Wahkiakum County DUI Records Lookup

Wahkiakum County DUI records are filed with two courts in Cathlamet. It is one of the smallest counties in Washington, with fewer than 5,000 residents, but the same laws and court processes apply here as in any other part of the state. Misdemeanor DUI cases go to Wahkiakum County District Court. Felony DUI cases, meaning a fourth or higher offense within ten years, go to Wahkiakum County Superior Court. Both courts operate from the county courthouse at 64 Main St in Cathlamet. Washington's Public Records Act makes most DUI court records available to anyone, and the state's online portals let you search without traveling to the courthouse.

Searching Wahkiakum County DUI Records Online

Washington maintains two free online portals for public court record access. The Odyssey Portal handles Wahkiakum County Superior Court cases. This is where felony DUI records appear. You can search by defendant name, case number, or date range. Results show the charges filed, all hearing dates, the disposition, and sentencing details. The portal is free and available to anyone.

For misdemeanor DUI records from Wahkiakum County District Court, use the Washington Courts public case search. This tool covers all district and municipal courts across the state. Wahkiakum County has no incorporated municipalities with separate municipal courts, so District Court handles DUI cases from the entire county. Enter the person's name and filter by Wahkiakum County. Results show charge information, court dates, and outcomes.

These portals show case status and docket entries. They don't provide full document access. If you need actual copies of court documents, contact the Wahkiakum County Clerk at (360) 795-3558. The office is at 64 Main St, Cathlamet, WA 98612. Copy fees are $0.50 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $1 per page after that. In a small county like Wahkiakum, calling ahead is a good idea to confirm hours and staffing before making a trip.

Wahkiakum County Superior Court: Felony DUI

Felony DUI in Washington applies under RCW 46.61.502 when a person has four or more prior DUI convictions within the previous ten years, or when they have a prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction on their record. Felony DUI is a Class B felony, which carries up to ten years in prison and fines up to $20,000.

Wahkiakum County Superior Court handles all felony-level cases from within the county. Given the county's small population, felony DUI cases here are not common. But the legal process is identical to larger counties. Charges are filed, a defendant is arraigned, pretrial hearings take place, and the case resolves by plea or trial. Everything is documented and publicly available through the Odyssey portal or by contacting the clerk.

The courthouse at 64 Main St sits in the small town of Cathlamet along the Columbia River. Cathlamet is a remote location. If you plan to visit the clerk's office in person, call ahead at (360) 795-3558 to confirm office hours and whether the specific records you need are available at the counter or need to be pulled from storage.

District Court: Misdemeanor DUI Cases

Wahkiakum County District Court handles first and second DUI offenses from across the county. Washington charges most DUI arrests as gross misdemeanors unless the prior conviction threshold for felony charges is met. District Court is the right court for almost all DUI cases in a county this small.

The penalty minimums under RCW 46.61.5055 apply statewide. A first offense with a BAC below 0.15 requires at least 24 hours in jail and a $350 fine. If the BAC was 0.15 or higher, or if the driver refused a breath test, the minimum is 48 hours in jail and a $500 fine. Second offenses require 30 days in jail, 60 days of electronic home monitoring, and a $500 fine. Third offenses require 90 days in jail, 120 days EHM, and a $1,000 fine.

Washington's BAC limit for alcohol is 0.08. The THC limit for cannabis impairment is 5.00 nanograms per milliliter of blood. Both types of DUI follow the same court process. If you are searching for a specific case and aren't sure which substance was involved, just search by name. The charge listing will show what statute was cited and what type of DUI it was.

Arrests and Law Enforcement Records

Court records begin when charges are filed. Arrest records begin earlier, with the traffic stop and booking. These are separate sets of records held by separate agencies.

Most DUI arrests in Wahkiakum County are made by the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office. Washington State Patrol also patrols the county's state highways, including SR-4 and SR-409. Each agency holds its own arrest and incident reports. To get a copy of a DUI arrest report, contact the agency that made the arrest. This is typically the Sheriff's Office for county roads and WSP for state highways.

Jail booking records may also be available. Wahkiakum County has a small detention facility. Contact the Sheriff's Office for information about booking records. These records are not part of the court system and won't appear in the Odyssey portal or the public case search. They are held separately as law enforcement records.

One thing to keep in mind with small counties: staffing is limited. Records requests may take longer to fulfill than in larger counties. Be specific in your request and allow time for a response. Mail requests are a good option if you can't visit in person.

License Suspensions After a DUI in Wahkiakum County

A DUI arrest in Wahkiakum County triggers a separate process with the Washington Department of Licensing. The criminal court case and the driver's license action are handled by different agencies and run on separate timelines. A license can be suspended even before the criminal case concludes, and a suspension can remain in place even if criminal charges are later dropped.

Under Washington's implied consent law, a driver who fails a breath test or refuses one faces an automatic administrative license action. After receiving notice, the driver has 20 days to request a hearing with DOL to contest the suspension. If no hearing is requested, the suspension takes effect automatically. A first-offense failed test typically results in a 90-day suspension. A refusal leads to a one-year revocation.

The DOL's DUI resources page at dol.wa.gov has detailed information about the suspension process, hearing procedures, ignition interlock requirements, and how to reinstate a license. DOL records are not part of the court record and won't show up in any court search portal. Check directly with DOL for license status.

Washington's Public Records Act and Court Access

Washington's Public Records Act, RCW 42.56, gives any person the right to inspect and copy public records. You don't need to state a reason. Adult DUI case records are public by default. Juvenile records are sealed. Some documents may be partially redacted if they contain exempt information, such as victim contact details.

To request records from Wahkiakum County, contact the clerk at (360) 795-3558 or write to 64 Main St, Cathlamet, WA 98612. Include the defendant's name, approximate case date, case number if available, and what documents you need. For mail requests, include payment for the estimated copy fees. The clerk can tell you the expected cost before you send payment if you call ahead. For a directory of all Washington courts and general information about how the court system works, visit courts.wa.gov.

Nearby Counties

Wahkiakum County borders Pacific County to the west and Cowlitz County to the north and east. Oregon lies across the Columbia River to the south. For DUI records from those neighboring Washington counties, the same statewide portals cover their courts. Each county has Superior Court records on the Odyssey portal and district court records in the Washington Courts public search. Both tools work the same way regardless of which county you are searching.