Auburn DUI Records Search
Auburn DUI records come from two court systems depending on the charge. Misdemeanor DUI cases filed within Auburn city limits go through Auburn Municipal Court, located at 25 W Main St. Felony DUI charges, which apply to a fourth or subsequent offense within ten years, move to King County Superior Court in Seattle. This page explains how to find case records in both courts, what those records contain, how Washington law defines DUI, and what steps to take when you need copies of court documents or want to check a driver's license suspension.
Auburn Overview
How to Search Auburn DUI Records Online
There are two main portals for finding DUI records in Auburn. The Washington Courts public access site at dw.courts.wa.gov covers district and municipal court cases, including those filed at Auburn Municipal Court. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The results show party names, charge descriptions, case status, and hearing dates. This is the right place to start for misdemeanor DUI cases.
Felony DUI cases go to King County Superior Court. Those records appear on the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. That system lets you search by name or case number. It shows filings, docket entries, and case outcomes for superior court matters. Both portals are free to use and open to the public.
To run a search on either portal, you need at least one of these:
- The full name of the defendant
- A case number from a citation or court notice
- The approximate filing year
Results from both portals are informational. They show case history and current status, but they are not certified copies. If you need certified documents for legal, employment, or immigration purposes, you must request them directly from the court clerk.
Auburn Municipal Court
Auburn Municipal Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases that occur within Auburn city limits. Most first, second, and third DUI offenses are gross misdemeanors under Washington law, so they land here. The court shares a building with other city offices in downtown Auburn.
Auburn Municipal Court is located at 25 W Main St, Auburn, WA 98001. Call (253) 931-3060 with questions about cases or records requests. Search cases online at dw.courts.wa.gov.
The court keeps records of all DUI arraignments, pre-trial hearings, motions, plea agreements, and sentencing orders. When a case is resolved, the file includes the final judgment and sentence. If probation was ordered, the court file will note those terms. These are the documents most commonly requested for background checks or license reinstatement purposes.
Auburn sits partly in Pierce County as well, though the bulk of the city falls within King County. If you are unsure which county applies to a specific address, the municipal court can help clarify which jurisdiction processed the case.
Felony DUI Cases: King County Superior Court
A DUI becomes a Class B felony in Washington when the driver has three or more prior DUI offenses within the last ten years. It also becomes a felony if the driver has a prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction on record. These cases go to King County Superior Court, not Auburn Municipal Court.
King County Superior Court handles felony DUI cases from Auburn. The court is located at 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Call (206) 296-9300 with questions, or visit the court website at kingcounty.gov/courts/SuperiorCourt. Search cases online at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov.
King County Superior Court records are fully public unless a judge orders them sealed. You can search on the Odyssey Portal by name or case number. If you need certified copies of felony DUI records, contact the Superior Court Clerk's office directly. Staff can assist with records requests by phone or in person.
Washington DUI Law and Penalties
Washington defines DUI under RCW 46.61.502. A person commits DUI by driving a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any other drug. The legal limit is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08. For cannabis, the threshold is 5.00 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. Commercial drivers face a stricter limit of 0.04 BAC.
Penalties are set in RCW 46.61.5055. For a first offense with a BAC under 0.15, the minimum sentence is 24 hours in jail and a $350 fine. If the BAC is 0.15 or higher, or if the driver refused the breath test, the minimum goes up to 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. Second offenses bring a minimum of 30 days in jail plus 60 days of electronic home monitoring and a $500 fine. Each additional offense within the ten-year lookback period increases the mandatory minimums. Courts can also order ignition interlock devices, substance abuse evaluations, and treatment programs.
A DUI conviction stays on your Washington driving record permanently. The Department of Licensing also imposes a separate administrative license suspension. That suspension is triggered when you fail or refuse a breath test at the time of arrest, independent of what happens in court.
What DUI Records Contain
Court records for a DUI case typically include the charging document, which spells out the exact statute and the facts alleged. You will also find the arrest report summary, any motions filed by the attorneys, the court's rulings on those motions, and the final judgment and sentence. In contested cases there may also be transcripts of hearings or trial proceedings.
These records are public under RCW 42.56, Washington's Public Records Act. Most case information is viewable online. Physical court files held by the clerk contain everything from the case, including documents that may not appear in the online docket.
Some records can be restricted. Juvenile DUI cases are generally sealed. Deferred prosecution records may also be handled differently. If you search for a case and find nothing, it could mean the case was sealed, the charges were dismissed before filing, or the person was cited in a different jurisdiction.
How to Get Copies of Auburn DUI Records
For municipal court records, contact Auburn Municipal Court at (253) 931-3060. You can request copies in person during court hours or submit a written request. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. The court may charge a small fee for staff time on large or older records requests.
For King County Superior Court felony records, contact the clerk's office at the King County Courthouse. The same copy fees apply. You can also submit a public records request by mail. Include the defendant's full name, approximate case year, and the specific documents you need. Processing times vary, but most requests are filled within a few business days for straightforward cases.
If you need a court record for a background check, ask specifically for a certified copy of the judgment and sentence. That document shows the conviction, the charge, and the conditions of sentencing. Employers and licensing agencies usually accept this format.
License Suspension Records
A DUI arrest in Auburn can result in two separate proceedings: the criminal case in court and an administrative license action by the Washington Department of Licensing. These are independent of each other. You can win the criminal case and still lose your license through the DOL process, or vice versa.
The DOL maintains records of all license suspensions, revocations, and reinstatements. You can check the status of any Washington driver's license through the DOL's online services or by calling the DOL directly. The DOL's DUI resources page at dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/duiresources.html explains the suspension timelines and what is required for reinstatement, including SR-22 insurance and ignition interlock requirements.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Auburn and also have DUI records processed through Washington court systems.
King County DUI Records
Auburn falls within King County. For full information on the county-level court system, including the Superior Court Clerk and county-wide resources, visit the King County DUI records page.