Search Seattle DUI Records
Seattle DUI records are split between two courts. Gross misdemeanor DUI cases from within city limits go to Seattle Municipal Court, the largest municipal court in Washington. Felony DUI cases involving a fourth or higher offense within ten years are handled by King County Superior Court. Both courts have public records portals you can search online at no cost.
Seattle Overview
How to Search Seattle DUI Records Online
Two portals cover Seattle DUI cases. Seattle Municipal Court runs its own public case search at courtrecords.seattle.gov. That's where you find misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI cases handled by the municipal court. The search is free and requires no account. You can search by defendant name or case number. Results show the charge, hearing dates, and current case status.
For felony DUI cases in King County Superior Court, use the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. Felony DUI applies when a defendant has four or more DUI offenses within a ten-year window, or has a prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault on record. Search by name or case number. The portal shows filing dates, charges, hearings, and case outcomes. Neither portal issues certified copies. Those require a direct request to the court clerk.
Things to keep in mind:
- If a name search returns nothing, try just the last name or last name plus first initial.
- Cases filed before each portal launched may require an in-person records request.
- A DUI stop near a city border may have been filed in a different court than you expect.
Seattle Municipal Court
Seattle Municipal Court is the busiest municipal court in Washington State. It handles DUI charges where the offense took place on Seattle roads or within city boundaries. First, second, and third DUI offenses are gross misdemeanors. The court also handles DUI cases involving impairment by cannabis or other substances, and cases involving drivers under 21.
Seattle Municipal Court is at 600 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Call (206) 684-5600 for records and case questions. The public records portal is at courtrecords.seattle.gov. Court records include the charging document, all motions and responses, any plea agreement, sentencing orders, and probation conditions. Deferred prosecution agreements also appear in the public file. Under deferred prosecution, a defendant enters a treatment program in exchange for potential dismissal after two years of compliance.
Staff at Seattle Municipal Court can answer questions about what records are available and how to request copies. Call during normal business hours or visit the court in person. Bring a valid photo ID, especially if requesting records about yourself.
Felony DUI at King County Superior Court
When a Seattle DUI qualifies as a felony, it moves to King County Superior Court. This happens on a fourth or subsequent offense within the ten-year lookback period set by RCW 46.61.502. A prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction can also trigger felony status. Felony DUI is a Class B felony in Washington.
King County Superior Court is at 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Call (206) 296-9300 to reach the Superior Court Clerk. Search felony cases through the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. Felony DUI penalties under RCW 46.61.5055 can include up to ten years in prison and fines up to $20,000. Courts also impose long-term license revocations and ignition interlock requirements for felony DUI.
Washington DUI Law as It Applies in Seattle
Washington's DUI statute is RCW 46.61.502. Under that law, it is illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any other intoxicating substance. The legal BAC limit is 0.08 for most adult drivers. For cannabis, the per se threshold is 5.00 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. Drivers under 21 face stricter limits. Commercial drivers have a 0.04 BAC limit.
Penalties are in RCW 46.61.5055. Mandatory minimums apply to every DUI conviction. For a first offense with BAC under 0.15, the minimum is 24 hours in jail and a $350 fine. If the BAC was 0.15 or higher, or the driver refused a breath test, the minimum rises to 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. Second offenses require at least 30 days in jail plus 60 days of electronic home monitoring. Courts can add probation, community service, and treatment on top of the mandatory minimums.
What Is in a Seattle DUI Record
A DUI case file at Seattle Municipal Court includes the police report summary, the formal charging document, all motions and responses filed by both sides, and the final judgment and sentence. If the case went to trial, the record may include jury instructions and the verdict form. Plea agreements and sentencing orders are in the file. All of it is part of the public record.
These records are public under RCW 42.56. Washington's Public Records Act gives any person the right to request and receive copies of public records from government agencies. You do not need to explain why you want them. Fees apply for copies. Juvenile records are sealed. Records in active investigations may be withheld. If a conviction was vacated or expunged, those records are handled separately from the general public file.
Requesting Copies of DUI Records
To get copies from Seattle Municipal Court, call (206) 684-5600 or visit 600 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Bring the defendant's name, the case number if available, and a photo ID if requesting records about yourself. Plain copy fees are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Most requests are processed the same day or within a few business days.
For King County Superior Court felony DUI records, contact the clerk at (206) 296-9300 or visit 516 Third Ave in Seattle. The same fee schedule applies. You can also send a written public records request by mail. Include as much information as possible about the case to help staff find the right file.
DOL License Suspension Records
A DUI arrest in Seattle triggers two separate tracks. The court handles the criminal charge. The Department of Licensing runs an administrative suspension process that operates independently of the court. A driver can beat the criminal charge and still lose their license through the DOL process based on the breath test result or refusal at the time of arrest.
The DOL maintains records of all license actions including suspensions, revocations, and reinstatements. The DOL's DUI resources page at dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/duiresources.html covers suspension timelines, reinstatement steps, SR-22 insurance requirements, and ignition interlock device rules. Reinstatement after a DUI suspension requires meeting all DOL conditions before the license is restored.
King County DUI Records
Seattle is in King County. Felony DUI cases and cases from unincorporated areas of the county go through King County Superior Court and District Court. For county-level court information and resources, visit the King County DUI records page.
Nearby Cities
These cities near Seattle also process DUI cases through Washington's court system.