Access Sutter County DUI Records
Sutter County DUI records are maintained by the Superior Court and Sheriff's Department. The court keeps criminal case files for all drunk driving prosecutions filed in the county. You can search cases online through the California courts portal or contact the clerk in Yuba City. The sheriff operates the county jail and maintains booking records for people arrested for DUI. Most arrests happen in Yuba City or along Highway 99 which runs through the county. The California Highway Patrol patrols this highway. Yuba City Police Department and other local agencies also make DUI arrests. All criminal cases get filed at the Superior Court in Yuba City. Records include arrest information, charges under Vehicle Code Section 23152, court hearings, and case outcomes. Document copies and court records are available through the clerk's office during business hours.
Sutter County Overview
Superior Court Records
The Sutter County Superior Court is located in Yuba City. 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 with all documents including the complaint, court orders, and sentencing records.
You can search for criminal cases online through the California courts portal. The county provides case search access through their court website. Enter a name or case number to find DUI records. The system shows basic case information including filing date, charges under Vehicle Code Section 23152, and hearing dates. Both felony and misdemeanor DUI cases appear in search results.
The online portal works for recent cases. Older files may require calling the clerk's office. Court staff can search archived records and explain what documents are available. Some historical files exist only in paper format. Phone the court clerk for help finding older records or getting copies of specific documents.
Document copies cost 50 cents per page. Visit the courthouse to request copies in person. Bring your 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 during regular business hours. The courthouse closes on weekends and holidays. If you need to attend a hearing or file paperwork, arrive early. Security screening is required at the entrance. Check the court website for specific hours and any changes to operations.
Sheriff Jail Records
The Sutter County Sheriff's Office operates the county jail in Yuba City. All DUI arrests lead to booking at this facility. The sheriff maintains custody logs showing who is in jail. You can call the jail to check if someone is in custody. Most sheriff departments also offer online inmate search portals.
The inmate search shows 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 as people get booked or released. For inmate questions, call the sheriff's office. Jail staff can tell you if someone is being held and what the charges are.
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 takes mugshots. This information goes into state databases. Even if someone posts bail quickly, the booking record stays on file. The arrest shows up in background checks and criminal history reports.
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 varies based on the request and office workload. Most requests take several days to complete.
Highway Patrol and Local Police
The California Highway Patrol makes most DUI arrests on highways and rural roads in Sutter County. CHP officers patrol the main routes through the county. They conduct sobriety checkpoints during holidays and special events. Weekend nights see increased DUI enforcement on major roads.
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. Processing can take several weeks depending on the request.
Local police departments in Sutter County handle arrests within city limits. Each department keeps its own arrest reports. Request reports from the agency that made the arrest. Check your paperwork to see which department arrested you. Each agency sets its own fees for report copies. Most departments charge between five and 25 dollars for police reports.
Smaller communities in the county rely on sheriff patrols. The sheriff covers unincorporated areas without city police. Check your arrest citation to see which agency made the arrest. The agency name appears on all court paperwork and citations issued at the time of arrest.
DMV License Issues
The California DMV tracks all DUI arrests statewide. After a DUI arrest in Sutter County, the DMV starts an Admin Per Se suspension process. This automatic suspension happens if you fail or refuse the chemical test. You have ten days from your arrest to request a DMV hearing.
Call the DMV Driver Safety Branch at 833-543-7703 to request a hearing. Missing the deadline means your license gets suspended automatically with no opportunity to challenge it. The DMV hearing is separate from your criminal court case. You can lose your license through DMV even if the court dismisses your 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.
Check the DMV website for the nearest field office location. Many services work online without needing to visit in person. You only need to visit for tests or special documents like Real ID. Call ahead or check online for office hours before making a trip.
How to Search Records
Start with the court's online case search portal. Enter the person's full name or just the last name for broader results. Look for Vehicle Code Section 23152 charges. This is the main DUI statute. Case numbers include prefixes that show the case type and year. Criminal cases have specific letter codes.
If the online search returns no results, 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 when you call. This helps narrow down the search. The clerk can also tell you about document availability and copying costs.
For very recent arrests, try calling the sheriff's jail first. Someone might be in custody before formal charges get filed. The booking happens immediately but the court case may not appear for days or weeks. The jail can confirm if they are holding the person and provide basic charge information.
Check neighboring counties if you cannot find a case. Arrests near county lines sometimes get filed elsewhere based on the exact stop location. The arresting officer decides where to file based on jurisdiction. Border areas can be confusing so check both counties if needed.
Record Copy Fees
Court record 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 credit cards at most clerk windows.
Sheriff arrest reports have fees set by the department. Call the Records Division for current pricing. Police reports from local 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. The CHP website lists fees for different report categories.
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 waiver forms. The judge decides if you qualify based on your income and expenses.
Sutter County Contacts
Contact the Superior Court clerk's office for questions about criminal cases. The courthouse is located in Yuba City. Court hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The court website has forms, case search information, and contact details for specific departments.
The Sheriff's Office can answer questions about inmates and booking records. Call the main sheriff number for general information. They can direct you to the jail or Records Division based on your needs. The sheriff's website may have an online inmate search portal with current custody information.
For DMV license suspension issues, call 833-543-7703 to reach the Driver Safety Branch. This statewide line handles Admin Per Se hearings for all DUI arrests. The DMV website at dmv.ca.gov has online services and forms for license issues.
Cities in Sutter County
Sutter County has several cities but none over 100,000 population. All DUI cases from these cities get filed at the Superior Court in Yuba City.
- Yuba City (county seat)
Neighboring Counties
Sutter County borders several other counties. Check these counties if you cannot find a DUI case in Sutter.