Yakima DUI Records Search

DUI records for Yakima are maintained by Yakima Municipal Court for misdemeanor charges and Yakima County Superior Court for felony cases. Yakima is one of the larger cities in central Washington and a regional hub in Yakima County. This page explains how to search DUI records using the state's free public portals, how to get paper copies of court documents, what penalties Washington law requires for DUI convictions, and what the Department of Licensing does after a DUI arrest.

Courts That Handle DUI in Yakima

Yakima Municipal Court is the court for misdemeanor DUI charges that occur within city limits. It is located at 200 S 3rd St, Yakima, WA 98901, and can be reached at (509) 575-6070. Washington's DUI statute, RCW 46.61.502, defines what counts as driving under the influence and sets the blood alcohol limits. The legal limit is 0.08 for most drivers, 0.04 for those with commercial driver's licenses, and 0.02 for anyone under age 21. First, second, and third DUI offenses without felony-level factors are handled at the municipal court.

Yakima County Superior Court is the court for felony DUI cases. It is located at 128 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA 98901, and can be reached at (509) 574-1430. A DUI becomes a class B felony in Washington when someone has four or more prior DUI convictions within the last ten years or has a prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction on their record. These cases are handled in Superior Court, and the records are public.

DUI arrests in unincorporated parts of Yakima County outside city limits go to Yakima County District Court, not the municipal court. The online search tools cover both court systems, so you can locate a record regardless of which court it was filed in.

Searching DUI Records in Yakima

Washington gives the public free access to court records through two separate portals. For Yakima Municipal Court and Yakima County District Court records, use the Washington Courts public search. This portal covers all district and municipal courts in the state. You can search by full legal name, date of birth, or case number. The system shows charges, court dates, and case outcomes without any fee.

For Yakima County Superior Court records, including felony DUI cases, use the Odyssey Portal. This covers superior courts statewide. No account is needed to run a search. Case summaries, party names, and charge descriptions are publicly available. Full court documents, like the charging information or sentencing orders, may require a formal records request and payment of a copy fee.

Search by the party's full legal name for the best results. If the name is common, add a date of birth or approximate year of the case to narrow down the results. Both portals are accessible on any device, do not require registration, and are free to use for basic searches. There may be a short delay between a court event and when it shows up online.

DUI Penalties in Washington

Washington's mandatory DUI penalty structure is set out in RCW 46.61.5055. The law creates mandatory minimums that courts across the state, including Yakima, must follow. No judge can sentence below these minimums. The law separates cases based on whether the blood alcohol content was below 0.15 or at and above that level, and whether the driver refused a breath test.

A first offense DUI with a BAC below 0.15 carries a minimum of 24 hours in jail and a fine of no less than $350. For a BAC of 0.15 or higher, or a breath test refusal, the minimums jump to 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. On top of those minimums, Yakima Municipal Court commonly requires an ignition interlock device for the car, an alcohol evaluation, and completion of any treatment program the evaluation recommends.

Second DUI convictions require at least 30 days in jail and 60 days of electronic home monitoring. Third convictions mean a minimum of 90 days in jail and 120 days of home monitoring. Both are mandatory and cannot be reduced by the court. A fourth DUI within ten years upgrades the charge to a class B felony. Felony DUI convictions can result in up to ten years in state prison and fines that may top $20,000 when all fees and assessments are included.

Yakima courts also consider any aggravating factors present at the time of the DUI. Having a passenger under 16, driving well above the speed limit while impaired, or causing injury to another person can all result in enhanced charges or a longer sentence than the statutory minimums.

How to Get Copies of DUI Records

To get physical copies of records from Yakima Municipal Court, visit the court at 200 S 3rd St or send a written request by mail. Standard copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $1 for each page after that. Call (509) 575-6070 before visiting to confirm current hours and any changes to fees.

For records from Yakima County Superior Court, contact the clerk's office at 128 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA 98901, or call (509) 574-1430. Bring a valid photo ID if you appear in person. Written requests by mail should include the party's full name, any known case numbers, approximate dates, and payment by check or money order. Call ahead to confirm what payment forms are accepted and to get an estimate of the total cost.

For license history information related to a DUI, including suspension dates and any ignition interlock requirements, contact the Washington Department of Licensing. A driving record can be ordered online through the DOL for $13. This is separate from the court record and shows the administrative actions the DOL took in response to the DUI arrest or conviction.

License Suspension After a Yakima DUI

A DUI arrest in Yakima triggers two processes running at the same time. The criminal case goes to court. The Department of Licensing, separately, begins an administrative action to suspend or revoke the driver's license. These two tracks are independent, meaning the license suspension can happen even if the criminal case is later dismissed or reduced.

The driver has 60 days from the date of arrest to request a DOL hearing to contest the suspension. Not requesting a hearing in time means the suspension takes effect automatically. For a first offense with a BAC below 0.15, the suspension lasts 90 days. A BAC of 0.15 or higher, or a refusal to take a breath test, results in a one-year suspension. A second offense can lead to a two-year revocation.

During a suspension, an ignition interlock license may be available through the DOL. This allows driving with a breath test device installed in the vehicle. The driver pays for all rental and monitoring costs. All conditions of the interlock license must be met, or the license can be pulled and the original suspension reinstated.

Yakima County Resources

Yakima Municipal Court at (509) 575-6070 can help with questions about hearing dates, case status, and records requests. Yakima County Superior Court at (509) 574-1430 handles felony-level questions. Legal aid for income-eligible Yakima County residents is available through Northwest Justice Project, which has a regional office serving central and eastern Washington. The Yakima County Bar Association can provide referrals to DUI defense attorneys for those who need private legal representation.

For a broader look at all DUI records and courts in Yakima County, visit the Yakima County DUI Records page.