Chugach Census Area DUI Records
The Chugach Census Area holds DUI records through the Alaska court system, the Valdez Courthouse, and the Alaska State Troopers Valdez Post. This guide explains where to search, what records exist, and how to get copies of DUI case files for this remote coastal region of Southcentral Alaska.
Chugach Census Area Overview
About Chugach Census Area DUI Records
Chugach Census Area came into existence on January 2, 2019, when it split off from the old Valdez-Cordova Census Area. It is part of Alaska's Unorganized Borough, meaning there is no local borough government. All official records functions fall to the state. DUI cases here move through the Alaska court system, which maintains records centrally. The area covers remote coastline, mountain passes, and communities that depend on state-level services for law enforcement and courts.
The census area spans a large swath of Southcentral Alaska, from Prince William Sound inland toward the Wrangell Mountains. Communities in this area include Valdez, Cordova, Whittier, Chenega Bay, Tatitlek, and Eyak. Valdez is the largest hub and serves as the primary court location. Cordova has its own courthouse for coastal communities. Most Superior Court matters, including serious felony DUI cases, move to Anchorage for handling.
DUI records here are not held by a county clerk because there is no county or borough structure. Instead, records live at the state level. The Alaska Court System maintains all case records through CourtView, the statewide online case search tool. The Alaska State Troopers keep arrest logs and incident reports through the Department of Public Safety.
Valdez Courthouse - Primary Court for DUI Cases
The Valdez Courthouse handles most DUI cases originating in the northern and inland parts of Chugach Census Area. The courthouse is located at 213 Meals Avenue, Valdez, AK 99686. The court phone number is (907) 835-2266. This location handles District Court matters such as DUI misdemeanor charges, traffic violations, and arraignments. The courthouse is part of Alaska's Third Judicial District.
Court sessions at Valdez can be irregular. The area is geographically isolated, and staff availability sometimes affects scheduling. Weekend and holiday arraignments are handled via telephone rather than in person. If you need to visit in person, call ahead to confirm hours and availability. Certified copies of court records, including DUI case documents, can be requested at the clerk's window or by mail. Standard copy fees apply statewide: $5 for the first two pages, $2 for each additional page, plus $5 for certification.
The Cordova Courthouse also serves coastal communities in the census area, including Cordova itself and smaller villages along the coast. Its contact details are available through the Alaska Court System directory. You can find location-specific information at courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/3co.htm. For Valdez court details, visit courts.alaska.gov/courtdir/3va.htm.
The Cordova Courthouse serves as a key access point for DUI records in the southern coastal zone of the census area. Here is a look at the Cordova court directory page:
Use this page to confirm current hours, mailing addresses, and contact information before submitting a records request.
Search DUI Records Online via CourtView
CourtView is Alaska's statewide court case search portal. It covers all judicial districts, including the Third Judicial District where Chugach Census Area falls. You can search by name, case number, or date range. DUI cases filed in Valdez or Cordova courts appear in CourtView once they are entered into the system. The portal is free to use and available 24/7 at records.courts.alaska.gov.
CourtView shows case status, hearing dates, charges, dispositions, and party names. It does not provide full document images in all cases, but it gives enough information to know what cases exist and how to request copies. For DUI cases specifically, you can see whether a charge resulted in a conviction, a dismissal, or a pending status. This is useful if you are checking your own record or researching a specific case.
Here is a screenshot of the CourtView search portal:
Enter a name or case number to pull up DUI cases filed anywhere in the state, including those from Valdez and Cordova courts.
Alaska State Troopers - Valdez Post
Because there is no local police department serving most of the Chugach Census Area, the Alaska State Troopers handle all DUI enforcement. The Valdez Post is the primary Troopers station for this region. It is located at 115 Meals Avenue, Valdez, AK 99686, and can be reached at (907) 835-4307. Detachment C covers this region and handles everything from initial traffic stops to DUI arrests along the Richardson Highway, Edgerton Highway, and coastal routes.
