University Place DUI Records Lookup

DUI records for University Place are maintained by University Place Municipal Court for misdemeanor cases and Pierce County Superior Court for felony charges. University Place is a city in Pierce County near Tacoma, and its municipal court handles cases that arise within city limits. This page explains how to search DUI records, how to get copies, what the penalties are under Washington state law, and what the Department of Licensing does when a DUI arrest is made.

Courts That Handle DUI Cases in University Place

University Place Municipal Court is the primary court for misdemeanor DUI charges within the city. It is located at 3609 Market Pl W, University Place, WA 98466, and can be reached at (253) 460-2570. Charges filed under RCW 46.61.502 for first, second, and third DUI offenses that do not meet the felony threshold are heard here. The court is also where hearings on deferred prosecution applications are initially handled for misdemeanor-level cases.

Felony DUI cases go to Pierce County Superior Court at 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402, phone (253) 798-7440. Under Washington law, a fourth or subsequent DUI within ten years is a class B felony. So is a DUI when the defendant has a prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction. These cases are serious, and the Superior Court maintains full public records of all proceedings.

Incidents that happen in unincorporated Pierce County close to University Place may go to Pierce County District Court instead of the municipal court. The online search portals cover both, so if you are not sure which court handled a specific case, you can check both systems quickly.

How to Find DUI Records Online

Washington offers two public portals for searching court records at no charge. University Place Municipal Court records are in the Washington Courts public search. This portal indexes district and municipal courts statewide. You can search by name, date of birth, or case number. The results include the charges filed, court dates, and dispositions.

Pierce County Superior Court records are available through the Odyssey Portal. This covers all Washington superior courts and lets you search by name or case number without an account. You can view case summaries and hearing information. Detailed documents, such as the charging papers or sentencing orders, may require a formal request and a copy fee.

Search by the full legal name of the person you are looking for. For common names, a date of birth or approximate year of the case can help narrow results. Both portals work on computers and mobile devices, and searches are free. There may be a short delay between a court event and when it appears online.

Washington DUI Penalties

Under RCW 46.61.5055, DUI penalties in Washington are mandatory minimums that courts cannot go below. The law distinguishes between cases with a BAC below 0.15 and those with a BAC at 0.15 or higher, or where the driver refused a breath test. That threshold matters because the higher category comes with tougher minimums.

A first DUI offense with a BAC under 0.15 requires a minimum of 24 hours in jail and a fine of at least $350. A BAC of 0.15 or higher, or a breath test refusal, raises the minimum to 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. Judges regularly add requirements on top of those minimums, including an ignition interlock device, an alcohol evaluation, and enrollment in a treatment program if the evaluation recommends it.

Second offenses require at least 30 days in jail combined with 60 days of electronic home monitoring. Third offenses trigger a minimum of 90 days in jail plus 120 days of home monitoring. Once a person accumulates a fourth DUI within ten years, the charge becomes a class B felony in Superior Court. Felony DUI convictions can mean up to ten years in state prison, fines of $20,000 or more, and a long period of license revocation.

Aggravating factors in University Place cases include having a passenger under 16, causing a collision, or showing a very high BAC reading. These can lead to additional charges or longer sentences beyond the statutory minimums.

Requesting DUI Record Copies

To get paper copies of records from University Place Municipal Court, go in person to 3609 Market Pl W or send a written records request by mail. The standard copy fee is $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per page after that. Call (253) 460-2570 before you visit to confirm current hours and fees.

For Pierce County Superior Court records, contact the clerk's office at 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402, or call (253) 798-7440. Bring valid photo ID if you go in person. Mail requests should include the full name of the party, any known case numbers, the approximate date of the case, and payment by check or money order. Ask the clerk what form of payment is accepted when you call ahead.

License history records, including DUI-related suspensions, are held by the Washington Department of Licensing. You can order a driving record through the DOL website for $13. This shows any suspensions, revocations, or ignition interlock requirements tied to a DUI case.

License Suspension After a DUI Arrest

A DUI arrest in University Place starts two separate processes at the same time. The criminal case goes to court. The Department of Licensing starts a separate administrative review to suspend or revoke the driver's license. These two processes run on different tracks and each has its own rules and timelines.

Drivers have 60 days from the date of arrest to request a DOL hearing. If that window passes without a hearing request, the suspension takes effect automatically. A first offense with a BAC below 0.15 results in a 90-day suspension. A BAC of 0.15 or higher, or a breath test refusal, means a one-year suspension. A second offense can mean a two-year revocation.

An ignition interlock license is available to some drivers during a suspension. This limited license allows driving as long as a breath test device is installed in the vehicle and operational at all times. The driver pays for device rental and monitoring. All conditions must be met, or the interlock license can be revoked and the original suspension reinstated.

Pierce County Resources for University Place DUI Cases

University Place Municipal Court at (253) 460-2570 can answer questions about hearings, case status, and records requests. Pierce County Superior Court at (253) 798-7440 handles felony-level inquiries. If you need legal help, Northwest Justice Project provides free civil legal aid to low-income Pierce County residents. The Pierce County Bar Association offers attorney referrals for those seeking private DUI defense counsel.

For broader Pierce County court information, including courts serving Tacoma and Spanaway, visit the Pierce County DUI Records page. Nearby city pages include Tacoma and Spanaway.