Pasco DUI Records Search

DUI records in Pasco are held by two courts depending on the charge level. The Pasco Municipal Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI cases filed within city limits. Felony DUI cases go to Franklin County Superior Court. Washington's DUI law is found at RCW 46.61.502 and applies statewide, setting the legal BAC limit at 0.08 for most adult drivers. This page explains how to search both courts, request copies of records, and understand how penalties apply in Pasco.

How to Find Pasco DUI Records Online

Washington provides two free portals for searching court records. The Washington Courts District and Municipal search portal covers the Pasco Municipal Court. Search by name, case number, or citation to find misdemeanor DUI cases filed in Pasco. The results show the charge, case status, any upcoming hearings, and the final disposition for closed cases. No account is needed.

The Odyssey Portal covers Franklin County Superior Court, which handles felony DUI cases from Pasco. If you are looking for a fourth-offense DUI or a case that involved serious injury, search Odyssey by party name or case number. Both portals are free and public.

Pasco is one of the Tri-Cities along with Kennewick and Richland, and Franklin County's court system serves the entire area. If you are not sure which court handled a case, start with the municipal portal and then check Odyssey if nothing turns up.

Pasco Municipal Court: Location and Procedures

The Pasco Municipal Court is at 525 N 3rd Ave, Pasco, WA 99301. The clerk's office can be reached at (509) 545-3456. This court handles DUI cases where the arrest was made within Pasco city limits and the charge is filed as a gross misdemeanor. That covers most first, second, and even third DUI offenses depending on the timing of prior convictions.

After a DUI arrest in Pasco, the driver is typically booked into the Franklin County Jail or released with a notice to appear. Arraignment is the first court date. At that hearing, the charge is read and the defendant enters an initial plea, usually "not guilty" to preserve time to review evidence. The case then moves through pretrial hearings. Prosecutors and defense attorneys exchange evidence, including the breath or blood test results, dashcam video, and the officer's report.

Many Pasco DUI cases resolve through a negotiated plea. Some result in a stipulated order of continuance, a deferred outcome that avoids a conviction if the defendant completes certain conditions. Cases that do not resolve go to a bench trial or jury trial depending on the defendant's preference.

Franklin County Superior Court and Felony DUI

Franklin County Superior Court is at 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301. The clerk's office number is (509) 545-3525. When a DUI case exceeds the gross misdemeanor threshold, either because of prior convictions or the involvement of a vulnerable victim, it is charged as a felony and filed in superior court.

A fourth DUI offense within ten years is a Class B felony in Washington. Vehicular assault by DUI and vehicular homicide by DUI are also felonies. These cases involve the full range of felony criminal procedure, including potential jury trials, formal sentencing hearings under the Sentencing Reform Act, and the possibility of state prison time. Superior court records from these cases are part of the public record and searchable through the Odyssey Portal.

DUI Penalties That Apply in Pasco

The penalty framework for DUI in Washington comes from RCW 46.61.5055. These minimums apply to every DUI case in the state, including those in Pasco. For a first offense with a BAC under 0.15, the court must impose at least 24 hours in jail and a $350 base fine. If the BAC was 0.15 or higher or the driver refused the breath test, the minimum is 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine.

Second offense penalties go up sharply. A driver with one prior DUI within seven years faces at least 30 days in jail if the BAC was under 0.15, and 45 days if it was 0.15 or above. Third offense minimums reach 90 days in jail. Courts can allow home monitoring to replace a portion of the jail time, but this is at the judge's discretion.

Beyond jail and fines, every DUI conviction in Washington triggers mandatory ignition interlock device installation, a period of license suspension, and possible alcohol treatment. The actual total cost of a first DUI, including attorney fees, fines, device rental, higher insurance premiums, and license reinstatement fees, commonly runs several thousand dollars even for a minimum-sentence case.

Department of Licensing: License Suspension for Pasco Drivers

In addition to the criminal case in court, a DUI arrest in Pasco triggers an administrative license action by the Washington Department of Licensing. The DOL acts independently of the court. Even if a case is dismissed or results in acquittal, the DOL may still suspend the license based on the breath or blood test result or a test refusal. The DOL DUI Resources page has details on the process.

Pasco drivers have 20 days from the arrest date to request a hearing with the DOL to contest the suspension. If no hearing is requested within that window, the suspension takes effect on day 60 after arrest. Drivers who need to keep driving during a suspension may be able to get an ignition interlock license, which allows limited driving with an installed breath test device.

A DUI conviction also shows up on the driver's abstract, the official driving record kept by the DOL. Insurance companies routinely request these records when setting premiums, and a DUI on the abstract typically leads to a significant rate increase or policy cancellation.

Getting Copies of DUI Records in Pasco

To get records from the Pasco Municipal Court, go to 525 N 3rd Ave or call (509) 545-3456. Have the defendant's full name and the approximate date of the offense, or the case number if you have it. The clerk can print copies at the standard rates: $0.50 per page for plain copies, $5.00 certification plus $1.00 per page for certified copies.

Mail requests are accepted. Write a letter with the subject's name, date of birth, offense date, and your return address. Enclose a check or money order for the estimated fees. Send to Pasco Municipal Court, 525 N 3rd Ave, Pasco, WA 99301. Processing times vary, so call ahead if you are on a deadline.

For Franklin County Superior Court records, contact the clerk at (509) 545-3525 or go to 1016 N 4th Ave. The same copy fees apply. For larger case files with many documents, it may be more practical to visit in person rather than request by mail.

What a DUI Record Contains

A DUI court record is a public file that documents everything that happened in the case. It includes the original complaint or citation, affidavits, minute entries from every hearing, motions filed by either side, any written orders entered, the plea agreement or verdict, and the final sentencing order. If the case went to trial, the transcript of testimony may be available for a separate fee through the court reporter's office.

Some items are not in the public record. Documents sealed by court order, records of juvenile defendants, and the internal records of the prosecutor's office are not public. Vacated convictions may be removed from the searchable index, though a record of the original case often still exists in the court file. Washington does not have automatic expungement for DUI convictions, so most records remain accessible unless specifically vacated by court order.