When Troopers make a DUI arrest, they generate an incident report. These reports are internal law enforcement documents and are not automatically public. However, some information becomes available through the court case once charges are filed. You can also check the Troopers' Daily Dispatch at dailydispatch.dps.alaska.gov for recent arrest activity. The dispatch log includes DUI arrests along with names, charges, and brief descriptions of incidents.
For criminal background checks that include DUI convictions, the Alaska Department of Public Safety Records and Identification Bureau handles requests. Their self-service portal at backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov lets individuals request their own record. The DPS office is at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, and can be reached at (907) 269-5767.
DUI Laws in Alaska Applicable to Chugach Cases
Alaska law sets the legal blood alcohol limit at 0.08% under AS 28.35.030. For commercial drivers, the limit drops to 0.04% under AS 28.33.030. Refusing a breath or blood test is itself a separate criminal offense under AS 28.35.032 and carries the same penalties as a DUI charge. These laws apply uniformly across all of Alaska, including the Chugach Census Area.
A first DUI offense in Alaska means at least 72 hours in jail, a $1,500 fine, and a 90-day license revocation. A second offense brings 20 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, and a one-year revocation. Three or more DUI offenses within a 10-year period result in a Class C felony charge, which carries a minimum 120 days in jail, a $10,000 fine, and permanent license revocation. Alaska also keeps DUI offenses on your driving record forever. There is no expiration for these entries.
When a DUI arrest happens, two separate processes begin. The criminal case goes through the court system. A separate administrative revocation of your driver's license happens through the DMV. You receive a 7-day temporary license, and you have 7 days to request a hearing to contest the revocation. Details on this process are at dmv.alaska.gov. If you do not request a hearing in time, the revocation proceeds automatically.
DMV Records and License Revocation Info
The Alaska DMV handles driver's license records separately from court records. A DUI conviction or an administrative revocation both affect your driving record, but through different channels. You can request a copy of your own driving record at dmv.alaska.gov/credential-services/driving-record/. Driving records show license status, revocations, reinstatements, and any DUI-related actions taken by the DMV.
Here is a screenshot of the DMV DUI administrative revocation information page:
This page explains what happens to your license after a DUI arrest and outlines your rights to contest the revocation through an administrative hearing.
To get your license back after a DUI revocation, Alaska requires SR-22 insurance, completion of the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP), and installation of an ignition interlock device (IID). These requirements apply regardless of where in Alaska the DUI occurred. More details on reinstatement are at dmv.alaska.gov/driver-services-adjudication/reinstate-after-dui-breath-test-or-refusal/.
Land and Property Records in Chugach Census Area
Because the census area has no organized borough government, land and property records are handled by the state. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources maintains land records through its online system. You can search state land records at dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/. This is separate from DUI records but relevant if you are researching any asset-related aspects of a DUI case.
The DNR land records portal shows parcel information, land ownership, and related documents for areas within the Unorganized Borough. Here is a view of that system:
This system is useful for confirming property information in areas like Valdez, Cordova, and Whittier where both state and municipal land interests coexist.
Court Forms for DUI Cases
The Alaska Court System publishes standard forms for criminal and DUI-related matters. These forms cover petitions, motions, requests for hearings, and other common needs. You can find them at courts.alaska.gov/forms/index.htm. The forms page is organized by case type, so look under criminal or traffic sections for DUI-related documents.
If you are representing yourself in a DUI case out of the Valdez or Cordova courthouse, these forms are the starting point. The clerk's office can tell you which form applies to your specific situation, but they cannot give legal advice. For legal help, contact Alaska Legal Services Corporation or the Alaska Bar Association referral service.
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Cities and Nearby Areas
The city of Valdez is the main hub in Chugach Census Area. Visit the Valdez DUI Records page for city-specific information on local arrest records and court access.
Nearby census areas and boroughs with their own DUI records pages: