Access Garfield County DUI Records

Garfield County DUI records are filed in a small, rural court system in southeast Washington. As the least populous county in the state, Garfield County processes a relatively small number of DUI cases each year. Felony DUI cases go to Garfield County Superior Court in Pomeroy. Misdemeanor DUI cases in unincorporated areas are handled by Garfield County District Court. There are no incorporated city municipal courts in scope for this county. This page explains how to find and request these records.

How to Search Garfield County DUI Records Online

Garfield County superior court DUI records are available through the Washington Odyssey Portal. This statewide system covers 35 superior courts including Garfield County. Search by defendant name, case number, or filing date. The portal shows charge descriptions, hearing dates, case status, and final dispositions. Felony DUI cases -- those charged as Class B felonies due to repeat offense history -- appear here. As of January 1, 2026, a third DUI within 15 years also qualifies as a felony under Washington law.

Misdemeanor DUI records from Garfield County District Court are searchable through the Washington Courts public portal. This system covers district and some municipal courts across Washington. First, second, and third DUI offenses in unincorporated Garfield County will generally appear here. Given the county's very small population, the number of DUI cases is low, but the records are still public and available through these portals.

Both portals are free and open to anyone. No login is required. Given Garfield County's size, some older records may not have been digitized. For cases predating the online systems, a written request to the Garfield County Clerk is the best approach. Call ahead before mailing to confirm current processing procedures, as small county offices sometimes operate with limited staff.

Garfield County Courts That Handle DUI Cases

Garfield County Superior Court is located at 789 Main St, Pomeroy, WA 99347. The Garfield County Clerk can be reached at (509) 843-3731. Superior court handles all felony DUI charges in the county. As the smallest county in Washington by population, Garfield County's superior court is a low-volume court. The same clerk staff may handle both superior and district court administrative functions.

Garfield County District Court handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor DUI cases in unincorporated areas of the county. Since there are no incorporated cities with their own municipal courts within Garfield County's scope, district court is the primary venue for all non-felony DUI cases. This means nearly all misdemeanor DUI arrests in Garfield County go through district court rather than a municipal court.

Garfield County shares a judicial district with Asotin County, which borders it to the south. In some rural eastern Washington counties, a single judge may serve multiple counties on a rotating basis. Confirm with the Garfield County Clerk whether a specific judge or court calendar applies to your case. This kind of shared judicial resource is common in Washington's smaller counties and can affect hearing schedules.

What Garfield County DUI Records Contain

DUI court records in Garfield County are public documents maintained by the county clerk. Superior court felony DUI records typically include the charging information, arraignment minutes, pretrial motions, any plea agreement or trial record, sentencing order, and conditions of supervision. For DUI cases, sentencing orders often include ignition interlock requirements, chemical dependency treatment conditions, and supervision terms set by the court.

District court DUI records include the citation or criminal complaint, arraignment entry, pretrial hearing entries, any deferred prosecution agreement if the defendant sought that path, and the final disposition. Deferred prosecution is a specific Washington legal process that allows a DUI defendant to enter a two-year treatment program and have charges dismissed upon completion. The petition and agreement are filed court documents and are public records even if the underlying charge is eventually dismissed.

All Washington court records are public under the Public Records Act, RCW 42.56. Any person may request copies. You do not need to show a reason or a connection to the case. Provide the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if you have it. Without a case number, a name search through the clerk's office takes more time but is available.

Standard copy fees apply in Garfield County. Regular copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Because Garfield County is a small office, in-person requests may be processed more quickly than mail requests. Call (509) 843-3731 before visiting to confirm hours and availability.

Washington DUI Law Applied in Garfield County Courts

Washington defines DUI under RCW 46.61.502. The BAC limit is 0.08. THC impairment is defined as 5.00 nanograms per milliliter of blood within two hours of driving. A driver can be charged regardless of measured BAC or THC level if observable impairment exists. Refusal to submit to a breath or blood test brings enhanced penalties on top of the DUI charge.

Penalties under RCW 46.61.5055 scale with offense history. First offense with BAC under 0.15 requires 24 hours minimum in jail and a fine of at least $350. First offense with BAC at 0.15 or above, or after a test refusal, requires at least 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. Second offense minimum is 30 days in jail plus 60 days of electronic home monitoring and a $500 fine. Third offense minimum is 90 days in jail, 120 days of electronic home monitoring, and a $1,000 fine.

Garfield County is rural and heavily agricultural. Traffic stops are primarily conducted by Washington State Patrol troopers and Garfield County Sheriff's deputies. There is no city police department within the county at a scale that generates municipal court DUI caseloads. Most DUI arrests in Garfield County happen on state highways and rural roads, and those cases go directly to district court or, if felony-level, to superior court.

Given the county's remoteness, DUI defendants in Garfield County may have fewer local legal resources available than defendants in urban Washington counties. The nearest public defender offices, treatment programs, and legal aid organizations may be in Asotin, Whitman, or Walla Walla counties. Defendants and attorneys often travel significant distances for hearings in Pomeroy.

Driver's License Suspension Records for Garfield County DUI Cases

A DUI arrest in Garfield County triggers an automatic administrative suspension process run by the Washington Department of Licensing, separate from any criminal court proceedings. Drivers have 20 days from the date of the arrest notice to request a DOL hearing to contest the suspension. Missing this deadline means the suspension takes effect without a hearing.

Check license status and get information about the suspension process through the DOL DUI resources page. DOL records are separate from court records. They show suspension status and ignition interlock requirements but not the details of the underlying criminal case. For the court case details, use the Odyssey Portal or contact the Garfield County Clerk.

In a rural county like Garfield, a license suspension creates significant hardship. Public transit is essentially nonexistent. Driving to work, medical appointments, or court dates may be the only practical option for many residents. Ignition interlock device compliance is required for license reinstatement in many DUI cases. The DOL maintains a certified provider list. In a county as small as Garfield, finding a local IID installer may require travel to a neighboring county.

Requesting Copies of Garfield County DUI Records

To request records from Garfield County, contact the Garfield County Clerk at (509) 843-3731. The courthouse is at 789 Main St, Pomeroy, WA 99347. Call first to confirm current office hours, as small county offices sometimes adjust schedules. Mail requests are accepted. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, the approximate case year, and the documents you need. For certified copies, ask for a fee estimate first or include a check made out to Garfield County Superior Court and indicate you want any overage refunded.

Online records through the Odyssey Portal and the Washington Courts portal are always free. If basic case information is all you need, start there. For certified copies or complete case files, a written request to the clerk is required. Given the small staff size in Pomeroy, a phone call before sending a mail request is a good step and can prevent delays caused by unclear requests.

Nearby County DUI Records

Garfield County is bordered by Asotin County to the south and Whitman County to the north and west. Columbia County lies to the west. All of these counties have DUI records accessible through the same statewide portals. Asotin County Superior Court in Clarkston and Whitman County Superior Court in Colfax are both searchable through the Washington Odyssey Portal. If a DUI arrest occurred near a county line and you are unsure where charges were filed, the statewide name search on the Odyssey Portal searches all 35 participating superior courts simultaneously and will identify the filing county without requiring separate searches for each one.