Mason County DUI Records

Mason County DUI records are maintained by Mason County Superior Court, Mason County District Court, and Shelton Municipal Court in Shelton, Washington. The type of charge determines which court has the case. Misdemeanor DUI cases go to district or municipal court, while felony DUI cases are filed in superior court. This page covers how to search for Mason County DUI records, what they contain, how to request copies, and what Washington law says about DUI charges and penalties. The county seat is Shelton, and all three courts are based there.

Searching Mason County DUI Records Online

Washington State provides two public portals for court record searches. Superior court cases in Mason County are searchable through the Washington Odyssey Portal. Enter the person's full name or a case number to pull up results. The portal shows case status, charges filed, docket history, and upcoming hearing dates. There is no fee to search, and you do not need to register.

Mason County District Court and Shelton Municipal Court records are available through the Washington Courts public portal. This system covers lower courts statewide and is the right place to look for misdemeanor DUI cases. Search by name and the system will show cases across courts that participate in the program. The portal is free to use.

If a case is not showing up in either portal, it may be too old to have been entered into the electronic system. Call the Mason County Superior Court Clerk at (360) 427-9670 or visit the courthouse at 419 N 4th St, Shelton, WA 98584. Staff can search manually and confirm whether records exist.

What a DUI Case File Contains

Mason County DUI records typically hold the arrest citation or formal charging documents, the defendant's name and date of birth, the specific charges, and all court dates. The file also includes motions, court orders, plea agreements if any, and the judgment entered by the judge. Sentencing documents show the exact penalties imposed, such as days in jail, fines, electronic home monitoring, and required programs.

Case files may also include evidence logs and references to breath or blood test results, though the actual test data is not always available through the public portal. If an attorney was involved, filings from both sides are usually in the docket. For cases involving accidents with injury, additional documentation may be in the file including insurance reports and victim statements.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile DUI cases are sealed and not available to the public. In certain cases, a judge may have ordered specific documents sealed. The clerk can tell you which documents in a specific case are restricted and which are open for public review.

Washington DUI Law in Mason County

Mason County courts apply Washington state DUI law. The main statute is RCW 46.61.502. A driver with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is presumed impaired under state law. The limit for cannabis is 5.00 ng/mL of THC. Drivers can also be charged even below these limits if there is other evidence of impairment.

The penalty structure under RCW 46.61.5055 works like this. A first DUI with BAC under 0.15 carries at least 24 hours in jail and a $350 fine. A first offense with BAC of 0.15 or higher, or where the driver refused testing, requires at least 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. Second offense minimums are 30 days in jail plus 60 days on electronic home monitoring and a $500 fine. Third offenses carry 90 days in jail, 120 days on electronic home monitoring, and a $1,000 minimum fine.

A fourth DUI within a 10-year period becomes a Class B felony under Washington law. Felony DUI cases in Mason County go to the superior court in Shelton. A conviction can lead to a sentence in a state correctional facility. The record stays in superior court case files.

How to Request DUI Record Copies in Mason County

Copies of Mason County DUI court records can be obtained in person or by mail. The Mason County Courthouse is at 419 N 4th St, Shelton, WA 98584. The Superior Court Clerk's number is (360) 427-9670. Walk-in visitors can request copies at the clerk's counter during business hours. Staff will help you locate the case and prepare the documents you need.

Mail requests are accepted. Include the full name of the defendant, the case number if you have it, the specific documents you want, and payment for the copy fees. Standard copies are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. If using the records for legal or official purposes, ask for certified copies. Uncertified copies are fine for personal use and cost less.

Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, establishes the right of the public to access most court records. The state requires agencies to respond to records requests within five business days, though fulfillment can take longer for large requests or complex case files.

Shelton Municipal Court DUI Cases

Shelton Municipal Court handles DUI cases where the arrest occurred within the city limits of Shelton. This court operates separately from the district and superior courts. Municipal court records may or may not appear in the statewide online portals. If you are looking for a Shelton municipal court case and cannot find it online, contact the court directly.

Shelton Municipal Court handles misdemeanor-level DUI cases only. If the charge is elevated to a felony, the case transfers to Mason County Superior Court. The municipal court is located at the Shelton City Hall. Staff there can confirm whether a case was filed and explain how to request copies of records.

Driver's License Suspensions After a DUI

Washington State separates court records from driver's license records. A conviction in Mason County leads to a license action administered by the Department of Licensing, not the court. The DOL records a suspension or revocation tied to the conviction, but this information does not appear in court files.

To check a driver's current license status or find out about any DUI-related suspensions, use the Washington DOL DUI resources page. This is helpful for employers, insurance companies, or individuals who want to understand whether driving privileges are currently active or suspended. The DOL and the court are two separate systems that handle two separate aspects of the same DUI case.

Nearby County DUI Records

Mason County sits on Hood Canal in western Washington. Neighboring counties include Thurston County to the east, home to Olympia. Grays Harbor County is to the north and west. Kitsap County is across Hood Canal to the east. Each of these counties maintains its own court system but uses the same Washington state online portals for public record access. The Odyssey Portal and the Washington Courts public portal cover superior courts and lower courts respectively across all of them.