San Mateo County, California · DUI
DUI in San Mateo County
What happens after a DUI arrest in San Mateo County, where your case will be heard and the deadlines that matter in your first days.
Where your case is handled
The courthouse for your case is printed on your citation.
Criminal court
Hall of Justice (Southern Branch)
400 County CenterRedwood City, CA 94063Criminal cases, including DUI.
Criminal court
Northern Branch
1050 Mission RoadSouth San Francisco, CA 94080Criminal and traffic cases from the northern part of the county.
DMV hearing
Your DMV hearing office
Your hearing is handled by the DMV Driver Safety office listed on the pink suspension notice the officer gave you. Request your hearing within 10 days by calling the number on that notice.
Your first days after an arrest
Request your DMV hearing
Within 10 days, or your suspension starts when your 30-day temporary license runs out.
Find your court date
Check your citation or release paperwork for your arraignment date and courthouse.
Write down what happened
The stop, the tests and what was said, while it's still fresh.
Talk to a DUI defense attorney
A local attorney can request the DMV hearing for you and review the stop.
Your license: two separate cases
A DUI arrest in California starts two cases that run side by side. You can win one and lose the other, so each needs attention.
DMV · starts at arrest
Administrative suspension
The officer takes your license and gives you a temporary one good for 30 days. Request a DMV hearing within 10 days to challenge the suspension.
If the suspension stands: 4 months for a first offense, 1 year with a prior.
Court · starts when charged
Criminal case
A conviction brings its own suspension, shown in the penalties table on this page. It can overlap with the DMV suspension.
A restricted license, often with an ignition interlock, may let you keep driving.
California DUI penalties
| First offense | Second offense | Third offense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail | Up to 6 months; often little or none with probation | 96 hours to 1 year | 120 days to 1 year |
| Base fine | $390 to $1,000 | $390 to $1,000 | $390 to $1,000 |
| Probation | 3 to 5 years | 3 to 5 years | 3 to 5 years |
| DUI program | 3 to 9 months | 18 to 30 months | 30 months |
| License suspension (court) | 6 months | 2 years | 3 years |
| Ignition interlock | At the court's discretion | Generally required, about 1 year | Generally required, about 2 years |
First offense
- Jail
- Up to 6 months; often little or none with probation
- Base fine
- $390 to $1,000
- Probation
- 3 to 5 years
- DUI program
- 3 to 9 months
- License suspension (court)
- 6 months
- Ignition interlock
- At the court's discretion
Second offense
- Jail
- 96 hours to 1 year
- Base fine
- $390 to $1,000
- Probation
- 3 to 5 years
- DUI program
- 18 to 30 months
- License suspension (court)
- 2 years
- Ignition interlock
- Generally required, about 1 year
Third offense
- Jail
- 120 days to 1 year
- Base fine
- $390 to $1,000
- Probation
- 3 to 5 years
- DUI program
- 30 months
- License suspension (court)
- 3 years
- Ignition interlock
- Generally required, about 2 years
California DUI law at a glance
- BAC limit, 21+
- 0.08%
- First offense license
- 6 months
- First test refusal
- 1 year
- Prior lookback
- 10 years
San Mateo County DUI FAQ
What happens after a DUI arrest in San Mateo County, California?
A DUI arrest in California starts two cases that run side by side. You can win one and lose the other, so each needs attention. The officer takes your license and gives you a temporary one good for 30 days. Request a DMV hearing within 10 days to challenge the suspension. If you don't, your license suspension takes effect when the 30-day temporary license the officer gave you runs out.
Where are DUI cases heard in San Mateo County?
DUI cases in San Mateo County are heard at these courthouses: Hall of Justice (Southern Branch), 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063; Northern Branch, 1050 Mission Road, South San Francisco, CA 94080. The courthouse for your case is printed on your citation.
Is my driver's license suspended after a DUI arrest in San Mateo County?
The officer takes your license and gives you a temporary one good for 30 days. Request a DMV hearing within 10 days to challenge the suspension. If the suspension stands: 4 months for a first offense, 1 year with a prior. A conviction in the criminal case brings its own suspension: 6 months for a first offense.
What are the penalties for a first DUI in San Mateo County?
Under California law, a first DUI carries: Jail: Up to 6 months; often little or none with probation. Base fine: $390 to $1,000. Probation: 3 to 5 years. DUI program: 3 to 9 months. License suspension (court): 6 months. Ignition interlock: At the court's discretion. Misdemeanor DUI with no injury. Offenses count as priors if they happened within 10 years. Fines are base amounts; court penalty assessments raise the total cost several times over.
Do I have two separate cases after a DUI arrest in San Mateo County?
Yes. A DUI arrest in California starts two cases that run side by side. You can win one and lose the other, so each needs attention. Administrative suspension: The officer takes your license and gives you a temporary one good for 30 days. Request a DMV hearing within 10 days to challenge the suspension. Criminal case: A conviction brings its own suspension, shown in the penalties table on this page. It can overlap with the DMV suspension.