King County DUI Records

King County is Washington's most populous county, home to over 2.3 million residents. DUI records here come from several courts depending on where the offense occurred and how serious the charge is. Most misdemeanor DUI cases go through Seattle Municipal Court or one of the other city municipal courts in the county. Felony DUI cases land in King County Superior Court. This page covers how to find DUI records from each court, what those records contain, and the key laws that apply.

How to Search King County DUI Records Online

Two public portals cover the bulk of DUI cases in King County. For misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases filed in municipal or district court, use the Washington Courts public access site at dw.courts.wa.gov. This portal is free, requires no login, and covers courts across the state including King County District Court and most city municipal courts in the county.

For felony DUI cases filed in King County Superior Court, search the Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov. You can search by party name or case number. Results show filing dates, charges, hearings, and case status. Neither portal provides certified copies. For those, you need to contact the clerk directly.

Seattle Municipal Court has its own separate records search at courtrecords.seattle.gov. Seattle handles more DUI cases than any other municipal court in Washington, so if the offense happened in Seattle city limits, start there.

Tips when searching:

• Try last name plus first initial if a full name search returns no results.
• Cases filed before the portal launched may require an in-person request.
• A single DUI incident can generate records in more than one court if there are related charges.

King County Superior Court - Felony DUI Records

King County Superior Court handles all felony DUI cases originating anywhere in the county. A DUI becomes a felony on a fourth or subsequent offense within a ten-year lookback period. It can also become a felony if the defendant has a prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction. Felony DUI is classified as a Class B felony under RCW 46.61.502.

King County Superior Court is at 516 Third Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. The Superior Court Clerk handles all case files and records requests. Call (206) 296-9300 to reach the clerk's office. The Odyssey Portal at odysseyportal.courts.wa.gov is the public search tool for Superior Court cases. Felony DUI convictions can result in up to ten years in prison and fines reaching $20,000 under RCW 46.61.5055.

Seattle Municipal Court

Seattle Municipal Court is the largest municipal court in Washington State. It handles DUI cases where the offense occurred within Seattle city limits. Most of these are gross misdemeanors. The court is at 600 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104. Call (206) 684-5600 for records and case information. Public case records are available online at courtrecords.seattle.gov.

Because Seattle accounts for a large share of King County's population and road network, this court sees a high volume of DUI filings each year. First, second, and third DUI offenses typically come through here if the stop happened inside city limits. The court record shows the charge, all filings, any plea or trial outcome, and the sentence imposed.

King County District Court - Misdemeanor DUI

King County District Court handles misdemeanor DUI cases that occur in unincorporated parts of the county, meaning areas not within any city boundary. Call (206) 205-9200 to reach the District Court. Search District Court cases through the statewide portal at dw.courts.wa.gov.

Many cities in King County also have their own municipal courts. Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Auburn, Federal Way, Kirkland, Redmond, Burien, SeaTac, Shoreline, Bothell, Issaquah, and others each handle DUI cases from within their city limits. If you're looking for a case from one of those cities, search the statewide portal and filter by court location, or contact the specific municipal court directly.

Washington DUI Law

The core DUI statute is RCW 46.61.502. It makes it illegal to drive while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, or any other drug. The BAC limit is 0.08 for most drivers. For cannabis, the per se limit is 5.00 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. Drivers under 21 face a lower threshold. Commercial vehicle operators have a 0.04 BAC limit.

Penalties are set in RCW 46.61.5055. For a first offense with BAC under 0.15, the mandatory 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 goes up to 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. A second offense requires at least 30 days in jail plus 60 days of electronic home monitoring. Courts can also impose probation, treatment programs, and community service on top of mandatory minimums.

An ignition interlock device is required for license reinstatement in most DUI cases. The length of the requirement depends on the offense level and the driver's BAC. This is separate from any criminal penalty the court imposes.

What King County DUI Records Contain

A DUI case file includes the police report summary, the formal charge, all motions and responses, and the final judgment and sentence. If the case went to trial, the record may also include jury instructions and a verdict form. Plea agreements are part of the public file. So are deferred prosecution agreements, which are a specific program under Washington law where a defendant enters treatment in exchange for a potential dismissal after two years.

These records are public under RCW 42.56. Washington's Public Records Act gives anyone the right to request copies from government agencies, including court clerks. You do not need to state a reason. Fees apply for copies. Juvenile cases are generally sealed. Records in active investigations may be temporarily withheld. If a conviction was vacated or expunged, those records are handled separately.

How to Get Copies of DUI Records

For Seattle Municipal Court records, call (206) 684-5600 or visit 600 5th Ave in Seattle. For King County Superior Court records, call (206) 296-9300 or go to 516 Third Ave. King County District Court can be reached at (206) 205-9200. Bring the defendant's full name, the case number if you have it, and a government-issued ID if requesting records about yourself.

Copy fees in Washington courts run $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. Most requests are handled same day or within a few business days. You can also send a written public records request by mail. Include as much identifying information as possible to help staff find the right file quickly.

DOL License Suspension Records

A DUI arrest in King County starts two separate processes. The court handles the criminal charge. The Department of Licensing runs an administrative process that can suspend your driver's license regardless of how the criminal case turns out. A driver can be acquitted in court and still face a DOL suspension based on the breath test result or refusal at the time of the stop.

The DOL maintains records of all license actions. You can check a driver's license status or request DOL records through the agency. The DOL's DUI resources page at dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/duiresources.html explains suspension timelines, reinstatement requirements, SR-22 insurance, and ignition interlock rules.

Cities in King County

King County includes many cities, each with its own municipal court for DUI cases within city limits.

Other communities in King County include Auburn, Redmond, Sammamish, Shoreline, Burien, SeaTac, Bothell, and Issaquah. All DUI cases in unincorporated areas go through King County District Court. Felony cases from anywhere in the county go to King County Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border King County. If you are unsure which county's courts handled a case, the location of the traffic stop determines jurisdiction.