Find DUI Records in Pullman

Pullman DUI records are filed in two courts based on the charge level. The Pullman Municipal Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI cases within city limits, while Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax takes over for felony charges. Washington state law under RCW 46.61.502 sets the legal BAC limit at 0.08 for most adult drivers, with stricter limits for commercial drivers and anyone under 21. This page covers how to search both courts, obtain copies of records, and understand the penalty framework that applies to Pullman DUI cases.

Searching Pullman DUI Records Online

Washington offers two main online portals for court record searches. The Washington Courts District and Municipal search portal covers the Pullman Municipal Court. You can search by name, case number, or citation number. The portal returns case status, charge information, scheduled hearings, and dispositions. It is free and requires no account.

For felony DUI cases that moved to Whitman County Superior Court, use the Odyssey Portal. This statewide system covers all superior courts and allows searches by party name or case number. Pullman is home to Washington State University, and the city has a higher volume of DUI activity than similarly sized towns. Both portals get regular updates, so recent case information is generally current.

If a case does not appear in either system, it may be sealed or may predate electronic records. Older records from the 1990s and early 2000s may only exist in paper form at the court clerk's office.

Pullman Municipal Court: Contact and Case Process

The Pullman Municipal Court is at 325 SE Paradise St, Pullman, WA 99163. The clerk can be reached at (509) 338-3285. This court handles all DUI cases where the arrest occurred within Pullman city limits and the charge is filed as a gross misdemeanor, which covers most first, second, and some third offense DUI charges depending on the timing of prior convictions.

DUI arrests in Pullman typically result in booking at the Pullman Police Department or the Whitman County Jail, followed by arraignment. The first court date is the arraignment, where the charge is formally read. From there, the case goes through pretrial proceedings. The prosecutor and defense attorney review the evidence, including the breath test results, officer's report, and any video from the traffic stop.

Pullman Municipal Court also handles DUI cases involving WSU students, though those cases are no different procedurally from any other adult DUI case. The university's student conduct process operates separately and in addition to the criminal case in court. Many students find themselves dealing with both simultaneously, which can be complicated.

Copy fees at Pullman Municipal Court match the statewide standard: $0.50 per page for plain copies, $5.00 certification plus $1.00 per page for certified copies.

Whitman County Superior Court: Felony DUI Cases

Whitman County Superior Court handles felony DUI cases from Pullman and the rest of Whitman County. The court is located in Colfax at 400 N Main St, Colfax, WA 99111. The clerk can be reached at (509) 397-5240. Colfax is about 20 miles from Pullman, so felony defendants and their attorneys have to travel to the county seat for their hearings.

Under Washington law, a fourth or subsequent DUI within ten years is a Class B felony. Vehicular assault by DUI, which involves injury to another person, is also a felony. These cases are prosecuted by the Whitman County Prosecutor's Office and go through the full felony criminal procedure, including grand jury indictment in some cases, formal discovery, and sentencing under the Sentencing Reform Act. Felony DUI records from Whitman County are searchable through the Odyssey Portal.

DUI Penalties Under Washington Law

The penalty statute for DUI in Washington is RCW 46.61.5055. It sets mandatory minimums that apply in every county, including Whitman. For a first offense DUI with a BAC under 0.15, the law requires at least 24 hours in jail and a $350 base fine. If the BAC was 0.15 or above, or the driver refused the breath test, the minimum is 48 hours in jail and $500.

Second offenses bring steeper penalties. A second DUI within seven years means a minimum of 30 days in jail for BAC under 0.15, and 45 days for BAC of 0.15 or above. By the third offense, the jail minimum reaches 90 days. Courts frequently impose electronic home monitoring as a substitute for part of the jail sentence, though this is at the judge's discretion and is not available in every case.

All DUI convictions in Washington also carry mandatory ignition interlock device requirements. The device is installed on the vehicle and requires the driver to pass a breath test before the car will start. Courts order these for defined periods based on the number of prior offenses. Treatment programs, alcohol evaluation, and victim impact panels are also common conditions of DUI sentencing in Whitman County.

Underage DUI and WSU Students in Pullman

Washington law applies stricter BAC rules to drivers under 21. Under the minor DUI statute, a driver under 21 can be charged if their BAC is 0.02 or higher. This is far below the adult threshold of 0.08. The charge for a minor DUI is separate from the standard DUI statute, but it still results in a court case and a DOL action.

Pullman's large student population means the Pullman Municipal Court sees a significant number of minor DUI cases, especially during weekends and major university events. These cases are handled in municipal court just like adult DUI cases. A minor DUI conviction can affect a student's financial aid, campus housing eligibility, and in some cases academic standing, in addition to the criminal penalties.

Students who face DUI charges in Pullman should be aware that the university's conduct process and the municipal court case are independent. Resolving one does not resolve the other. Both must be addressed separately.

DOL Actions and License Suspensions for Pullman Drivers

A DUI arrest in Pullman triggers two separate processes: the criminal case in court and an administrative action by the Washington Department of Licensing. The DOL can suspend a driver's license based on a failed or refused breath test, regardless of how the court case turns out. Details are available at the DOL DUI Resources page.

Pullman drivers have 20 days from the arrest date to request a DOL hearing. If no hearing is requested, the suspension takes effect automatically. During a suspension, an ignition interlock license may be available for essential driving. Reinstating a regular license requires completing all court-ordered conditions and paying a reinstatement fee to the DOL.

Getting Copies of DUI Records from Pullman Courts

For records from the Pullman Municipal Court, visit 325 SE Paradise St or call (509) 338-3285. The clerk can locate the case by name and approximate date, or by case number. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5.00 for the certification plus $1.00 per page. In-person requests are usually handled the same day.

Mail requests to Pullman Municipal Court at the same address. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth, approximate date of the offense, and your return address. Enclose a check or money order for the estimated fees. The court will mail copies once processed.

For Whitman County Superior Court records, contact the clerk in Colfax at (509) 397-5240, or write to 400 N Main St, Colfax, WA 99111. Superior court records for felony cases can be more extensive. If you need a large file, calling ahead to get an estimate of the copy cost is a good idea before submitting a mail request.