Find DUI Records in Benton County

Benton County DUI records are distributed across three court systems: superior court for felony cases, district court for misdemeanor arrests in unincorporated areas, and municipal courts in Kennewick and Richland. This page explains how to search each system, what records are available, and how DUI laws apply throughout Benton County in southeastern Washington.

Benton County Superior Court DUI Records

Felony DUI cases in Benton County are filed in Benton County Superior Court in Prosser. Superior court is where a DUI charge goes when the defendant has a fourth or subsequent offense within 10 years, making it a Class B felony under RCW 46.61.502. Superior court also handles any appeals from district court convictions. Benton County participates in the Odyssey Portal, which allows free public searching of superior court case records by name or case number.

Records available through the Odyssey Portal include the charging information, arraignment dates, pre-trial motion filings, plea or verdict, and sentencing order. If the case involved a DUI with injury or other felony enhancements, those appear in the case file as well. Certified copies of documents from superior court cost $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Plain copies are $0.50 per page. Submit records requests to the Benton County Superior Court Clerk in Prosser either in person or by mail.

Searching the Odyssey Portal for Benton County returns case details including charge descriptions, disposition, and any active court conditions tied to a DUI conviction.

Benton County District Court DUI Records

Benton County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI cases for arrests in unincorporated parts of the county. This includes rural areas, agricultural zones, and communities outside the city limits of Kennewick and Richland. District court records can be searched through the Washington Courts public portal at no cost. The portal returns case information including charges, court dates, and dispositions.

Under RCW 46.61.5055, a first DUI offense with BAC under 0.15 carries a minimum of 24 hours in jail and a $350 fine. A BAC of 0.15 or higher, or a refusal to test, pushes the minimum to 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. Second and third offenses carry progressively longer jail minimums, electronic home monitoring requirements, and higher fines. Benton County District Court sentences within these statutory minimums while the judge has discretion on amounts above the floor.

For physical control charges under RCW 46.61.504, district court applies the same penalty schedule as DUI. Physical control cases appear in the same court records systems.

Kennewick Municipal Court DUI Records

DUI arrests within Kennewick city limits are handled by Kennewick Municipal Court. Kennewick is the most populous city in Benton County and generates a significant share of the county's total DUI caseload. Municipal courts handle misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI charges for events that occur inside city boundaries. Kennewick Municipal Court records are separate from the district court records and from the superior court Odyssey Portal.

To search Kennewick Municipal Court DUI records, contact the court directly or check their online case access tools if available. Municipal court clerks can provide case information, hearing schedules, and document copies on request. Standard copy fees apply. For a comprehensive Benton County DUI records search, you should check the Odyssey Portal for superior court, the Washington Courts portal for district court, and Kennewick Municipal Court separately.

Richland Municipal Court DUI Records

DUI arrests in Richland go through Richland Municipal Court. Richland is home to the Hanford Site area and has its own municipal court for traffic and criminal matters occurring within city limits. Like Kennewick Municipal Court, Richland Municipal Court handles misdemeanor DUI as a gross misdemeanor under Washington law. Cases that become felonies due to prior offense history are transferred to Benton County Superior Court.

Richland Municipal Court records are not accessible through the statewide Odyssey or Washington Courts portals. Contact the Richland Municipal Court clerk directly for case information or records requests. Provide the defendant's name, date of birth if known, and any case number you have. Court staff can confirm whether a case is in their system and what documents are available for public inspection.

Because Benton County has two active municipal courts, a thorough search of Benton County DUI records requires checking all three court systems: superior court, district court, and both municipal courts. No single portal covers all four at once.

Washington DUI Law in Benton County Context

Washington's DUI statute at RCW 46.61.502 sets the legal limit at 0.08 BAC or 5.00 ng/mL THC within two hours of driving. A charge can also result from simply being under the influence regardless of measured levels. Benton County, as part of the Tri-Cities metropolitan area, has more traffic volume than many Washington counties of similar geography. State Patrol, county sheriff, and city police all make DUI arrests here, with cases routed to whichever court has jurisdiction based on where the arrest occurred.

Benton County is among the larger Washington counties by population, with close to 207,000 residents. The county's court systems process a substantial volume of DUI cases annually. The fact that three separate court systems handle DUI matters in the county means that searching for DUI records requires more steps here than in smaller, single-court counties.

DOL License Suspension and Benton County DUI Arrests

A DUI arrest in Benton County, whether in Kennewick, Richland, or an unincorporated area, triggers the Washington Department of Licensing's administrative suspension process. Under RCW 46.20.308, the implied consent law requires drivers to submit to breath or blood testing. Refusing to test results in a minimum one-year license revocation. Testing above the legal limit also leads to administrative suspension.

The driver has seven days from the arrest date to request a DOL hearing to contest the suspension. The hearing fee is $375. Without a timely hearing request, the right to contest the administrative suspension is lost. The administrative suspension starts 30 days after the arrest, separate from any court-ordered suspension that begins 45 days after a conviction notice is sent to DOL. Details are available on the DOL DUI suspension page.

Drivers facing suspension may qualify for an Ignition Interlock Driver License under RCW 46.20.720. This restricted license allows driving during suspension with a certified interlock device. The DOL charges $21 per month for monitoring. Device installation and calibration costs are separate expenses paid to the vendor.

Deferred Prosecution in Benton County DUI Cases

Benton County District Court and the municipal courts have authority to grant deferred prosecution under RCW 10.05.010. The defendant must have an alcohol or drug dependency diagnosis and must complete a court-supervised two-year treatment program. Successful completion leads to case dismissal. Prior to January 1, 2026, deferred prosecution was available only once per lifetime. The updated law allows a second deferred prosecution under specific conditions beginning that date.

Even with successful deferred prosecution, the court record remains public. Records of the arrest and the deferred prosecution agreement can be found in the relevant court system. This is something to keep in mind when searching Benton County DUI records, as a deferred prosecution case looks different from a conviction but still shows up in the record.

WATCH Criminal History and Benton County DUI Convictions

Washington's WATCH system operated by the State Patrol allows public searches of criminal conviction history for $10. A WATCH search returns DUI convictions from all Washington counties including Benton. It shows final convictions only, not arrests, pending charges, or dismissed cases. For active or non-conviction records, the Odyssey Portal and Washington Courts portal are more useful.

WATCH is one option, but not the only one. For a complete picture of Benton County DUI records, search the Odyssey Portal for superior court, the Washington Courts portal for district court, and contact the Kennewick and Richland municipal courts directly.

Under-21 DUI Cases in Benton County

Washington's zero-tolerance standard for underage drivers under RCW 46.61.503 sets the BAC threshold at 0.02 for anyone under 21. Any detectable THC above 0.00 also qualifies. Benton County's municipal courts and district court handle these cases depending on where the arrest occurred. The penalties follow the same structure as adult DUI under RCW 46.61.5055.

Vacation of DUI Convictions in Benton County

Under RCW 9.96.060, most DUI convictions in Washington cannot be vacated if the person has a subsequent alcohol or drug-related offense within 10 years of the original arrest. Benton County residents seeking to vacate a DUI conviction should consult a Washington attorney. Washington LawHelp provides free resources and referrals to legal aid organizations for those who qualify.

Cities in Benton County

DUI records for Benton County's major cities are covered on their own pages:

Nearby Counties

Search DUI records in counties near Benton through the same state court systems: