submit requests early if you have court deadlines.
DMV and License Issues
The California DMV tracks all DUI arrests statewide. After a DUI arrest in Santa Cruz County, the DMV starts an Admin Per Se suspension. This automatic process begins if you fail or refuse the chemical test. You have ten days to request a hearing.
Call the DMV Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703 to request a hearing. Missing the deadline means automatic suspension with no opportunity to challenge it. The DMV hearing is separate from your criminal case. You can lose your license even if the court dismisses charges.
Get your driving record online for two dollars at the DMV Online Driver Record Request portal. Mail requests cost five dollars. The record shows DUI convictions, suspensions, and other history. Convictions stay on record for ten years.
Santa Cruz has a DMV field office at 415 Dubois Street. Check the DMV website for office hours. Many services work online without needing to visit. You only need in-person visits for tests or special documents.
How to Search Records
Start with the court's online case search. Enter the person's full name or just the last name for broader results. Look for Vehicle Code 23152 charges. These are DUI cases. The case number tells you the year and type of case. Criminal cases have specific letter prefixes.
If online search returns nothing, 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. This helps narrow the search. The clerk can also tell you about document availability.
For recent arrests, check the sheriff's inmate search first. Someone might be in custody before formal charges get filed. Booking happens immediately but the court case may not appear for days or weeks. The jail can confirm custody status.
Check neighboring counties if you cannot find a case. Arrests near county lines sometimes get filed elsewhere. Santa Clara County to the north and Monterey County to the south border Santa Cruz. The officer decides where to file based on the exact location of the stop.
Record Copy Fees
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 accepts cash, checks, and cards.
Sheriff reports have fees set by the department. Call the Records Division for current 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, ask about those fees. Fee waivers exist for people who cannot afford court costs. Submit financial information with the waiver forms. The judge decides if you qualify based on income.
Santa Cruz County Contacts
The Superior Court is at 701 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. Phone 831-420-2205 for the clerk's office. Court hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court website at santacruzcourt.org has forms and case search information.
The Sheriff's Office is at 259 Water Street in Santa Cruz. Call 831-454-2241 for jail and inmate questions. The sheriff's website at scsheriff.com has the inmate search portal and records information.
Santa Cruz Police Department is at 155 Center Street. Call 831-420-5820 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.
Cities in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County has several cities but none over 100,000 population. All DUI cases from these cities get filed at the Superior Court.
- Santa Cruz (county seat)
- Watsonville
- Capitola
- Scotts Valley
Neighboring Counties
Santa Cruz County borders several other counties. Check these if you cannot locate a DUI case in Santa Cruz.