Parkland DUI Records Lookup

Parkland is an unincorporated community in Pierce County with no municipal court of its own, so DUI cases from the area are handled by Pierce County District Court for misdemeanor charges and Pierce County Superior Court for felonies. Washington state law at RCW 46.61.502 governs DUI charges statewide, setting a 0.08 BAC legal limit for most adult drivers. This page covers where to search for Parkland DUI records, how to get copies, and what the penalties look like under state law.

How to Search Parkland DUI Records

The Washington Courts District and Municipal search portal covers Pierce County District Court, which is where most Parkland DUI cases are filed. You can search by the defendant's name, a case number, or a citation number. The system returns charge information, case status, scheduled hearings, and dispositions for closed cases. The search is free and does not require an account.

The Odyssey Portal covers Pierce County Superior Court. Use this if you are looking for a felony DUI case. Felony DUIs from Parkland move to superior court when the driver has four or more prior DUI offenses within ten years. Odyssey searches by party name or case number and returns case details including hearing schedules and judgment records.

If you do not find the record online, it may be sealed or may predate digital records. Contact the court clerk's office for older or restricted case files.

Pierce County District Court: The Court for Parkland DUI Cases

Pierce County District Court, located at 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402, handles DUI cases from all unincorporated areas of Pierce County, which includes Parkland. The clerk's office can be reached at (253) 798-3333. This court processes the full range of misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI charges, from the initial arraignment through final disposition.

Most DUI arrests in Parkland result in a citation or booking at the Pierce County Jail, followed by release with a notice to appear for arraignment. At arraignment, the charge is formally read and the defendant enters a plea. From there, the case goes through one or more pretrial conferences. Defense attorneys and prosecutors use this time to exchange evidence and work toward a resolution. If no agreement is reached, the case is set for trial.

Deferred prosecution is an option for some Parkland DUI defendants. This is a two-year program involving alcohol or drug treatment, and if completed successfully, the DUI charge is dismissed. It counts as a prior offense if the driver is ever charged with DUI again, so it is a significant decision.

Pierce County Superior Court and Felony DUI

Pierce County Superior Court is at the same address as the District Court: 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402. The Superior Court clerk can be reached at (253) 798-7440. This court handles felony DUI cases from throughout Pierce County, including Parkland.

A felony DUI in Washington is a Class B felony. The sentencing range depends on the defendant's criminal history score under the Sentencing Reform Act. Even at the low end, a felony DUI can mean months in state prison rather than the local jail. Fines, license revocation, and extended supervision follow the prison term. These cases are fully public and searchable through the Odyssey Portal.

Washington DUI Penalties: What Parkland Cases Face

Penalties for DUI in Washington are set by RCW 46.61.5055. Courts are required to impose at least the statutory minimums, though they can go higher. For a first offense with a BAC under 0.15, the minimum is 24 hours in jail and a $350 base fine. If the BAC was 0.15 or above, or if the driver refused the breath test, the minimum jumps to 48 hours and a $500 fine.

Second offense penalties are steeper. A second DUI within seven years means at least 30 days in jail for a BAC under 0.15, and 45 days for a BAC of 0.15 or above. Fines start at $500 for a second offense. Courts can substitute electronic home monitoring for a portion of the jail time, but it is not automatic. An ignition interlock device is also required on the vehicle.

Third offense DUIs in Pierce County carry at least 90 days in jail. At that point, judges in Tacoma and the surrounding area tend to impose sentences well above the minimums, particularly for drivers with a history of alcohol-related offenses. By the fourth offense, the charge is a felony and jail time gives way to state prison sentencing guidelines.

License Suspensions and the Department of Licensing

Every DUI arrest in Parkland kicks off an administrative process at the Washington Department of Licensing separate from the criminal case. The DOL can and does suspend driver's licenses independently of what the court decides. Failing or refusing a breath test results in an automatic suspension unless the driver requests a hearing within 20 days of arrest. The DOL DUI Resources page covers the full process.

During a suspension, an ignition interlock license may be available. This lets the driver operate a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device during the suspension period, which can be critical for those who need to drive to work. Reinstating a regular license after a DUI suspension requires completing all court-ordered requirements, paying reinstatement fees to the DOL, and maintaining an ignition interlock device for the required period.

Getting Copies of DUI Records from Pierce County

To get records from Pierce County District Court, go to 930 Tacoma Ave S or call (253) 798-3333. The clerk can pull up the file with a name and date of offense, or with the case number. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for plain copies and $5.00 plus $1.00 per page for certified copies. Most people can get copies the same day they visit.

Mail requests are accepted. Write out a request with the defendant's full name, date of birth, approximate date of the offense, and your return address. Include payment for the estimated copy fee. Send to Pierce County District Court, 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402. The court will process the request and send copies when ready.

For superior court records related to a felony DUI, contact the Superior Court Clerk at (253) 798-7440, same address. Superior court files are typically larger and may take longer to pull. Plan ahead if you need certified copies by a specific date.

What Is in a DUI Court Record

A DUI court file is a complete public record of a criminal case. It opens with the charging document and includes every motion, minute entry, and order entered during the case. The plea agreement or trial verdict is part of the file, along with the final sentence. Probation conditions, treatment requirements, and ignition interlock orders all appear in the sentencing documents.

What is excluded from the public file: documents sealed by court order, juvenile records, and records of vacated convictions that have been removed from the index. Washington does not automatically seal DUI records after a period of time. Vacation is possible but requires a formal court petition and strict eligibility criteria.