Sonoma County DUI / DWI Records

Sonoma County DUI records are maintained by the Superior Court in Santa Rosa. The county has roughly half a million people living in cities like Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park. All criminal cases including DUI charges get filed at the main courthouse. You can search basic case details through an online portal. Full case documents require in-person visits or written requests. The court system keeps arrest details, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and probation terms for all DUI convictions in Sonoma County. These records help lawyers, employers, and individuals verify criminal history information.

Superior Court Case Portal

The Sonoma County Superior Court runs an online case portal. Visit sonoma.courts.ca.gov/online-services/case-portal to search criminal cases. The system shows case numbers, charges, and hearing dates. Type in the defendant name to find DUI cases. The portal has cases from recent years but may not show very old records.

Most DUI cases in Sonoma County are misdemeanors filed under Vehicle Code Section 23152. First time DUI with no injuries usually stays a misdemeanor. DUI causing injury or a fourth DUI becomes a felony. The court portal shows the charge level and case status. You see if the case is pending, resolved, or dismissed.

The case portal does not show full documents. It gives you the case number and basic facts. To get arrest reports, police statements, lab results, or sentencing orders, you must request them from the criminal clerk. Call (707) 521-6500 for information about document requests. Some documents may be sealed or restricted based on the case outcome or defendant status.

Sonoma County Sheriff Inmate Search

When someone gets arrested for DUI in Sonoma County, the Sheriff books them into jail. Most first time DUI defendants get released quickly. Some stay longer if they have warrants or cannot post bail. You can search for current inmates at inmatesearch.sonomasheriff.org.

The inmate database shows booking date and charges. It tells you the bail amount and housing location. The system updates several times per day as people get booked in or released. If you do not find someone in the database, they may have already been released.

Arrest reports and booking records come from the Sheriff. These documents have details about the DUI stop. They include officer observations, field sobriety tests, and chemical test results. To get arrest records, contact the Sheriff Records Unit. Expect to pay copy fees. Some records cannot be released to the public if the case is still under investigation or if charges were never filed.

California DUI Laws in Sonoma County

DUI charges in Sonoma County follow California Vehicle Code Section 23152. This law makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. It also prohibits driving under the influence of drugs. The prosecution can file charges under subsection (a) for impairment or subsection (b) for blood alcohol level. Often they charge both.

Penalties depend on prior convictions and case facts. First offense DUI typically brings probation, fines, DUI school, and a license suspension. The DMV suspends your license separately from the criminal case. That Admin Per Se suspension lasts four months for a first offense. You must request a DMV hearing within ten days of arrest or the suspension happens automatically.

Second DUI within ten years has harsher penalties. Jail time becomes more likely. License suspension extends to one year or longer. Third and fourth DUI offenses can result in felony charges. Felony DUI brings state prison time and long term license revocation. The court can also order an ignition interlock device on your vehicle as part of probation or license reinstatement.

DUI causing injury falls under Vehicle Code Section 23153. This is more serious than regular DUI. Prosecutors can file it as a misdemeanor or felony depending on injuries. Felony DUI injury cases bring longer sentences and bigger fines. Restitution to victims is also required.

DMV Driving Records

Every DUI conviction in Sonoma County shows on your California driving record. The DMV keeps DUI convictions for ten years. Commercial drivers face 55 years retention. Request your driving record online through the DMV portal for two dollars plus a small processing fee.

The driving record shows all reportable convictions, accidents, and license actions. A DUI appears with the violation code, county, and date. Admin Per Se suspensions also show up. Future employers, insurance companies, and courts can see this information. An expunged DUI under Penal Code Section 1203.4 does not come off your driving record. It only affects the criminal court record.

To get your license back after a DUI suspension, you must complete several steps. Pay the $125 DMV reissue fee. File an SR-22 proof of insurance form. Complete court ordered DUI school. Some cases require an ignition interlock device. The DMV will not reinstate your license until all requirements are met. Processing can take weeks, so start early.

Legal Assistance and Resources

People facing DUI charges in Sonoma County have several options for legal help. The Public Defender office represents defendants who cannot afford a private attorney. The court decides eligibility based on income. Ask the judge at your first appearance about getting a public defender.

Legal Aid of Sonoma County helps low income residents with some legal matters. They focus on civil cases like housing and family law. They do not handle criminal defense directly. However, they may help with related issues such as license problems or employment discrimination from a DUI conviction. Call (707) 542-1290 or visit their office in Santa Rosa.

The Sonoma County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service. Call (707) 542-1190 to get names of private attorneys who practice DUI defense. Many lawyers offer a free initial consultation. Bring your court papers and arrest information to the meeting. The State Bar of California also has resources at calbar.ca.gov.

Department of Justice Records

The California DOJ maintains statewide criminal records. A DUI arrest in Sonoma County gets sent to the DOJ after booking. This creates a permanent record in the state system. Convictions add to your criminal history. Even dismissed cases may show up unless sealed.

You can request your own DOJ criminal history. Use Form BCIA 8016RR and check Record Review. Get fingerprinted at any Live Scan location in Sonoma County. The fee is $25 to the DOJ. Find locations at oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. Most security guard companies and bail bond offices offer Live Scan services.

The DOJ sends your criminal history by mail in two to three days if you have no prior record. If your fingerprints match existing records, manual review is required. That process takes longer. Check status online at applicantstatus.doj.ca.gov with your ATI number from the Live Scan receipt. The report shows all California arrests and convictions including those from Sonoma County courts.

Sonoma County Cities

Sonoma County includes several incorporated cities with their own police departments. Santa Rosa is the largest city and county seat. Other cities include Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Sebastopol, Sonoma, Cloverdale, and Healdsburg. Each city police department makes DUI arrests within city limits. The Sheriff handles unincorporated areas.

All DUI cases from Sonoma County cities get filed in Superior Court in Santa Rosa. The location of arrest determines which police agency made the report. Request arrest records from that agency. Many cities use online request systems. Santa Rosa Police uses cityofsantarosaca.nextrequest.com for public records requests. Other agencies may have different procedures.